Get guidance from a health food store or natural food market

If the area you're in has a natural food market such as Whole Foods or a health food store, ask the people who work there if they can recommend a vegetarian friendly restaurant. These types of businesses often employ people who are vegetarians or enjoy eating in vegetarian restaurants and can give you the inside scoop. They can be an excellent resource for pointing out small, lesser known vegetarian eateries and cafes.

Look for throw-away, college oriented newspapers with advertising

If you're in an area that has a large college of university, there's probably a throw away newspaper oriented towards the college crowd. Small vegetarian friendly restaurants often advertise in these publications since there are so many vegetarian students in colleges and universities. See if you can get a copy of one of these publications at a local bookstore or from a distribution box on a street corner. When you get it, look carefully through the restaurant ads for vegetarian friendly restaurants. Another option is to ask a college student for a recommendation.

The yellow pages

Just because a vegetarian restaurant isn't listed in the yellow pages doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Many of the best vegetarian restaurants are small and are only known by word of mouth. Plus, it can sometimes be hard to tell if a restaurant is vegetarian friendly from an ad. Check to see if there are any obvious vegetarian restaurants by looking for a vegetarian subheading under the restaurant section. But don't assume that just because there are no listings the area doesn't have vegetarian restaurants.

Go to Vegdining.com

This site has over 1,000 vegetarian friendly restaurants and food stores around the world listed by location. Another similar site is vegeats.com. If you'll be traveling to a new area and want to find the best vegetarian restaurants, visit these sites for guidance.

Look for ethnic restaurants

Many ethnic restaurants are vegetarian friendly, particularly Thai, Chinese, Indian, Middle Eastern, and Ethiopian restaurants. If you can't find a vegetarian restaurant, give some of the ethnic restaurants a call and see if they can accommodate your needs.

Sometimes finding the best vegetarian restaurants is just a question of knowing where to look. Why not give these resources a try next time you're looking for vegetarian food?

Paru's

Specializing in South Indian cuisine, Paru's cooks use rich delicious spices and aromatic herbs to create works of culinary art out of vegetables, rice, and lentils. Fullfilling and delectable they fill your stomach without breaking the bank. Idli, Masala Dosa,, and Sambar are only some of the savory items that Paru's offers.

Street Address: 5140 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood

Bulan Thai Vegetarian Kitchen

Vegetarians young and old will delight in the exotic flavors of Bulan Thai Vegetarian Kitchen. Bulan's creative menu features a delectable and healthy variety of Thai - fusion vegetarian appetizers ,entrees, desserts and drinks. Their tasty offerings leave out the meat, the MSG, preservatives and trans fats. Special orders are welcomed ! Open Daily: 11am - 10pm.

Street Address: 7168 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA

Native Foods

Native Foods is an all organic vegan / vegetarian restaurant that will delight vegetarians, vegans, and meat-eaters alike. Native Food's Chef has created a menu full of delicious textures, complex taste, and rich culinary experience. Eating at Native Foods is like taking a terrific savory trip around the world and back. Hours: Monday-Sunday 11AM - 10PM

Street Address: 1110 1/2 Gayley Ave., Los Angeles, CA or 7168 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA

India Sweets & Spices

Want great vegetarian food at a terrific price? Try india Sweet and Spices. Fast friendly service coupled with outstanding vegetarian food. If you want a quick snack on the go, India Sweets and Spices is a great place to grab a satisfying lunch. A couple of samosas and mango lassi to drink, and you've got a substantial meal for under five bucks.

Street Address: India Sweets and Spices 3126 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Vege House Restaurant

Mouthwatering Chinese food without a lick of meat. Residing among other Asia eateries in the City of Alhambra, the Vege House stands alone as the only Asian vegetarian restaurants in the area. The extensive menu offers a variety of traditional Chinese dishes with authentic spices and seasonings. They are truly masters at the art of creating satisfying dishes with meat substitutes.

Street Address: India Sweets and Spices1400 E. Valley Blvd., Alhambra, CA