Moosewood Restaurant in Ithaca is a landmark of American vegetarian history, with 12 celebrated dishes including the Onion Soup, Spinach Lasagna, Greek Salad, Pesto-Tossed Pasta, Black Bean Soup, Eggplant Parmesan, Apple Cake, and a jar-worthy Lemon Tahini Dressing — all rooted in the cookbook traditions that have inspired home cooks and professional chefs for decades.
What Makes Moosewood a Culinary Landmark?
Moosewood Restaurant in Ithaca, New York, is one of the most recognized vegetarian restaurants in American history. For decades, it has been publishing cookbooks and inspiring home cooks and professional chefs alike to take vegetables seriously. The dishes that come out of its kitchen remain some of the most celebrated in vegetarian cuisine — and the surrounding vegan restaurant scene has followed in its footsteps.
What Are the 12 Dishes That Made Moosewood Famous?
- Moosewood Onion Soup: A deeply rich, deeply satisfying riff on a French classic.
- Spinach Lasagna: Layers of handmade pasta, bechamel, and farm-fresh greens.
- Greek Salad: A masterclass in using the simplest ingredients to create something exceptional.
- Pesto-Tossed Pasta: Fresh basil pesto that has inspired thousands of home cooks.
- Curried Vegetables: Their house spice blend makes this a perennial favorite.
- Black Bean Soup: Smoky, hearty, and deeply comforting.
- Stuffed Bell Peppers: A colorful, satisfying classic with a Moosewood twist.
- Broccoli Cheddar Soup: Indulgent and rich—a crowd-pleaser every single time.
- Eggplant Parmesan: Slow-cooked, perfectly seasoned, and bursting with flavor.
- Apple Cake: A fall classic that has graced Moosewood’s menu for years.
- Lemon Tahini Dressing: So beloved, it’s available by the jar to take home.
- Seasonal Vegetable Tart: A stunning centerpiece dish that changes with the harvest.
