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Ten years ago, vegetarian restaurants on the Costa del Sol were few and far between, and there was little in the way of tasty vegetarian options on the majority of menus.

If you asked for the vegetarian dish of the day, you were often met with either blank looks, or a half-hearted offer of a cheese omelette or a mixed salad.

Now, thankfully, things have changed, and there are  some amazing vegetarian and vegan restaurants dotted around the coast to suit all tastes and budgets.

The Loving Hut in Marbella offers Vegan, Asian and International food, and is inspired by Supreme Master Chiang Hai, an advocate of vegetarian living. Food served is all Vegan, and the Loving Hut also offers coffee, non-alcoholic beverages, including gluten free dishes and raw food options. The Loving Hut is all about great healthy food, including superb desserts, pizzas, wraps, salad, rice and pasta dishes.

Loving Hut Marbella is part of the global Loving Hut chain of vegan restaurants, and is situated on Avenida Miguel Cano, 11,  just a few minutes from the Alameda Park and underground parking. The restaurant is light and airy, and a small terrace also caters for the warmer weather.

Loving Hut also has branches in other parts of Europe, USA, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan and Hong Kong. A wide range of smoothies and fresh juices are also offered at a reasonable price, along with organic vegetables, sourced from local suppliers where possible. All of the menus is available for take away, and every day there is a special dish on offer.

Also, a great value Menu del Dia is priced at €12.60, per person and children eat for around €6.

The Loving Hut is open every day, 10.30am to 11.30pm, and you can reserve your table on: 951245889. Check out: www.mydestination.com/marbella/restaurants/164825/loving-hut

Vegetalia Restaurant in Fuengirola has been open since 1997, and is well established in the Los Boliches area of town. This cosy restaurant uses only the best ingredients for its menu, and avoids all artificial additives.

The owners of Vegetalia aim to convince diners that they can enjoy a healthy meal without sacrificing the quality and flavour of the food. A wide range of dishes are also available for vegans and lacto intolerants.

At lunch time a self service buffet is offered which is varied and plentiful, and in the evening an a la carte menu is offered to suit all tastes. Delicious home made desserts also feature on the menu, along with freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices. The drinks menu includes organic wines and beers and a take away service is also available.

For more information, check out: www.restaurantevegetalia.com or call: 952 58 60 31. The restaurant is situated at C/Santa Isabel, 8, Los Boliches, Fuengirola. Vegetalia is open: Monday to Saturday, 12.30-4pm and for dinner Friday and Saturday, 8pm-11.15pm.

Restaurant Espiga in Torremolinos offers a choice of elaborate dishes, using only the best seasonal organic ingredients. Many dishes are also suitable for vegans, and set menus are offered at very reasonable prices.  A delicious range of dishes include healthy and nutritious ingredients including: soy, whole rice, quinoa and millet. The restaurants is situated at Joan Miró, Av 19, (local 6), Torremolinos. Open Monday to Friday 12.30-4, and 7-11, Saturday 12.30-4.30 and 7-12 and Sunday 7-12.Telephone: 952370664 or check out: www.vegetarianoespiga.es

The Café de la Paz is situated on the Camino Fuente del Perro on road A-404 near Lauro Golf, Alhaurin El Grande. A good choice of vegan and vegetarian food is offered, with a Spanish and Western twist. This vegetarian café is part of the Hotel Kadampa, which is a Buddhist run hotel in Alhaurin El Grande. Café de la Paz is situated in a tranquil part of Andalucia and offers a great range of food, including daily hot specials, gazpacho, salads, tapas, pizzas and chilled desserts. A wide range of specialty teas and coffees is also available, and if you want to make the most of your visit, the Templo de la Paz opposite is the perfect place to meditate. From Malaga direction, pass Lauro Golf at Km 12, and at the bus stop, take the lane on the right, which is Fuente del Perro. Where the road curves to the left, you will see the hotel through some blue gates. Call before you visit to make sure the café is open on 952595683. Alternatively, check out: www.hotelkadampa.com

Vegetariano El Calafate in C/Andres Perez, 6, Malaga, is one of the most popular Vegan-friendly restaurants on the Costa del Sol. Offering a range of International, Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. A three course menu is also offered for under €10, and the home made soups, including lentil, come highly recommended. Open from Monday to Saturday, 1.30-4pm and 8.30-11.30pm, the restaurant is closed on Sundays.

Restaurante La Alcazabilla, Malaga is situated at the foot of the Citadel of Malaga, and is close to the Roman theatre. Offering traditional, tasty cuisine, specialities include dishes with a Swiss-German influence, and also uses ideas and influences from Italy, Spain and Argentina. Moroccan seasonings are also widely used in the dishes, and the restaurant refers to its food as ovo-lacto vegetarian and vegan dishes without gluten. A great selection of organic Spanish wines and German beers are also offered. The set menu, served from Monday to Friday is just €7.50 per head, and the restaurant is open, Monday to Thursday from 1pm to 10.30pm and Friday and Saturday from 1pm to 11.30pm.  Closed on Sundays in Summer, booking is recommended for dinner. Telephone: 952214858

Whether you are vegetarian or not, you are sure to find some incredible food at the above named restaurants on the Costa del Sol. Healthy, nutritious and delicious dishes combine with some of the freshest ingredients to create a tempting array of dishes to delight all tastes and budgets.

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