Carrabba’s: What’s Vegetarian Editorial Review

Carrabba’s has no separate vegetarian menu, but the tomato-based pastas and grilled vegetables give you plenty of real options at this wood-grill Italian chain. A few items just need a quick question about stock, cheese, or the fryer before you order, and the kitchen is used to answering them.

What to order at Carrabba’s

Order the Linguine Positano or Spaghetti or Penne Pomodoro, both vegan as served. Eggplant Parmesan and Vegetable Ravioli are vegetarian, built with cheese and egg pasta. Grilled asparagus, broccoli, and seasonal vegetables are vegan sides worth adding to any plate. Start the meal with bread and herbed olive oil, and the Tomato Caprese with burrata if you eat dairy. The House or Italian side salad, ordered with oil or balsamic instead of a creamy dressing, works for vegans too.

What to watch out for

Skip the Caesar salad, since the dressing carries anchovy. Ask about the minestrone or soup of the day, because the stock may not be vegetarian. The Mozzarella Marinara appetizer is fried, so it shares a fryer with non-vegetarian food. Bread is often brushed with butter, so ask your server to skip that step if you want it dairy-free. Fettuccine Alfredo and garlic mashed potatoes are both vegetarian but loaded with cream and butter, so they’re not vegan options.