Brian Nagele
Are you looking for the best vegan restaurants in Charlotte, North Carolina?
I’ve got you covered. From comforting soul food restaurants to light organic cuisine, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite places to eat in Charlotte.
Try a hearty breakfast burrito with tofu and salsa for breakfast, or go for a barbeque sandwich for lunch.
You can sample everything from spicy Mexican empanadas to tasty South African loaded fries.
Charlotte is among my favorite places to visit, and a trip to Queen City wouldn’t be complete without the vegan restaurants.
Check out my list of the best vegan restaurants in Charlotte below!
Best Vegan Restaurants in Charlotte
- Sanctuary Bistro
- Bean Vegan Cuisine
- Fern, Flavors from the Garden
- Living Kitchen
- Oh My Soul
- VelTree – Vegan Soulfood
- Ma Ma Wok
- Plant Joy
- Rico’s Acai
- The Sweet Spoon Bakery
- VeganEats.CLT
Sanctuary Bistro
6414 Rea Rd # C2, Charlotte, NC 28277
Phone: 980-335-0908
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Sanctuary Bistro is an upscale restaurant with vegan American cuisine.
It’s a cozy spot with a romantic atmosphere, and the eatery is ideal for a small group of friends or couples.
The restaurant is in Touchstone Village, right next to Fourmile Creek.
Popular with locals and tourists alike, it’s inside a little shopping center called Piper Glen.
The restaurant gets quite busy, so I recommend booking a reservation in advance.
Start your night with a charcuterie plate, and enjoy tasty cashew cheeses, imitation meats, and spiced sticky nuts.
Try a stuffed portabello mushroom with rice, and finish with a chocolate parfait.
Bean Vegan Cuisine
3001 E Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28205
Phone: 980-939-1234
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Head to the Commonwealth Park neighborhood to visit Bean Vegan Cuisine, a casual restaurant with a cozy atmosphere.
It’s popular with visitors and tourists, and the restaurant is ideal for big groups and families.
Bean Vegan Cuisine is on the east side of Charlotte, right across from Edwards Branch Greenway.
It’s also close to the Ovens Auditorium, so you can stop by for a bite after seeing a concert.
The cuisine focuses on fresh, hearty lunch options, and you’ll see menu items like barbeque teriyaki tofu and cheesy steak hoagies.
Bean Vegan Cuisine is vegan comfort food at its best, and this spot is one you won’t want to miss.
Fern, Flavors from the Garden
1419 East Blvd Suite A, Charlotte, NC 28203
Phone: 704-377-1825
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Fern, Flavors from the Garden, is a casual restaurant with local vegetarian comfort food.
It’s in the Dilworth area, not far from Freedom Park, and is convenient for anyone in south Charlotte.
The atmosphere is homey and welcoming, and the portions are generous and hearty.
Visit Fern, Flavors from the Garden, and enjoy vegetarian food with a southern twist.
Charlotte Magazine heralded this eatery as the best vegetarian food in Charlotte, and I have to agree that it’s one of my favorites.
When I visit, I like to order a breakfast burrito with scrambled tofu and a country potato salad on the side.
Living Kitchen
2000 South Blvd Suite 300, Charlotte, NC 28203
Phone: 704-333-0008
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Living Kitchen has soy-free cuisine, and the chefs bring local, organic ingredients to the menu.
It’s in Brookhill, a few streets from Southside Park, and is a cheerful restaurant with modern decor.
You can visit the juice bar and enjoy fresh-squeezed drinks or order a takeout bowl, like the spicy black bean bowl with quinoa and chipotle sauce.
The avocado sandwich is my personal favorite.
It has a creamy cashew spread, fresh tomatoes, sunflower seed hummus, and crunchy sprouts.
I recommend checking out the all-day breakfast.
Try everything from overnight oats with raisins and almond butter to avocado toast with a tangy vinaigrette.
Oh My Soul
3046 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Phone: 704-891-4664
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Oh, My Soul is a casual restaurant in the Noda neighborhood.
It has a lively atmosphere, and you can enjoy live music while you dine.
The restaurant is pet-friendly, and your dog can sample vegan doggie biscuits while you peruse the extensive menu.
I like to sit out on the patio and enjoy the North Carolina sun.
There’s a beautiful oak tree over a hundred years old, and you can pull up a chair next to it and order South African cuisine, like Crumbed Mushrooms.
Try the Filthy Fries, a South African specialty, with Chakalaka, chili beans, and house sauce.
VelTree – Vegan Soulfood
14825 Ballantyne Village Way Suite 150, Charlotte, NC 28277
Phone: 980-355-0075
Drive down to Ballantyne Village, south of Charlotte, and visit VelTree.
It’s a soul food cuisine restaurant with a casual vibe.
VelTree is in the heart of Ivy Ridge, near Costigan Park, and the chefs cook up hearty ingredients with plentiful gluten-free options.
Go for a cozy lasagna or a southern crab cake, or try the Mexican empanadas with spicy fillings.
I like VelTree’s build-your-own-plate option.
It keeps everyone in the group happy, and you can craft a rice bowl with vegan southern gravy, collard greens, and Beyond Meat or stack a sandwich high with vegan meat and barbeque sauce.
Ma Ma Wok
11914 Elm Ln, Charlotte, NC 28277
Phone: 704-544-8863
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Ma Ma Wok is a laid-back restaurant with Chinese cuisine.
It’s south of Charlotte, in the Provincetowne neighborhood, not far from Big Rock Nature Preserve.
Everything on the menu is vegetarian, and there is an ample selection of vegan choices.
The restaurant is quick, easy, and perfect for busy travelers or families.
The vegan faux meat drumsticks are a fan favorite, and I like the meatless sesame chicken.
Pineapple curry is a must-try dish, especially when you get it with ham and rice.
I recommend a General Tso’s Chicken plate, a vegan take on a Chinese classic if you prefer a traditional dish.
Plant Joy
1801 N Graham St Ste 101, Charlotte, NC 28206
Phone: 980-237-4855
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Plant Joy, an all-vegan restaurant in the Lockwood area, is one of the best vegan restaurants in Charlotte.
It serves Mediterranean vegan food with locally-sourced ingredients, and you’ll find plenty of light and healthy lunch foods on the menu.
Or, visit earlier in the day and check out their brunch.
The restaurant is convenient if you’re staying downtown, and it’s in north Charlotte near the fire department headquarters.
Chef Allison Hunt leads the kitchen, and she saw the restaurant win the spot for Best New Restaurant in Charlotte Magazine.
I recommend the Yam and Cheese toasted sandwich.
Don’t forget a plate of freshly baked croissants and pastries!
Rico’s Acai
Multiple locations
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Rico’s Acai has multiple locations, including Elizabeth, Provincetowne, and Belmont.
It’s a vegetarian health food restaurant with acai bowls and beverages, and the chilled menu items are perfect for a hot day in Charlotte.
The atmosphere is casual, and you can eat indoors or get takeout.
Rico’s Acai is a fun experience for families and groups, as you can craft a custom acai bowl and create flavor combinations.
I like the Rainbow Bowl, a classic fruity dish.
It comes with freshly chopped pineapple, bananas, kiwi, and crunchy granola.
I also recommend the decadent Panther Bowl with coconut flakes and blackberries.
The Sweet Spoon Bakery
301 S McDowell St, Charlotte, NC 28204
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Satisfy your vegan sweet tooth at The Sweet Spoon Bakery, just south of Charlotte’s Second Ward.
It’s a dessert restaurant with handcrafted vegan menu items, and the little bakery has a cozy and welcoming atmosphere.
The restaurant is right between Baxter Street Park and Pearl Street Park.
I like to grab a bite to eat and stroll through Charlotte’s beautiful parks or walk downtown.
The Sweet Spoon Bakery specializes in dessert bowls, and my favorite is the Cinnamon Craze Jar.
It has a honey bun cake, a cinnamon roll, and fluffy vanilla frosting.
I also recommend the Summer Peach Jar with fresh peach cake and frosting.
VeganEats.CLT
5427 N Sharon Amity Rd, Charlotte, NC 28215
Phone: 704-737-3935
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VeganEats.CLT is a casual restaurant with southern cuisine.
It’s a tasty fusion of southern staples and vegan ingredients, and this spot is one you won’t want to miss.
The restaurant is in Windsor Park, next to the Oak Forest area.
It’s not far from the Charlotte Museum of History, and I recommend visiting this restaurant after a long day of touring the city.
The hearty menu items are satisfying and delicious.
I recommend trying the vegan chicken and waffles dish with collard greens.
The greens have a vegan bacon marinade and taste like real southern comfort food.
Add a side of sweet tea for an authentic southern meal.
Final Thoughts
Make your trip to Charlotte memorable with a visit to the city’s vegan restaurants.
The restaurants have a warm and welcoming atmosphere, just like all of Charlotte, and you can sit on sunny patios or take your dog to animal-friendly eateries.
I guarantee you’ll enjoy these tasty spots, and you can try everything from meat-free soul food to locally-sourced organic plates.
You should also take a look at some of these Indian restaurants as well for a fantastic meal!
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!
