Your Guide to a Vegan Valentine's Day in Miami

Whether you're single or attached this Valentine's Day, nothing says loving like overindulgence. Food, after all, equates to love in so many cultures.

if you really want to embrace a loving attitude toward all things edible, a plant-based diet is your best bet. Vegan food helps you to love your body (and your partner's), the planet, and benefits those superadorable farm animals that you might find in cuddly stuffed animal form at your local store's Valentine's Day gift aisle. And, on this day where hearts are everywhere, there's no better way to be heart-healthy than with a diet free from animal fats.

If you choose to stick with cruelty-free food this V-day, here are some options from Miami's herbivorous eateries: 

Choices Organic Cafe
Miami's favorite local vegan chain is the perfect place to show your significant other how much you care by feeding them life-affirming, organic bites. The eatery is offering a special strawberry snowball superfood donut for Valentine's Day ($4.75). They're also featuring heart-shaped, gluten-free brownies ($5.50). Take some home for after-dinner sweets or pop in for a romantic lunch and lovey-dovey dessert.

Bunnie Cakes
For a holiday that's all about heart, Bunnie Cakes is the obvious choice. The heart-adorned cupcakery has a massive Valentine's Day menu that includes heart-shaped empanadas ($3.50); cookie gift boxes (six-cookie minimum, $4 per cookie); a piñata cake complete with cute, personalized message ($39 vegan/$42 vegan and gluten-free); a heart-shaped cake ($42 vegan/$45 vegan and gluten-free); heart brownies ($3 vegan/$3.50 vegan and gluten-free); Cupid arrows with mini-donuts ($15 vegan/$17 vegan and gluten-free for a dozen); and more. That's more than enough sweets for your sweet. Place orders by emailing o[email protected], calling 786-268-9790, or stopping by in person at 2322 NE Second Ave.

Veganaroma
There's nothing sexy about falling into a food coma right after your V-day meal. Opt for a healthy, aphrodisiac-inspired menu, and save your energy for extracurricular activities. Veganaroma is hosting a night-before-Valentine's dinner with menu items like pink cauliflower silk soup; love-stuffed tomatoes; noodle-less beet cooked ravioli or lasagna 'del amore'; and chocolate swirl raspberry cheesecake. Afterwards, you'll have plenty of stamina left for lots of lovin'. The dinner is $80 per couple or $40 per person, and it runs from 6 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, February 13. Call (305) 444-3826 to make a reservation. 

Full Bloom Vegan
The waterfront oasis, located at 11 Island Ave. in Miami Beach, is showcasing a full Valentine's Day dinner menu, accented by one of Miami's best views. The prix-fixe affair includes items like mushroom ceviche, cashew ricotta (heart-shaped, natch), and a raw cacao almond cupcake. With its show-stopping bayfront vista, Full Bloom is the perfect place for an über-romantic, cruelty-free celebration of love. Pair your meal with your choice of a fine selection of vegan wines. The menu will be $50 per person; call 305-397-8018 to make reservations. 

Go vegan this Valentine's Day — because nothing's sexier than compassion.