Vegetarian Guide to Harvard Square

Being a vegetarian doesn't mean you have to limit your diet to tofu and tomatoes. Follow this delectable guide to vegetarian cuisine in Harvard Square. Of course, meat lovers are welcome to hop on board as well.

The first two spots serve exclusively vegetarian entrees. Tucked in the underground space across from Border Café on Palmer Street, Veggie Planet offers both vegetarian and vegan options that can be served over a choice of brown rice, coconut rice, or pizza dough. Highlights include Henry's Dinner (small $7.15, large $11.35), which comes with roasted butternut squash, caramelized onions, rosemary, and sage topped with goat cheese and asiago. Another worthy choice is Oddlot (small $6.85, large $11.15), a vegan option of fresh marinated tomatoes, spinach, and homemade tofu-basil mash with kalamata olives and fried garlic.

Clover is another vegetarian eatery in the Square. Originally started as a food truck, Clover has transformed into a sit-down eatery that boasts a cozy dining atmosphere with an open kitchen and windows that stretch from the ground to the ceiling. Its wide range of sandwiches--such as BBQ Seitan ($6) and Soy BLT ($6)--are wrapped in a whole-wheat pita with green leaf lettuce and tomatoes. You can also skip the pita and opt for a platter. The Chickpea Platter ($7) includes six bite-sized chickpea fritters, hummus, "Israeli salad" made with diced tomatoes and cucumbers, and a medley of pickled carrots, red cabbage, and onions.

Eating out with non-vegetarian friends shouldn't cause too much trouble when you go to Crema Café. Its signature Sweet Potato Sandwich ($6.95) packs avocado, green apple, sprouts, hummus, sweet potato, and caramelized shallot vinaigrette in between lightly toasted wheat bread. If you crave something sweeter, go for the Nutella & Banana ($5) on homemade brioche.

Other favorite and affordable eateries, such as Boloco and Otto, also offer plenty of options for vegetarians. All burritos at Boloco can be made vegetarian-friendly if you select fajita veggies or tofu as your choice of protein. Otto's choice of toppings like three-cheese tortellini, butternut squash, and eggplant are suitable for veggie lovers.

For a fancier night out, try the mouthwatering Potato Gnocchi ($19) at Nubar, a restaurant in Sheraton Commander, or the five-course Vegetarian Tasting Menu ($55) at Upstairs On the Square.

If you don't feel like leaving the comfort of your residential House, fear not. Harvard University Dining Services serves at least one vegetarian entrée every meal (and two entrees on "Less-meat Mondays"), from Spinach Ricotta Pie to Beijing Style Crispy Tofu.

And, if none of these items sound appetizing, you can always smother two slices of bread with peanut butter and jelly for a good ole' PB&J sandwich.