Whether you grew up in Cbus or are just passing through, I’ve compiled a list of the best vegan places to visit. And trust me when I say that they are the best. And just to be fair I’m going to list these in alphabetical order, because honestly these places are just too hard to rank, they’re just that good.
4th & State
Did someone say vegan milkshakes? Yes, this is your go to place for creamy delicious vegan milkshakes. Honestly if your looking for a diner styled restaurant this is the place to visit. They have a huge menu offering a variety of items from brunch to dinner and dessert. They also offer a variety of coffee based beverages to help give you that morning boost as well as some adult drinks to help you wind down in the evening. Whatever time of day you choose to visit this place, they’ll always have something for you.
Can’t Believe it’s Vegan
This place is really close to my heart. Because not only are they vegan, but they are one of the closest restaurants to the Westerville/Polaris area. Most of the time we have to go trekking across town just to get a nice fully vegan meal, so it’s really really nice to have a vegan restaurant near our neck of the woods. Other than that they’re food is delicious! I highly recommend to check them out. And just to let you in on a secret, they have a rotating pastry case filled with pastries from local owned vendors. Isn’t that cool?
Eden Burger
Ok, so this place is a mystery in on it’s own. Why you might add? Because technically it no longer exists, but…I’ve heard rumors that they might reopen, so….
Anyway this used to be the best vegan burger place in town, and when I mean burger place. I mean full on burger place. They had everything that you’d find at a non-vegan burger place, but completely vegan. Also their milkshakes were to die for. Ok, not literally, but you know what I mean. But in the mean time, if you’re craving a burger, you can check out Zammy’s or 4th & State.
Greenhouse Canteen & Bar
This restaurant takes healthy and delicious and combines them into unique mind blowing dishes. Give them a try and this will turn into your new favorite date venue. This is another unique place as this restaurant actually originated in Australia, before expanding its borders. But you want to know the weirdest thing about it’s expansion? Out of all the places that they could have chosen to expand to, they chose Columbus, Oh. Yep, so unless you’re planning a trip to Australia soon, the only other place you can try this menu is here in Cbus.
Happy Little Treats
Are you a fan of croissants? Well I’ve got news for you. This is one of the few bakeries in Columbus that makes croissants, and they make them right. They have so many options to choose from and even offer a croissant club, for the croissant lover. If you’re not into croissants, that’s ok, they have a variety of different pasty options. They even outsource their pastries to some of the local coffee shops in the area, so you can try them all over town. Though honestly nothing beats going there in-person. Also they have coffee too, and not just any coffee they have espresso based coffee. So defiantly check them out!
It’s All Natural
Ok, so this might not be a vegan restaurant, but it’s a vegan grocery store. Yes, you heard right, a vegan grocery store. It has all your hard to find vegan staples at a pretty affordable price. And when I mean vegan staples, I mean, like vegan shrimp, vegan crab, vegan gourmet chocolates, pretty much anything you may have to order online, they probably have it. But wait, it gets better. Every so often they have popups, where they host a variety of local vegan vendors from the surrounding Cbus and Dayton areas where you can shop to your heart’s content and eat all the vegan food that you can possibly find.
Loving Hut
This is a unique restaurant as it has locations all over the US. But if you aren’t one to travel, you probably didn’t know that each location has a different menu. So I highly recommend trying out the one here in Columbus, their dumplings are practically the best in the city. They also offer a variety of different desserts that you can choose from too.
Nile Vegan
This is an all vegan Ethiopian restaurant. Not only do they offer a unique menu, but once you try the food, you’ll be coming back for seconds. Not only are the meals delicious and filling, but they are also healthy as they are primarily made with a variety of vegetables, tofu, and legumes. This is one of my favorite go to vegan places, as I am practically addicted to injera. If you haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend to make this one of your next vegan stops.
Patty Cake Bakery
Looking for a small walk-in bakery that has a variety of pastries? Meet Patty Cake Bakery. This is a local owned bakery that believes in sharing ownership with its employees. They offer a variety of different pastries from cookies to cakes and offer custom orders. Their food is delicious and I highly recommend them. Not sure what they put in their frosting, but they can easily rival Cheryl’s Cookies any day of the week. You can also find them all over town at various grocery stores and cafes too.
Portia’s Cafe & Portia’s Diner
These two are unique in their own way as they are both owned by the same business/family. The first, Portia’s Cafe is a brick and motor store offering a variety of healthy vegan options. And the latter is a food truck mainly focused on delivering fresh pizzas to the masses. If you’re in town definitely check out both locations. Also as an added bonus, if you’re visiting Portia’s Cafe make sure to stop a couple stores down to visit Clintonville Natural Foods, the family’s grocery/health food store.
Seitan’s Realm
Though this place may sound a bit ominous…it’s just a classic pun on the word Seitan which is a vegan meat alternative made using vital wheat gluten. Since most of their food is made with this, it’s actually a really fitting name. This place not only has delicious food, but they offer a limited edition menu item weekly. And when I say limited edition, I mean you don’t want to miss it. If you do, you never know when it might make a reappearance. If I haven’t convinced you to visit yet, they have vegan chicken & waffles, so…
Two Dollar Radio
Did you know that this restaurant not only serves delicious vegan food, but is also a publishing company? Yes, that’s correct, while you’re waiting for your food you can browse through a variety of different books that the company has published. Sometimes they even have specials where you can get a book and drink package for two. They also offer a variety of different fun evening events. Make sure to follow their instagram to stay up to date on all the events that happening with them.
Where It All Vegan – Closed
This is a traveling food truck that is know for their wings and rotating menu. They offer a variety of different food options, and many people would have a hard time believing that they were eating something vegan. Unfortunately due to some personal issues they had to park their truck for the time being. But hopefully when things clear up, they’ll be back on the road serving their food to the masses.
Vida’s Butcher
Meet your local plant-based butcher. This is a full on deli where everything is 100% vegan. They not only offer meat alternative, but also have a variety of different cheeses and mayo. And while you’re choosing out your meat, you get a bit hungry, they can make you a quick meal on the spot. They have a menu where you can choose from a variety of different sandwiches as well as sometimes offer a weekly special. I highly recommend stopping by, especially if you’re in-town for the holidays and your in-laws insist on making a charcuterie board.
Willowbeez Soul Veg
Looking for vegan soul food options. This place has you covered. They have a variety of food options on their menu that are packed to the brim with fresh veggies and other healthy goodies to keep you moving throughout your day. They’re located in the short north area, so while you’re out exploring the city you can quickly pop-in have a quick bite to eat and then easily resume your afternoon pleasantries.
Ye’s Asian Vegan Kitchen
If you miss ordering Chinese takeout, this is the place for you. They have a fairly large menu full of delicious vegan food that you can’t really find anywhere else. Plus when you order an entree, they include either a soup or salad. So you are actually getting more for your buck. Definitely check them out, I highly recommend this place and soon this will easily turn into one of your top vegan takeout places.
Zammy’s
This is another burger restaurant offering a variety of burger options. They have a couple of breakfast sandwiches to choose from, though they’re mostly know for their huge selection of sandwiches. They’re located in Worthington so they are a lot closer those living within the Polaris/Westerville area. I defiantly recommend checking them out if your looking for a good old fashioned sandwich or burger.
Not in Columbus or looking for more vegan resources? Check out my 8 Must Try Vegan Resources post!
Also if you have a favorite place not listed here, please leave a comment below!!! We’re always looking for new vegan places to try!!!
