Top 5 Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in the U.S.
January 21, 2020
January is a time of checking off your New Year’s resolution list. If your New Year’s resolution is to eat more plant-based foods, then you are already probably aware of Veganuary and the existence of Meatless Mondays. With the rise of quick-service restaurants moving towards more meatless menu options and growing awareness of how eating meat impacts the environment, veganism is moving away from just being a passing trend. To celebrate Veganuary, Gravy analyzed the foot traffic data of vegan and vegetarian restaurants in the U.S.
Even though it’s Veganuary, we didn’t want to leave out the vegetarians, so our list includes some restaurants who also serve vegetarian options.
Here are the top 5 vegan (and vegetarian) restaurants in the U.S.:
5. One Veg World – West Covina, CA
It’s no wonder One Veg World made our list as it is a favorite among celebrities such as comedian Wayne Brady and actor Mayim Bialik. The restaurant boosts a mini market inside with a wide assortment of vegan and vegetarian goodies. Popular dishes include the hot “wings,” Indian curry tofu, royal noodle soup, the “chicken” nuggets, and the One Veg burger. If you get a chance to go to either the West Convina or Duarte location, don’t forget to save room for their Thai Banana rolls.
4. Chaco Canyon Organic Cafe – Seattle, WA
With locations in multiple Seattle neighborhoods including Queen Anne, West Seattle, and Greenwood, Chaco Canyon Organic Cafe has been serving Seattleites since 2003. Chaco Canyon’s menu brags that its “Famous Lentil Burger” is the best veggie burger in Seattle. The cafe’s menu also features favorites such as the Egyptian Red Lentil Soup and the Community Daal Bowl.
3. Native Foods – Los Angeles, CA
California-based Native Foods is a fast-casual chain serving vegan dishes. The chain is best known for its burgers and sandwiches especially the popular Nashville hot “chicken sandwich.”
2. Grasshopper Restaurant – Allston, MA
Grasshopper Restaurant is a Chinese restaurant serving vegan and vegetarian dishes in Allston, Massachusetts. Dishes are served family-style. Grasshopper’s “The No Name,” a vegan twist on General Tso’s chicken, is a crowd pleaser among vegans, vegetarians, and meat eaters alike.
1. Good Karma Cafe – Red Bank Beach, NJ
This cozy small, artsy cafe is right near Red Bank Beach in New Jersey. Their menu boosts comfort food such as tempeh buffalo wings and vegan macaroni and cheese. Dedicated patrons say don’t skip the dessert, especially the tiramisu.
The Rise of Vegan and Vegetarian Lifestyles
As more consumers begin to embrace vegan and vegetarian lifestyles, Gravy is interested in seeing how restaurants expand their menu options to meet customers’ cravings and plant-based food trends. Vegan and vegetarian restaurants can leverage location intelligence to find out what their current customers are interested in and adapt their marketing plans to attract new customers who are curious about trying meatless dishes.
