Check out these local veggie-forward favorites in Chicago!
Chicago is a food lover’s paradise and its vibrant vegetarian dining scene is no exception. Recently a few friends who’ve relocated from the West Coast seemed stumped when they were looking for vegetarian/vegan or veggie forward restaurants so I thought I’d put together a list to help them.
Whether you’re a lifelong vegetarian or simply looking to explore plant-based options, the city has plenty of amazing vegetarian restaurants to choose from.
Here’s a list of some of the most renowned veggie / veggie forward restaurants near the West Loop!
NaanSense
Let’s start things off with one of my favorites, Naansense is a fast-casual Indian restaurant in the Loop @ 178 N Franklin that offers a variety of vegetarian and vegan options.
Choose between a bowl or a wrap (or salad), the style: Tikka, Korma, Madras or Vindaloo and then the “filling” : Pea Croquettes, Chickpeas, Seasonal Vegetables or Paneer. Sides range from masala fries to samosas. And don’t forget the Mango Lassi!
The food is flavorful and affordable, making it a great option for a quick and delicious vegetarian meal.
Naansense
Fast-casual Indian Restaurant
178 N Franklin, Chicago IL
Planta Queen
Relatively new to the scene, Planta Queen is an upscale vegetarian restaurant located in the River North neighborhood. Their menu is entirely plant-based, and they offer a wide range of creative and innovative dishes. Some of their most popular dishes include the Ahi Watermelon Nigiri Sushi, Sweet Corn dumplings and hearts of palm Ceviche. The atmosphere is modern and trendy, making it a great spot for a special occasion or a fancy night out.
Planta Queen
Upscale plant-based Restaurant
413 N Clark Street, Chicago IL
Chicago Diner
Popular vegetarian and vegan restaurant Chicago Diner with two locations in Logan Square & Lakeview Chicago which offers a variety of plant-based comfort food dishes for nearly forty years! Some of their popular dishes include the Radical Reuben (seitan corned beef, sauerkraut, vegan cheese, and Thousand Island dressing, grilled rye), BBQ “Wings” (seitan wings with vegan ranch dressing), Vegan Milkshakes (chocolate chip cookie dough, mint chocolate chip, and peanut butter cookie dough), Buddha’s Karma Burger (house-made vegan patty made with lentils, brown rice, and vegetables, topped with avocado, tomato, and vegan chipotle mayo).
It’s a great option for vegans and vegetarians looking for classic comfort food dishes with a plant-based twist. Their menu is diverse and flavorful, and their commitment to using sustainable and ethical ingredients makes it a great choice for conscious diners.
Chicago Diner
Vegetarian Greasy Spoon
Logan Square: 2311 W North Ave, Chicago, IL
Lakeview: 3411 N Halsted St, Chicago IL
Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria
@PenelopesVeganTaqueira via Instagram
Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria is a vegan restaurant located near the brown line on Chicago Avenue in River North that specializes in plant-based Mexican cuisine. Favorites included Tacos al Pastor (marinated seitan (wheat-based protein) pineapple, onion, and cilantro), Vegan Queso Dip (cashews and vegan cheese, and served with tortilla chips), Chorizo Burrito: (vegan chorizo, rice, beans, lettuce, and guacamole) and Horchata (rice milk, cinnamon, and sugar)
Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria is a great option for vegans and vegetarians looking for tasty and authentic Mexican cuisine in Chicago. Their dishes are flavorful and satisfying, and their commitment to using plant-based ingredients makes it a great option for those looking for sustainable and ethical dining options.
Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria
Authentic Vegan Mexican Cuisine
River North: 230 W Chicago Ave, Chicago IL
Andersonville: 5204 N Clark Street, Chicago IL
Liberation Kitchen
@LiberationKitchen via Instagram
Liberation Kitchen (formerly Upton’s Breakroom – which now produces seitan) is a Chicago-based delivery/pickup only restaurant that specializes in vegan and vegetarian food. Their “100% vegan and nut-free menu includes Fried Bacon Mac, soft serve, gourmet donuts, hot dogs, bowls, and much more”. Originally they were the actual break room for Upton’s Naturals but have segued into a pickup/delivery restaurant and changed their name to distinguish between brands.
The mission of Liberation Kitchen is to provide healthy and sustainable food options while also supporting social justice initiatives in the community and will be using the extra space to help other vegan small businesses grow.
Restaurant @ Uptons Naturals Liberation Kitchen
Made-to-order vegan comfort food, soft serve, & donuts
2054 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL – closed Monday & Tuesday : menu
HandleBar
@HandlebarChicago via Instagram
Handlebar on North Avenue in Wicker Park is a great, laid-back vegetarian bar in Wicker Park which offers a diverse menu of vegetarian and vegan dishes. Their menu includes a range of sandwiches, salads, and vegan desserts… from Sloppy Joe’s to Nashville Hot Fried “Chicken, it’s vegetarian bar food done right. Quoting my friend Nancy, “Their brunch is ‘chefs kiss’!!”
HandleBar
Laid-back Vegetarian Bar Food
2311 W North Ave, Chicago, IL
Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat
@Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat via Instagram
Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat is a unique and innovative addition to Chicago’s vegan dining scene, and it’s worth checking out if you’re looking for plant-based versions of comfort food dishes. Located in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, they showcase a wide array of vegan re-creations from burgers, dogs, nachos, hoagies, melts, pizzas, burritos, tacos and many other yummy fast-food favorites.
Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat
Plant-based Classic Soul Food
Hyde Park: 1368 1/2 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL
Gold Coast: Saturday & Sundays only 1143 N Wells St, Chicago IL
MY PI : Vegan Deep Dish!
@MyPiPIzzaChicago via Instagram
Of course Chicago has a vegan deep dish pizza. Sure you could just go veggie only, but they have vegan sausage, vegan parmesan and vegan cheese as topping options to delight your tastebuds! Their sauce is a bit on the sweeter side so get some banana peppers or green olives to balance it out, IMO.
My Pi & Lil Guy’s
Fresh. Homemade. From Scratch Pizza & Sandwiches
2010 N Damen Ave Chicago, IL
Hold The Meat : Not Exactly Vegetarian Restaurant but lots of veggie options
Athena
While Athena Restaurant in Greek Town is a traditional Greek restaurant with the non-veg forward favorites ranging from Octopus from Lamb; this sunny West Loop spot also features a nice variety of traditional Greek dishes that can be enjoyed by vegetarians. Veggie Mousakas (layers of baked eggplant, zucchini, potatoes, bechamel suace), Vegetarian Pasta (mushrooms, spinach, sun dried tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, white wine sauce), Veggie Kabob (2 skewers of zucchini, onions, eggplant, peppers, rice & potato), Veggie Gemista (stuffed tomato and bell pepper with sautéed rice & herb) and of course the spreads & dips are great options for lunch or dinner.
Athena Restaurant
Classic Greek food in Greek Town, West Loop
212 S Halsted St #1, Chicago, IL
Lula Cafe
Pretty much every Chef I’ve ever met’s favorite restaurant, Lula Cafe, elevates the respect for food, sourcing locally and is a founding member of the nationally recognized Logan Square culinary community and a celebrated forerunner of the ‘farm to table’ movement in Chicago.
There are many beautiful vegetarian dishes on this menu ranging simply from Egg & Tofu scramble to the more complex grilled white sweet potato with black trumpet mushrooms, charred cabbage, green apple & spruce (pictured above). Keep in mind, they’re closed Tuesdays, but now they take reservations so easier to plan than wait in line like the before (2020) time.
Lula Cafe
James Beard nominated “boheme bistro of the unclassifiable kind”
2537-41 N Kedzie Blvd. Chicago, IL
aba
The gorgeous restaurant Aba, located in a stunning lofty plant paradise in Chicago’s Fulton Market District, offers a variety of modern Mediterranean-inspired dishes that can be enjoyed by vegetarians. From the assortment of dips & spreads: Muhumarra to Hummus, Village Salad, Olives & Feta to potatoes to the grilled Cauliflower kebabs. If you are Vegan, be careful to order the “gluten free chips” which are basically tortilla chips; as the bread has yogurt as an ingredient!
Aba Restaurant
Modern Middle Eastern/Mediteranean shared plates
302 N Green St; 3rd Floor; Chicago IL
Chicago has a diverse and vibrant vegetarian dining scene that’s sure to satisfy any craving. From upscale fine dining to fast-casual comfort food, there’s no shortage of amazing plant-based options to explore near West Loop in the Windy City!
Did we miss one? Let us know below!
