In Manahawkin, a Vegan Spot with an Indie-Rock Vibe

STYLE

Café with an indie-rock vibe and an all-vegan menu. Counter seating and tables indoors; tables on patio in warm weather. The soundtrack shuns pop and leans more to potent indie bands like the Clash.

THE SCOOP

Lauren and Rob Ramos opened the original Living on the Veg (LOV) on Long Beach Island in 2005. That spot is now closed until spring. Manahawkin’s location, on the mainland, opened this summer and will operate year-round.

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THE MENU

LOV serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as seasonal specials available all day. The Buffalo Ranch is a salad of spinach, romaine, mushrooms and Buffalo tempeh with ranch dressing. Raw tacos wrap walnut purée, salsa and guacamole in a romaine leaf. Meat alternatives such as tempeh, seitan and tofu bolster the Desayuno burrito, the Olde City cheesesteak and the BBQ Chuckwich. As a nod to locally landed seafood, they offer a vegan crab cake and, occasionally, a chowder. Whatever you order, add a side of XO Skewers—grilled tempeh with guangadong, a salty-sweet glaze from Guangdong, China.

HEADS UP

Long before Covid labor shortages, vegan joints were known for unpredictable hours and random closings. It’s sometimes the case at LOV, but the food is consistently excellent. Call ahead to check.