Memphis Vegan Guide: 20 Vegan Friendly Restaurants
Memphis Vegan Guide: 15 Vegan Friendly Restaurants
Where To Eat Vegan In Memphis
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!
Plant-Based Heat
669 S Highland St, Memphis, TN 38111
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!
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.
Da Guilty Vegan Food Truck
2053 N Houston Levee Rd, Cordova, TN 38016
Usually stationed just a little outside of town is one of Memphis' amazing Black-owned vegan food trucks! You'll want to get Google Maps out to track down their loaded BBQ nachos, spicy buffalo chick'n sandwich, or an A1 steak burger.
Bedrock Market & Café
327 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103
If you're vegan and gluten-free, don't miss this downtown spot! The entire menu is gluten-free with a vegan menu that features golden waffles (choose between a peanut butter banana waffle or cinnamon sugar donut waffle or get both!), breakfast tacos, protein-packed smoothies, and much more. This is a terrific place to start your day.
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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).
even more vegan-friendly restaurants and dishes in memphis
Dory
Dory’s sustainably sourced restaurant specializes in a tasting menu that changes frequently. 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.
Phuong Long
You can almost always count on Vietnamese restaurants to offer up plenty of flavorful and filling vegan and plant-based options. One of my favorites is Phuong Long in the Crosstown neighborhood, which has a vegan section on its menu and lots of tofu-based dishes including the super delicious lemongrass tofu.
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
Vegan and vegan-friendly events in Memphis
Mark your calendars! Throughout the year, multiple vegan and vegan-friendly events are happening throughout Memphis. This is a terrific opportunity to taste delights from longtime restaurants and check out up-and-coming pop-ups and small shops that are just starting out!
Loving Local Presented by Project Green Fork
A celebration of everything local! This foodie event seeks to highlight a local Memphis hotspot and inspire attendees to be a little greener. Guests can learn about PGF initiatives and Memphis Food Waste Project efforts while enjoying yummy eats from local vendors, including vegan and vegan-friendly hot spots like Good Fortune Co.
Thursday, June 15
5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Located at the Ravine in Edge District
Annual Memphis Vegan Festival
Cynthia Daniels Co. holds an annual Vegan Festival each June. Don't miss the full day of vegan food, clothing, personal care products, entertainment, and more! Last year's event featured 18 vegan vendors, 6 vegan food trucks, and 26 shopping vendors.
Sunday, June 18
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Located at Fourth Bluff Park in downtown
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.
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