Going out to eat in a restaurant is one of the hardest events for someone living a vegan lifestyle to deal with. Asking what each dish contains and making special orders can be very frustrating. Dining out becomes even more challenging when visiting a new area. Rhode Island has plenty of excellent restaurants that serve vegan fare or accommodate those with certain restricted diets. The top five include Garden Grill, Melanie's Vegan Eden, Crazy Burger, Madhouse Café, and Julian's.

The Garden Grille in Pawtucket, offers a wide variety of vegan dishes. This completely vegetarian restaurant provides a laid back environment with an intimate and comfortable feeling. The menu clearly states the foods that aren't vegan and you can ask to substitute any of the dairy in certain dishes with the vegan counterparts. The Garden Grille serves brunch every Sunday with an array of vegan breakfast items. All of their delicious desserts are vegan and they also offer catering and takeout.

On the east side of Providence there is Melanie's Vegan Eden. This is a completely vegan restaurant so there is nothing to fear when dining here. Most of their dishes contain mock meat and dairy and they claim to have "the best vegan cheesecake in the universe," which is hard to argue with. This bright and exciting restaurant is quite small and can be hard to get into on some nights. However, it is a great place to take kids since they have toys and games for everyone to play with while waiting to eat; and you can even watch Melanie herself prepare the food behind the front counter.

If you are looking for a laid back beach shack, then the Crazy Burger is the place for you. This small and inviting restaurant is conveniently located near the beach in Narragansett. They offer a wide variety of dishes and have a wonderful selection of fresh juices. Seats at a breakfast bar are located inside and during the summer they offer additional outdoor seating. Breakfast is served every morning and they are open seven days a week. The Crazy Burger is a great place to go with non-vegan friends since they offer everything.

The owners of the Crazy Burger have recently opened a restaurant in Pawtucket called the Madhouse Café. This is a more upscale dining experience but at the same time, it is still comfortable. They have an eclectic menu and a full bar. They offer many of the same items as Crazy Burger in addition to some new items. Breakfast is served on weekend mornings. Stools line their beautiful wooden bar, and a patio outside is open to guests during the warmer seasons. It has a great atmosphere and is located near the Gamm Theatre, which is convenient for guests before or after a show.

Julian's, located in Providence, offers a few vegan options. They serve brunch everyday and they have a full bar with seating. Julian's dark and relaxed atmosphere is accented by unique designs and artwork displayed on the walls. Excellent service compliments their unusual and interesting dishes. Julian's is both a dining experience and trip to an art gallery all at once.

Discovering new restaurants with vegan possibilities can be a challenging yet exciting goal. Most times, it takes a lot of research and interrogation to find vegan friendly dishes. However, if you are patient and persistent, the search for restaurants can be enjoyable and educational. Do not be afraid to try new places and ask questions, and you will be sure to find great vegan food.