If you think that you’ll only find steakhouses in Denver, think again. The plant-based diet has a firm foothold with eateries in Denver dedicated to the vegan palate, despite historical stereotypes.
Here are ten of the city’s best vegan restaurants, from cozy cafes to fast dining options. Denver may not be known as a health food capital, but it's sure on its way there.
Check out these vegan restaurants the next time you’re in town. Who knows? You may never pick up a steak knife again afterward!
1. Watercourse Foods
Watercourse Foods gives you healthy comfort food all day long. This eatery has you covered, whether you want gluten-free waffles for dinner or you’re craving cauliflower wings.
Watercourse has been serving all-vegan fare to Denverites since 1998, and is very popular with the local vegan community. This favorite is a good example of some of the city’s best vegan restaurants. Denver has a thriving vegan culture, but don’t just take anyone’s word for it.
Watercourse is open late all week long, so head on down the next time you get a craving for vegan comfort food.
2. WongWayVeg
Okay, so technically this isn’t a “restaurant,” but ask any Denver local and they’ll tell you that this one is a contender for one of the city’s best vegan restaurants. Denver may not be known for its food truck culture, but WongWayVeg could help put them on the map.
Check out their website calendar to find out where they'll be. Once you track this food truck down, indulge in their local seasonal favorites. Try the Boulder Philly made with marinated portobello mushrooms, sautéed onions, and peppers, or stop counting calories and grab their salted caramel bread pudding.
3. The Corner Beet
Looking for a hip, cozy eatery to grab a healthy bite? You may want to check out The Corner Beet. All the food selections are fresh, organic, locally sourced, and cooked in-house when possible.
However, you may have to look elsewhere if you’re looking for gourmet vegan burgers. The Corner Beet excels at serving simple foods–creatively. With 16 types of toast, salads, and acai bowls, it’s a great down-to-earth place to grab a light meal.
4. City, O’ City
Wonder where the locals go for some good eats? They head to City, O’ City in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Their late hours, creative menu, and artisan beers make this a great option for a go-to spot to meet up with friends.
From “chicken” and waffles to kimchi pancakes, this restaurant has a little bit of everything for most palates. Expect to make some friends when you eat here, though, as the dining room is communal seating only.
5. Beet Box Bakery & Café
You may want to head down to Beet Box if you’re looking for one of the best vegan restaurants Denver has to offer.
It’s not really a restaurant at all, but you’ll forgive this little fib when you try their vegan bakery creations. All baked goods are made in-house and are free of dairy and eggs.
Try out their vegan pastry menu. Pick-up a dozen vegan donuts in vanilla, apple, pumpkin, or chocolate flavors, or try one of their gluten-free muffins and scones.
If you’re not in the mood for sweets, this bakery also has a sandwich menu with mouth-watering choices like the Cremini Panini and avocado melts.
Be warned: the menus aren’t extensive, but everything on them is baked to perfection.
6. Blooming Beets Kitchen
Blooming Beets Kitchen may be a specialized dieter’s dream eatery. Ketogenic, paleo, vegan – you name it, they cater to it.
This versatility is certainly among the key reasons to add Blooming Beets Kitchen to the list of best vegan restaurants. Denver has a wide selection of vegan-friendly restaurants, and this is just one example.
Start your dinner off with an order of avocado fries served with a chive aioli or dive right into a plate of superfood tacos with fried cauliflower rice served in cassava-coconut shells. Don’t forget to order a vegan ice cream sandwich for dessert. Your stomach will thank you for it.
7. Vital Root
Vital Root features bold plant flavors in a fast-casual dining atmosphere. When you just want a relaxed meal without pretense, you may want to head on down to this eatery.
Their extensive lunch and dinner menu features favorites such as sunflower risotto and chilled miso ramen. They also have Grab and Go options and Happy Hour specials.
Keep an eye out for their special Raw Pop-Up Dinners. Hosted on the first Monday of every month, these exclusive events feature four creative courses at a moderate price.
8. Sputnik
Looking for something different for dinner? You may want to check-out Sputnik. It’s a full service bar and restaurant with a funky ambiance and free Wi-Fi. There is no parking lot, though, so you will need to plan accordingly.
Try out a zucchini dog instead of the traditional hot dog. If you want an appetizer, forgo the fries for fried Brussel sprouts tossed in garlic oil and apple cider vinegar.
If you’d rather get an early start on your day, Sputnik has you covered with a modest vegan brunch menu. Order the Stacks of Vegan Power or the Hangover Scramble to start your day off right.
This eatery is open really late too, so you can get your vegan grub up until 2 am every day of the week.
9. Root Down
Looking for a local favorite while in the LoHi neighborhood? Root Down may be the restaurant for you. Their mostly organic menu features selections that you can request to be cooked vegan.
Keep in mind that this is not exclusively a vegan restaurant. However, they do cater to vegan and gluten-free diets, so many of their dishes can be converted to your special tastes.
Order the vegan Summer Risotto with stone fruit succotash and baby greens or go light with an artichokes and green chickpeas salad. It is served with roasted garlic hummus and quinoa crackers.
Root Down makes a great option if you have a party with multiple dietary needs. What’s more, they are open for brunch as well as lunch and dinner.
10. Jerusalem Restaurant
It’s important to point out that Jerusalem Restaurant is not a vegan restaurant. However, this family-owned Mediterranean eatery has a variety of vegetarian options that vegans will be happy to eat. Add to that the close proximity to the University of Denver’s campus and this may be among the best vegan restaurants Denver has to offer.
Order traditional favorites like falafel, hummus, and baba ghanouj or pick up some tabbouleh or stuffed grape leaves. The menu specifies “vegetarian” or “vegan” so there’s no confusion when you order.
Jerusalem Restaurant also serves meat favorites for your carnivore friends. Stop by any time because this eatery is open until 4 am every day of the week.
Final Thought
If you are a vegan in Denver, you have a variety of dining options. You don’t have to settle for a boring salad or cook at home again.
Get out and try some of the city’s best vegan restaurants. Denver has many options to choose from. Whether you crave vegan pastry or healthy bar food, you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect place for your palate.
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