For non-carnivorous folk, summer in Maine can be difficult: seafood is abundant, barbecues are a seasonal staple and finding a place to eat that suits a vegetarian or vegan diet can seem daunting. Luckily for the Midcoast, the Brunswick area boasts a number of hidden gems that are sure to satisfy your plant-based palate without eliciting a multitude of groans from your lobster-loving friends and family. Read on for where to eat when you’re craving

New Beet Market: Vegetarian-friendly

A relatively new addition to Brunswick farm-based fare, New Beet Market prides itself on locally sourced, low-profit offerings in a comfortable, cozy setting. Serving breakfast and lunch, the cafe’s namesake can be found throughout their specialty beet products, including their beet chips — made fresh daily — roasted beet salad, beet juice-infused mayonnaise and beet-juice infused whoopie pies. Though the cafe doesn’t specialize in vegan entrees, there are several vegetarian (and non-vegetarian) options to go around. For breakfast, try the Sproutwich, featuring local egg, cheddar, Backyard Farm tomato, avocado and sprouts on a house-made English muffin. If you’re in the hankering for a hearty salad, the Avocado Kedavra is sure to impress. Serving dairy-free and gluten-free soups coupled with a selection of fresh, made-from-scratch pastries each day, New Beet Cafe is open 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and until 3 p.m. on Saturday. Located at Brunswick Landing near Cook’s Corner.

Frontier Cafe: Vegan and vegetarian-friendly

A cinema, art gallery and world-class cafe all rolled into one, Frontier Cafe is a Midcoast favorite for an eclectic mix of globally-inspired and locally-sourced fare for the meat-lovers, vegetarians and vegans among us. Situated in an old mill complex overlooking the Androscoggin river, Frontier regularly hosts live music concerts, film screenings and rotating exhibits at its permanent art gallery. The cafe’s extensive and flavorful array is sure to satisfy the whole family, with dishes such as fried cauliflower, sushi rice bowl, Jamaican jerk tacos, mushroom based kimchi bowl and the ever-popular vegan nachos. Make a night of it and peruse the gallery, listen to the music and revel in the fact that at Frontier, you can have your vegan food and eat it too. The joint can get busy in the summertime, so call ahead or go online to make a reservation. Located at Fort Andross, Frontier is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed Mondays.

Green Elephant: Vegan and vegetarian only

Located in Portland’s

bustling downtown, critically acclaimed Green Elephant is the master of Asian-inspired, meat-free noodle bowls, curry dishes, salads and soups. With something for everyone, carnivores and vegans alike will rejoice in their meat like offerings including locally-sourced soy-meat, tofu and tempeh. Get your taste buds going with their fried brussels sprouts, peanut curry or siamese dream noodle soup—or choose from their variety of other noodle and curry options. Though a 30-minute drive from Brunswick, the trip is well worth it. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Shere Punjab and Bombay Mahal: Vegan and vegetarian friendly

Though not traditionally thought of a hubs for vegan and vegetarian fare, South Asian cuisine is one of the most naturally vegan and vegetarian-friendly there is with its extensive selection of lentil and legume-based curries and dishes. Brunswick restaurant-goers have the choice of two all-star Indian restaurants located conveniently on Maine Street: Shere Punjab and Bombay Mahal. Both offer Punjabi-style vegan favorites that even carnivores will enjoy, such as vegetable samosas, vegetable biryani, pakoras and bhindi masala, a delightful blend of okra with fresh onions, ginger, tomatoes and Indian spices. Chana masala — a chickpea curry spiced with onions, tomato and coriander— is a cult favorite for vegans as well, not to mention the plethora of other vegetarian options. Don’t forget roti or naan flatbread to go along with your meal and quell your heated taste buds! Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Local Market and Cafe: Vegan and vegetarian friendly

A cafe and retail space combined, Local Market and Cafe isn’t strictly meat-free, yet offers a rotating menu of fresh, seasonal vegetarian and vegan options for breakfast and lunch. Located on Brunswick’s bustling Maine Street, Local serves up an abundance of mouth-watering options that everyone can get behind: think wild rice edamame salad, minted sweet potato couscous, veggie cobb and edamame burger sandwiches. Stop by for breakfast and grab a spicy tofu breakfast sandwich with pickled diakon radish, carrots, onion and fabanaise. Don’t forget to peruse the shop for fresh bread and produce from local farmers, craft beer, wine, cheese, books and kitchenware on your way out. Open 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the weekends.

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