Eating meat-free hasn’t always been easy, but in Raleigh, it’s a piece of (vegan) cake.
Our local food scene is as vibrant as ever, so it’s no surprise there are a variety of local chefs serving up fresh, vegetarian and vegan bites across town. From juicy meatless burgers to scrumptious vegan desserts, here are 30+ restaurants serving up meat-free fare in Oak City.
100% vegetarian/vegan eats
Pure Vegan Cafe, 8369 Creedmoor Rd. | This juicery and eatery is 100% vegan. Try this: The breakfast burger topped with vegan egg, bacon, and gouda.
The Fiction Kitchen, 2409 Crabtree Blvd., Ste. 100 | This 100% vegetarian kitchen has everything from eastern NC-style barbecue to imitation chicken + waffles.
The Dirty V, coming soon to Raleigh | This all-vegan noshery is coming home to Oak City after a stint in Apex with a daring plant-based menu — plus, it’s owned by the same folks as Element Gastropub.
Element Gastropub, 421 Fayetteville St., Ste. 103 | Enjoy vegan fare like the Nojangles chik’n tenders and faux barbecue nachos.
Marian, 301 Glenwood Ave., Ste. 103 | Don’t let this restaurant’s all-vegan menu throw you off — Marian serves bites that are just as good without animal products. We’re eyeing the caviar service.
Soul Cocina, fodo truck | This Latin-inspired eatery serves plant-based food at farmers markets around the Triangle.
Soul’s Kitchen, food truck | Next time we see this food truck, we’re getting an oyster shroom po’ boy and some barbecue-topped smack + mac.
The brunch bunch
Cinnaholic, 1028 Oberlin Rd., Ste. 236 | Start your day with sweets. This vegan bakery whips up dairy-, lactose-, and egg-free cinnamon rolls with creative toppings.
Good Day Good Night, 603 W. Morgan St. | Order something yummy from the plant-forward menu. Try this: Berry parfait, sourdough French toast + Larry’s Adults Only latte.
Irregardless Cafe, 901 W. Morgan St. | This cafe has been serving plant-forward bites + live music since 1975, and we can’t get enough of dishes like the mushroom vadouvan.
Simply Crepes, 8470 Honeycutt Rd., Ste. 110 | A fresh goat cheese + arugula crepe and a mimosa flight sounds like the perfect start to the weekend.
Coffee shops + juice bars
Food like this is nobody’s understudy — it’s the star of the show.
Photo by @happyandhale
Cold off the Press, 416 W. South St. | This organic, plant-driven kitchen serves cold-pressed juices.
Juicekeys, multiple locations | This juice bar specializes in unique smoothies, power bowls, cold-pressed juices, and health-filled foods.Try this: Blueberry Bliss power bowl + chocolate chia pudding.
Little Native, 426 S. Person St. | This intimate coffee shop serves bites from bakery Crummy Hunters that are completely vegan and gluten free.
Lucky Tree, 3801 Hillsborough St. | While munching on a vegan baked good, enjoy local live music and organic coffee.
Purr Cup Cafe, 210 Prospect Ave. | The only thing better than visiting with the cats at this cafe is the 100% vegan coffee + bites.
Raleigh Raw, 7 W. Hargett St. | Grab a juice, smoothie, or toast from this downtown cafe.
Sosta Cafe, 130 E. Davie St. | This spot serves multiple vegan and vegetarian sandwiches with homemade vegan sides.
Casual eating
Anise Pho, 222 Glenwood Ave. | This Vietnamese restaurant serves vegetarian- and vegan-friendly dishes like banh mis and pho.
Berkeley Cafe, 428 S. Dawson St. | Not feeling picky? Order the veggie Shut Up and Eat It burger and the kitchen will whip up something tasty + vegetarian for you.
Bul Box, multiple Raleigh locations | Create your own vegan or vegetarian bowl with Asian-inspired flavors.
Burger Village, 510 Glenwood Ave., Ste. 103 | With six vegan + vegetarian sandwich options, vegans and vegetarians can enjoy a variety of plant-based flavors.
Diced, multiple locations | Athlete Michelle Woodward started this healthy eatery right here in Raleigh with top-notch ingredients + tasty ingredient combos.
Gringo A Go Go, 100 N. Person St. | This Mexican restaurant has plenty of options like vegetarian empanadas and vegan tacos filled with nopales or faux meat options.
Happy + Hale, multiple locations | This local spot is our go-to for salads, smoothies, bowls, and more. Try this: Beyond bulgogi bowl filled with vegan Korean barbecue meatballs, jasmine rice, veggies, and yum yum sauce.
Mustang House, 411 Fayetteville St., Ste. 109 | This Nepalese + Indian spot has a variety of veggie-based dishes, including dal, saag paneer, and aloo gobi.
Neomonde Mediterranean, 3817 Beryl Rd. | This family-owned restaurant has been serving Lebanese + Mediterranean cuisine with a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan options since 1977.
A Place at the Table, 300 W. Hargett St., Ste. 50 | Order vegan + vegetarian options regardless of your means.
Sassool, multiple locations | This local spot specializes in homemade Lebanese-Mediterranean cuisine. Try this: Zaatar pizzette + fava bean salad.
Side Street Restaurant, 225 N. Bloodworth St. | This historic eatery has plenty of fun veggie sandwiches, like the hummus-stuffed Humdinger, Vance’s Mushroom Desire, the Cheese Delight, and Betsy Buford’s Equal Time.
Village Deli and Grill, multiple Raleigh locations | It’s easy to grab a quick vegetarian bite at this local cafe. Try this: The homemade bean burger.
Date night
Ajja, 209 Bickett Blvd. | This James Beard-recognized restaurant has a Mediterranean menu with veggie picks including king trumpet mushrooms, vegetarian spreads, and fresh salads + veg.
Bella Monica, 3121 Edwards Mill Rd. | Enjoy Italian flavors, sans meat and dairy, with a whole vegan menu.
Bida Manda, 222 S. Blount St. | This Loatian restaurant and bar is located near Moore Square. Try this: Basil stir fry with tofu.
Brewery Bhavana, 218 S. Blount St. | Certain menu items like the General Tso chicken and the pork mapo tofu can be made vegan upon request.
Lime & Lemon Indian Grill & Bar, 105 Friendly Dr., Ste. 101 | Dine on vegetarian curry, appetizers, and more.
Sitti, 137 S. Wilmington St. | This local restaurant serves Lebanese cuisine. Try this: Falafel with vegetables and the vegetarian tasting plate.
Sushi O Bistro, 222 Glenwood Ave. | Try creative sushi like the Bunny Roll, Zen Roll + Veggie Dynamite Roll.
Try this: Goat Cheese Stuffed Peppers (vegetarian).
Courtesy of @sittirestaurant
Tamasha Modern Indian, 4200 Six Forks Rd., Ste. 130 | Named one of the most beautiful restaurants in the US, this progressive Indian restaurant is stocked with vegan and vegetarian eats.
Tazza Kitchen, 432 Woodburn Rd. | Located in the Village District, this restaurant uses wood-fired cooking. Try this: Brick oven Brussels sprouts + roasted spaghetti squash.
Chef it up at home
Check out our favorite tips and tricks for serving veggie-focused fare from your own kitchen:
- To make zucchini, carrot, or beet noodles, try a veggie spiralizer that magically turns vegetables into noodles.
- A tofu press draws out water and can help tofu firm and crisp up once you cook it — the one linked here is dishwasher safe + works in twenty minutes.
- If your least favorite part about veggie prep is chopping, this all-in-one vegetable chopper can minimize prep time.
- Use a sprouting jar kit to grow microgreens and sprouted beans at home.
- For the ultimate veggie food prep, this glass storage container set keeps lunches and leftovers organized.
- Need some good recipes? Browse cookbooks “Inspiralized: Turn Vegetables into Healthy, Creative, Satisfying Meals” for veggie spiral recipes, “The Blue Zones Kitchen: 100 Recipes to Live to 100” for plant-based ideas, or “The Complete Plant-Based Cookbook” from America’s Test Kitchen.
