Memphis Vegan Guide: 20 Vegan Friendly Restaurants

Memphis Vegan Guide: 15 Vegan Friendly Restaurants

Where To Eat Vegan In Memphis

Most vegans assume visiting or living in Memphis means one thing, starvation! Memphis is synonymous with BBQ and not in the Beyond Meat kind of the way — but things are changing, my friends! What was once a meat-centric landscape is shifting, and the vegan food scene is starting to take off (hooray!) 

Memphis is home to many family- and black-owned vegan restaurants ready to tantalize your taste buds with golden waffles covered in sweet maple syrup and even traditional BBQ. 

So, the next time you're looking for a vegan-friendly experience in Memphis, use this guide to ensure you don't miss any veggie-friendly hot spots!

You might like this Chubby Vegetarian guide to vegetarian dishes in Memphis, too.

Vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants and food trucks in Memphis

Whether you're looking for nutrient-dense bowls or sinful vegan sweets, you'll find it in Memphis at one of these terrific vegan-friendly restaurants. 

Raw Girls

150 S 2nd St, Memphis, TN 38103

Whether kicking off your day with a nutrient-dense smoothie or grabbing a fresh salad for lunch, you won't be disappointed with the lineup of fresh eats at Raw Girls!

raw girls salad
Rebecca Gade Sawicki

Plant-Based Heat

669 S Highland St, Memphis, TN 38111
363 S Front St, Memphis, TN 38103

Get ready to indulge in some of the best vegan comfort food at this Black-owned spot! Sweet and sticky cauliflower wings, loaded burgers with homemade sauces, and much more. Whoever said vegan food was boring needs to come here!

mushroom burger plant based heat
Rebecca Gade Sawicki
vegan chicken wings plant based heat
Rebecca Gade Sawicki

Imagine Vegan Café

2158 Young Ave, Memphis, TN 38104

This sweet little family-owned café has been delighting locals and even celebrities for years — Bill Clinton, Janet Jackson, and Ariana Grande are just a few famous folks who have come in to see what's cooking! If you thought you'd miss out on BBQ, this is the place to go. Their vegan Memphis sandwich platter was featured in the best BBQ in the US in USA Today.

vegan buffalo sandwich from imagine vegan
Rebecca Gade Sawicki
vegan brownie
Rebecca Gade Sawicki
Vegan Brownie from Imagine Vegan

Speed Vegan "Unbelievable Burgers" Magic Food Bus

2041 E Brooks Rd, Memphis, TN 38116

How can you not want to check it out with a name like that? This Black-owned magic vegan food bus is right around the corner from the airport; maybe stop in before or after your flight for one of the best vegan burgers in town.

LuLu's Cafe & Bakery

3119 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38111

A vegan-friendly bakery where pretty much everything is made from scratch using local and seasonal ingredients as well as regionally grown flour. The Brekky Sando with tofu egg and the mushroom melt makes a perfect vegan breakfast and lunch option.

City Silo Table + Pantry

5101 Sanderlin Ave #104b, Memphis, TN 38117
7605 West Farmington Blvd, Suite 2, Germantown, TN, 38138

Whether vegan, gluten-free, or omni, you'll be sure to find something to love at this clean-eating café. Open all day with a fantastic selection of smoothies, acai bowls, toasts, salads, burgers, and so much more! Don't skip one of their house-made burgers for a filling lunch or dinner.

Vegetarian BBQ sandwich
Justin Fox Burks
The Foxy BBQ sandwich.

Good Fortune Co.

361 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103

Addictive edamame, spicy dumplings filled with Impossible Meat, and never-ending bowls of noodles are on the menu at this quaint Asian bistro. The menu is well-marked and features a great assortment of vegan options — the most challenging part will be deciding what to order.

Bala's Bistro

4571 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116

After visiting Graceland, make sure you pencil in a stop here! This black-owned café serves up African-inspired (along with traditional American fare) eats with an "All About Vegan" menu that is sure to please. Don't skip their Maafee (creamy peanut stew) or sweet plantains. 

balas bistro
Rebecca Gade Sawicki

Arnold's Smokehouse

2019 E Person Ave. Memphis, TN 38114

The newest vegan restaurant in the Memphis food scene. This restaurant is both a smokehouse and vegan restaurant. They have two menus with two kitchens so no cross contamination for the vegan items. They have a wide variety of vegan options from sandwiches, flatbreads, vegan bbq, pasta, and bowls.

pulled pork sandwich on tray behind held up in front of "who want the smoke?" sign

Shroomlicious Meals

Pimpin mushrooms ain't easy is the motto of Shroomlicious -- who ironically makes enjoying mushrooms easy. This vegan spot now has a permanent home near Crosstown Concourse. If the name doesn't already hint at it -- you'll find a lot of mushrooms incorporated into their vegan dishes. Shroomlicious is comfort food but make it vegan.

Slider Inn

363 Mulberry St, Memphis, TN 38103
2117 Peabody Ave, Memphis, TN 38104

The perfect place to hang out on a hot day! This trendy downtown spot features vegan-friendly sliders and a massive lineup of creative cocktails. Choose between their vegan Triple B, falafel (minus the dill yogurt), or peanut butter and jelly slider but make sure you add an order of finger-licking vegan wings!

vegan slider with lettuce wrap
Rebecca Gade Sawicki

Café Eclectic

603 N McLean Blvd, Memphis, TN 38107

Come here to kick off your day with a stack of light and fluffy vegan pancakes or a nutty quinoa bowl. But, if you're not a breakfast person, check out their house-made black bean burger for lunch.

Lamplighter Lounge

1702 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38104

Looking for a laid-back hangout with live music, pool tables, and great vegan options? Look no further than Lamplighter. Whether you're looking for a Hangover Helper (vegan sausage, egg, and cheese on a biscuit) or creamy mac-n-cheese, you'll find it here and won't be disappointed!

RP Tracks Restaurant and Bar

3547 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN 38111

Right around the corner from the University of Memphis is the home of the world's best BBQ tofu (self-proclaimed, of course). Aside from BBQ tofu, vegan diners can also check out their lineup of sandwiches and even a Beyond Brat (some items do require adjustments to make them vegan). 

vegan tacos
Rebecca Gade Sawicki
Vegan tacos from Bedrock Eats

Even more vegan-friendly restaurants and dishes in memphis

Dory

Named one of the best new restaurants in the country for 2021 by USAToday, Dory’s staff is more than happy to accommodate dietary needs and preferences—just let them know when you make a reservation if you’re looking for a fully plant-based meal, vegan fine dining meal, gluten free, or whatever you need. 

Flame Ramen

Flame Ramen on Union in Midtown has a vegan ramen bowl that’s fully plant-based, from the broth to the toppings (including vegan dumplings!) 

New Wing Order

While it’s just one menu item, New Wing Order’s fried avocado tacos are delicious! Perfect if you’re in a group and they all want wings, but you’re eating vegan. Wash it all down with a Ghost River Golden beer (the restaurant is located in the Beale Street taproom). 

Pho Binh

The beloved midtown Vietnamese spot may no longer have their daily lunch buffet, but the legendary lemongrass tofu, seitan (aka 'wheat gluten') and other plant-based dishes are still available for takeout. In fact, you might want to try this Memphis Favorites Veggie Mashup Sandwich with seitan from Pho Binh and a veggie sub from the Chinese Sub Shop.

Vegan-friendly hotel in Memphis

If you’re looking for a unique spot to stay in Memphis that is also vegan-friendly look no further than the historic James Lee House. When you book, request vegan options in the dietary section and they will ensure you’re treated to gourmet meals. 

The James Lee House
690 Adams Ave, Memphis, TN 38105


This isn't a complete list - there are plenty of other Memphis restaurants that are vegetarian and vegan friendly. For Memphis restaurant reviews from a real live vegan, you can't go wrong with Vegan Crunk.

About the Author

Rebecca lives in Metro Detroit and is the creator of the vegan travel blog Veggies Abroad. Born of her love for travel and the curiosity of others about her plant-based lifestyle, the blog addresses the question, "What in the world did you eat?" When she isn't checking out new vegan hot spots, you can find her strategizing ways to amplify the voices of vegan businesses and nonprofits in an effort to build a kinder world.

Comments Make Us Happy

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lelizabethellis
Yum! I love to eat local AND veggie and I'd never heard of some of these places! Looking forward to trying them.
May 17, 2011 1:06pm
Jay
Beleive it or not, Huey's has a great selection of non-meat items. The veggie burger and black bean burger (all variations)are great. You can get the big salads without flesh products if you simply ask. My vegetarian wife and daughters love to eat at Huey's.
May 17, 2011 4:40pm
Ariel A
I am not a vegan fan but some of this stuff sounds great. I have been debating on stopping at Fuel for a while now and after this I might just have to this week. Thanks so much for this
May 17, 2011 8:47pm
laura
*love* the cosmic coconut, have tried about five different drinks and they've all been amazing. love fuel as well, and i'd like to put in a plug for their vegetarian 'meat loaf' - it's not vegan - has walnuts and cheese - but it is delicious and i crave it often. (served with homemade mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, and green veg of the day). really good when one wants a healthier version of 'comfort food'. a final plug - the pizza at lou's pizza pie (formerly pie in the sky) in cooper-young is awesome. the crust has some whole wheat and is delicious, and they have loads of veggie toppings. my recent favorite combo: pesto, goat cheese, roasted red peppers, and olives. they also deliver!
May 24, 2011 3:50am
Bianca- Vegan Crunk
Thanks Kerri for this great list!! And the link! <3 Imagine totally rules my world. I wish that Las Savell guy would make a "Imagine Vegan Cafe Makes Memphis a Better Place" billboard....
May 25, 2011 3:43pm
Vegan dining i…
[...] Many thanks to Morgan of Nashvillest for noting that I Love Memphis blog just posted “11 Ways To Eat Meat-Free in Memphis” yesterday. I missed that and it is a fantastic list. It’s got a list of vegan and [...]
June 5, 2011 9:55am
Ann
We took your list with us for our visit to Memphis. OMG, what a joy that was! Thank you soo much for this. We ate twice at the Imagine Café - of course - Déjà Vu, what an experience, so nice people!, Jasmine and Pho Hoa Binh. Fuel was closed unfortunately. We also had a falafal at the Pita Café on Bianca - Vegan Crunk - list. I told the man who served us Bianca did not lie when she wrote it is the best falafel in the world. He had a copy of her review:)
August 22, 2011 2:42pm
The Pescretari…
Thanks for sharing this information. If you wanna be a pescetarian we are here to help you with our membership plan. Our community will provide you advanced cooking via members own area
October 22, 2019 6:26am
Kim
Wild Beet should be on here. Since you choose every one of your ingredients, it's easy to get vegan or vegetarian. They also offer vegan cheese, tofu, and quinoa.
January 13, 2020 8:13pm
Holly Whitfield
Love this suggestion, Kim! We'll add it soon.
January 14, 2020 3:42pm
Harilal's
It is good to read blogs about vegetarian food. Countries apart from India rarely encourage vegetarian food. Restaurants across the globe must encourage vegetarian eating too. Harilal's have taken this initiative to serve vegetarian meals and snacks to its customers in Patna. You can check our website to take a glance on our menu. https://www.harilalventures.in/
April 4, 2020 7:31am