Whether you’re searching for Meatless Monday inspiration or just interested in exploring Asheville’s plant-based food scene — we’re dishing out our favorite vegan and vegetarian spots around town.
Pro tip: Bookmark this guide so you can come back to it time and time again.
Rosetta’s Kitchen, 68 N. Lexington Ave.
Rosetta’s serves lunch, dinner + late night bites. The local institution focuses on whole food, local, and organic dishes. Our go-to order is the the Family Favorite, featuring peanut butter-baked organic tofu, sautéed kale, and smashed potatoes gravy.
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.
Tahini Jar’s vegan mushroom shawarma is pure delight.
Photo by @tahinijar
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Smokin’ Onion’s food is just as beautiful as its vibrant truck.
Photo by @thesmokinonion
The Smokin’ Onion, Various locations
Big news for plant-based peeps. The Smokin’ Onion is opening a brick-and-mortar location at 697 Haywood Rd., taking over the spot after The Trashy Vegan closed at the end of 2023. A specific opening date is TBD, but for now, you can head to its website to track down the truck so you can enjoy vegan nachos smothered with cashew queso, pinto beans, lettuce, tomatoes, pickled jalapenos, and salsa.
Gallivant Coffee, 126 Elkwood Ave., #102, Woodfin
If you’re an oat milk latte lover, Gallivant Coffee may soon become your second home. The coffee shop prioritizes ethically sourced and organically grown ingredients and maintains a 100% plant-based menu. Pro tip: Try the Wildflower Latte, featuring crushed edible flowers and your choice of plant-based milk.
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.
Mean Mandy’s Food Truck, Various locations
This menu will take you all over the map, offering 100% plant-based dishes from a mock bánh mì to beer-braised jackfruit tacos.
Baba Nahm, 1 Page Ave., #139
Baba Nahm’s crispy falafels are what dreams are made of. Plus, try the Israeli Fries and an order of the Dolma with tahini. In a hurry? Order online.
ZenBurger Love Shack, 227 S. Liberty St.
From sloppy joes to Thai-inspired burgers, there’s a plant-based pick for every palate at this food truck, permanently parked in the gardens next to Liberty House Cafe.
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.
Dobra Tea, Various Locations
The food menus are different at each location, but all offer scrumptious veggie options. Dine on black bean queso dip with Darë Vegan Cheese at the West Asheville location or enjoy a kale Caesar salad with dairy-free dressing and cheese at the East Asheville location.
Bonus: Pizza joints like White Labs Brewing Co. offer vegan cheese and meat substitute options for toppings. If you’re looking for something sweet, The Hop Ice Cream Cafe has a huge selection of vegan ice cream on its menu.
🍽️ 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
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.
