Grand Rapids Restaurants with Great Vegan Options

Two Beards Deli

Our top-vote getter is this downtown deli serving sandwiches, salads and house-made soups. The 90 or so sandwiches on the Two Beards menu include 17 grilled vegan selections named for famous people, real and fictional. For example: The Woody Harrelson, evoking the vegan actor, features vegan bacon, assorted veggies and chipotle veganaise on a sundried tomato wrap, while The Dr. Zaius (think Planet of the Apes) is made with seasoned tofu, spicy coleslaw, veganaise and Russian dressing on marble rye.

There are also a handful of vegan salads in addition to grilled vegetarian sandwiches and a whole bunch of meat-based sandwiches to please your carnivorous friends.

Chez Olga

This Caribbean/Creole restaurant in the city’s Uptown neighborhood offers a number of vegan entrees – including Potato Lasagna and Mixed Vegetables with White Rice – and they’re very happy to substitute tofu as protein in their gumbo, creole, curry, pasta, fried rice and salad dishes. Vegan appetizers include delectable fried plantains and a delicious Haitian fried root vegetable (similar to a potato) served with a tangy strawberry sauce.

Chez Olga prides itself on the premium quality of its ingredients and every dish is made fresh to order, two reasons it’s been a Grand Rapids favorite since 2010.

The Mitten Brewing Co.

The Mitten Brewing Co. is a vintage baseball-themed microbrewery that expertly pairs handcrafted beers with gourmet pizzas. Virtually all of its pizzas can be made vegan (and gluten-free) – even the Pesto Chicken, Aloha BBQ and Hog Heaven pies. You can get a pizza flight of six vegan pizzas that will serve 4-6 people. Make sure you get the Flights of Flavor® digital app before you go and you’ll earn points toward free merchandise when you order a pizza flight and/or a beer flight.

Even most of the appetizers and sandwiches that round out the menu here can be made vegan. Servers are knowledgeable about all the vegan options available, so don’t be afraid to ask. Located on the city’s west side, The Mitten offers a great outdoor space for warm-weather dining.  

Stella’s Lounge

While it’s known for its giant stuffed burgers – the Stella Burger was named America’s Best Burger by GQ magazine – Stella’s Lounge also impresses with its vegan and vegetarian menu options. Try the “chicken” wings made with potatoes or chickpeas, the beer-battered avocado nuggets and the sweet potato burrito. If you’re in the mood for a burger, the Mission Impossible Hawaii is made with an Impossible Burger patty and the Hippie Stuffed Burger features Stella’s own house-made black bean and lentil burger.

Every week, Meatless Monday offers half-off a selection of vegan and vegetarian dishes, and you can take $5 off any burger, including vegan ones, when you also purchase a drink on Thursday evenings.

Gaia House Café

Local vegans and vegetarians rejoiced when Gaia House Café opened in 2021, reviving the legendary recipes and laid-back vibe of the original Gaia, which closed in 2014. This cozy, comfy space in the Creston Heights neighborhood north of downtown is open for breakfast and lunch, with a menu of vegetarian dishes that can often be made vegan – just ask your server.

Gaia is also a coffee and juice bar serving naturally vegan coffees and fresh-pressed juices. There always seems to be some scrumptious vegan desserts available ­– like the famed vegan Gaia cookie and Chai cupcake.

Noble Restaurant

This Wyoming restaurant promises “a noble way to eat,” featuring scratch-made meals free from artificial colors and flavors, high fructose corn syrup and artificial nitrates. Along with that philosophy comes a nice selection of vegan breakfast and lunch items: waffles, French toast, pancakes, hash browns, omelettes, avocado toast, banana bread, burgers, fries, sweet potato chips and more.

Your non-vegan friends will also find plenty to enjoy at Noble Restaurant, including eggs benedict, biscuits & gravy, a breakfast burrito and breakfast pizza. You don’t even have to tell them they’re eating smarter (but they’ll likely taste the difference).

Lai Thai Kitchen

A quaint, bistro-like eatery in northeast Grand Rapids, Lai Thai Kitchen offers a broad selection of authentic Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese dishes that can be made vegan – from pho noodle soups and noodle dishes to curry dishes and desserts. Start your meal with some vegan crab Rangoon, veggie rolls, summer rolls, dumplings, edamame or fried tofu. Many items are also gluten-free, and the menu makes clear which dishes are made with nuts.

The portions are large, the prices surprisingly affordable and the staff friendly and knowledgeable, making this one of GR’s hidden vegan gems.

Little Africa Cuisine

Every item on the menu at this Ethiopian restaurant one mile from downtown GR is both vegetarian and vegan (and incredibly delicious, to boot). Entrées include authentic Alicha, Azifa, Gomen, Kik, Mesir, Shiro and Soy Curry, all lovingly prepared using fresh vegetables, legumes and spices. All entrees come with injera, a traditional European flatbread made from fermented teff batter. Order a group platter so you and your friends can sample multiple entrees together. Ethiopian coffees and jasmine tea round out the mind.

Before you visit, know that Little Africa is cash-only and cannot accept credit cards.

Quarantino’s Pizza

Opened in GR’s Uptown neighborhood in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic – the name is a play on “quarantine” – Quarantino’s Pizza has evolved from a pop-up takeout shop into one of the area’s favorite pizza joints. Quarantino’s offers its signature square pizzas in an 8-inch by 10-inch size meant to serve one to two people. Six vegan pizzas are topped with vegan Mozzarella cheese and the crust for any of them can be made gluten-free.

Cheesy breadsticks, side sauces, and Caesar and Sailor Man salad are also on the vegan menu. Of course, there’s a plethora of non-vegan pizzas available, as well.

Bobcat Bonnie’s

The dinner, brunch and “brunchy-lunch” menus at Bobcat Bonnie’s are clearly marked with graphic icons to help you quickly locate vegan (and vegetarian and gluten-free) items. We counted at least 20 vegan selections across the three menus, from cocktails (Cap’n Crunch and Fruit Pebbles cereal shooters) to vegan chili and breakfast tacos to an Impossible Burger and vegan fish & chips. Even the kid’s menu offers a vegan hamburger option.

Located adjacent to the shops of Breton Village, Bobcat Bonnie’s is a fun and welcoming spot for diverse tastes and guests. 

Char GR. Virtually every item on the menu at this East-meets-West Asian fusion restaurant can be customized into a vegan-friendly dish.

Field & Fire Bakery. There are always vegan muffins and cookies on the menu at this bakery inside the Grand Rapids Downtown Market and at the Field & Fire Café in downtown’s North Monroe neighborhood.

Friesian Gastro Pub. Mac & Cheese made with cashew-based cheese sauce is one of the vegan options at this casual pub in downtown’s Medical Mile.

Gita Pita. Mediterranean restaurant offers a variety of vegan and vegetarian options made with fresh, high-quality ingredients.

Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria & Brewery. Enjoy a Bridge Street Vegan Pizza and numerous vegetarian items at this Bridge Street eatery.

Love's Ice Cream & Chocolate. Sweet shop in the Grand Rapids Downtown Market always has a selection of vegan, non-dairy ice cream flavors on the menu.

Max's South Seas Hideaway. Tiki-themed restaurant offers a vegan burger, vegan noodle bowl and vegan options for several other dishes.

MeXo. Enchiladas and coconut flan dessert are among the vegan options at this authentic pre-Hispanic Mexican restaurant. 

New Holland Brewing - The Knickerbocker. Bridge Street brewpub offers a delectable Vegan Supreme pizza and Black Bean burger.

Palace of India. Indian restaurant offers a vegetarian section on the menu and also has a few vegan options.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House. It may not be your first choice for a vegan meal, but there are a few meat-free options on the menu here – tell your server you’d like them prepared to a vegan recipe.

San Chez Bistro. The vegan menu at this European/Mediterranean/Latin American fusion restaurant includes an ample selection of breakfast, lunch and dinner choices.

SpeakEZ Lounge. Vegan items such as Elote Corn Chowder and a Korean BBQ Bowl are clearly identified on the menu at this Prohibition-inspired bar/restaurant.

Tacos el Cunado. Select vegan tempeh or nopales as the protein in the Mexican street food dishes offered at this Grand Rapids Downtown Market restaurant. 

Basalt. Tex-Mex restaurant offers vegan options for many of its dishes, including breakfast tacos and burritos.

Black Napkin. Local fast-food restaurant includes vegan options for its smash burgers and chicken sandwiches.

Brewery Vivant. Look for the vegan tempeh sandwich and occasional vegan specials at this European farmhouse-inspired brewery.

Cherie Inn. Breakfast and lunch options at Grand Rapids’ longest-running restaurant include Vegan Hash and Spicy Vegan Tacos.

Electric Cheetah. The eclectic menu at this from-scratch homestyle restaurant changes with the seasons, but we counted six vegan options on our last visit.

Forty Acres Soul Kitchen. “Vegan Soul” is one of the menu categories at this authentic soul food restaurant, and it includes everything from grits and gumbo to a burger and “chicken” sandwich.

Furniture City Creamery. In addition to offering a rotating selection of house-made vegan ice creams, this local shop makes vegan-friendly sundaes, shakes and ice cream sandwiches.

GoJo Ethiopian Cuisine. Vegetarian options take up nearly a third of the menu here, and virtually all of them are also vegan. GoJo recently debuted an all-you-can-eat vegan dinner buffet on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Good Judy's Market & Juice Bar. All the food and beverages here are plant-based, and items like the Green Tahini Salad and Vegan BLT Toast contain no animal products.

Good Truckin’ Diner. This all-day breakfast and lunch diner serves up vegan waffles, tacos, burritos, “chicken” sandwiches and more.

The Green Well. The seasonal menus at this eco-friendly gastropub always include a few vegan items, clearly marked on the menu.

Grove. One of the city’s most acclaimed restaurants generally offers some vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options on its seasonal farm-to-table menus.

Hancock. Nashville-style hot chicken restaurant offers a very popular vegan chicken sandwich along with vegan crinkle fries and vegan bread & butter pickles.

Harmony Brewing Company. Pepperphoni – made with roasted mushroom “pepperoni” – top a wood-fired vegan pizza and vegan sandwich at this funky, eclectic brewery.

Mangiamo. Elegant Italian restaurant in a historic 19^th century mansion serves elevated vegan chicken and vegan steak dishes.

Maru Sushi. The vegan and vegetarian options at this chef-driven restaurant prove sushi doesn’t need fish to be tasty.

The Commons. ‘70s-themed restaurant gives a nod to contemporary eating patterns with its black bean cheeseburger featuring vegan cheese and vegan mayo.

Zivio. A menu of Central European cuisine includes a vegan gyro and vegan tzatziki sauce; select other items can be made vegan – just ask your server.

616 Kabob Stop. Numerous vegan options at this Mediterranean restaurant include a garlic dip, crushed lentil soup and grape leaf rolls.

Archival Brewing. You’ll find vegan options on the starter, salad and entrée menus at this destination specializing in historic-style microbrews and seasonally crafted regional eats.

Blue Water Grill. In addition to a vegan pizza and vegan chicken sandwich, this lakeside restaurant offers vegan substitutions for many popular menu items.

Cedar Springs Brewing Company. Regulars rave about the house-made vegan schnitzel  at this German-American restaurant and brauhaus.

Frosty Boy. One of the city’s most loved ice cream shops offers vegan soft-serve vanilla and a second vegan soft-serve flavor that rotates every few weeks, plus vegan shakes made with almond and coconut milk, and more.

Gravity Taphouse Grille. Opt for the Vegan Buddha Bowl – featuring a variety of vegetables served over coconut ginger rice – at this destination for craft beers and elevated eats.

Lucy's. Vegan Avocado Toast is a favorite at this breakfast and lunch eatery (with a full bar). Tofu and vegan sausage are available as proteins in other dishes.

Rezervoir Lounge. The Vegan Jambalaya – made with plant-based spicy sausage – is a dinner favorite at this Bourbon Street-inspired restaurant/bar.

Sheshco Mediterranean Grill. Relaxed eatery adjacent to Celebration! Cinema North offers an expansive range of Mediterranean foods, many of which are vegan-friendly.

Tia Juana. This Mexican restaurant offers a vegan taco and vegan burrito to complement its meat-based dishes.

Blue Dog Tavern. The delicious burgers at this west-side eatery can be made with an Impossible patty to make them vegan-friendly.

El Granjero Mexican Grill. “The best cactus tacos!” raves a fan of this Bridge Street Mexican restaurant.

Mod Pizza. Gluten-friendly crust, dairy-free cheese and plant-based Italian sausage are among the vegan-friendly options at this national chain restaurant. There’s a second location on 28^th Street (southeast GR).

Bliss & Vinegar. Create your own salad with vegan-friendly toppings (including a choice of six house-made vegan dressings) or order the Vegan Bliss Salad filled with kale, quinoa, broccoli, avocado and more.

Broad Leaf Brewery + Spirits. There are always a few vegan and vegetarian items on the menu at this brewery/distillery/restaurant/pickleball venue.

Buddy's Pizza. Customize your Detroit-style (square) pizza with Daiya vegan cheese and veggies at this Michigan chin restaurant.

CoreLife Eatery. Choose from healthy salads, grain bowls, bone broth bowls, soups and more, many of which can be made vegan friendly. There’s a second location in Grandville.

JB's Pizza Parlor. Build your own pizza with vegan meats (chicken, pepperoni and sausage) and vegan Mozzarella cheese at this Alger Heights neighborhood pizza joint. They’ve got vegan wings and vegan sandwich bread, too.

Mithu Sri Lankan & Indian Cuisine. All the vegetarian appetizers here are vegan, and many vegetarian curries can be made vegan upon request. The staff is very helpful in pointing out additional vegan options.

Nagoya Sushi. Japanese restaurant offers a number of vegetarian and vegan items.

Noco Provisions. A house-made beet burger, a wild rice dish and sweet potato fries lead the vegan options at this Northern Comfort restaurant.

Pal's Indian Cuisine. More than 25 food and beverage items at this family-owned Indian restaurant can be made vegan – and they’re all marked on the menu.

The Old Goat. Several vegetarian dishes at this “New American Restaurant” in Alger Heights include a vegan pizza topped with vegan cheese and vegan meatballs.

Anna's House. A separate vegan menu at this retro-style breakfast & lunch diner lists 12 delicious options. Additional locations on East Beltline Ave., Plainfield Ave., and Northland Dr.

Le Kabob. Mediterranean restaurant offers a variety of vegan options at this Wyoming location and a second one in Kentwood.

Little Bangkok Thai Restaurant. Ask your server to recommend vegan options at this Wyoming restaurant near the Metro Health Village.

Rise Authentic Baking Co. Named one of America’s best vegan bakeries by VegOut Magazine, this eatery near John Ball Zoo offers a tantalizing array of vegan, gluten-free, soy-free and dye-free baked goods, sandwiches and “breakfast-ish” items.

Tastefull Vegan Frozen Desserts. The soft-serve ice cream, freezepops, chocolate bars, granola and more at this ice cream shop are all vegan – and free of gluten, eggs, dairy, nuts, soy and refined sugar.

Menu items are subject to change, so if you’ve got your heart set on one of the dishes mentioned above, consider calling to confirm availability before you visit!