Chicago is a city full of superlatives. Beautiful parks and blue water beaches complement one of the best skylines and some of the most revered architecture in the country. The great city is home to a wonderful fusion of international cuisines. Vegetarians and vegans have long been without options, but cheers to a thriving vegan community and Chicago’s rich cultural diversity, there are now a plethora of plant-based dining options all over the city. Whether you’re a vegan or vegetarian, we’ve compiled a list of the best vegan restaurants in Chicago for brunches, snacks, and dining out, so you can cut to the chase and enjoy the best vegan options in Chicago.
The Chicago Diner (Vegan Diner)
The Chicago Diner, one of the finest vegan restaurants in Chicago, is located in Logan Square, Chicago at 3411 N Halsted Street and 2333 N Milwaukee Avenue.
Ask any vegan or vegetarian in the city about their favourite vegan restaurants in Chicago, and Chicago Diner is likely to be one of the first names that come to mind. While its motto proclaims that The Chicago Diner has been “Meat free since ’83,” its reputation is such that meat-eaters and vegans alike flock to the restaurant. A diverse menu includes everything from pancakes to black bean veggie burgers, but it’s what they can do with seitan and tofu that will blow your mind and taste buds. Thai Chilli Wings, Chicken Shawarma, Italian Beef, and Gyros are just a few of the incredible vegan options at the legendary Chicago Diner.
Soul Veg City
Chicago’s Soul Veg City, one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Chicago is located at 201-209 East 75th Street.
Soul Veg City, formerly known as Original Soul Vegetarian, has been an excellent vegan and vegetarian option on Chicago’s South Side since 1982. They have been offering healthy plant-based vegan food in Chicago for nearly 40 years, dating back to a time when food awareness and abstention were minimal. The family-owned restaurant is also one of the country’s oldest black-owned vegan restaurants, and it has become a fixture in Chicago’s Chatham neighbourhood.
Following renovations last year, the iconic vegan restaurant now features a larger dining area, a larger bakery section, a massive juice bar, a new pizza bar, and even more patio seating. From the Zesty Cauliflower Wingz to the Vegan Shrimp Boat, this distinguished hub of plant-based soul food offers a variety of mouthwatering meals in a variety of sizes.
Alice & Friend’s Vegan Kitchen
Alice & Friends is located in Chicago at 5812 N Broadway.Alice & Friends is also another popular and one of the best vegan restaurants in Chicago with a fantastic menu. Their website states that they “proudly celebrate the flavours, beauty, and diversity of vegan cuisine from around the world,” but they also take pride in impressing non-vegans with their delicious dishes. Alice & Friends, which opened in 2001, serves Asian-inspired dishes as well as traditional American favourites like burgers and fries. Everything is made with fresh organic vegetables and spices, and homemade desserts and soy ice cream are among the city’s best vegan options.
Althea
Althea is located at 700 N Michigan Avenue, Chicago (7th floor of Saks Fifth Avenue).
Althea is one of the more recent additions to this list of the best vegan restaurants in Chicago. Since its inception in 2018, it has provided a remarkable variety of globally-inspired meals in a spectacular setting. The venue, which is located on the seventh floor of Saks Fifth Avenue, has floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the restaurant with natural light and provide stunning views of Chicago’s skyline. You won’t know where to look with the city views and the prismatic plates of vegan food in Chicago. Matthew Kenny, celebrity chef and plant-based pioneer, created the menu, which features a variety of unique dishes made with fresh, organic ingredients, as well as some interesting interpretations of traditional dishes.
Handlebar
The Handlebar, one of the top vegan restaurants in Chicago can be found at 2311 West North Avenue in Chicago.
While Althea is a ritzy vegan dining experience, Handlebar in Wicker Park is a laid-back vegan retreat offering “food, booze, and good times.” Since 2003, the small, casual neighbourhood restaurant’s made-from-scratch vegetarian and vegan dishes have exceeded customer expectations, and the small, casual neighbourhood restaurant has become an authentic favourite with a beloved beer garden to boot.
The Handlebar has partnered with the popular vegan bakery Pie Pie My Darling to offer the bakery’s delectable vegan cake slices, raising the bar even higher. Handlebar in Wicker Park does everything right, from sourcing produce from local farms to brewing fair-trade coffee and serving all organic eggs.
The Takeaway
We hope you enjoyed this guide to the best vegan restaurants in Chicago! Even the most discerning meat lover should agree that the delicious vegan options available at these eateries would satisfy even the most discerning palate. From breakfast to brunch, dinner to late-night snacking, and every meat-free meal in between, we’re confident that our top pick of the best vegetarian restaurants in Chicago will help you find the best veggie dining experiences.
FAQs
Q1. Does Chicago have vegan options?
Ans: Chicago has a plethora of excellent vegan-friendly restaurants that serve everything from nutritious and healthy comfort food. So you can get vegan deep-dish pizza and a vegan Chicago-style tofu sandwich—which isn’t technically a hot dog.
Q2. Which foods can you only get in Chicago?
Ans: When it comes to signature dishes, Chicago is in a class by itself. Deep-dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs, popcorn, and the Italian sandwich are all available in Chicago.
Q3. What restaurant in Chicago makes the best veggie burger?
Ans: One of the best veggie burgers you can get is at the Chicago Diner. The burger is served with salsa, cottage fries, coleslaw, and pickles, which complement it perfectly. To round out the meal, we recommend getting some of their incredible Veggie Chili.
Q4. Which restaurants in Chicago have the best romantic atmosphere?
Ans: Alice & friends kitchen, Althea, and the Handlebar are the restaurants in Chicago having the best romantic atmosphere.
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