The Dean, Rue du Saint-Esprit
There was a vegetarian restaurant in Luxembourg long before the subject became a dinner-table topic. Mesa Verde has been a fixture on Rue du Saint-Esprit for over 30 years, and the restaurant has retained the feel of a neighbourhood spot rather than a trendy new concept launched last season. The restaurant has its own ritual: a salad is served as a starter, as a matter of course, even before the main course you’ve ordered. The menu draws inspiration from a wide range of cuisines and features a good selection of vegan dishes. The owners of Mesa Verde, Lucien and Vanessa, make the rounds of the tables, and this is undoubtedly why people keep coming back – as much for the warm welcome as for the food.
Address: 11 Rue du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg (city centre)
Lucien Elsen, head chef at Mesa Verde, one of the country’s longest-established vegetarian restaurants. (Photo: Matic Zorman/archive)
Local and seasonal
It couldn’t be any more central. Beet overlooks Place Guillaume II, exactly the sort of place you’d want to go for lunch on a Tuesday without spending the whole afternoon there. The restaurant focuses on seasonal produce and local suppliers, and its menu adapts to your appetite on the day: from small vegan dishes to nibble on to heartier meals, including mixed bowls and soups. Some dishes draw inspiration from other cuisines without making a big deal of it.
Address: 26 Place Guillaume II, Luxembourg (city centre)
Beet’s bowls are created using seasonal vegetables on Place Guillaume II. (Photo: Romain Gamba/archive)
Freshly squeezed juices and labelled dishes
Instead of Paris, Rawdish It doesn’t do things by halves: everything here is certified organic and entirely plant-based, without exception. The concept is based on ready-to-eat meals; there are around thirty options, including hot dishes, salads, desserts and cold-pressed juices, available to take away, have delivered or collect in-store. The restaurant also offers one-, three- or five-day juice cleanses for those who want to go a step further than just a simple lunch.
Address: 2A, Place de Paris, Luxembourg (railway station)
A garden at La Cloche d’Or
The name says it all: De Gaart, meaning “the garden” in Luxembourgish. Located on the ground floor of the InnSide by Meliá hotel, De Gaart takes its inspiration from the city’s community gardens and works with small local farms. A green wall provides the backdrop to the dining room, where the speedy service and daily special are clearly aimed at the neighbourhood’s office workers. This is less about militant health-conscious cuisine and more about cooking with fresh produce, with a genuine focus on vegetables and vegetarian options.
Address: InnSide by Meliá, Luxembourg (Gasperich)
