9 of the Best Vegan Restaurants in Chicago
While Chicago is known for deep-dish pizza, as well as their number of steakhouses, the rise of plant-based diets throughout the United States has led to an influx of plant-based restaurants popping up around the area, as well. Restaurants are becoming bolder, incorporating these types of dishes on their menu and we’ve seen an influx in delicious Vegan restaurants throughout the city. With more and more restaurants offering both Vegan and non-Vegan options, these restaurants are great to order with a group of friends. Here is a list we’ve put together for some of our favorite Vegan restaurants in Chicago.
1. Loving Heart Café
838 West Montrose Avenue, Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 561-5399
The Loving Heart Café is a swanky little spot next to North Lake Shore drive. Their menu is 100% vegan, and they try to use all organic ingredients. They provide delivery for their customers, and they have a weekly meal plan program.
This cool little spot has a unique, extensive menu. When it comes to drinks, they have herbal teas and gourmet coffees. On those hot days, you can get a fruit-flavored lemonade. When you need a power boost, they have multiple smoothie blends available.
For the main course, you can get a well dressed plant-based burger. They have four jumbo wraps you can choose from. They also have salad bowls to curry bowls loaded with vegetables.
For dessert, they have chocolate cakes, apple pies, and carrot cakes to name a few. None of these options uses animal ingredients.
2. Althea
700 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 525-3400
Althea’s is the place you want to go to when you need that high-end vegan experience. The options on their menu are more like art rather than staple meals. This is the type of place you take a date to after a live play or a musical.
They have appetizers like kimchi dumplings, barbacoa tacos, and vegan crab cakes. If you like sandwiches, you can get chickpea salad on sourdough bread. A popular item is their homemade plant-based burger that they serve on a brioche bun. This burger is garnished with a beetroot ketchup and sunflower cheddar.
For dessert, they have a coconut cream pie, or you can get the chai-spiced maple cheesecake.
3. Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat
1368 East 53rd Street, Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 675-8202
This spot is perfect for those looking for vegan comfort foods. They have a sandwich called the Big Mik, which is a vegan version of the Big Mac. They have a club sandwich and boneless Buffalo wings, which are both vegan.
The menu at this restaurant has a lot of options. They have a vegan Philly cheesesteak, nachos, vegan hotdogs, lasagna, and gumbo. They also have tacos, hoagies, and burritos. You can get loaded fries, patty melts, and their classic plant-based burger with all the fixings.
On those hot summer days, you can get one of their smoothies or shakes. If you like shakes, you can order the Ice Ice Baby shake or the Cookie Monster shake. If you are looking for a light smoothie, then you can get the Bad and Boujee smoothie or the Hulk smoothie.
4. Kal’ish
1313 West Wilson Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 293-7758
Kal’ish has their own twist on comfort foods that come in their own unique flavors. You can order their breakfast options at any time of the day. You can also order their lunch and dinner options for breakfast. Kal’ish does not believe in putting limitations on your taste buds.
For breakfast, you can order a variety of pancakes like apple pie, pumpkin chai, and triple stacks. Another popular breakfast item is their mock chicken and waffles. You can also get their cheddar biscuits with vegan bacon eggs and potatoes.
For lunch or dinner, they have specialty plant-based burgers that come with fries and an extra side. The Green Mash-up burger comes with an avocado spread and almond ricotta cheese. The Smokehouse Q burger has vegan bacon, provolone cheese, and BBQ sauce.
5. Original Soul Vegetarian
203 East 75th Street, Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 451-9796
The Original Soul Vegetarian is the vegan version of classic American soul food. They have a full menu from breakfast to desserts. They have been serving vegan food in Chicago for over 30 years. All their food is made from scratch, and they are a family-owned-and-operated business.
They serve a Jerkfu wrap, which is Jamaican jerk seasoned tofu wrapped in a tortilla. They make a traditional falafel sandwich in a pita bread with all the Mediterranean fixings. When you want that old school feeling back, you can order the vegan Sloppy Joe.
This restaurant has a juice bar that serves fresh squeezed juices and homemade smoothies. They also serve herbal teas that taste good and also provide health benefits.
6. Urban Vegan
1601 West Montrose Avenue, Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 404-1109
The Urban Vegan is an Asian themed vegan restaurant. Most of the items you would find at your local Chinese restaurant, you will find the vegan version at the Urban Vegan. Don’t get me wrong, the Urban Vegan also has some originality in their menu. They serve plant-based burgers and wraps. They also have salads and smoothies.
One of their chef special’s is the Shrimp Spinach Noodles. This dish is made with organic noodles with mixed vegetables in a curry sauce with soy-protein shrimps. Another chef special is the Praram’s Plate. This dish is made with marinated, pan-fried soy chicken served on a bed of steamed spinach.
7. Alice and Friends’ Vegan Kitchen
5812 North Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 275 -8797
Alice and Friends’ Vegan Kitchen is a fusion of American and Asian vegan cuisine. This restaurant strives to cook all of their recipes with organic ingredients. They have an extensive menu with appetizers, entrees, desserts, and drinks.
They have a dish called the Heavenly Curry that is made with mixed vegetables in a coconut-milk curry sauce with the freshness of lemongrass. One of their famous sandwiches is the Kingwich. This sandwich is made with a battered and fried trumpet mushroom. The sandwich is dressed up and served with your choice of salad, fries, or sweet potato fries.
8. Chicago Raw
2907 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 904-8905
Chicago Raw is a restaurant that serves raw vegan dishes. Their menu consists of stuff like smoothies, fruit bowls, salads, and traditional entrees with the raw twist. The food at Chicago Raw is meant to taste good and vitalize your body at the same time.
One of their popular smoothies is the Pick Me Up. This smoothie is made with bananas and blueberries blended in grapefruit juice with a shot of ginger. Another popular smoothie they serve is the Minty Fresh Greens. This smoothie is made with bananas, spinach, and mint.
9. I’m Vegan and Vegetarian
2907 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 904-8905
I’m Vegan and Vegetarian is another Asian themed vegan restaurant. Their prices are reasonable, and their menu has many options. They serve appetizers, entrees, drinks, and desserts. Their menu does not consist of too many mock meats, rather, they rely on traditional Asian flavors to carry their dishes such as for one of their famous dishes, Pad Thai, made with zucchini noodles. This dish has tofu, beansprouts, scallions, and crushed nuts. If you’re looking for dessert, Steamed Banana with Sweet Sticky Rice is a popular choice. Most of their dishes are in line with traditional Asian cuisine, and the presentation of their dishes are very satisfying to the eyes.
10. Chicago Diner
2333 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 252-3211, ext. 1
3411 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 935-6696
The Chicago Diner has been “meat-free since ‘83,” long before the plant-based movement gained steam, so clearly they’re doing something right.
One of the stars of the menu is the Radical Reuben: corned beef-style seitan (a gluten-derived meat substitute), onions, peppers, sauerkraut, vega/dairy cheese, and Thousand Island on marbled rye. Another is the Cajun Black Bean Burger: a black bean patty with sautéed onions, mushrooms, spinach, tomato, fried jalapeño, Teese® cheddar, and Creole mustard. Make sure you start with the Poutine: hand-cut fries, Teese® vegan cheddar, gravy, and green onions (pro tip: get it with a side of their vegan ranch).
And you wouldn’t be doing the Chicago Diner right without getting their famous vegan milkshakes; our favorite flavor is Cookie Dough Peanut Butter.
11. Stand Up Burgers
204 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 658-1338
614 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 868-1863
One of the easiest meat substitutes to make is ironically with a burger. Although it’s one of the meatiest food items, certain places know that a good burger is about so much more than the meat. Enter Stand Up Burgers.
They use the industry-leading Impossible patties to give you everything you love about a burger without the actual meat. The BBQ Bacon Burger is one of the most popular on the menu: a grilled Impossible patty topped with cheddar, bacon, lettuce, pickles, BBQ sauce, caramelized onions, and Chipotle Mayo. You’d also love the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with a crispy plant-based chicken patty tossed in buffalo sauce and loaded with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and vegan ranch dressing.
And what’s a burger without fries? Look no further than the Save-The-Animal Style Fries, topped with special sauce, caramelized onions, and parsley. And you might as well wash it all down with the Orange Creamsicle Float: orange soda and vanilla ice cream topped with whipped cream, vanilla wafer cookies, and Twizzlers™.
12. Handlebar
2311 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 384-9546
Handlebar has been doing a lot to benefit the Chicago community since opening its doors in 2003. In addition to serving vegetarian and vegan comfort food, they recycle, brew fair-trade coffee, use organic eggs, and source their ingredients locally. Pair that with a charming patio and a full-service bar and beer garden, and what more could you want from a neighborhood restaurant?
Start your meal off with the cornmeal-breaded Fried Pickles with a side of vegan ranch, or just save room for the big meal. The Nashville Hot Fried “Chicken” sandwich is made of mushrooms and toppedf with hot sauce, slaw, pickles, and ranch on a brioche bun. The Sloppy Joe is soy meat topped with tangy BBQ sauce and slaw on a pretzel bun. Take your pick and you’ll be a happy plant-based eater!
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on February 5, 2021 and last updated on May 27, 2022. Please refer to restaurant websites and social media pages for the most up-to-date information.
Featured Blog Posts
7 Best Black-Owned Bars in Chicago, IL
In Honor of Black History Month, it’s time to talk about the incredible black-owned bars in Chicago! These spots deliver curated menus with craft cocktails and inspired, rich cuisine. Check out our list of the seven best black-owned bars in Chicago, IL.
The Best Black-Owned Restaurants in Chicago
Chicago is home to some of the best Black-owned eateries in the country, whether you’re in the mood for soul food, seafood, sandwiches, or anything in between. When you’re craving a great meal and a dining experience you won’t soon forget, check out some of the best Black owned restaurants in Chicago.
The Absolute Best Christmas Bars & Pop-ups in Chicago, IL
There’s no city that can put you in the Christmas spirit quite like Chi-Town! After all, Chicago is the setting for a long list of Christmas movies that includes “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and “The Christmas Chronicles.” When the holiday season rolls around, the streets of Chicago are all decked out in twinkling lights, silver bells, and festive trees. Even the bar scene in Chicago becomes a little merrier in December. These holiday-themed watering holes are so authentic that you just might expect to see Santa’s sleigh and reindeer parked outside! Check out the rundown of the best Christmas bars and pop-up bars in Chicago, IL.
10 Best Black-Owned Brunch Spots in Chicago
The brunch scene in Chicago is bustling with fantastic restaurants offering classic and modern brunch fare. But finding a fantastic brunch spot that is also a black-owned business means we can lift up a minority-owned business while enjoying some of the best food in town. When in Chi-Town, grab your group of friends and hit up one of these awesome black-owned brunch spots for a fantastic meal.