The Ultimate Guide to Vegan & Vegetarian Asheville
Asheville’s creative energy shows up everywhere: In its art, its music, its maker culture, and especially in its food.
This mountain city has long been known for welcoming all types of eaters, and today it’s one of the Southeast’s standout destinations for vegan and vegetarian dining. Whether you’re fully plant-based or just veg-curious, Asheville’s chefs, bakers, brewers, and food-truck geniuses are ready for you.
Here’s your hyper-local guide to Asheville’s vegan and vegetarian scene.
What Are Asheville’s Best 100% Vegetarian / Vegan Restaurants?
These restaurants are fully vegetarian or vegan — no substitutions, no guessing, no label-reading required.
Plant
A nationally recognized, fine-dining vegan restaurant serving housemade cheeses, creative small plates, globally inspired entrées, and unforgettable desserts. Seasonal, elegant, and deeply Asheville.
The Smokin’ Onion
A beloved vegan comfort kitchen known for towering sandwiches, loaded bowls, and a rotating lineup of sauces. The brick-and-mortar and truck are both 100% vegan.
Pulp + Sprout
A bright, nourishing vegan stop for cold-pressed juices, smoothies, wellness shots, acai/smoothie bowls, raw treats, plus a full menu of salads and sandwiches. Great pre-hike or pre-spa fuel.
Dobra Tea
A global tea house with multiple Asheville locations serving responsibly sourced loose-leaf teas alongside light vegetarian fare with many vegan-friendly options, including bowls, salads, toasts, and sweet treats.
Romeo’s Vegan Burgers
Old-school burger-joint nostalgia — but fully plant-based. Burgers, fries, shakes, and crispy “chicken” sandwiches, all vegan and all wildly satisfying.
Rosetta's Kitchen
A longtime downtown favorite for fresh, flavorful vegetarian and vegan comfort food.
Dough House Donuts (Black Mountain)
A small-batch vegan donut shop known for imaginative glazes, seasonal flavors, and made-to-order freshness. A must-stop on your way to hiking Montreat or exploring downtown Black Mountain.
Diatribe Brewing
One of the South’s only fully vegan breweries, including the snacks.
Where Can I Find Vegan Food Trucks in Asheville?
Asheville’s food truck culture is strong, and so is its mobile vegan scene.
Mean Mandy’s
100% plant-based “vittles with sass.” Local favorites include the fried “chicken” sandwich, reuben, and indulgent sides that feel tailor-made for brewery patios.
Pizza Finta
“Anti-authentic vegan pizza” with wood-fired crusts, housemade vegan cheeses, and creative seasonal toppings. Often found at local markets and brewery pop-ups.
The Smokin’ Onion (Truck)
The mobile arm of the beloved vegan restaurant — same crispy tenders, same stacked sandwiches, same cult following.
New Moon Donuts
Vegan old-fashioned cake donuts made fresh at markets and pop-up appearances. Seasonal flavors and inventive glazes sell out quickly.
Are There Vegan Pop-Ups in Asheville?
Choclo
A recurring vegan Peruvian pop-up highlighting dishes like empanaditas, alfajores, causas, and other plant-forward Andean flavors. Check their social channels for the next appearance.
Which Asheville Restaurants Have the Best Vegan & Vegetarian Options?
These spots are not fully vegan or vegetarian, but they consistently deliver standout plant-based dishes.
Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, African & Indian
- Gypsy Queen — Lebanese street food with clearly marked vegan items (falafel, hummus, wraps, salads).
- Chai Pani — Indian street food with tons of vegetarian and vegan dishes; kale pakoras and bhel puri are fan favorites.
- Jerusalem Garden — Mediterranean comfort dishes with labeled vegan and vegetarian platters.
- Baba Nahm — Fast-casual Middle Eastern bowls, falafel, and veg-forward sides.
- Mela — Indian curries with a strong vegetarian section and several vegan options.
- Addisae — Ethiopian restaurant with a fully vegan combination platter.
- Mehfil— Downtown Indian with vegetarian entrées and vegan tofu substitutions.
- India Garden — Large vegetarian selection and vegan-friendly curries.
- Botiwalla— Indian street grill with multiple vegetarian and vegan-friendly sides.
Asian, Noodles, Sushi & Ramen
- Noodle Shop — Tofu stir-fries and customizable noodle bowls.
- Bee Thai — Thai curries and noodle dishes easily prepared vegan upon request.
- Thai Pearl — Vegetarian-friendly with veganizable curries and stir-fries.
- Gan Shan — Pan-Asian dishes with strong veg picks like basil eggplant and tofu bowls.
- Zen Sushi — Veggie rolls and sushi easily made vegan with simple sauce swaps.
- Heiwa Shokudo — Several vegan bowls, sushi options, and tofu-based dishes.
- Itto Ramen — Offers a solid vegan ramen and vegan-friendly tapas.
Mexican, Latin American & Caribbean
- Little Chango — Latin comfort food with several vegetarian dishes, and a vegan adobo tofu lunch box.
- Mountain Madre — Vegan chicken, vegan chorizo and vegan queso make this downtown staple extremely veg-forward.
- Taco Temple — Creative tacos with standout vegan cauliflower and avocado options.
- Abeja’s — Breakfast and lunch spot with vegetarian dishes and some vegan choices, including a to-die-for vegan "huevos" rancheros with tofu.
- Taco Billy — Known for plantain tortillas and a strong house vegan option.
- La Rumba — Full vegan menu featuring plant-based chorizo, fajitas, and bowls.
- Mamacitas— Quick burritos/bowls with easy vegan builds.
- Nine Mile — Caribbean-inspired dishes with many vegetarian and veganizable pastas and rice bowls.
American, Brunch, Café & Sandwich Spots
- Green Sage Café — A veg-forward Asheville staple with tons of clearly labeled vegan dishes.
- Sunny Point Café — Beloved brunch spot with notable vegetarian and vegan-friendly options.
- Ultra Coffeebar— Bagel sandwiches and pastries with multiple veg picks.
- Simple Café — Organic, plant-forward breakfast and lunch options plus juice bar.
- Asheville Sandwich Company — Home of the popular vegan “Big Sur” burger.
- Haywood Common — Vegetable-forward comfort dishes and vegan-friendly mains.
- Black Bear BBQ — Vegan BBQ options including jackfruit and soy curls.
- Goldfinch (Black Mountain) — Creative small plates with vegan and vegetarian options.
- Well Played Board Game Café — Dedicated vegan menu including sandwiches, bowls, and snacks.
- Bridge & Tunnel Coffee — Cafe on AB-Tech's campus serving espresso, nitro & smoothies, plus healthy, scratch-made breakfast & lunch.
Pizza, Breweries & Bar Comfort
- Mellow Mushroom — Vegan cheese, vegan sausage, and customizable plant-based pies.
- White Labs Brewing Co. — Vegan mozzarella and vegan sausage available on any pizza.
Sweets, Coffee & Treats
- The Hop — A leader in Asheville vegan desserts with rotating vegan ice creams.
- Pollen Coffee — Often carries vegan pastries from local vegan baker Back Porch Baking Co.
What’s the Best Way to Plan a Plant-Based Trip to Asheville?
Here are the questions visitors ask most:
Do I need reservations?
For Plant, yes. For most others, walk-in or casual timing works well.
Is Asheville easy for vegan travelers?
Yes. Plant-based diners regularly say that Asheville is one of the most accessible mid-size cities in the region for vegan and vegetarian travel.
Where should I stay to be near veg-friendly restaurants?
Lodging in Downtown, West Asheville, River Arts District, and South Slope all place you steps from many restaurants listed above.
Can I eat fully plant-based for an entire weekend here?
Absolutely! From donuts and ramen to fine dining and tacos, Asheville makes it easy.