16 Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in Charlotte
Indulge in the Queen City’s plant-based options.
by Catherine Brown
From burgers and sandwiches to soul food and fine dining, Charlotte’s diverse variety of plant-based restaurants offer something for everyone – even omnivores.
Bean Vegan Cuisine
Area: East Charlotte
Charlotte’s oldest vegan restaurant, established in 2012, Bean offers diner-style comfort food in a relaxed, casual setting. Popular items include the Ruben and cheesesteak hoagie, both with house-made seitan, along with six styles of fried tofu fingers. Start your meal with fried pickles and end with raspberry zinger cake or soft serve ice cream.
Boujie Vegan Bakery
Neighborhood: Wesley Heights
Boujie Vegan Bakery’s cakes are not only delicious, but they’re also free of most common allergens including nuts and soy. Choose from five flavors such as lemon and Not Your Aunt’s Red Velvet. Customize your cake with colorful frosting, a written message or an edible photo. This bakery also offers cupcakes and chocolate chunk cookie cakes.
Chaat and Dosa
Neighborhood: Ballantyne
This vegetarian restaurant specializes in Indian street food, with many vegan options. Order several items to sample or share. Popular vegan dishes include vadas and idlis with a bowl of sambar for dipping, samosa chaat, and pani puri which are puri shells filled with spiced water, chickpeas and chutneys.
Dee’s Vegan To-Go
Area: Southwest Charlotte
Dee’s Vegan To-Go reinvented itself with a new location at the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market, new hours and breakfast all day. Options range from vegan waffles with sausage and eggs to breakfast sandwiches and bagels. Chef Dee’s sweet potato spice cake and lemon pound cake are fan favorites from this takeout spot.
Love in Action Café
Area: West Charlotte
A plant-based restaurant offering reasonably priced comfort food, Love in Action Café features favorites like meatloaf and jackfruit barbecue sandwiches. The cafe recently added breakfast, with options like a breakfast casserole with impossible sausage and sweet potato hash, and grab-and-go selections. Don’t leave without ordering the Moscato cake.
Ma Ma Wok
Neighborhood: Ballantyne
Formerly a traditional Chinese restaurant, when owner Jian Chen went plant based, so did the restaurant’s menu. Ma Ma Wok is more than “bean curd family style.” There’s vegan chicken, beef, fish, shrimp and duck. Try the sweet and spicy orange chicken, classic Beijing duck, curried Singapore mei fun or fiery General Tso’s.
Mike’s Vegan Grill
Neighborhood: University City
Known for serving hearty portions and a variety of vegan hamburgers and hotdogs, Mike’s also offers handhelds such as a tuna melt, cheesesteak and chicken sandwiches. Order your burger or hotdog Carolina style, with homemade chili, American cheese, coleslaw and special sauce. Wash your meal down with a vegan milkshake or refreshing lemonade.
Oh My Soul
Neighborhood: NoDa
Vegan with a South African twist, hang out on the outdoor patio and sip South African wine or local craft beer. Share the Macho Nachos, piled high with “vicken,” “friendly bacon” and a spicy South African vegetable relish called chakalaka. For a hearty option, try the double patty “vurger,” or the Mother Earth Bowl for a healthier selection.
Pepperbox Doughnuts
Neighborhood: South End
Pepperbox offers yeast doughnuts made fresh daily. The menu changes seasonally and boasts a variety of flavors, most of which are vegan, that range from traditional like vanilla glazed and chocolate frosted to adventurous like mango passionfruit habanero and cinnamon maple bourbon. Try a savory doughnut or vegan breakfast sandwich with sausage, egg and cheese.
Romeo’s Vegan Burgers
Area: South Charlotte
What started as a food truck became Charlotte’s first vegan drive thru. Try a classic Where Art Thou Romeo Burger with house-made sauce or the Romeo Mac Burger. Make it a combo with fries or tater tots and a sweet tea or strawberry lemonade. For a complete fast-food experience, add a plant-based milkshake.
Sanctuary Bistro
Area: South Charlotte
Charlotte's vegan, gluten-free fine dining restaurant offers creative, delicious and beautifully plated dishes. The menu changes seasonally, so there's always something new to try. Options might include a charcuterie plate, fried ravioli, ratatouille and cashew cheesecake in the flavor of the day. Pair your food with a vegan wine by the bottle or glass.
Soul Miner’s Garden
Neighborhood: Camp North End
Soul Miner's Garden, a food stall at Camp North End, is known for fresh, flavorful food. Popular items include the award-winning loaded nachos with fresh-fried tortillas, the Shroomin Philly made with oyster mushrooms, portobello mushroom Reuben sandwich, and the Beans N’ Greens Bowl with collard greens, pinto beans and chow chow. Wash everything down with a Lenny Boy kombucha or CBD-infused drink.
Sri Balaji Caffe
Area: Pineville
This all veg South Indian restaurant specializes in a variety of dosas and Indian street food with many vegan options. The Mysore Masala Dosa, stuffed with red hot chutney and served with spicy cooked potatoes, is a popular choice for those who like it spicy. The restaurant is small but boasts an outside seating area.
Taco Vegano
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
Charlotte’s first vegan taqueria, Taco Vegano shares a space with veg-friendly Deli Street on Fridays and Saturdays. Taco Vegano offers eight varieties of overstuffed vegan tacos with your choice of fillings, such as chicken, chorizo, grilled vegetables and carnitas. Finish with a boozy slushie or Cindy’s Michelada.
Taste of Soul
Neighborhood: Wesley Heights
Taste of Soul is known for down-home soul food like grandma used to make – only vegan. Co-owner and chef Jerea Reed is dishing out plant-based ribs, greens, mac n cheese, baked beans, yams, fried fish and even vegan oxtails, along with specials like pizza, Chinese food, soup, paninis and even Indian food.
Ve-Go
Neighborhood: Citywide
Ve-Go Food Truck is synonymous with the Vegan Vibes Music Series, but you can find the truck throughout the Charlotte region. The menu runs the gamut of Southern food, ranging from soul food to coastal to Tex-Mex. Recurring menu items include Hennessy short ribs, crab cakes, Cajun fish sandwiches, and sweet and spicy Bang Bang shrimp.
