The best vegan restaurants in Boston

For years, this casual Allston stalwart has been go-to spot among area vegans. The substantial menu features pan-Asian standards packed with veggies, as well as tofu, seitan, and vegan versions of meat and seafood. Made with “battered gluten,” the No Name dish features a tasty sweet-and-sour sauce and is a crowd favorite. Desserts include vegan shakes and cakes. Price and hospitality are also a draw, making Grasshopper a longtime fave for a vegan meal.

Clover has quickly become a local culinary empire, with locations scattered around the Boston area. Healthful vegan and vegetarian concoctions are Clover's calling card; while waiting in line you may hear chatter about the chickpea fritter, BBQ seitan, a battered blue oyster (mushroom) sandwich, potato tempeh salad, and the “Impossible Burger” meatball sandwich. Soups, including a popular African peanut variety, are vegan, as are a range of salads including lentil-and-kale and carrot-and-fennel. 

Cocobeet is known and loved by healthy eaters—vegan or otherwise—for its extensive range of cold-pressed juices and smoothies. It has also built up a following for its Pure Foods menu of organic, vegan, grab-and-go meals. There are options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack time, all made with natural ingredients. The ever-changing menu features variations on avocado toast, refreshing salads, quinoa burgers and “un-tuna” sandwiches, plus energy-boosting raw snacks.

My Thai’s huge menu of flavorful dishes offers a variety of choices for vegans and vegetarians. 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 rival the real thing. 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. Dishes are authentically Thai, and spiciness can be adjusted accordingly.

This Chinatown takeaway shop is all-vegan, with a changing selection of soups, salads, and sandwiches that even meat-eaters are sure to enjoy. Spicy papaya salad wakes up the senses, crispy spring rolls with veggie-chicken whet the appetite, and sandwiches such as the Massaman Curry satisfy with rich Thai flavors. Finish up with Asian desserts like taro sweet rice, or a vegan version of frosted carrot cake. Don’t forget to try a “blenderized” bubble tea in flavors such as durian, jackfruit, or black jasmine tea.

This NYC-based, 100% vegan chain has an extensive menu of comfort faves—burgers, soups, creative salads, mac n’ cheese, subs, clam chowder, and lobster rolls. Vegans can indulge in weekend brunch with tofu scrambles, sausage, hash browns, and pancakes. Of course there’s dessert too - cupcakes, cookies, ice cream, shakes, and more. No time for a sit-down? Check out the to-go menu for quick options.

Who says vegans can’t enjoy fine dining? True Bistro offers a high-end, seasonal vegan dining experience, with a candle-lit dining room that complements the innovative, artfully prepared dishes. The menu changes regularly to reflect what’s fresh and in season. Fresh salads and small plates, such as seared cauliflower with crispy aloo and assorted chutneys, or Devils on Horseback with cashew cheese and smoked tofu, lead the way for larger plates like mushroom shepherd’s pie, housemade capellini, and tempeh skewers. Brunch is offered Saturdays and Sundays.

The menu at this Arlington 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 weekdays.

Yoga and socially-responsible vegan comfort food under one roof—how much healthier can it get? This all-vegan cafe is located inside the O2 Yoga Studios. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are available into the late afternoon, with breakfast options such as burritos and fruity, nutritious shakes available all day. Vegan nachos, veggie burgers, “chuna” melts (with chickpeas instead of tuna), and Tofurky wraps provide fuel for the rest of the day. For a caffeine buzz, there’s also coffee, tea, and cold brew.

Vegans can party too, and Taco Party has just what you need for a vegan taco night. This colorful spot in Ball Square offers more than just nachos with a vegan cheese substitute. Fill your tacos with innovative options such as jackfruit (a pretty good pulled pork substitute), chimichurri tempeh, or cornmeal-crusted mushrooms. 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. Aside from this location, you can find the Taco Party Truck roaming the streets of Boston. 

For the vegan ice cream lover, FoMu is the spot. All ice creams, novelties, and cakes are made from plant-based ingredients. The signature ice cream, creamy and gelato-like, is made with coconut milk. Flavors are seasonal and made in small batches. You’ll even find novelties such as ice cream bars, cookie sandwiches, ChocoTacos, and ice cream cakes.

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—appetizers, pizzas, and even shakes made with FoMu ice cream. 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 boasts the “Impossible Burger” meat alternative.