18 Best Restaurants for Vegan Food in Denver

In the past, my favorite thing about Denver was its access to the Rocky Mountains, but now, my favorite thing about the Mile High City is the number of fabulous vegan restaurants!

From the staple plant-forward restaurants that opened years ago to the fantastic newbie vegan spots, Denver is undoubtedly on the map when it comes to top cities for vegan and vegetarian options.

If you’re wondering what kinds of restaurants I think are the best, rest assured, there is a great mix! I’ve included everything from casual vegan comfort food to more eclectic and creative plant-based dining.

So, join me on a Mile-High vegan adventure through the city’s most delicious plant-based and vegetarian restaurants. Whether you live in Denver or swing through on your way to a Colorado ski resort in the Rockies (check out the vegan options in Aspen if you’re headed that way), you’ll find options for mac-n-cheese, plant-based sushi, a hearty burger and fries, and much more.

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Is Denver a Good City for Vegans?

Yes! Even with so many ranches spread across the city, many forward-thinking restauranteurs and passionate veggie lovers have poured their heart and passion into the Denver vegan restaurant scene. In addition to that, vegan choices continue to increase in Denver every single year!

Can’t Miss Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants in Denver

One of my favorite things on the menu at Watercourse Foods is the BBQ jackfruit sandwich with smoked jackfruit, BBQ sauce, black pepper aioli, and pickles. This sandwich is one of the reasons I return again and again, and a side of mac-n-cheese is always a part of my order. My other favorite dish on the menu is the Caesar salad. I ordered this salad topped with blackened tofu, and it’s simply perfect!

Fresh local ingredients create a fantastic menu that includes Southern fried cauliflower chicken, quinoa stir-fry, house-made burgers, and tasty salads.

The soft pretzels with mustard have my heart at City O City. They are even better when you add sauerkraut and vegan cheese for the perfect little dish! In addition to that, the Buff Wrap is also one of my special favorites, featuring buffalo seitan wings, onion, tomato, green leaf lettuce, and ranch dressing.

City O’ City is another Denver classic establishment, serving vegetarian and vegan comfort food in an eclectic space. The menu ranges from chick’n & waffles to kimchi noodles and everything in between. All ingredients are fresh, and the menu is creatively designed to satisfy all cravings.

City O’ City features local artists and proudly supports the local Denver community.

My choice at Vital Root is to enjoy the unique tangy flavors of the Korean stir-fry made with lemongrass tofu, mung beans, and mushrooms. Or, for something green, I will choose the Vital Cobb with plant-based chicken, greens, umaro seaweed bacon, and dates.

Vital Root is one of 6 restaurants in Denver owned and operated by the Edible Beats group, known for veggie-forward fare and responsibly grown and innovatively sourced.

Trust me; it’s hard to choose between cashew queso nachos, Korean BBQ veggie wings, and banh mi tacos prepared with lemongrass tofu — you’ll need multiple visits to Vital Root.

Arancini with tomato and garlic aioli sounds simple, yet it was my favorite dish! Slow-braised cabbage with white soy cream and burnt jalapeno emulsion is also a stunning choice at Somebody People.

Somebody People is one of the most unique plant-based menus I’ve experienced. This menu is creative, delicious, and fun, from locally roasted carrots with salsa verde to blue oyster mushrooms with creamy polenta that go perfectly with their natural wine selection. Somebody People has a unique, energetic, and welcoming vibe.

Meta Burger in Denver features creative burgers and chick’n sandwiches, tempting you to come back and try every single one. You can’t miss the Cowboy Crispy Chick’n topped with BBQ sauce, house-made ranch, American-style cheese, crispy onions, dill pickles, tomatoes, and green leaf lettuce!

Another must-try is The Godfather, with house-made Tuscan sauce, gouda-style cheese, grilled mushrooms, grilled onions, giardiniera, and green leaf lettuce.

Not only are the burgers oozing with flavor, but the sides are also not to be missed — cheese fries, wings tossed in your favorite sauce, and salads are hearty and delicious.

Vegan Van grew its following as a small, quirky veggie van with yummy casual fare. Now, they have a full menu of flavorful vegan pizza, salad, sides, and treats to choose from at their location inside The Assembly. One popular choice is the buffalo chick’n pizza with buffalo sauce, chick’n, cheese, red onion, parsley, and a ranch swirl.

On top of pizza, you will also want to try their pulled chick’n sandwich with your choice of sauce, including spicy buffalo, Carolina Gold, or sweet & spicy BBQ. Toss in a side of tots for fun!

Bang Up to The Elephant transports you to the soft breezes and colors of the Caribbean while serving up an eclectic vegan menu of bowls, sandwiches, and salads. You’ll love this airy, charming restaurant.

A few favorites include the house-made curried chickpeas in the Buss Up, Shut Bowl, and the coconut curry tossed with potatoes, pickled onions, and fresh herbs.

Don’t forget to add creative side dishes such as cornbread baked with sweet peppers and papaya slaw with pickled red and green cabbage!

Wellness Sushi came on the scene in 2019 as a mobile eatery and then grew into a small store in 2021, becoming Denver’s first entirely plant-based sushi restaurant. Their menu features fish-less sushi with various tempura, green onion, cucumber, spicy sauces, and much more! In addition to sushi, you’ll also find ramen, rice bowls, and small plates.

Try the shrimp tempura, Wellness’s krab salad, and cucumber tempura crisps with spicy sauce to start!

With an eclectic, welcoming vibe, the Corner Beet’s vegan choices include falafel with house-made cucumber sauce, a Mediterranean plate with Baba ghanoush and grape leaves, or loaded shawarma fries. Plus, just about everything on their menu can be made vegan.

Next Level Burger proudly serves hand-crafted vegan burgers with an array of delectable toppings. One of my favorites is the Blue BBQ Burger, made with quinoa and mushroom and topped with organic tempeh bacon, creamy blue cheese, and organic BBQ sauce.

But another must-try includes the Chipotle Burger made with chipotle black beans topped with organic guacamole, pickled jalapenos, and chipotle mayo!

And, it’s not just burgers! Dip into their Chik’n Bacon Ranch Burger or a Buffalo Chik’n Burger with house-made coleslaw, organic dill pickles, and creamy ranch.

V Revolution aims to diminish humanity’s impact on our global environment. They hope to inspire conscious choices by offering inventive vegan dishes to help create a more sustainable future.

I suggest you start with the orange Chickin’ Bao Buns, then add drunken noodles made with bell peppers, bamboo shoots, onions, carrots, bean sprouts, and basil!

Native Foods is a fast-casual vegan restaurant with a diverse menu that includes burgers, Buddha bowls, large salads, and more.

It’s the perfect spot when you only have a little time and need to grab a quick bite. One of my favorites is the BBQ brisket burger because of its flavorful BBQ sauce, fried onion rings, and southern slaw.

Blue Sushi Grill is hands-down my favorite place in Denver for vegan sushi! They have mastered making vegan sushi delicious and interesting. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve had at Blue Sushi Grill, but my favorite roll is the Cowgirl, made with pickle tempura, BBQ paper, vegan mayo tonkatsu sauce, and sriracha-fried onion rings.

Additional creative vegan sushi rolls on the menu include sweet potato, BBQ eggplant, and more.

Be sure to also try the Thai Hippie created with tofu tempura, avocado, cucumber, cashews, Thai basil, cilantro, mint, red onion salad, and Thai peanut sauce.

The best part about the Linger menu is that it’s tapas-style. Bring your friends and share all the plates that sound yummy! One of my favorites is the SSamjang tofu, cooked on a grill and served with miso, gochujang, sesame, and scallion pistou. Another dish I love is pad Thai, served vegan with sprouts, scallions, peanuts, and fish-free sauce.

Linger is my all-time favorite restaurant in Denver when I’m dining with friends who are not vegan. The diverse menu and excellent vegan options make it perfect for everyone. Linger is very open to making dishes vegan (if possible), and they have an impressive vegan list of delicious dishes.

Sputnik is another one of Denver’s very eclectic restaurants with a casual and youthful vibe. They aren’t fully vegan but have an impressive vegan menu with creative flavors.

The Bahn Mi at Sputnik is a delicious special treat! Pickled carrots, daikon, cucumber, and cilantro add to the unique flavors of this sandwich.

True Food’s menu is chock full of vegan choices, such as the teriyaki quinoa bowl, Korean noodle bowl, and a vegan double cheeseburger. Their dishes are prepared with fresh ingredients and are cooked perfectly!

True Food is my go-to lunch spot whenever I’m in Denver’s Cherry Creek neighborhood. The atmosphere is clean and bright, with a fresh design and impeccable service. The menu gives vegans an excellent selection for lunch, from salads to bowls to sandwiches; if something is not vegan, they’ll do their best to accommodate you.

Flower Child is a perfect spot for a very healthy, quick, and easy meal in the heart of the Cherry Creek shopping district.

The vegan Thai Dye Wrap is my top choice at Flower Child, prepared with spicy tofu, Thai basil, avocado, carrot, daikon radish, cilantro, and snap peas.

Flower Child will satisfy everyone from meat eaters to vegans with choices like mushroom Bolognese, forbidden rice, and the plentiful bowl called Mother Earth (another personal favorite) made with ancient grains, sweet potato, mushrooms, avocado, and broccoli pesto, topped with a red pepper miso vinaigrette for a flavorful lunch!

Jinya Ramen Bar has flavorful veggie options like the Impossible rice bowl, caramelized cauliflower, Impossible gyoza, and Brussels sprouts tempura.

The spicy vegan ramen is my absolute favorite dish at Jinya Ramen Bar! The soup is creamy, and the flavor is full of tang and spice. I typically will add some bok choy or order a side of broccolini to add to it, too!

Vegan Denver Wrap-Up

Now that you have a mile-long list of super awesome vegan and vegan-friendly spots to visit in Denver, you might be wondering what other veggie-friendly cities you need to visit. You’ve come to the right place! Check out these other articles and guides for more trip planning inspiration.

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