Your Pass to a World of Wonder
Join the Biltmore Passholder family now to save $90 during this seasonal offer.
This guide makes it easy to find a plant-based meal in Asheville. The city has a handful of fully vegan and vegetarian restaurants, from a nationally known fine-dining spot to a burger joint and a juice bar. You won’t have to read every label or ask a dozen questions to find a plant-based or meatless meal at those restaurants.
Beyond the all-vegan or all-vegetarian spots, many Asheville restaurants have clearly labeled dishes. Try Ethiopian platters, Indian street food, Latin tacos, Thai curries, and barbecue jackfruit. Plant-based cooks here work with tofu, tempeh, seitan, jackfruit, and cashew cheeses, and some even source them locally.
If you are looking for a place to bring a vegan friend, know that vegan food is always vegetarian, but vegetarian food isn’t always vegan. Vegetarian food can include dairy, eggs, or honey. In our picks below, we point out the vegan dishes.
Top Vegan & Vegetarian Food in Asheville
Plant
This chef-driven, locally owned restaurant elevates vegan dining in Asheville with their picture-worthy dishes of delicious, scratch-made vegan food. Enjoy foods like smoked portobello, curries,… More Information
Pulp + Sprout
This locally grown Asheville eatery produces high quality, nutrient dense, organic “real food.” It is all plant-based and vegan. Enjoy a healthy breakfast or lunch from a variety of delicious menu… More Information
Green Sage Cafe
This certified green restaurant nurtures the well-being of its customers through its fair-trade organic coffee and tea, organic beer and wine, natural and organic local food for breakfast and… More Information
Rosetta's Kitchen
Vegan and vegetarian comfort foods are at the heart of this locally loved, downtown eatery. Rosetta's serves plant-based fare that's affordable and delicious. Try the peanut butter-baked tofu with… More Information
Top Vegan & Vegetarian Food in Asheville
Plant: Asheville’s nationally recognized vegan fine-dining restaurant serves scratch-made dishes like smoked portobello, curries, ravioli, and its famous vegan cheese plate. It’s open for dinner only. Enjoy the patio in warmer months. Reservations are strongly recommended. Tip: if you line up outside half an hour before opening you can sometimes secure a table or seats at the bar.
Rosetta’s Kitchen: This longtime Lexington Avenue favorite serves vegan and vegetarian Southern comfort food, like peanut butter-baked tofu with kale and smashed potatoes. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday.
The Smokin’ Onion: Vegan comfort food is the specialty at this 100% vegan West Asheville spot at 697 Haywood Road. Expect towering sandwiches, loaded bowls, crispy tenders, and a rotating lineup of sauces. They also run a food truck.
Dobra Tea: Settle in at this global tea house with more than 100 loose-leaf teas. The light vegetarian menu includes many vegan options, like bowls, salads, toasts, and sweets. Find it downtown at 78 N. Lexington Avenue, with another location in Black Mountain.
Diatribe Brewing Company: Raise a glass at one of the South’s only fully vegan breweries. Even the snacks are plant-based. 1042 Haywood Road.
Pulp + Sprout: This all-vegan juice bar and café on South Liberty Street serves cold-pressed juices, smoothie bowls, salads, sandwiches, and raw desserts for breakfast and lunch.
Addissae: Share the fully vegan combination platter at this Ethiopian restaurant. It’s made for scooping up with injera and passing around the table. 48 Commerce Street.
Chai Pani: This Indian street food favorite on Banks Avenue in the South Slope has plenty of vegetarian and vegan dishes. Start with the kale pakoras and bhel puri, two local favorites.
Mountain Madre: Vegan chicken, vegan chorizo, and vegan queso make this downtown Mexican spot one of the most veg-forward menus in town. 13 West Walnut Street.
La Rumba: Order from a full vegan menu with plant-based chorizo, fajitas, and bowls at this Latin American restaurant. 105 River Hills Rd suite C, in East Asheville.
Simple Café & Juice Bar: This organic West Asheville café at 643 Haywood Road serves breakfast and lunch, with juices, smoothies, and plenty of vegan choices. Locals rave about the vegan banh mi.
The Hop Ice Cream: Save room for dessert. The Hop leads the way in Asheville’s vegan treats, with rotating vegan ice cream flavors. Several locations in Asheville: 640 Merrimon Avenue, 721 Haywood Road, 167 Haywood Road (The Creamery, order ahead and take it to go), and 56 Patton Avenue (inside the S&W Building). Also located at 114 Cherry Street in Black Mountain.
Bonus: Vegan and Vegetarian Food Trucks in Asheville and WNC
Food trucks move around, so check each truck’s social media for its weekly schedule. Find more trucks in our Top Food Trucks in Asheville guide.
Mean Mandy’s: This 100% plant-based truck serves “vittles with sass.” We love the fried “chicken” sandwich, the Reuben, and the hearty sides. Find it at area breweries.
The Smokin’ Onion Truck: The mobile version of the West Asheville restaurant serves the same crispy tenders and stacked sandwiches. See their menu and schedule.
Pizza Finta: Try “anti-authentic vegan pizza” with wood-fired crusts, housemade vegan cheeses, and seasonal toppings. Look for it at markets and brewery pop-ups. See their Instagram.
New Moon Donuts: These vegan old-fashioned cake donuts pop up at local markets. Seasonal flavors sell out fast, so go early. See their Instagram.
Choclo: This vegan Peruvian pop-up serves empanaditas, causas, and alfajores. Check their Instagram for the next appearance.
Regional Vegan and Vegetarian Food in WNC
Dough House (Black Mountain): This small-batch vegan donut shop at 601 W. State St. makes donuts fresh to order, with classic and seasonal flavors. It’s a sweet stop on the way to hiking in Montreat. Hours are limited and change often, so check before you go.
Dobra Tea (Black Mountain): Sip tea and grab a light vegan-friendly bite at Dobra’s Black Mountain tearoom on Broadway Street. See their website.
Goldfinch (Black Mountain): This spot serves creative small plates, with both vegan and vegetarian options. 122 Cherry Street.
See more Restaurants by Category.
