Best twist of fate ever!
After quite a day’s journey from Cordoba, the first restaurant we tried for dinner was closed. No idea why, but fortunately we had a backup option ready just in case. I knew it was veg-friendly, but I didn’t know it was entirely vegan. Wee!!!
If you are in Madrid and looking for a delicious vegetarian or vegan meal, you absolutely must go to Al Natural Vegetariano. For the record, they do have ovo-lacto options too, as well as free-range chicken and fish dishes.
We were semi-early (for Spain’s dining standards), and yet, the (very few) unoccupied tables had reservado placards on them. Clearly, this place was pretty popular. Luckily, they were able to find room for us in the back.
Nama shoyu, sesame oil, tamari already on stand-by and a platter of raw almond hummus on the house ready for me to ravage? I felt like I was at home.
We also got a bread basket…which needed refilling after our first pass around the table. My sister got up from the table to get seconds for herself, a bold, yet completely typical move. I egged her on, but my parents were seriously mortified. Nobody saw her though, so mom and dad slept ok that night.
Soon after the bread situation was under control, we got some wine.
Sorry about the poorly lit photos. Just pretend that I’m setting the mood.
Next up (more) appetizers.
Fried balls! Don’t quote me, but if I had to guess, I’d say these croquettes were stuffed with some sort of nut cheese and veggies. They were a big hit.
Before I move on to the entrees, I wanted to share what the front of the menu said.
“May your food be your medicine and may your only medicine be your food.”
I am 100% on board with your mission Al Natural!
So. Dinner.
Dad got a vegetarian pasta with simple marinara and shredded parmesan cheese on top.
Marie and Mom split two things, ravioli and salad.
Laura got seitan with wild mushrooms, a ratatouille served over a brown rice and veggie medley.
And I got seitan with green peppers and a Stilton (?) glaze. It also came with a brown rice and veggie medley as well as steamed vegetables.
I have no clue what was in this vegan Stilton glaze exactly, but I definitely enjoyed it. I liked my plate clean, for sure.
How amazing to find seitan in Madrid! I was on cloud nine after this meal.
This was a perfect welcome to Spain’s capitol. Hola!
YUM! Looks amazing – I like your sister’s style going for round 2, sounds like something I would do (when I’m hungry, no one can stop me!)
I love Madrid, I think there is a lot of vegan options and also a lovely atmospehere everywhere you go. It really caught my heart and I hope to come back some time soon 🙂
WOW! I had no idea there were so many vegan options in Madrid – that’s fantastic. And it looks like a really satisfying, delicious meal 🙂 xyx
I love the mission statement! Right up my alley. I’ve yet to try seitan but I now possess all necessary ingredients and I can’t wait to make it!
Okay, based on this post, I’ve decided I desperately need to visit Madrid. The food looks phenomenal, and I love their mission statement!
I’ve loved being able to see so much from your trip! It looks like you all had an unbelievable time.
That all looks so heavenly!
Great find! Wish I could’ve dined there. I remember having Maoz a few times in Madrid. And lots of falafel at random places. Oh to be a veggie in Spain. 🙂
the raw almond hummus and seitan with wild mushrooms have totally made me very hungry, and it’s only 4:19am in new york! thanks for such lovely photographs of vegan food! very much appreciated! xx
This looks delicious – I love vegan restaurants (okay, I’ve only been to one so far), because everything on the menu is free game! 🙂 I still need to go to Madrid, so this will definitely be on the list.
Omg, I seriously just started drooling all over myself once I saw that seitan with wild mushrooms! And I am seriously a sucker for bread baskets! 500+ calories on bread BEFORE my meal? Yes ma’am!
Do me a favor wouldya? Hold me accountable! I bought vital wheat gluten like MONTHS ago and STILL have yet to bust out the homemade seitan! I really need to get on this!
MAKE SOME FRIGGIN SEITAN. omg, the log seitan is the easiest thing ever. just balance your ratio of liquids to solids using veg broth, soy sauce and water + VWG…and roll it up in foil. massive vegan sausage – done! i swear you dont even *need* measuring cups.
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