17 best vegan restaurants in Boston

With locations scattered around the Hub and suburbs, this organic, plant-forward cafe is a hot stop for any meal from Cambridge to Dedham. Acai bowls and powerfood-packed smoothies are a morning pick-me-up, warm grain bowls and hearty salads are the perfect lunch or dinner, and sweet treats like avocado chocolate mousse cover all the bases. They also offer an extensive cold-pressed juice menu, coffee drinks and superfood lattes to keep you energized. 

This is a dream diner for the vegetarian and vegan crowd—all of the comfort classics most of us grew up on, but with none of the animal products. The Cambridge restaurant’s menu is a marvel of meatless innovation: breakfast sandwiches, BLTs with house-made tempeh bacon and "chick’n and waffles." Dishes are either vegan by default or can be made to be totally plant-based with some modifications. There's even a vegan bakery, which somehow manages to make tasty desserts without using eggs, milk or butter.

Mouthwatering ramen is challenging to come by, yet alone vegan ramen. The vegan offerings at Red White Boneless Ramen are classic, though, even attracting those who may not be following a plant-based diet. Chef Kei uses veg-heavy recipes inspired by the vegan dining style of Buddhist monks in Japan to bring the traditional Shojin flavors to the streets of Newbury.

This cafe by day and restaurant by night serves organic, seasonal foods, cold pressed juices and cocktails. Dishes like the organic hummus bowl and organic quinoa bowl make for hearty and healthy lunches. Whereas the hearty boneless wings made with seitan scratch that junk food itch. Coming in combinations that feel more like treats rather than cleanses, the cold pressed juices are a can’t miss. Our favorites are the Play on Player and the Beauty Tonic.

For the vegan (and not) cold treats lover, FoMu is the spot to be. All ice creams, novelties and cakes are handmade from plant-based ingredients—they specify, “not in a lab.” The signature ice cream, sweet and gelato-like, is made with coconut milk. Flavors are seasonal and made in small batches. You’ll even find novelties such as chocolate chip brownies, magic bars, ice cream bars, cookie sandwiches, ChocoTacos and ice cream cakes through the shops.

My Thai’s huge menu of flavorful dishes offers a variety of choices for vegans and vegetarians alike. From soups and salads to appetizers and mains, it’s all vegan. There’s a lot of tofu on the menu, but the faux “shrimp,” “chicken,” “beef,” and “duck” dishes are flavorful enough to almost rival the real thing. They even have vegan bubble tea! Favorites include the avocado medley with yellow curry (served in a fresh, whole avocado), and a fried taro root “bird’s nest” filled with veggies and spicy green curry. For dessert, their sweet rice and mango is a must. Dishes are authentically Thai, and spiciness can be adjusted according to your personal preferences.

This festive Somerville spot has just what you need for a vegan Mexican night out, offering more than just nachos with a vegan cheese substitute. Fill your tacos with options such as jackfruit (a pretty decent pulled pork substitute), chimichurri tempeh or chorizo seitan. Nachos feature sunflower seed cheese and cashew crema, tortas are made with chorizo seitan or fried tofu, and smoky black beans make a great side.

Branded as “casual fine dining,” the menu at this Arlington and Brookline eatery covers a wide range of Asian cuisines, including Thai, Malaysian, Indian, Japanese and classic American-Chinese. Everything here is vegan, featuring soy protein and seitan. Popular options include traditional udon, pad thai and other noodle dishes, as well as General Tso’s soy protein, Orange seitan, Korean kimchi, sizzling tofu teriyaki and a range of flavorful salads and appetizers. Blended teas and vegan desserts round out a full, varied menu. Check out the lunch specials offered on weekdays.

Clover has quickly become a local culinary empire, with 14 locations of the vegetarian restaurant scattered around the Greater Boston area. Vegan menu options include the chickpea fritter, Vegan BBQ seitan, hummus, and French fries with rosemary. Seasonal sandwiches, platters, and soups are always rotating on Clover’s menu based upon what produce is in season in New England.

This NYC founded vegan restaurant in the Back Bay (formerly known as By Chloe) takes plant-based dining to the next level with creative, menu highlights including Quinoa Taco Salad and Guac Burger. The restaurant says they were inspired by the individuality and “you-be-you” attitude of their original location of Greenwich Village, which certainly shines through their unique dishes in Boston. If you’re looking for a dessert, grab their Cookies N’ Dream Bar, which basically tastes like a giant Oreo.

This casual, counter-service joint offers made-from-scratch comfort foods. The sandwich shop has two locations, one at Boston City Hall that offers vegan and vegetarian options and their second location, Saus at Bow Market. This shop is fully vegetarian, aside from the egg salad sandwich. Many dishes like the cauli-falafel sandwich and Renny Dog (a Beyond Meat dog done Chicago-Style) are already vegan, while items like the Pineapple-Teriyaki "Pulled Pork" sandwich can be made vegan upon request! Vegan poutine? They've got it. And, in case you’re not sold, any of the delicious vegetarian grain bowls can be veganized, too.

This is the perfect spot for vegetarians, vegans and omnivores to all enjoy a super satisfying meal, paired with excellent wines by the glass. The grilled chickpea tempeh with arugula and an ume-miso sauce is so savory and craveable, and the enoki cakes with pineapple are also a favorite.

“Cheese isn’t vegan!” But it can be, at least at Roxy's. Renowned for their killer grilled cheese sandwiches and grass-fed burgers, the shop welcomes vegans, too. Both the Allston and Central Square locations offer vegan grilled cheese sandwiches using Daiya vegan cheese. Get a simple vegan grilled cheese or try the vegan Buffalo Tofu, topped with house-made ranch.

Eating vegan isn’t all Beyond burgers, especially when you add in cuisines from other parts of the planet. You’ll find loads of flavor at this Ethiopian restaurant in Jamaica Plain, like the yatakilt wet – with carrots, potatoes and string beans – you’ll sop up with their special flatbread, called injera.

From its casual space in Brookline’s Washington Square, Stoked satisfies locals’ cravings for gourmet pizza. The quality of fresh, local ingredients at Stoked will impress even meat lovers, but vegans can appreciate a whole menu just for them of appetizers and pizzas. Waffle fries come with a vegan chipotle aioli, and veggie-heavy pies come with or without vegan cheese. The buffalo spinach and cauliflower pizza features a vegan buffalo sauce, and the vegan cheeseburger pizza is loaded with Impossible Burger meat alternative.

Cocobeet is known and loved by health conscious diners—vegan or otherwise—for its extensive range of cold-pressed juices and smoothies. You don’t need to commit to a cleanse, though, as Cocobeet also has a menu of organic, vegan grab-and-go meals. There are options for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack time. The ever-changing menu features variations on avocado toast, refreshing salads, quinoa burgers and “un-tuna” sandwiches, plus energy-boosting raw snacks.

Tucked in the Four Corners neighborhood of Dorchester, Oasis is an incredibly popular vegan restaurant that exudes positivity. Create your own meal by choosing from the grain, stew, or veggie options, or ordering a thick wrap filled with Miser wat, spicy veggies, and vegan cheese.