Becoming more and more commonplace, vegetarian dining is thriving in the Chippewa Valley. Making it even easier for us veggie folks, The Informalist (205 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire) rises to the top for best vegetarian dining! With few but incredibly stunning dishes, they have options at the ready for anyone wanting to switch out their patty for an imitation dish. Still in the top three, The Nucleus Café (405 Water St., Eau Claire) has the wholesome atmosphere and an entirely separate vegan menu, so there’s something delicious for everyone’s tastes. In third, Thai Orchid (203 N. Barstow St., Eau Claire) rises to the ranks with their curries, noodles, and tofu replacements.  –Kelly Carlson