The best vegan restaurants in Boston

It’s the dream diner for the vegan crowd—all of the down-home classics with none of the guilt (or grease). The menu is a marvel of meatless innovation: corned-beef seitan hash, 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. Even the carnivore crowd is too busy gorging on the delicious grub to notice what’s missing.

Mouthwatering ramen is challenging to come by, yet alone vegan ramen. The vegan offerings at Red White Buddha Ramen are classic, though, even attracting those who may not follow a plant-based diet 24/7. The founder of Red White Buddha 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 vegan-specific eatery and casual Allston stalwart has been a go-to spot among area vegetable-lovers for years. 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 long-time fave for a vegan meal.

For the vegan ice cream 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, creamy 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 their bakery.

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 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.

For more than a decade, True Bistro has offered 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.

Vegans know how to party, too, and Taco Party has just what you need for a vegan Mexican night out. This colorful spot in Somerville offers more than just nachos with a vegan cheese substitute. Fill your tacos with innovative options such as jackfruit (a pretty decent 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 your share of meatless Mexican food.

Branded as “casual fine dining,” 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 on weekdays.

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, with their passion for food quality shining in their dishes. Don’t expect to find extraordinary spices or sauces hiding the freshness of their produce. 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.

This casual, counter-service joint offers made-from-scratch comfort foods. Vegans are not forgotten among the sausage and poutine-loving patrons. The Bow Street Market location of Saus is fully vegetarian and offers vegan options like an Impossible Burger and Beyond Dog sausages loaded with Impossible Chili, vegan cheese or your choice of vegan condiments, including their “special sauce.” Vegan Poutine? They've got it. And, in case you’re not sold, any of the delicious vegetarian grain bowls can be veganized, too.

Beatnic takes plant-based dining to the next level with creative, vegan-only menu highlights including quinoa tacos and guac burgers. 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 their recently opened post in Boston.

Whether you’re visiting their Cambridge flagship, Boylston bistro or one of its three other locations, this organic, plant-based cafe is a hot stop for any meal. Acai bowls and powerfood-packed smoothies are a morning pick-me-up, rice 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 juice menu and a range of meal plans to keep you on track.

We know what you’re thinking, “Cheese isn’t vegan!” Roxy's is renowned for its killer grilled cheese sandwiches and grass-fed burgers, but their creative flair 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.

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 is loaded with Impossible Burger meat alternative. If you’re looking to wash it all down with a cold drink, this is a great spot for cocktails on draft or a craft brew from the local beer scene!

Cocobeet is known and loved by healthy eaters—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 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.