Vegan Philadelphia: 19+ Restaurants, Sights, + More

Philadelphia had long been on my travel list but always seemed to be bumped for some other destination — I wish I would’ve come sooner. The bustling Pennsylvania city is underrated and often overshadowed by nearby behemoths like New York City or Washington DC. Well, let me tell you, Philly has a lot to offer — a rich US history, a diversity of cultural institutions, eclectic street art, and of course, excellent vegan food!

Philly is super vegan-friendly! Like many cities, the dining scene has shifted over the last decade and many vegan and vegan-friendly places have popped up. People have shared that Philly is an entirely different veggie-loving town from what they remember.

If you were even a little worried about finding vegan food in Philadelphia, you need to stop worrying right now! You can start your day with a nutrient-packed smoothie bowl and end it with a slice of cheesy vegan ‘za or sample a selection of perfectly curated veggie dishes by James Beard nominated Chefs. Philadelphia has it all!

The Tasty

1401 S 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
At first glance, this South Philly diner is like any other old-school American diner, complete with retro décor and spinning diner chairs at the counter. But it’s 100% vegan (with lots of gluten-free options)! You can enjoy traditional American favorites like thick-cut French toast, chocolate chip pancakes, an array of scrambles with coconut bacon, tofu feta, veggies, and more, plus Philly’s signature buffalo “chicken” cheesesteak sandwich!

Luhv Vegan Deli

51 N 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Located inside the historic Reading Terminal Market, this vegan deli is incredible! Italian hoagies, tuna salad, corned beef, and so much more — you won’t believe your eyes! They have taken old-school classics, that no one would ever expect to be vegan, and given them a cruelty-free makeover. They make many of the meats and cheeses and purchase from other local shops in the city. Stop by for breakfast and enjoy bacon, egg, and cheese on a toasted everything bagel and at lunch be sure not to miss their BLT hoagie with thick strips of veggie bacon.

Hip City Veg

Multiple locations throughout Philadelphia
You don’t need Mcdonald’s when you can have Hip City! These fast-casual vegan restaurants will make all your vegan junk food needs come true. Indulge in a loaded burger, Philly cheese steak, or a 10-piece order of crispy chick’n nuggets with fries! Don’t forget to wash it down with a creamy chocolate milkshake.

Bar Bombon

133 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
You can’t miss the delicious flavors of Puerto Rico at this plant-based restaurant! The flavorful menu features an irresistible mix of tacos loaded with cauliflower and fishy hearts of palm, along with traditional dishes with a Philly inspiration, like Philly steak empanadas! On the weekend, don’t miss their special brunch menu.

Unit Su Vege

2000 Hamilton St # 106, Philadelphia, PA 19130
If you’re craving Kung Pao tofu or veggie Lo Mein, there is no better place to go in Philly! This vegetarian Chinese restaurant is cooking up traditional dishes without the meat — the menu is almost entirely vegan! If you’re gluten-free, this spot is also for you, as the menu is well-marked, and the options are plentiful.

Pietramala

614 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
This spot is the new kid on the vegan block in Philadelphia! The small restaurant (best to make reservations) created its menu around local and seasonal produce to create veggie-forward dishes — no mock meat here. There isn’t alcohol served, but you can BYOB; there is a wine service fee per bottle.

Miss Rachel’s Pantry

1938 S Chadwick St, Philadelphia, PA 19145
If you can get a spot at one of Miss Rachel’s upcoming dinners, you better nab it before it’s gone! This chic little spot has created a buzz in Philly with its 5-course elevated comfort food menu. Expect gorgeous heirloom tomato galettes, bowls of sophisticated creamy pasta, and so much more. One note, it is BYOB.

Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Philadelphia

Since Philadelphia has so many vegan and vegetarian restaurants, I almost skipped these four entirely but their options are really great so I figured, what the heck! If you’re trying to please a group, these places can do it!

Tattooed Mom

530 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
This brightly colored vegan-friendly bar and restaurant will catch your attention from the street! The menu is super vegan-friendly and features impressive vegan junk food like Nashville hot chick’n sandwiches, Philly cheese steaks, vegan cheez whiz, and much more.

Vegan*ish

1214 N 52nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19131
This West Philly sandwich shop is focused on bringing healthy and delicious food to the community. Their menu features loads of vegan options (it’s almost entirely vegan), like Vietnamese-inspired hoagie, chick’n cheeze steak, veggie-packed salads, and more.

Grindcore House

1515 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147 (there is a second location hooked up with the vegan bakery, Crust)
This vegan-friendly coffee shop is the perfect place to grab an oat milk latte on the run or hang out with your laptop and enjoy your coffee with a slice of cake or a chickpea salad sandwich! 

Playa Bowls 

Multiple locations throughout Philly
If you need a midday pick-me-up or want to start your day with a nutrient-packed bowl of superfruits, this is the place for you! These fruity bowls were created from a small pop-up with a couple of blenders on the Jersey Shore, but their popularity has launched them into nine other states and a location in the Dominican Republic. Their menu is full of a variety of acai, pitaya, coconut, banana, and green bowls packed with various fruits and their special vegan and gluten-free granola.

Batter and Crumbs Café

1401 Reed St, Philadelphia, PA 19146
Whether you’re looking for a cream-filled cannoli, flaky apple turnover, or cupcakes, you’ll find it at this bright and cheerful vegan bakery and café. Also, check out their extensive coffee lineup, everything from a Nutella latte to dirty chai!

Float Dreamery

1255 E Palmer St, Philadelphia, PA 19125
With one look at these magnificent vegan gelato creations, I’ll bet the first words out of your mouth will be OMG, wow! This small shop operates only on Saturdays inside Castellino’s Italian Market and concocts the most decadent vegan ice cream creations.

Eat your way through Reading Terminal Market

51 N 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Markets have been part of Philadelphia’s identity since the time of William Penn. The Reading Terminal Market has been in operation since 1893 and today is probably just as busy as it was the day it opened. The market is a fun place to people watch, find beautiful flowers, gifts, and most importantly enjoy vegan food! Many times, markets like this are a fun place to check out, but they don’t have vegan food to eat. Well, not here!

There are a few vendors to check out. First, grab one of the best vegan hoagies in town at Luhv Vegan Deli. You’ll find corned beef, Italian salami, and much more. The second stop is Nanee’s Kitchen for vegan and gluten-free traditional Indian-Pakistani dishes. It’s not 100% vegan but there are great options like Chana Masala and coconut curried cauliflower. There are also a couple of vendors selling smoothies and fresh juices.

Hang out at The Cherry Street Pier and/or Spruce Street Harbor Park

121 N Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Right on the Delaware River, this hip spot is the perfect place to hang out any time of the day! It is open year-round and depending on when you visit, you’ll find yoga classes, art markets, live music, food trucks, and more.

Right on the water is The Garden at Cherry Street Pier, this is the best place to relax and order a drink. Only a half-mile away from Cherry Street Pier is The Spruce Street Harbor Park—if Cherry Pier is too busy or you’re just looking for another fun hang out, come here! Also, right on the riverfront, you’ll find hammocks that you can rent for an afternoon siesta, a beer garden, and food from local restaurants (there are a couple of vegan options!). 

Shop like a local through the Italian Market

919 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
This is America’s oldest outdoor market, spanning 10 blocks down 9^th Street. Even though the bustling market is home to many Italian delights including hand-made pasta and infused olive oils, you’ll also find other great options like Mexican tacos, Korean barbeque, and Vietnamese pho. One could really say that it’s more of an international market! Aside from the restaurants and shops, the street is lined with vendors selling produce, fruit, plants, and just about anything else you can imagine.

Relax in East Fairmount Park

2839 W Glenwood Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19121
The park is home to The Philadelphia Museum of Art, which you should check out, but there is so much more to explore just outside the building! The park covers 650 acres on both sides of the Delaware River. If you like to work up a sweat, check out the 26-mile Schuylkill River Trail or the well-known Boxer’s Trail which is a 3.8-mile gravel and dirt trail. For less adventure, check out the beautiful Fairmount Park Horticulture Center which includes a greenhouse, Japanese, and Butterfly Gardens. Also, don’t miss the 19^th-century boathouses on Boathouse Row—at night the buildings are set aglow with beautiful lights. There is a lot to explore here, make sure you give yourself at least a few hours.