Is Asheville, NC, vegan-friendly? You bet! As Asheville locals who’ve eaten at hundreds of restaurants around WNC, and as a half-Celiac, lactose-intolerant, IBD household, we will not lead you astray. The best part: 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: think Nine Mile & Gypsy Queen Cuisine. Then, grab dessert at Old Europe, French Broad Chocolate, or The Hop. Get the details below!
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📸 All photos are our own of the food we order and enjoy. I update this list every year and personally visit/revisit before recommending. Of course, let us know your favorites in the comments. 💙 Christine of Uncorked Asheville
Dedicated Vegan Restaurants In Asheville
As of spring 2026, Romeo’s Vegan Burgers is no longer in business. I will miss those vegan milkshakes. Tahini Jar closed but opened New Moon Donuts, which sells vegan old-fashioned cake donuts and coffee (on our bucket list & our readers love them).
Plant – Award Winning Dinner & “Must” Cheese Plate
Plant has always been one of our favorite restaurants in Asheville, and Tom and I 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 James Beard semi-finalist.
While Plant is considered “fine dining,” it is not stuffy. You can 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 curry or ramen entrees. 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.
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). Don’t miss West Asheville’s great mural scene, like Dolly and RuPaul. See where else to eat lunch in Asheville.
🛻 Catch their food truck on specific days (usually Tuesdays) at New Belgium Brewing. Sitting outside along the French Broad River is never a bad idea.
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. It’s casual, family-friendly, and a great way to start your late morning.
Asheville’s Wellness Neighborhood
🌱 Known as Asheville’s wellness hub, along with Pulp & Sprout, 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 at a picnic table.
Dedicated Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants In Asheville
Still hungry? These are great options for those seeking both vegan and vegetarian food in our ever-evolving foodie scene. We will forever miss Downtown’s Laughing Seed.
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 plant-based cuisine. Most notably, their menu labels gluten, soy, nuts, and alliums.
Find anything from the vegan comfort foods you crave, like Buffalo wings, sweet potato fries, and nuggets, to classic sandwiches and chili. Our go-tos include the vegan queso basket – it’s soooo good piping hot – and Family Favorite with peanut butter-baked tofu and “smashed” potatoes. I enjoy The Mountain with rice, kale, and tempeh, and I can never resist Buddha bowls, grilled cheeses, and avocado tofu sandwiches. It’s food for the soul.
For the community, Rosetta’s has an “Everybody Eats” program so that everyone who needs a hot meal can eat. Donate here. 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 for watching 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.
Bonus: They also brew beer. Plus, it’s 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, ordering 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.
Afterward, drive over to West Asheville’s Haywood Road for some local shopping, mural spying, beer, and exploring.
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. This is one of Asheville’s most underrated, hidden gem restaurants – with new 2026 locations on Biltmore Ave. and the S & W Market.
Where To Get Vegan Desserts In Asheville (Plus Bevies)
Because dairy-free doesn’t mean dessert-free, 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. They are great members of the Asheville community, focused on local business collaborations to showcase amazing chefs, foodies, and farmers.
- 🧁 Old Europe Pastries – One of our favorite post-dining dessert spots, Old Europe always has a few GF and vegan treats on the menu. Tom’s go-to is a GF/vegan cupcake. Give me anything lemon poppyseed. It’s an awesome coffee shop, too.
- 🍪 Back Porch Baking Co. – I’m in love with Back Porch Baking Co.’s vegan baked treats and actively seek them out. They post the local coffee shops they serve, like Pollen, Retro, and Allgood. Get the cardamom buns.
- 🌱 North Asheville Tailgate Market (NATM) – On Saturdays at UNCA, head to the NATM. You’ll find plenty of vendors selling vegan, veggie, and GF treats, including scones, coffee, chocolate, cheese, and more. Look for Dare, White Squirrel Kitchens, Dolci Di Maria, and more. It’s my favorite part of the weekend, and I love to do some of my spring flower and veggie garden shopping here.
- ☕️ PennyCup Coffee – With locations across Asheville, I recommend their Silverline/Woodfin cafes for parking, great workspace, and of course, baked vegan goods. Get the vegan scones, and ask about the boba at Silverline. Sneak over to the park across the street.
- 🍩 Dough House – While I am cheating with this Black Mountain recommendation (25 minutes from Asheville by car), you have to try Dough House for all things vegan donuts, with GF options. They are delicious, and OMG, that vegan apple fritter, if it’s on the menu. Plus, Black Mountain is one of my favorite nearby mountain towns, full of things to do.
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.
🗣️ AND, be sure to let us know your favorite Asheville vegan and vegetarian restaurants in the comments. We are always trying new (and old) places and take your recommendations/experiences seriously. 💙 Christine of Uncorked Asheville