As a vegan or vegetarian, it can be hard to find plant-based meals and vegan-friendly dining when exploring a city or going out to eat with family and friends. Luckily, Chattanooga offers a plethora of vegan and vegetarian restaurants as well as an abundance of eateries with inclusive menus. If you’re looking for a vegan meal, check out some of the amazing dining options below.
Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants
Real Roots Cafe
Located in Northshore, Real Roots Cafe is a 100% plant-based cafe, offering health-focused dishes that are still bursting with flavor. With a casual hang-out vibe, Real Roots’ menu offers many different meal options, from buffalo jackfruit sliders and Greek-inspired paninis to an expansive selection of smoothies and juices. Owned by a husband-and-wife team trained in cruelty-free, plant-based kitchens, Real Roots is the perfect combination of healthy and delicious.
Cashew
Also in the Northshore area is Cashew, a plant-based vegan cafe with a mission to serve fresh, delicious, and nutritionally sound food. Made with the highest quality ingredients, Cashew uses local produce in their expansive menu, from loaded baked potatoes and burritos to burgers and more. For those looking to satisfy their sweet tooth, Cashew offers made-from-scratch donuts, brownies, cakes, and more, some of which are also gluten-free.
Sluggo’s
Sluggo’s, a vegan diner and bar off of Cherokee Avenue, offers vegan nachos, wings, sandwiches, as well as brunch options (including omelettes and pancakes) on Sunday mornings. Sluggo’s upper floor offers a full menu and is open to all ages while their underground lounge offers a limited sandwich menu from 6 p.m. until midnight for those 21 and up.
Southern Squeeze
Southern Squeeze offers an organic, plant-focused menu that benefits an anti-inflammatory diet. With no seed oils and limited gluten and dairy, this local eatery features a vegetarian menu, with many options also being vegan-friendly. Southern Squeeze offers a variety of options, from all-day breakfast and salads to delicious smoothie bowls and toasted sandwiches and burgers. Southern Squeeze also purchases ingredients from local suppliers, such as Niedlov’s Bakery & Cafe.
High Su
Just 30 minutes from downtown Chattanooga in Collegedale, Tennessee, High Su is a vegetarian restaurant that offers comfort food in a cozy, casual environment. Boasting great food and friendly service, High Su offers everything from pan-fried vegetable dumplings and vegan fried chicken bowls to Japanese ramen and more. High Su also offers gluten-free options and drinks, like boba tea and fruit tea.
The Bohemian Village
Located off of Chamberlain Avenue, The Bohemian Village is a trendy cafe offering cold-pressed juice, smoothies, and a vegan and vegetarian menu. The cafe’s drinks are made with organic fruits and vegetables as well as locally sourced plant milks. As for food, The Bohemian Village offers plant-based breakfast sandwiches, smoothie bowls, a black bean burger, and more.
Restaurants with Vegetarian and Vegan Options
Chattanooga Pizza Co.
Being vegan or vegetarian doesn’t mean you have to give up pizza! While Chattanooga Pizza Co. isn’t a fully-vegan restaurant, they do offer plenty of vegan and vegetarian pizza options. From veggie pizzas to vegan chicken and vegan build-your-own options, Chattanooga Pizza Co. offers an inclusive menu, and your non-vegan friends will enjoy it, too!
Urban Stack
For the burger lovers in the city, Urban Stack offers several vegetarian burger options, including a spicy veggie, vegan mushroom, and vegan cheeseburger, all featuring plant-based patties. Additionally, every burger on Urban Stack’s menu can be substituted with a plant-based burger patty for a $2 fee, and several of the options can be made vegan upon request.
Taco Mamacita
With two Chattanooga locations, one in Northshore and one in East Brainerd, Taco Mamacita offers several vegetarian options on their menu, including an avocado taco, black bean taco, and vegan jerk taco, made with spicy plantains. Some of Taco Mamacita’s dishes can also be made vegan upon request
Community Pie
If you need another pizza option, Community Pie, with a location downtown and in East Brainerd, features several vegetarian pizzas on their menu, some of which can be made vegan upon request. The menu also offers a vegan mushroom pizza as well as vegan mozzarella, sausage, and pepperoni in the “build your own pizza” section.
Tropical Cuisine
Also located in Collegedale is Tropical Cuisine, a restaurant serving Latin American meals and juices, with many plant-based options. From vegetarian sandwiches and burgers to plant-based meats and more, Tropical Cuisine is a great option for those craving Latin American cuisine.
Sleepyhead Coffee
If you’re not in the market for a full meal, Sleepyhead Coffee offers vegan pastries and light food options alongside their coffee menu. Made in-house and entirely from scratch, Sleepyhead offers mouth-watering vegan options like cinnamon rolls, croissants, donuts, and so much more.
So, whether you’re craving Asian cuisine, Southern comfort food, pastries or more, Chattanooga has got you covered. Next time you’ve got a hankering for a vegan or vegetarian meal, check out these amazing options throughout the Scenic City.