Almost 65 percent of the population has some form of lactose intolerance, according to a report by the National Institutes of Health. For those who cannot, or choose not to, eat dairy, vegan pizza made with soy or nut cheese offers a popular and tasty alternative.
From barbecue chicken and sausage to ricotta and mozzarella alternatives, New Times has rounded up vegan versions of all your favorites. Here are the top ten vegan pizzas in Broward and Palm Beach.
1. Christopher’s Kitchen. Ditch the guilt and lose yourself in this all-in-one dream come true. Cherry tomatoes, avocado, and red onions are nestled on a bed of arugula then piled onto a heavenly wheat crust that’s been smeared with a slightly sweet red sauce. Creamy, dressing-like cashew cheese, Brazil nut parmesan, basil, and oregano top off this disc of decadence. Or, if you are feeling especially gluttonous, try the mushroom truffle pizza with cremini, shitake, portobello, and white mushrooms; truffle oil; scallions; and macadamia ricotta. If you just can’t do bread today, never fear: Christopher's offers a raw pizza served on a house-made flax cracker topped with red sauce, broccoli, olives, avocado, onions, red pepper, herbs, and cashew cheese. Christopher’s Kitchen not only hand-makes its pizza crusts each day, but all of the creamy, nut-based cheeses are made in-house. 4783 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens; 561-318-6191; christopherskitchenfl.com.
2. Vannucchi Brothers Pizza. Vegetarian Michael Anthony Reiter opened Vannucci Brothers in 2014 because he was frustrated with the limited vegan options at other Italian pizzerias. Today, Vannucci Brothers
3. Mellow Mushroom. Mellow Mushroom is the honorary grandfather of the vegan pizza movement in Palm Beach. The indoor/outdoor eatery has offered vegan pies for over ten years in a funky environment that plays the best in classic rock music. Top your pizza with time-honored favorites like tofu and tempeh in addition to an impressive selection of fresh veggies. (Try the roasted mushroom trio!) The Veg Out is a classic blend of spinach, green peppers, mushrooms, onions, black olives, red sauce, vegan cheese, and tomatoes. You can substitute for Follow Your Heart vegan cheese, which is gluten-free and non-GMO, on any specialty pizza. Both the wheat and gluten-free crusts are vegan and they offer an array of vegan salads, appetizers, hoagies, and calzones, along with a full bar and happy-hour specials. Pizza boxes, napkins and paper towels are made from 100 percent recycled materials, and everything is printed with environmentally friendly soy ink. 25 SE Sixth Ave., Delray Beach; 561-330-3040; mellowmushroom.com.
4. Pizza Fusion. Not only does Pizza Fusion serve some of the tastiest pizza in South Florida, but it also uses 75 percent organic ingredients and eschews preservatives, nitrates, pesticides, and trans fats. Deliveries are made in hybrid vehicles and the chain uses only recycled, biodegradable boxes and silverware. Vegan pizzas come with your choice of Daiya or Follow Your Heart cheese, a variety of crusts and sauces, and over 15 choices of veggies. Ask for vegan cheese on the Farmers' Market pizza, made with roasted portobello mushrooms, red onions, roasted zucchini, roasted artichokes, and tomato sauce. Pizza Fusion also offers vegan salads, breadsticks, creative appetizers like spinach-artichoke pinwheels, and key lime cheesecake that is so scrumptious even dairy-lovers will be fooled. 2378 Weston Rd., Weston; 954-641-5353; pizzafusion.com.
5. Joe’s Old School Pizza. “Peace, love, and pizza” is the slogan at this New York-style pizzeria. Owner Joe Caristo grew up in Brooklyn, where he learned traditional Italian pizza-making from his mother and grandmother. Caristo has been vegan since 1994, so you can be sure you’re getting the same quality pizza that Caristo himself eats. Hand-tossed doughs, sauces, and fresh garlic rolls are homemade daily at each of Joe’s three locations. Choose from wheat or gluten-free crust, an assortment of veggies like eggplant and pineapple, and Daiya cheese. Try the vegan works, a mouth-watering combination of mushrooms onion, green pepper, pineapple, garlic, spinach, black olives, and vegan cheese. And to complete that authentic Brooklyn experience, end with a homemade vegan Italian ice in flavors like piña colada, lemon, chocolate, and strawberry. You can feel good knowing that Joe’s gives back to the community by donating food to local shelters and hiring people with disabilities. 1090 N. Federal Hwy., Hollywood; 954-922-6161; joesoldschoolpizza.com.
