Cheap Eats: World Peace Cafe

When David Sweeney opened Dynamic Dish on Edgewood Avenue, the gifted chef’s creative dishes and pristine presentation showed Atlanta that vegetarian food doesn’t have to be boring or bland. World Peace Café (220 Hammond Drive, Sandy Springs, 404-256-2100, www.worldpeacecafeatlanta.com) isn’t your stereotypical vegetarian restaurant, either.

The full-service restaurant is owned by the Rameshori Kadampa Buddhist Center, which operates under the philosophy that inner peace is crucial to world peace. The cafe does its part by serving healthy, organic and stimulating food to its surrounding community. It also hosts educational classes and events led by Gen Kelsang Mondrub, American Buddhist monk and resident teacher of the Rameshori Buddhist Center. There is a certain calmness about the two-story loft-style space. Tranquil music trickles out of the speakers, service is quick and unobtrusive, and the energy is appropriately meditative. A staff of volunteers runs the kitchen and the proceeds are reinvested into the Buddhist center. While the efforts on behalf of Buddhism are exemplary – and carried out at similar “World Peace Cafes” around the world – you won’t feel hit over the head with religion when dining here. If anything, you conversion will only involve a newfound appreciation of vegetarian cuisine.

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(Photo by Jennifer Zyman)