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 slew of local chefs serving up fresh, vegetarian and vegan bites across town. From juicy burgers to scrumptious vegan desserts, here are 25 restaurants serving up meat-free fare in Raleigh.
100% vegetarian/vegan eats
Pure Vegan Cafe, 8369 Creedmoor Rd., Raleigh | This juicery and eatery is 100% vegan. Try this: Rainbow burger with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, sweet chili sauce, and beet powder.
The Fiction Kitchen, 428 S. Dawson St., Raleigh | This 100% vegan kitchen has everything from Eastern NC-style barbecue to chicken and waffles.
Element Gastropub, 421 Fayetteville St., Raleigh | Enjoy vegan fare like the Fobster Roll (made with trumpet mushrooms) and smash burgers.
Mike’s Vegan Grill, locations very | Check out the food truck’s schedule to try good eats like meat-free burgers and hot dogs.
Soul Cocina, locations vary | This Latin-inspired eatery serves plant-based food at farmers markets around the Triangle.
The brunch bunch
Cinnaholic, 1028 Oberlin Rd., Ste. 236, Raleigh | Start your day with sweets. This vegan bakery only uses dairy-, lactose-, and egg-free ingredients.
Good Day Good Night, 603 W. Morgan St., Raleigh | 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., Raleigh | In 2019, OpenTable named this spot one of the top 50 vegetarian restaurants in the country.
Plates Neighborhood Kitchen, 301 Glenwood Ave., Ste. 100, Raleigh | Enjoy international dishes combined with southern flavors. Try this: breakfast burrito + sweet potato hash bowl.
Coffee shops + juice bars
Cold off the Press, 416 W. South St., Raleigh | An organic, plant-driven kitchen serving cold-pressed juices.
Juicekeys, multiple Raleigh 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.
Raleigh Raw, 7 W. Hargett St., Raleigh | Grab a juice, smoothie, or toast from this downtown cafe.
Sosta Cafe, 130 E. Davie St., Raleigh | This spot serves multiple vegan and vegetarian sandwiches with homemade vegan sides.
Food like this is nobody’s understudy — it’s the star of the show.
Photo by @happyandhale
Casual eating
Anise Pho, 222 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh | This Vietnamese restaurant serves vegetarian- and vegan-friendly dishes like banh mi and pho noodle soup.
Bul Box, multiple Raleigh locations | Create your own vegan or vegetarian bowl.
Gringo A Go Go, 100 N. Person St., Raleigh | A Mexican restaurant with plenty of options like vegetarian empanadas and vegan tacos (think: pastor, carnitas, chorizo, and pollo).
Happy + Hale, multiple Raleigh locations | A local spot to grab salads, smoothies, bowls, and more. Try this: Beyond bulgogi bowl filled with vegan Korean barbecue meatballs, jasmine rice, veggies, and yum yum sauce.
Neomonde Mediterranean, 3817 Beryl Rd., Raleigh | This family-owned restaurant has been serving Lebanese + Mediterranean cuisine with a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan options since 1977.
Sassool, 9650 Strickland Rd., Raleigh | This local spot specializes in homemade Lebanese-Mediterranean cuisine. Try this: Zaatar pizzette + fava bean salad.
Village Deli and Grill, multiple Raleigh locations | It’s easy to grab a quick vegetarian bite at this local cafe. Try this: Homemade bean burger.
Date night
Bida Manda, 222 S. Blount St., Raleigh | A Loatian restaurant and bar located near Moore Square. Try this: Basil stir fry with tofu.
Lime & Lemon Indian Grill & Bar, 105 Friendly Dr., Ste. 101, Raleigh | Dine on vegetarian curry, appetizers, and more.
Sitti, 137 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh | This local restaurant serves Lebanese cuisine. Try this: Falafel with vegetables and the vegetarian tasting plate.
Sushi O Bistro, 222 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh | Try creative sushi like the Bunny Roll, Zen Roll + Veggie Dynamite Roll.
Tazza Kitchen, 432 Woodburn Rd., Raleigh | 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.
- Tired of wasting money on spices you use once? Broth Bomb combines all the spices you need for a flavorful meal.
- Harness the power of fresh and high-quality spices from James Beard Award-winning chef Meherwan Irani.
- 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.
- If you’re making fresh bread, this Sourhouse starter jar was designed to be the easiest-to-clean sourdough starter jar in the world.
- 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.
What did we miss? If you know a vegetarian-friendly spot that’s not on the list, guide us in the right direction using this survey.
