Vegan Restaurants In Charlottesville
It has been fantastic seeing so many plant-based options sprouting up in Charlottesville, VA. For those of you wondering what plant-based actually is, it essentially means food derived from plants and free of animal products like meat, eggs, milk, and honey. If you are thinking that sounds terrible and you couldn’t imagine a burger without meat, I think you’ll be very pleasantly surprised by these plant-based restaurants.
Vegan Restaurants in Charlottesville
For fully vegan fare, there are two go to spots I recommend to anyone visiting Charlottesville: GRN Burger and Botanical Fare.
GRN Burger
A burger stand without meat sounds crazy, right? How could it possibly satisfy a craving for the all American classic if it’s missing a key ingredient? I can promise you GRN Burger will make you a believer.
Located in the Dairy Market, GRN Burger is fully vegan and has several burger options ranging from the wonderfully spicy Make It Hot (this is my favorite) to the staff recommended Mushroom City. If you are feeling unsure, try the Smokehouse Chik’n Sando as your gateway sandwich.
I also love their GRN Simple Salad (arugula with a great lemony dressing) and their fries (elevated McDonald’s, which is seriously the best compliment I can give a fry). The whole meal was fantastic and I did not feel at all like I was missing out on anything just because there wasn’t meat in my burger. If anything, I felt better after that meal because I knew the patties were plant-based. My carnivore of a husband even said he would eat there again, which is a very ringing endorsement.
Botanical Fare
Botanical Fare is a vegan fast casual restaurant on the Downtown Mall and I absolutely love eating here. They showcase bright and colorful dishes and everything looks like spring on a plate in the best way.
Their menu includes items like the Chickpea Tuna Sandwich, Roasted Sweet Potato Bowl (absolutely delicious - I loved the chili cashews, especially mixed with the BBQ drizzle) and an intriguing Miso Mac & Cheese. My favorite item, however, is the Crunchy Cauliflower Bowl with crispy cauliflower nugs. Add a Rosemary Lemonade and you have a delicious vegan meal.
Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants in Charlottesville
Of course, these aren’t the only locations in Cville offering up vegan & vegetarian options. While these locations aren’t fully plant-based, you can find vegan and vegetarian dishes at the following places locations in Charlottesville.
Bang!
Bang! is a restaurant just off of the Downtown Mall known for very delicious (albeit very strong) cocktails, but they also serve up great vegetarian and vegan fare. Try the Tempura Artichokes with Cilantro Sauce or the Fried Sesame Rice Balls with Chili Sauce.
Go There
Brazos Tacos
I love Brazos for a quick bite. Located in Ix Art Park, you can find options like The Bill (vegetarian - mashed potatoes, mushrooms, yams, jalapeños, honey jefe, cilantro) or the Sir Paul (vegan - refried black beans, avocado, roasted corn pico and roasted pepitas). You can also build custom tacos if you have your own creation in mind!
Corner Juice
Corner Juice was a go to of mine back when I worked on the Downtown Mall (they also have a location on The Corner by UVA). This grab and go spot is known for their smoothies and juices, but I also love their vegan Avocado Toast made with homemade avocado spread, hemp seeds, radishes, black pepper, salt, olive oil, and chili flakes.
Firefly
Firefly is a great spot for multiple dietary restrictions, from gluten free to vegan. It’s also an ideal spot for kids (they have a ton of games) and their patio is dog friendly. Try their vegan Portobello Philly with grilled & marinated portobello mushrooms, sauteed onions and peppers, vegan aioli, and Violife cheddar cheese served on a hoagie roll.
Iron Paffles & Coffee
Iron Paffles are puffed pastry waffle sandwiches and are absolutely delicious. They can also be made vegan, whether you prefer savory or sweet - they even have vegan whipped cream!
The Juice Laundry
With an entirely plant-based menu, this is the type of spot that immediately makes you feel healthy just by walking inside. In addition to their many juices and snacks, you can also opt for either smoothies or bowls. My personal favorite is the Blaze smoothie with ginger, cayenne, mango, strawberries, banana, dates, and house cashew milk. It has a kick and I love it.
Revolutionary Soup
If you love soup, this is your go to spot for vegetarian and vegan soup options. Back before I developed a peanut allergy (heartbreaking) I was a huge fan of their vegan Peanut Tofu Soup with ginger, garlic, chiles, and tomatoes blended with peanuts topped with tofu, cilantro, and scallions. Honestly, I probably game myself the allergy from eating this too much. Additionally, many of their menu items can be modified to be vegetarian or vegan.
Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar
If tea (or hookah) with your vegan fare is your thing, you’ll want to try Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar on the Downtown Mall. Try their vegan Falafel Pita with savory baked falafel, tangy tahini sauce, cucumbers, tomatoes, hummus, and greens.
Vu Noodles
Vu Noodles is a counter window restaurant (so no actual restaurant space - you order outside) and offers vegan and vegetarian fare. You can get vegan Spring Rolls and build your own Vegan Noodle Bowl. If it’s pretty out, try and snag one of their outdoor tables (hard to do when it’s busy) and enjoy the day.
Whether you are fully vegan or just dipping a toe in the water, I hope you’ll try and enjoy these lovely local spots. For more information on Vegan eating in Charlottesville, check out The Cville Vegan - she has great information!
Cheers and happy eating!
