Eating meat-free hasn’t always been easy, but in Asheville, 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 bites across town. From vegetarian barbecue to scrumptious vegan burgers, here are 20+ restaurants serving up meat-free fare in the 828.
100% vegan fare
Plant, 165 Merrimon Ave.
Don’t miss this sophisticated fine dining vegan spot. The menu typically varies by season, but some items we always order are the Crispy Mushroom Mole, Pecan Crusted Tempeh, and the Peanut Butter Cheesecake for dessert.
Pulp + Sprout Juice Bar + Vegan Café, 233 S. Liberty St.
This café is teeming with colorful menu choices — like the Goji Apparatus smoothie bowl with goji berries, strawberries, blueberries, and banana slices, and the Up-Beet Salad with lettuce, roasted beets, cucumber, avocado, and cashew ricotta. Pro tip: Ask about the rotating selection of vegan cheesecakes and pies.
Romeo’s Vegan Burgers, 640 Merrimon Ave., Ste. 203
Even vegan foodies crave a burger from time to time, and you can get one (or a chicken sandwich or hot dog) with all the fixings here.
Sweets and such
Dough House, 601 W. State St., Ste. 3, Black Mountain
This made-to-order vegan donut shop is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Pro tip: Try the Boston Cream Filled and the Chocolate Espresso.
The Hop Ice Cream, Various locations
The local favorite is always reliable for finding plant-based treats to indulge in. Inventive vegan flavors are always on the menu, now made with a creamy, dreamy pea protein base. Bonus: There are also plenty of plant-based toppings to choose from.
Back Porch Baking Co., Various locations
You can find these scrumptious, flaky baked goods at cafes and coffee shops around Asheville, including Pollen, Rowan, and Cooperative Coffee Shop. Don’t sleep on the pop tarts.
Vortex Doughnuts, 32 Banks Ave., Ste. 106
The South Slope doughnut shop is known for its fluffy, vegan yeast doughnuts — and you won’t have to wait much longer to get them. Vortex has been closed since Helene, but plans to reopen in February.
Tahini Jar’s vegan mushroom shawarma is pure delight.
Photo by @tahinijar
Food trucks
Tahini Jar Food Truck, Various locations
Plant-based food on wheels. Check out this local food truck’s schedule to find it around town + be sure to try the Shawarma Seasoned Fries, loaded with warm falafel bites, toum, harissa, and fresh parsley.
Mean Mandy’s Food Truck, Various locations
The truck’s ever-changing menu will take you all over the map, offering 100% plant-based dishes like a mock bánh mì to beer-braised jackfruit tacos. The team is off for the winter season, but keep up with their return on Instagram.
The brunch bunch
The Smokin’ Onion, 697 Haywood Rd., Ste. E
Visit the Haywood Road brick-and-mortar location for a menu full of breakfast + lunch options. Its truck is still rolling around town as well — track it down so you can enjoy vegan nachos smothered with cashew queso.
Green Sage Café, Various locations
Green Sage caters to a multitude of dietary requirements with its menu of juices, smoothies, fresh pastries, pancakes, biscuits, salads, grain bowls, sandwiches, and tacos.
Simple Café & Juice Bar, 643 Haywood Rd.
Take our advice: Order the Carrot Cake smoothie and the vegetarian Breakfast Crunch Wrap Supreme. Also, be sure to browse the fresh-baked pastry selection.
Bridge & Tunnel Coffee Co., 10 Fernihurst Dr.
Located inside A-B Tech’s Coman building, everything at this cafe is vegetarian and can be made vegan. Try a breakfast burrito with tofu scramble and coconut bacon or a chickpea cutlet sandwich on Hominy Farms’ vegan bread.
International veggie cuisine
Addissae Ethiopian Restaurant, 48 Commerce St.
The downtown spot offers a vegan menu with nine delicious options. We especially love the Gomen with collard greens cooked in onion, garlic, and ginger.
Laughing Seed Cafe, 40 Wall St.
This downtown staple offers a wide variety of vegan, vegetarian, nut-free, and gluten-free fare. Pro tip: Try the Harmony Bowl with grilled tempeh, organic brown rice, black beans, seasonal veggies, and a delicious sesame ginger sauce.
Baba Nahm, 60 Biltmore Ave. (coming soon)
Baba Nahm’s crispy falafels are what dreams are made of. Plus, try the Israeli Fries and an order of the Dolma with tahini. Right now, the Mediterranean restaurant is popping up in Biltmore Park next to Thirsty Monk as it prepares to open its new location on Biltmore Avenue.
Gypsy Queen Cuisine, 807 Patton Ave.
From falafel to vegan Lebanese poutine to “not lamb” shawarma wraps, there are plenty of mouthwatering options on the menu.
La Rumba, 105 River Hills Rd., Ste. C
The Latin American spot has a dedicated vegan + vegetarian menu full of flavorsome entrees. For the indecisive, there’s the Chef Mike Sampler with mixed vegetables tostada, vegan chorizo street taco, fried yucca, platanos maduros, and curtido slaw.
Nine Mile, Various locations
A number of the restaurant’s Caribbean-inspired dishes can be made vegetarian by swapping the protein for jerk tofu, but many dishes can be made vegan as well.
Warm + hearty
Rosetta’s Kitchen, 68 N. Lexington Ave.
You can’t go wrong with the classic Family Favorite, with peanut butter baked tofu, smashed potatoes with gravy, and sauteed kale. You can also help the local favorite make sure that everybody eats.
Black Bear BBQ, 800 Fairview Rd., Ste. C8
Two words — vegan barbecue. The East Asheville joint offers veg-e-que with the options of pulled Jackfruit or faux barbecue chicken.
White Labs Brewing Co., 172 S. Charlotte St.
The brewery’s piping hot pizzas can be made with vegan cheese and plant-based Italian sausage. Bonus: They also have gluten-free crusts available.
🍽️ 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 20 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.
- 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.
Did we miss one of your favorite vegan joints? Let us know so we can add it to this guide. Want more local food recs? We have guides to Asheville brunch spots, food trucks, and açaí bowls too.
