Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Ovo
American
International
Beer/Wine
Asian
Gluten-free
Non-veg
Serves meat, vegan options available. Offers vegan choices such as truffle fries with herbs and vegan parmesan, wakame seaweed salad, mushroom risotto with cashew cream, apple cider sorbet for dessert and more. Removed October 2024: Limited vegan options.
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- Reservations required
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
- Free Wi-Fi
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Last update on 15 Oct 2024 by CeceJalbert
Update business info
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15 Reviews
First Review by Sarah P
jsevern
Points +55
Not as vegan friendly as it was, but what was available was tasty if overpriced. - Edit
We dined at Provender a few years ago and were impressed by the number of vegan options available so when we were back in the Ellsworth area we decided to return. This time there was nothing on the menu that was specifically marked as vegan, but the waitstaff very kindly chatted with the chef to see what was possible. There was one option a reimagining of a Halibut dish with chorizo that became a piece of tofu with a potato cake with a lovely coconut curry sauce. We both ordered the dish and enjoyed what arrived very much. Beautifully cooked and great flavors. What we did not enjoy was that these entrees were priced the same as the fish and chorizo—@$34, which given the market costs of tofu and potatoes seemed exorbitantly high. I wouldn’t say that we don’t recommend this place, because service and food was great, but perhaps you should call in advance to see what they are offering for vegans before coming in.
Read morePros: Food was delicious , Staff friendly and responsive
Cons: Nothing specifically vegan , Nothing marked as vegan on menu, Cost of improvised vegan option very high
Guest
Vegantrvlr
Points +424
Tasty Veg risotto - Edit
Off menu vegan item of the day was veg risotto with a little vegan cheese. Lovely flavor and the barley used.
Read moreGuest
Danidarling06
Points +404
Call ahead - Edit
I loved that they had options even if they aren’t on the regular menu. I had to call and check that they have vegan options which I wouldn’t have done without the reviews. I got crispy tofu lo mein. The other option was the house salad and the Brussel sprouts appetizer, so some other options would have been lovely. I paid $30 for my entrée though, which was pretty high considering it was like 1/4 block of tofu over lo mein noodles in soup… it was good. Spicy. I wish I had asked for the house salad with the crispy tofu added instead.
Read morePros: Atmosphere , Friendly , Accommodating
Cons: Have to call ahead for options, Expensive, Not many options
Guest
DanP789
Points +20
Best quality vegan options in the area - Edit
The menu at the date of my visit was quite limited. The waitress and chef apologized, as their vegan options are a work in progress and they will soon have a dedicated vegan menu! I got a vegan lobster roll sandwich, garlic aioli fries, and a chocolate bar dessert. Everything tasted and looked fantastic.
Read morePros: High quality, Good value, Nice vibe
Cons: Work in progress menu, Iced tea was very weak
Guest
plantbasedgal
Points +457
Vegans Rejoice - Edit
Let's face it...Vegans often get the short end of the stick when it comes to fine dining. Not here, though. The warm and welcoming Chef-Owner Daron Goldstein has us covered, with his uniquely flavorful plant based goodness. Think upscale all the way, using locally grown products and creative seasoning.
Read moreWhen you go, order the Brussel sprouts, marinated in a delicate and flavorful ginger soy dressing. I'm not normally a fan of this veggie, but as long as I can have it at The Provender, I'm happy.
The menu changes frequently, to ensure freshness and to challenge the Chef's creative mind.
Updated from previous review on 2020-08-07
Updated from previous review on 2021-07-14
Pros: Upscale, unique vegan menu, super nice owner.
Cons: They are not in NJ ;)
Guest
MollyElwood
Points +343
Foie gras, rude interaction - Edit
My husband and I went to Provender to celebrate our anniversary. We chose it based on posts in a Facebook group—specifically, the restaurant’s warm invite to vegans in a comment.
Read moreMy mocktail was excellent, as was the atmosphere and the service. Our waitress was super kind and helpful. The vegan menu was lovely—so many thoughtful and creative options! (The food itself was just ok; both of our meals seemed way over seasoned—maybe it was an off night. If things had been different, we def would have come back to try other options.)
The thing was, we were surprised to see foie gras on their main menu. (As opposed to other animals killed for food, geese and ducks are treated to additional unnecessary cruelty—it’s been banned in many places, and many non-vegan places removed it from their menus.)
I did my typical activism—I left them a note and then privately message them to give them some more info. Things escalated quickly. They told me not to tell them how to do their job, and long story short, I was basically banned for sharing info with them.
Other vegans can consider whether they want to support this business—not just for the foie gras but for how aggro they got over someone saying anything, even privately, about it. For someone offering a separate, entirely vegan menu, they seem to resent it. 🙄
I’m so used to not complaining about places with vegan options—as so many other reviews say, this should be a great place. Vegans in this region have few options for fine dining. I hope Provender steps up and does better by the vegans it is trying to court or another restaurant picks up where Provender is leaving off.
Updated from previous review on 2021-07-11
Pros: Separate vegan menu, Great atmosphere , Friendly in-person service
Cons: Foie gras, Super rude owner, Probably hates vegans
Dg27
Pros: amazing Vegan options , amazing food quality, owner: nicest guy in the world , feeds schools kids free lunch with vegan options during the pandemic, serves 1500 free meals to front line workers . Father of 2 amazing children.
Read moreCons: not a vegan restaurant,
Guest
JoeParadiso
Points +24
AMAZING! - Edit
Wow! Not only the best vegan meal I’ve had at a restaurant but top 5 meals ever ordered out. This is a gem. Presented with 3 vegan options each for first and second course I got the truffle fries and the cauliflower risotto. Both were delicious. They had a chocolate peanut butter bar which was vegan which sounded amazing but I was just too full to try it. Next time. Highly recommend.
Read moreGuest
mezmorv
Points +20
Great vegan menu - Edit
Although it’s not fully vegan it has a whole vegan menu. Definitely worthy of five stars.
Read morePros: Great vegan menu with many flavorful choices.
Dg27
thank you so much for the kind words and for taking the time for this great review. I hope we get to see you soon.
Read moreDaron
chef / Owner
Provender
Guest
BTE
Points +20
Fantastic Meal! - Edit
I would definitely give this place 5 stars if Happy Cow would allow it. Relatively new to this lifestyle and have been struggling to find places compliant to a whole foods plant based menu. From appetizers, beverage choices, main course, and dessert we couldn't have been more pleased. Nothing comparable anywhere close to us, we will be back.
Read morePros: Full vegan menu., Atmosphere., Friendly staff.
Cons: Serving size on ravioli was small. , Price, but worth it!
Guest
NathanBroaddus
Points +51
The best vegan restaurant in Maine and it’s not even vegan - Edit
Wow. WOW! This was the best vegan restaurant I have ever eaten in my 7 years of veganity and it’s not even a vegan restaurant. I’d give it 5 stars if Happy Cow allowed me to. Creative dishes, exquisitely executed, with a lengthy menu. The ambiance was fun, the waitstaff friendly and informative. It is a real gem in Downeast Maine, that eclipses the vegan dining options in Portland by a long shot (I say this as a Portlander). Just, wow.
Read morePros: The best vegan menu I have ever sees
Guest
jomellen
Points +17
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ - Edit
Thank you for being the best meal of our vacation. Your Vegan dishes were top notch.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, Beautiful decor, Great service
Guest
Grass24
Points +13
Amazing - Edit
Not only are they vegan vegetarian and gf friendly. They have over 15 vegan options on the vegan menu. All beautifully composed dishes! Nothing else in the area or Maine compares. A must try for all vegan an vegetarians .
Read morePros: Beautiful atmosphere , Friendly owners , Great vibe
Cons: Too many choices
Guest
mpchampeau
Points +16
Calling all vegans! - Edit
I'm sending up the bat signal to all my vegan compatriots who happen to find themselves in Ellsworth Maine. Stop at Provender! The vegan menu is delish! Every item I've ordered has been fabulous, the chef is great, the service is great, the ambience is great, and the food is great (plus fresh, innovative, loaded with veggies prepared in tasty ways) and there's even dessert. AND the menu changes seasonally. AND there are awesome cocktails. I am going to say this is the best vegan menu north of Portland, maybe even north of Boston. Treat yourselves!!
Read morePros: excellent vegan fare, fun atmosphere, friendly service
Cons: too pricey to eat here daily otherwise I would
Guest
Libby123
Points +13
Vegan menu - Edit
Many great restaurants have one token vegetarian or vegan entree on the menu. Think pasta primavera or stuffed portobello. But Provender has its own vegan menu with dozens of options including Rhode Island "calamari" made with oyster mushrooms instead of squid, butternut squash and parsnip confit, seitan skewers, spicy tofu and noodles, roasted cauliflower steaks and much more. Do not miss the truffle frites.
Read morePros: Excellent food, Lovely ambience, Vegan and meat lovers will be happy here
Guest
Sarah P
Points +8823
yummy & creative - Edit
We had looked at the menu here a few times and never knew there was a vegan menu until it was listed on HappyCow! We loved the ambiance, service, and food quality. Items were expensive and small-portioned, so we were glad to have ordered two apps and two meals to be satisfied. The seitan skewers and brussels sprouts were excellent, and the cauliflower entree and quinoa burger were ok. We will return for the truffle fries, but this will otherwise be a place for the occasional splurge.
Read morePros: Good quality options, Vegan parmesan, Friendly service, excellent ambiance
Cons: Expensive
Guest
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