When you want to find tasty vegan and vegetarian food at a reasonable price, Asheville is the place to go. All across this city, there are tons of awesome restaurants serving delightful dishes that skip out on the meat and other animal products. That way, you can nosh on food that makes you feel good, inside and out, while minimizing your carbon footprint.
To help you find your way, here’s a look at the top 10 Asheville vegan and vegetarian eateries to try:
Rosetta’s Kitchen
68 N Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 232-0738
If you’re in the mood for soul food, but want to keep it vegan or vegetarian, then stop by Rosetta’s Kitchen for a meal to remember. Their menu is marked to allow everyone to customize their meal to their preferences and avoid key allergens.
You’ll undoubtedly love to start your meal with small bite plates featuring veggie burger nuggets, vegan queso dip, and sweet potato fries. After whetting your appetite, move on to the decadent main entrée of your choice, such as coconut curry or portobello plate. If you want a little bit more with your meal, look to grilled smoky tofu, Korean BBQ tempeh, and other organic protein sides.
Laughing Seed Café
40 Wall St, Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 252-3445
All-day and evening long, the Laughing Seed Café serves up international vegetarian starters, entrees, and desserts with a smile. Although their food is good enough reason to visit, the service makes for an excellent dining experience.
Their most popular appetizers include jalapeno onion fries, seitan beer chili, and sage butternut squash soup. Once you’re ready for your entrée, you can order a sandwich, salad, or pizza for something simple. If you want to go all out, then you’ll want to try their spinach pesto manicotti or vegetable lo mein instead. Save room for dessert because their pumpkin maple cheesecake is out of this world delicious.
plant
165 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 258-7500
plant goes above and beyond in creating a 100% vegan menu and making all their dishes using locally sourced, organic ingredients. In addition to not using animal products, almost all of their meals are gluten-free as well.
At each visit, you can make a meal out of their grilled beets, smoked portobello mushrooms, tofu curry, and so much more. They also have vegan desserts galore, like carrot cake, crème brulee, and blackout pie. If you want to take your dining experience to the next level, pair your food with a bright cocktail or craft beer.
Dobra Tea
78 Lexington Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 575-2424
When you want authentic tea plus a light, plant-based snack, get down to Dobra Tea. They have every tea imaginable on their menu, including oolong, herbal, and green tea varieties.
If you’re hungry for a bite to eat, you’ll find that everything on their sweets and treats menu easily does the trick. If you want a vegan treat, go with their mochi daifuku or paleo tahini cookie. The rest of their menu is filled with vegetarian snacks like pistachio rose cardamom cookies and raspberry brown butter tea cake. The other locations are at 707 Haywood Rd and 1011 Tunnel Rd.
Early Girl Eatery
8 Wall St, Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 259-9292
As a farm to table restaurant, Early Girl Eatery has it all, but that doesn’t mean they skip out on the vegan and vegetarian dishes. They actually have many plates available that load on the veggies and plant-based proteins.
You’ll want to scan their menu for these plant-rich favorites. As you browse their options, you might like to try their veggie breakfast bowl, which comes with brown rice, veggies by the ton, and either cage-free eggs or tempeh. With its rich curry flavors and fresh ingredients, their organic tofu scramble is also a clear winner. The other locations are at 444 Haywood Rd #101 and 1378 Hendersonville Rd Suite A.
Pulp + Sprout Juice Bar and Vegan Cafe
233 S Liberty St, Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 412-5701
Pulp + Sprout Juice Bar and Vegan Cafe is a shop dedicated to serving up wholesome, healthy dishes and beverages. Although they specialize in cold-pressed juice, smoothies, and nut milk, their plant-based food and bowls are really good as well.
No matter when you come through the doors, you can order up delicious dishes, like sweetheart toast, chickpea caesar sandwich and salads, and vegan and gluten-free chocolate chip cookie. They have even more creative dishes on the menu as well, including their ever-popular mushroom banh mi. Before you head out, don’t forget to grab a couple organic, gluten-free muffins.
Green Sage Cafe Downtown
5 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 252-4450
When you want to eat food that is made using organic, sustainable ingredients and time-honored recipes, get to Green Sage Café Broadway. While thoughtfully building their menu, they’ve included many vegan and vegetarian dishes you’ll want to share with the world.
You can start the day off right with their breakfast bowls or pancakes, and then come back later for sandwiches and salads of all kinds. It’s even well worth stopping in just to try their plant-based milkshakes and smoothies. Don’t forget to add hemp hearts, spirulina, or other mix-ins for a boost of vitamins and minerals.
The Trashy Vegan
697 Haywood Rd Unit E, Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 412-3026
If a donut burger with an impossible patty on a vanilla glazed donut bun sounds delicious or a “Special” sandwich with pimento cheese, umaro bacon, and caramelized onion sounds like your jam, then this is the spot for you. The Trashy Vegan is a relatively new vegan restaurant in the Asheville area, and all the more popular with locals and tourists alike.
The Smokin’ Onion Food Truck
697 Haywood Road Suite E, Asheville, NC 28806
When a food truck is just what you need, the Smokin’ Onion has got some of the best vegan eats in the area. The overall food truck has menu items like buffalo cauliflower bites, freshly squeezed lemonade, and the tow gyro. There’s also a kids menu if your kid is a lover of burgers or grilled cheese. All in all, a tasty place to settle down and munch on some vegan goodies.
As you go through this list, you’re sure to come out with some definite favorites. With those ones in mind, you can hit them up on the regular to try all the delightful dishes on their menu.
