Every day more and more people are making the healthy choice of switching over to vegetarianism. Some do it for cultural, religious, or ecological decisions, and others do it for the health benefits. Many vegetarians believe that they can no longer go out to eat with their friends because a lot of restaurants don't offer vegetarian options.

But, this is false! There are many places in the Tampa Bay Area that vegetarians can enjoy, you just have to find them. Fortunately, I have made the search easy. Read on to discover the many veg-friendly restaurants that you and your friends will love!

Loving Hut - Loving Hut is a compassionate restaurant that strives to repair the natural beauty of this planet and it is the fastest international growing vegan chain restaurant, which comes as no surprise. All of their meals are 100% vegan and 100% delectable! With so many options, you'll keep coming back. They offer rice & noodle dishes, sandwiches, subs, wraps & sushi, salads, desserts, and more!

Grass Root Organic Restaurant - Grass Root's creative menu is perfect for the strict vegan because of the many options for raw foods. The chef never disappoints with his ability to blend fresh vegetables with appealing herbs and spices. You can never get bored of this place as there are so many items to try!

Evos - With three locations in the Tampa area, you will never get tired of their healthy organic fast food. No grease, no problem! Everything is air-baked to guarantee you with the freshest meal. If you're in a hurry, you won't have to worry with how fast the food is brought out to you. Vegetarian options include veggie burgers, veggie chili, salads, and veggie corn dogs...yes, corn dogs!

Cafe Hey - This unique little coffee shop has extensive vegan options such as mock meat American standards, veggie wraps, home-made hummus, and more. The dining experience gets even better with their movie nights, live music, and art shows!

Bombay Masala - If you love Indian food, then you will go crazy for Bombay Masala. They offer a variety of vegetarian options that are perfectly spiced and well-executed. They also offer lunch buffets, and on Tuesday nights, you can enjoy an all you can eat vegetarian buffet that is to die for!

Taco Bus - Everyone loves authentic Mexican food, and they love cheap prices too. Both can be found at Taco Bus. They offer a variety of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free selections. My personal favorite is the Vegan Tempeh; made with non-processed fermented soybeans (a highly nutritious source of protein and enzymes), seasoned and grilled. The best part about this place is that it is open until 4 a.m. on the weekends!

Fresh Healthy Cafe - Located at Wiregrass Mall in Wesley Chapel, Fresh Healthy Cafe is the healthiest choice you can make! Everything is prepared fresh daily with quality ingredients. They have an extensive amount of vegetarian options including wraps, salads, and paninis. The Veggie Extreme is a guest favorite, containing tomatoes, green peppers, olives, cucumbers, feta cheese, hemp seeds, and raspberry vinaigrette. They also offer the option to substitute Gardein vegetarian chicken for meat on any of the menu items. Their smoothies are mind and body energizing, and are cheaper than Smoothie King. With every smoothie, you receive one free fortifier, including wheat grass which is normally $2.29 a shot.

Pizza Fusion - Eco-friendly, organic, and delicious! If you're craving pizza, but want to keep it healthy, try Pizza Fusion. They offer high-quality ingredients that are fresh and are even known to promote heart health, eliminate toxins, and even boost brain function! Finally a place where you can enjoy a pizza without the guilt. They will even make your pizza with gluten free crust and vegan cheese. Not in the pizza mood? That's okay, they also offer salads, sandwiches, wraps, and more!

For a greater list of vegetarian restaurants, click here.