Looking for vegetarian or vegan food in Portland, Maine? Start with the label on the individual dish—not just the restaurant's name or a familiar ingredient. Green Elephant and Nura offer two useful examples of how to read an official menu before choosing a meal.

This is a two-menu planning guide, not a ranking or a complete list of Portland's options. It separates dishes labeled vegan, dishes that need a change, and a restaurant's own plant-based shorthand.

Green Elephant: vegetarian does not mean every dish is vegan

Green Elephant describes itself as an Asian-inspired vegetarian bistro. Its official menu identifies Garlic & Ginger Tofu as vegan. Pad Thai, by contrast, lists egg and carries an instruction to omit it for a vegan preparation.

That distinction matters when ordering: choosing a vegetarian restaurant is not the same as choosing a vegan dish. Read the note attached to the item and explicitly request the change it describes. Don't assume that mentioning tofu—or choosing from the noodle section—settles the question.

For a visit, the restaurant's official site lists 608 Congress Street and says seating is walk-in only, with no reservations. Check the current schedule before travelling and leave room in your plan for an unconfirmed wait. Our Green Elephant profile keeps the official contact path handy.

Nura: read the key before choosing a falafel pocket

Nura's official menu distinguishes [v] plant based, [veg] vegetarian and [m] meat. These are the restaurant's labels; we have not independently verified ingredient handling.

The Old School Falafel Pocket and Mushroom Shawarma Pocket carry [v]. The Nura Falafel Pocket carries [veg]. Similar names do not make those labels interchangeable, and the menu also includes meat dishes.

If you need a vegan meal, use the key to narrow your choice, then ask about the exact preparation rather than interpreting every falafel item as equivalent. Check additions and substitutions too; the label beside one item does not answer a question about a customized order.

Confirm current service before making a trip. When checked October 4, Nura's site still displayed a September 24–29 closure notice alongside its regular schedule. A passed date alone does not confirm reopening. Use the official site linked from our Nura profile for the latest information.

A short checklist before you order

  • Open the restaurant's current menu rather than relying on an old screenshot.
  • Match the exact dish name to its label and any required modification.
  • Tell the team what you need; don't expect “vegetarian” and “vegan” to communicate the same request.
  • If allergies or cross-contact matter, ask the restaurant directly about ingredients and preparation. These menu labels are not a safety guarantee.
  • Confirm service and seating separately from the menu. Our Portland reservations and walk-ins guide explains why a booking, waitlist and walk-in plan are different things.

Sources and how this guide was made

Researched October 4, 2026 from the official Green Elephant and Nura pages linked above. AI assisted the research and writing. This is not a personal visit or tasting; menu availability, preparation and service can change.

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