20 of the best vegan restaurants in the Southeast

Photo courtesy of iStock / frantic00

Vegan cuisine has taken off throughout the United States. You can find vegan and vegetarian restaurants in every state, and these 20 vegan eateries in the Southeast serve food that will even wow meat-lovers! 

Photo courtesy of Pow Pow

Pow Pow - Washington, D.C.

Pow Pow is an innovative, award-winning restaurant in Washington, D.C. that serves a completely vegan menu. It adapts classic Chinese, Korean and Japanese techniques to create what it calls “New Asian” cuisine. Pow Pow’s giant egg roll is very popular with its house-made grilled vegan “chicken,” pineapple kimchi and cabbage. Another signature dish is the Natalie Porkman, a sweet & sour vegan pork seitan.

Photo courtesy of V-Grits

V-Grits - Louisville, Kentucky

From its name to the vegan-style Southern comfort food that it serves, V-Grits sets the scene for fun. All of its vegan meats, cheeses and sauces are made from scratch in-house. Some popular dishes include fried mac bites, Nashville hot club tacos, a BBQ platter, a country club and a fried green tomato sandwich.

Also, the Chimera Brewing Co. is a vegan brewery in the same building, and a portion of every pint that's sold goes to local non-profit organizations.

Photo courtesy of Clint Hayden James

AVO - Nashville, Tennessee

AVO is an elegant vegan restaurant in Nashville that serves a completely plant-based, kosher-certified menu. With a name like AVO, you may assume that avocados will be plentiful, and the charming eatery doesn’t disappoint.

Its avocado margarita has many loyal fans, as does its chocolate avocado tart. AVO’s vegan cheese board is a beloved shareable appetizer, while main dishes include pastas, burgers and salads.

Photo courtesy of Robin Raven

Ethos Vegan Kitchen - Winter Park, Florida

Situated north of downtown Orlando, Ethos Vegan Kitchen is a special vegan restaurant to enjoy during a trip to Disney World. It attracts plant-based foodies from all over. It’s an independent small business that’s locally owned, and it serves up delectable, hearty dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Garlic knots and vegan sausage rolls are delightful appetizers. Main courses include blackened tempeh, plant-based “meat” loaf and sheep’s pie.

Photo courtesy of Meme's Twisted Potato

Meme's Twisted Potato - Little Rock, Arkansas

Little Rock might not be the first place you’d expect to find a haven of vegan comfort food, but that’s exactly what you’ll find with Meme’s Twisted Potato. It is all about tasty vegan food made with the freshest ingredients. As its name implies, there are twisted potatoes on the menu; you can get them served plain or with chili and vegan cheese.

There’s so much more here, too. They are known for dishes like the Lolita Reuben with its marinated, non-GMO soy protein, vegan cheese, sweet spicy pickles, sauerkraut and special Meme’s Twisted Potato sauce.

Photo courtesy of Randy Schmidt

Seed - New Orleans, Louisiana

Seed serves authentic New Orleans cuisine that’s vegan, with an artful menu of mocktails and cocktails that accentuates the restaurant’s festive atmosphere. Its plant wall and colorful art also help set the scene for a relaxed time in an elegant restaurant. Some popular dishes include the cauliflower katsu and tofu nuggets.

Photo courtesy of Slutty Vegan

Slutty Vegan - Atlanta, Georgia

Slutty Vegan is a wildly popular vegan eatery that attracts people from all over Atlanta and beyond. It’s beloved for its hearty food and jovial, welcoming ambiance. The counter-service specialty restaurant is best known for its plant-based burgers that have plenty of mouthwatering toppings.

Sweet treats served here include a sweet potato pie and a sea moss banana pudding.

Photo courtesy of Allison Austin

The Fiction Kitchen - Raleigh, North Carolina

Located in downtown Raleigh, The Fiction Kitchen is a vibrant, fun eatery that aims to serve food that’s fresh, affordable and delicious. Some of their beloved dishes include a crispy fried vegan “chicken” and waffles, a curry bowl and an Eastern-style pulled “pork” BBQ. Desserts include tres leches cake and seasonal vegan cheesecake.

Photo courtesy of Desmond's Island Soul Grill

Desmond's Island Soul Grill - Virginia Beach, Virginia

Desmond’s Island Soul Grill is a Guyanese-influenced, all-vegan Caribbean restaurant in Virginia Beach. Desmond’s lentil burger is better than any meat-based burger when it comes to flavor.

The restaurant's signature dish is the Jerk Mushroom Rasta Pasta that features sautéed vegetables such as squash and zucchini that are simmered in a jerk coconut sauce. The delectable dish is tossed with penne pasta and then topped with jerk mushrooms.

Photo courtesy of Magic Vegan

Magic Vegan - Gulfport, Mississippi

Do you believe in magic? The food at Magic Vegan is certainly enchanting. As a beloved plant-based eatery in Gulfport, Mississippi, it serves a well-loved BBQ sandwich, as well as a steak and cheese meal with vegan “steak” strips and plant-based cheddar that’s topped with shredded cabbage.

Its menu also features a bean and cheese burrito, a chickpea salad wrap and a mac and cheese dish.

Photo courtesy of V.L.C. Vegan Eatery

V.L.C. Vegan Eatery - Orlando, Florida

Located in the Waterford Lakes area of Orlando, the V.L.C. Vegan Eatery is a well-loved Asian fusion restaurant. Owners Jim and Michelle Wu are known as Papa and Mama Wu to regulars. They serve dumplings that they make from scratch each day, breaded eggplant with homemade katsu sauce and teriyaki vegan “chicken,” among other scrumptious dishes.

Photo courtesy of Plant Bae

Plant Bae - Montgomery, Alabama

Plant Bae is one of Alabama’s premier vegan restaurants. Situated in downtown Montgomery, it lives up to its slogan’s promise of food that is “very vegan, very good."

The casual eatery serves a popular Beau Burger made from a Beyond Meat patty that’s specially cooked then topped with grilled peppers, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomatoes, vegan cheddar cheese and the Que Dabra sauce. It comes on a toasted bun and is served with a pickle. Other beloved dishes include sandwiches, tacos, bowls, plant-based “wings” and smoky collard greens.

Photo courtesy of Kelley Farm Kitchen

Kelley Farm Kitchen - Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

The Kelley Farm Kitchen is a haven for vegan foodies. The exterior looks like an inviting home, and the interior is warm and welcoming. The plant-based eatery posts their current menu on their Facebook page.

Some dishes they often serve include a BBQ jackfruit sandwich, black bean tacos and an Italian hoagie sandwich. Their breakfast menu is a favorite and includes a tasty vegan omelette.

Photo courtesy of Lynn Luc

A Peace of Soul Vegan Kitchen - Columbia, South Carolina

As its name suggests, A Peace of Soul is a welcoming restaurant that creates a happy, peaceful environment for diners. It has beautiful African art on display, and scrumptious vegan soul food is served. They offer a bestselling vegan “chicken” sandwich and barbecue spare “ribs,” in addition to serving appetizing sides such as black-eyed peas and purple cabbage.

Photo courtesy of Tanjariné Kitchen

Tanjariné Kitchen - New Orleans, Louisiana

The innovative, delectable cuisine from Tanjariné Kitchen was inspired by Africa’s culinary traditions. Some of the delectable dishes served here include chunky, spicy vegan jerky that was created to mimic meat yet taste better. The restaurant also serves a veggie burger that’s made of beans and whole food produce.

Also popular is an African-inspired rice dish with infused vegetables, fried plantains and seasoned tofu.

Photo courtesy of Plant

Plant - Asheville, North Carolina

As a chef-driven, locally-owned fine dining vegan restaurant, Plant has been leading the way with its plant-based cuisine since it opened in 2011. Located in Asheville, it serves a wide variety of delicious dishes, biodynamic vegan wines and fun craft beers.

The modern interior seems to be the perfect setting to enjoy dishes that include ravioli, grilled beets, tempeh chile con queso and raw lasagna. Through reservations, the restaurant also offers a chef’s tasting dining experience with a five-course chef’s tasting menu and optional wine and cocktail pairings.

Photo courtesy of Life Bistro

Life Bistro - Atlanta, Georgia

Life Bistro is a fine dining restaurant that’s proud of serving an alkaline vegan menu that promotes “life in its many forms." The cuisine is inspired by dishes from around the world, although the focus is primarily veganized American comfort food. Dishes include a curry quinoa stir fry and a plant-based seafood penne pasta.

Photo courtesy of HUMBL

HUMBL - Orlando, Florida

Known for its flavorful plant-based burgers, Matthew Kenney’s HUMBL is a premier casual vegan restaurant in Orlando. Kenney is a renowned vegan chef and cookbook author, and he brings his special touch to the food here, making it a top choice of vegans and omnivores alike.

HUMBL is a perfect place to go for takeaway for Disney World’s many scenic picnic spots. The jovial, low-key atmosphere of the restaurant also makes it a good place for casual dining. In addition to burgers, it serves nachos, vegan sub sandwiches, salads and pizza. The family-friendly restaurant has a special kids’ menu, too!

Photo courtesy of Rosetta's Kitchen

Rosetta's Kitchen - Asheville, North Carolina

Rosetta’s Kitchen has been serving vegan soul food since 2002. It’s a sunny, cheerful restaurant in downtown Asheville, a city that’s among the most vegan-friendly spots in the South. At Rosetta’s Kitchen, you can find mouthwatering dishes, such as a vegan queso basket, a coconut curry plate and a classic vegan grilled cheese sandwich.

Their Family Favorite dish is a peanut butter-baked organic tofu, sauteed kale and smashed potatoes and gravy.  

Photo courtesy of Sunflower Cafe

Sunflower Cafe - Nashville, Tennessee

What’s not to love about a delectable veggie burger in a chipper environment? Nashville’s Sunflower Café is known for its gourmet veggie burgers and wraps. The casual eatery also serves desserts, including chocolate chip cookie dough and chocolate mousse. In addition to everything being vegan, many gluten-free, oil-free and soy-free dishes are on offer.