Is Asheville, NC vegan-friendly? You bet! As a half-Celiac and lactose-intolerant household with IBD (ulcerative colitis), we eat a lot of vegan food. No side-eyeing chefs here; the Asheville restaurants are extremely accommodating. Below, discover our favorite vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Asheville, like Plant, The Smokin’ Onion, and Pulp & Sprout. Some establishments are solely vegan, while others offer a great selection of vegan and vegetarian options.
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All photos are our own of the food we order and enjoy. Tom and I have dined at hundreds of restaurants in Western North Carolina as Asheville locals. We won’t lead you astray. 💙 Christine
Dedicated Vegan Restaurants In Asheville
Previously on this list, Tahini Jar is no longer in business. However, they opened New Moon Donuts, which sells vegan old-fashioned cake donuts and coffee. I’ve also moved Rosetta’s to the veggie/vegan section.
Plant – Award Winning Dinner & “Must” Cheese Plate
Plant has always been one of our top favorite restaurants in Asheville, and Tom and I even dined here as travelers before becoming full-time residents. Zagat named them one of the best vegan restaurants in the country, and Owner and Chef Jason Sellers is a 2024 James Beard semi-finalist. While Plant is considered “fine dining,” it is not stuffy, and you may dress casually. However, we highly suggest making reservations on Resy – walk-ins can sit at the bar, but it fills up quickly.
Tom and I head here for date night or when vegetarian friends are in town. I always order their cheese plate (it’s an absolute must), ravioli, and roasted beets, followed by a creamy dessert. Tom loves any dish with their queso, and you can’t go wrong with anything curry or ramen. If it’s nice outside, sit on the patio. Afterward, stroll North Asheville’s Beaver Lake.
The Smokin’ Onion – All-Day Breakfast & Lunch
What started as one of our coveted Asheville food trucks grew into a delicious West Asheville brick-and-mortar restaurant. The Smokin’ Onion is our go-to for all-day vegan breakfast and lunch – and still catch their food truck on certain days at New Belgium Brewing.
I can never resist The Smokin’ Onion’s pancakes, burgers, Brussels sprouts, fried pickles, and onion rings. Get a cookie the size of your face. They also sell Back Porch Baking Co. vegan treats (my all-time favorite). Sip on a mimosa or local brew, and if you are foodie-style touring Asheville, head to Botiwalla next door (from the owners of Chai Pani). See where else to eat lunch in Asheville.
Romeo’s Vegan Burgers – Burgers, Shakes, & Fries
One of the newer vegan restaurants in Asheville, Romeo’s Vegan Burgers makes our favorite melty burger in the city. This joint will have you craving fries, burgers, and milkshakes all day long (and yes, they have gluten-free bread!). Along with nuggets for the kiddos, devour kale salads, kale wraps, buffalo “chicken” sandwiches, and taters. No gross Daiya cheese here; #truthbomb. I crave that Oreo milkshake pretty much every day.
Grab a burger at Romeo’s with us
Pulp & Sprout – Casual Neighborhood Cafe
From the owners of Plant, Pulp & Sprout is a favorite casual Historic Chestnut and North Asheville vegan cafe. They serve cold-pressed juices and raw and vegan food, including bowls, broths and soups, sandwiches, and desserts. I’ll always go for a Matcha “mylk,” miso ginger broth, and “Up-beet” sandwich. Their peanut chocolate bar is life.
Asheville’s Wellness Neighborhood
🌱 Known as Asheville’s wellness hub, enjoy nearby yoga studios and the Asheville Salt Cave, one of our favorite places to relax in Asheville. Afterward, dip over to Liberty House Cafe for coffee on a picnic table. When I’m in a UC flare, I head this way.
Dedicated Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants In Asheville
For long-time Asheville residents and visitors, we lost a delicious vegan and vegetarian restaurant, Laughing Seed, in 2025.
Rosetta’s Kitchen – Hipster Vegetarian & Vegan Soul Food
One of the most hipster vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Downtown Asheville, with a Buchi bar, Rosetta’s Kitchen serves spicy vegan soul food. Most notably, their menu labels gluten, soy, nuts, and alliums. Find anything from the comfort foods you crave, like Buffalo wings and tater tots, to classic sandwiches.
Our go-tos include the vegan queso basket, Family Favorite (peanut butter-baked tofu with “smashed” potatoes), and The Mountain. For the community, Rosetta’s has a “pay what you can” and “pay it forward” program so that everyone who needs a meal can eat. They also fed the community during Helene.
Best Vegan & Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants
It’s no secret that most restaurants in Asheville are gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan-friendly. It’s one of the reasons we love living here. Even our top pick for BBQ, Luella’s, has a tempeh option. However, if we had to choose just a few restaurants to dine at, we’d go with these.
Nine Mile – Best All-Around Caribbean Restaurant
We once asked our private Facebook community where they’d pick if they could only eat at one Asheville restaurant ever again. Nine Mile, a Caribbean-inspired restaurant, is my go-to and theirs. Tom and I love their Montford location, perfect to catch Shakespeare in the Park in the spring through fall.
Tom and I almost always order the Irie Ites and Back-A-Yard Bowl – both of which can be made vegan/veggie. Nine Mile has one of the most comprehensive labeled menus in town for food intolerances, allergies, and preferences. It is an extremely vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurant. They also brew beer. Plus, it’s just a unique spot that makes Asheville special.
Green Sage Cafe – Quick, Budget-Friendly Eats
With multiple locations across Asheville, Green Sage Cafe is our go-to vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurant for quick counter service and healthy, organic eats. A delicious breakfast option for GF, vegan muffins and fresh juice, we also head here for lunch smoothies, sandwiches, and bowls.
While this is a no-frills, budget-friendly café – and not all of our readers enjoy Green Sage like we do (sometimes the floors could use a good sweep) – we drop in the most after errands around town, regardless of the time of day. Talk about convenience!
Gypsy Queen Cuisine – Unique Lebanese Cuisine
Did you even eat at Gypsy Queen Cuisine (GQC) if you didn’t get a mixed Brussels sprouts and cauliflower appetizer? No! If you are looking for one of the most unique vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurants, we love this Lebanese-inspired West Asheville joint.
Don’t let that busy plaza scare you away, either (I know – that area is WILD with congestion). We dine in and order takeout for the best hummus, falafels, bowls, wraps, gyros, and stuffed grape leaves around. You won’t soon forget the colorful interior.
Gemelli Restaurant – Casual Italian Eatery
From the owner and chef of beloved Strada and Social Lounge (my top pick for rooftop brunch before a Pack Square festival), Gemelli is the perfect casual eatery for gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian diners with a fully labeled menu.
Located in the same plaza as Earth Fare – a terrific specialty grocery store with vegan goods – I most appreciate Gemelli’s vegan bread, London fog latte, truffle risotto, and pasta options. They even have a vegan breakfast bowl and dinner lasagna. All of Chef Anthony Ceratto’s restaurants are food intolerance-friendly, which we love.
Baba Nahm – Healthy “Fast Food” On The Go Downtown
If you love hummus, falafels, and bowls, Baba Nahm is one of the best “fast food” Downtown Asheville restaurants with GF, vegan, and veggie options. Choose your protein, pick your style (GF pita!), and add on all of those beloved Middle Eastern toppings. It’s convenient, cheap, and delicious. Note that they have a slightly new location in 2025. This is one of Asheville’s most underrated, hidden gem restaurants.
Where To Get Vegan Desserts In Asheville
As a lactose-intolerant household, Tom and I are all about vegan desserts, including ice cream, affogatos, bonbons, and more. These are just a few places we enjoy (but they are not all solely vegan):
- French Broad Chocolate Lounge – I love their vegan hot chocolate, affogatos, trifles, and bonbons. Head to their RAD Factory location with tours or their Downtown lounge.
- The Hop Ice Cream Cafe – The Hop is our go-to for vegan ice cream in Asheville. With multiple locations, they offer amazing seasonal flavors and have vegan hot fudge.
- Vortex Doughnuts –Vortex serves handmade, vegan donuts. If you are heading to Black Mountain, you’ll also love Dough House’s vegan and GF donuts (from the owners of the former Trashy Vegan). Read our full guide to Asheville’s best donut shops.
- Old Europe Pastries – One of our favorite post-dining dessert spots, Old Europe always has a few GF and vegan treats on the menu. It’s an awesome coffee shop, too.
- Back Porch Baking Co. – I’m obsessed with Back Porch Baking Co.’s vegan baked treats. They post the local coffee shops they serve, like Pollen, Retro, and Allgood. Get the caramom buns!
More Resources For Veggies & Vegans
Veg Discount Card
Head to the Asheville Vegan Society website to purchase your Veg Discount Card. Cards are only $15.00 and good for one year. Grab discounts at many of the vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Asheville on this list.
Asheville VeganFest
Did you know that every year, Asheville hosts a spring (newer) and fall vegan festival? Don’t miss the Asheville VeganFest, filled with vendors serving up vegan food and beer along with vegan lifestyle products. We go almost every year.
Be sure to let us know your favorite Asheville vegan and vegetarian restaurants in the comments.