The Naam

Pros

• Wide range of vegetarian food - Mexican, Asian, pizza, burgers, dessert, & more
• Vegan options
• Generous portions

Cons

• Long wait times at peak hours - especially on Fridays & weekends

Description

• Open 24 hrs, 7 days a week
• Rustic, casual atmosphere
• Most entrées from $10 - $15
• Family friendly

Guide Review - The Naam

Vancouver has lots of choices for vegetarian restaurants, but none with as wide a variety of options--and influences--as The Naam. The menu offers Mexican-inspired quesadillas, enchiladas, burritos and nachos, Asian and Indian-inspired "dragon bowls" and curries, burgers (made with soy patties) and pizzas, and a mouth-watering dessert menu of homemade cakes and pies.

The enchiladas are particularly popular, coming in unusual flavour combinations, like avocado and cashew (the avocado is to die for); other favourites include the stir-fried "Buddha's Feast" and the "Naam" dragon bowl, a macrobiotic treat on brown rice.

The "Sam's Five-Star Burger," made with soy, is meaty enough to satisfy anyone's burger craving, though the patty is on the thin side. The burger comes à la carte for $9.50, or as a platter (with "fries" and salad) for $12.50. Pita pizzas come in small and large sizes, ranging from $9 - $13.

Make sure to save room for the desserts--like the classic carrot cake or the vegan raspberry chocolate cake--and definitely do not miss the "Miso Gravy" salad dressing. So popular it's now sold at Capers and other groceries, the Miso Gravy is akin to nectar of the gods.

The one drawback to the Naam is the long wait times, especially on weekends, but possible even on a routine Monday night. The last time I ate there, we waited for our food for an hour. That's unusual, but be prepared to wait--for a seat and for food--during peak hours.