overhead view of the chicago sky line on a partly cloudy day

20+ Must Visit Vegan Restaurants in Chicago

Located on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago is one of the most welcoming big cities and one of the best cities in Illinois to visit. Lucky for me, Chicago is only a five-hour train ride from Detroit, making it easy for a weekend filled with vegan food! In addition to vegan eats, the Windy City is brimming with beautiful architecture, which you can enjoy by land or boat, world-class museums, and shopping! It’s no wonder Condé Nast Traveler has ranked Chicago #1 on their list of the Best Large Cities in the U.S. for three years in a row. Once you visit, you will want to keep coming back! Good thing for all of us, there are plenty of vegan restaurants in Chicago to fuel each and every visit.

silver chicago bean sculpture in the city center surrounded by sky scrapers

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The Best Vegan Restaurants in Chicago

I hope you’re hungry — there are a literal ton of vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Chicago! There are so many, that I didn’t even bother to investigate the vegan-friendly ones! Pretty fantastic, right?

Kale My Name

3300 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago, IL 60618
You’ll find some of the best vegan comfort food in Chicago at Kale My Name! Fried mac-n-cheese balls, cauliflower wings, tacos, and so much more. This is one spot where you might come in and say that you’re not that hungry but then you see them menu — you can’t resist!

Arya Bhavan

2508 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL 60659
If you love Indian food, you can’t miss this spot! You’ll find a lengthy menu of traditional dishes and a small lineup of raw options. Everything is created with the highest quality ingredients, minimal oil, and refined sugar.

Native Foods

Multiple locations throughout the city
I love Native Foods so much that I wrote to their corporate office to open a location in Detroit. No luck, yet… This little diner has a jam-packed menu that is 100% vegan. The menu is full of a delicious assortment of burgers, sandwiches, salads, and creative bowls. Make sure whatever you order you add on a side of chicken wings with spicy buffalo sauce and save room for a peanut butter parfait!

Vegan Plate

1550 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
Come here, extra hungry! You’ll want to devour everything on the menu at this Thai restaurant —crispy tofu, spicy seafood soup (made with soy fish and shrimp), pepper steak, and much more. 

Chicago Raw

51 W Huron St, Chicago, IL 60654
This raw café has you covered for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Start your day with a nutrient-packed smoothie, then for lunch or dinner check out their Chicago raw rolls which are nori rolls stuffed with a delicious seed pate, carrot, avocado, and red pepper, and served with tamari sauce. Don’t skip a slice of apple pie or a lemon square for dessert.

Alice & Friends Vegan Kitchen

They have set out to create a “wonderland” for vegans with their flavorful Asian dishes to please not only vegans but also those who are veg-curious. Their menu is extensive and includes ramen, Korean BBQ, chow mein, and much more. They are also very conscious of those with food allergies or sensitives, the menu is well-marked.

Healthy Substance

6852 W Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60638
This family owned restaurant is dishing up amazing traditional Mexican favorites with tons of gluten-free options. You can’t go wrong with a house-made tamale, chorizo gordita, or a loaded burrito!

Elephant + Vine

Two locations in Chicago
I came for the strawberry and cream milkshake and left with a Mammoth burger and a side of crispy sweet potato fries! If you’re looking for addictive comfort food, look no further.

a table filled with vegan burgers, loaded french fries, and milkshakes at elephant + vine in chicago
Credit: Elephant + Vine

Amitabul

6207 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60646
The fusion of traditional Korean cooking with a Western influence creates a non-stop menu of flavor! There are so many things to enjoy — dumplings, curry tofu, sushi, and more — you have a tough decision!

PLANTA Queen

413 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
This sophisticated Asian-inspired spot is perfect if you’re looking for a special night out! Their menu features creative sushi, hot bowls of noodles, dumplings, and more.

Liberation Kitchen

2054 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60612
This popular spot is well known and loved for it’s meats — seitan meat! Their menu features hearty sandwiches, loaded bowls, and creamy mac-n-cheese toped with fried bacon. Whatever you decide, make sure you don’t miss one of their epic milkshakes.

loaded vegan nachos topped with guac from uptowns in chicago
Credit: Uptown’s Breakroo

Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria

Two locations in Chicago
You won’t soon forget the flavorful Mexican eats at this vegan taqueria! Start with an order of Street Style Elote (steamed corn covered in an irresistible mix of creamy spices) and then head to the tacos section — good luck deciding; they are all incredible. 

a table filled with authetic vegan mexican dishes like tacos, rice and beans, flautas, and chips at penelope's vegan taqueria in chicago
Credit: Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria

Majani

7167 S Exchange Ave, Chicago, IL 60649
The amazing vegan Soul Food menu at this spot will put a smile on your face — even the most meatiest of eaters would be pleased! You’ll find loads of traditional dishes all veganized — jerk tofu, fried grits, crab cakes, gumbo, and more.

two bbq vegan sandwiches, one held in one hand and the other sitting on a table at majani soul food in chicago
Credit: Majani

Kitchen 17

2554 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
This is the only fully vegan pizzeria in the city and is famous for its pizza lineup! They’ve got everything — Chicago deep-dish, pan pizza, and tasty NY-style ‘za. In addition to the epic pizza pies, they’ve got a huge menu of comfort food eats.

vegan deep dish chicago style pizza covered in thick marinara sauce at kitchen 17 in chicago
Credit: Kitchen 17

Fancy Plants Café

613 W Briar Pl, Chicago, IL 60657
A delicious place to start your day — or drop in for lunch! The 100% vegan café features breakfast favorites like a croissant sandwich with Just Egg, cheese, smoked seitan, and veggies, or check out one of their house-made quiches, which are also gluten-free. For those with a sweet tooth, they have a great selection of house-made pastries.

vegan croissant breakfast sandwich and chocolate smoothie at fancy plants in chicago
Credit: Fancy Plants Café

Bloom Plant-Based Kitchen

1559 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
They are all about the veggies at this chic Michelin Star Bib Gourmand restaurant. All the dishes are gluten-free and focus on making veggies shine, from cactus schnitzel to red carrot dumplings and everything in between!

a plate of artfully styled vegan potatoes topped with cream at bloom plant based kitchen in chicago
Credit: Bloom Plant Based Kitchen

Vegetarian Restaurants in Chicago

In addition to a fabulous lineup of vegan restaurants in Chicago, there are also a ton of vegetarian ones you shouldn’t miss!

Handlebar

2311 W North Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647
This hip vegetarian restaurant features a beer garden and a creative menu with everything from greasy vegan eats to cure a hangover to bowls overfilling with greens. This is a great place to hang out on a beautiful, warm evening.

Veggie House

2109 S China Pl, Chicago, IL 60616
While checking out Chicago’s Chinatown, you can’t skip visiting this veggie hot spot! The menu adds a little modern flare to traditional Chinese dishes — crispy turmeric oyster mushrooms, braised lion’s mane, and more.

Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat

Two locations in Chicago
You and I can believe it’s not meat, but man, I hope meat eaters decide to pop into this playful vegetarian burger joint. Almost everything on the menu is vegan or has a vegan option, including giant burgers, crispy fish, fried chick’n, and more.

a giant crispy vegan fish sandwich with cheese next to golden french fries at cant believe its not meat in chicago
Credit: Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat

Original Soul Vegetarian

203 E 75th St, Chicago, IL 60619
This vegetarian spot wants to make sure it’s diners don’t feel like they’re missing out on anything by skipping meat! Their menu features a mix of classic comfort food — fried mushrooms, tender greens, BBQ, and more.

The Chicago Diner

Two locations in Chicago
A longtime Chicago vegan and vegetarian favorite! They have been slinging veggie burgers and cooking up delicious veggie dishes since the 80s — long before being a vegan or vegetarian was mainstream. Their menu features great comfort food like country fried steak with mashed potatoes!

fried vegan chicken on a salad with cheese at chicago diner
Credit: The Chicago Diner

Vegan-Friendly & Eco-Friendly Hotel in Chicago

Chicago is full of hotels for just about any budget or occasion, except there isn’t a fully vegan hotel just yet! This spot is veggie and eco-friendly.

Virgin Hotels Chicago

203 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60601
This hotel is not only right in the heart of downtown Chicago but is also focused on ensuring your stay is as sustainable as possible. The list of eco-initiatives is lengthy and includes a green roof, guest carbon offset programs, composting, resource conservation, eco-friendly toiletries, and much more. They do have vegetarian food options; some might be able to be made vegan.

Book Your Stay

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2 Comments

  1. I also recommend Beacon Doughnuts located In The Alley of 810 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60614! They have all vegan donuts and they are the best I have tried so far!

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