Brian Nagele
Salt Lake City, Utah, has a notable reputation when it comes to certain foods, such as barbecue, chicken fried steak, and fried onion burgers.
But what do those all have in common?
They’re all meat!
So if you’re a vegan, you might feel like there’s nothing you can eat in the whole city.
Fortunately, there are several amazing vegan restaurants in the city that have plenty of delicious options for you to choose.
I’ll discuss the best vegan restaurants in Salt Lake City so that you won’t have to worry about finding a place the next time you’re in town.
Buds
509 E 300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
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Buds is my favorite vegan sandwich shop, located in Central City near Richmond Park.
I love the easygoing vibes at Buds that make me feel comfortable and cozy.
But besides chilling out, eating the food here is great because they have some of the most creative vegan sandwich options I’ve ever seen.
I enjoy many of their items, such as the buffalo v-chicken sandwich and the deli classic with v-turkey, tomatoes, and cucumber.
But the best sandwich overall, in my opinion, is their barbacoa one that comes with shredded jackfruit, black beans, guacamole, and ginger sour cream — delicious!
Veggie House
52 E 1700 S, South Salt Lake, UT 84115
Phone: 801-282-8686
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Veggie House is another relaxed eatery serving vegan bites south of downtown, next to the Mohawk Food Mart.
I love Veggie House because they specialize in vegan sushi, and finding good vegan sushi in town can be challenging.
It also has a very refreshing atmosphere, decorated with bright green plants around the interior.
I’m obsessed with the Vegas roll because it is deep-fried, as well as the teriyaki crunch roll and spicy mango roll.
Their avocado salad is quite tasty as well.
Vertical Diner
234 W 900 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Phone: 801-484-8378
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Vertical Diner is one of the best vegan restaurants in Salt Lake City because of its seasonal menu items, internationally-inspired food, welcoming atmosphere, and lively vibes.
I would never dream of getting good vegan biscuits and gravy, but Vertical Diner delivered.
They also have exceptional “chicken wings” they call “buffalo tigers” that are better than many of the actual chicken wings I’ve eaten in my life.
I’m also currently dreaming about “the mountain,” which is a piled-high breakfast dish that includes hash browns, tofu scramble, “cheese” sauce, guacamole, grilled peppers and onions, and a choice of “sausage,” “bacon,” or grilled mushrooms. Yum!
If you want plenty of plant-based options at any time of the day, you should head straight up to Vertical Diner.
All Chay
1264 W 500 N, Salt Lake City, UT 84116
Phone: 801-521-4789
All Chay is a comfortable Vietnamese restaurant in Fairpark, northwest of downtown Salt Lake City.
They specialize in vegan Vietnamese dishes such as pho, bahn mi, and other hits.
I appreciate this place because finding a truly plant-based Vietnamese spot is difficult.
For example, you might ask to remove the meat in pho, but it will likely still use chicken or beef broth.
Here, you don’t have to worry about that!
They have a relatively small, simple menu with soups, sandwiches, and appetizers, so it’s easy to figure out your go-to items once you visit a few times.
I love the pho, teriyaki “chicken,” and BBQ noodle salad.
Lil’ Lotus
2223 Highland Dr. E5, Salt Lake City, UT 84106
Phone: 801-906-0637
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Lil’ Lotus is a top vegan spot west of Sugar House Park.
It’s known for having more innovative vegan fare, with juicy, comfort-food items.
I love Lil’ Lotus because, as a new vegan, I was afraid that everything I ate would have to be some version of a boring salad bowl.
But places like Lil’ Lotus, which offer plant-based burgers, tacos, and even macaroni and cheese, made me think differently!
The southwest green chili mac and cheese is by far my favorite item, but you can’t go wrong with anything on this menu.
Yumz Vegan Bakery & Cafe
3490 State St, South Salt Lake, UT 84115
Phone: 801-590-8092
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Yumz Vegan Bakery & Cafe is a Mexican restaurant that takes vegan cuisine to the next level.
If you’re in Salt Lake City, you need to stop by Yumz for a tasty plant-based meal.
This place is located right off of State Street, in the same plaza as the Harbor Freight.
I tried to tackle the giant gordita taco and it was incredible. It’s a 14-inch taco filled with all sorts of delicious goods, so bring your appetite.
Mark of the Beastro
666 S State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Phone: 385-202-7386
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Mark of the Beastro doesn’t only have a great name but a great menu as well.
This vegan restaurant is located just outside downtown, south of Washington Square Park.
It’s a fun, dive-bar-style diner that plays punk rock music to truly energize the place.
Combining grunge with vegan food is something I didn’t know I needed until I went there.
In terms of food, they have a ton of tasty items using meat substitutes, including but limited to “Chicken” and waffles, Breakfast burritos, Grilled “cheese”, French toast, and more!
Essentially, they have lots of classic bar bites, but the vegan versions!
Zest Kitchen & Bar
275 S 200 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Phone: 801-433-0589
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Zest is a sleek and sophisticated vegan restaurant and bars that’s a fun spot for the triple D — dining, drinking, and dancing!
I appreciate that this restaurant is 21+, as it adds to the overall trendy atmosphere.
It’s perfect for date night, happy hour with friends, or a night out in the central downtown area where it’s located.
The menu has an array of appetizers, plates, and desserts.
I enjoy the stuffed avocado salad, baked mushrooms, and jackfruit tacos the most.
Make sure to complete your meal with their tasty carrot cake — you won’t regret it.
City Cakes & Cafe
1860 S 300 W D, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
Phone: 801-359-2239
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There are two City Cakes & Cafes in Utah, but I go to the one in Salt Lake City in the South Salt Lake area.
This locally-owned bakery is undoubtedly one of the best bake shops in town for vegan and gluten-free diets.
Everything is delicious, from their cupcakes to their cinnamon rolls to their muffins and scones.
What I tend not to enjoy about vegan treats isn’t so much the breading as it is the frosting.
Most places just don’t get it right.
But City Cakes makes the perfect frosting that’s wonderfully fluffy and delightful.
They even make outstanding wedding cakes!
Eva
317 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Phone: 801-359-8447
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Another bakery in Salt Lake City is called Eva, located downtown near Eccles Theater.
Unlike City Cakes, they don’t only serve vegan treats.
However, they offer plenty of vegan and vegetarian options, as well as gluten-free and dairy-free options.
In addition to vegan pastries, you can also get vegan meals like a vegan “chicken” sandwich and a vegan plate.
I love how charming and cozy the spot is, so I end up wandering in there, even when I’m not hungry, just to get a little snack and enjoy the space.
Passion Flour Patisserie
165 E 900 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Phone: 385-242-7040
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Passion Flour Patisserie is a French-inspired bakery and cafe specializing in vegan pastries, petit fours, cakes, tarts, and more.
This well-loved spot in the Central City area has almost an endless number of vegan dessert options.
I love their almond croissant, raspberry pop tart, cupcakes, and French macarons.
They also have great lunch options, including crepes, Mediterranean bowl, and tofu benedict.
Everything there is so tasty, so don’t hesitate to go with some friends and share several items family-style!
And of course, because it is a cafe, they have great coffee and tea as well.
I tried the London Fog latte, and it was the best I’ve ever tasted.
You must try Yumz – Mexican vegan food in South Salt Lake!!