Seattle is undoubtedly one of the best cities in North America to find vegan food. From burgers to ice cream and cupcakes to cocktails, you’ll find a wealth of plant-based options in this Pacific Northwest city. You may visit for the music and culture, but you’ll find you want to stay for the vibrant food and bar scene. So pack your bags, book a ticket and enjoy a long weekend of indulgent dining with my guide to the best vegan restaurants in Seattle.
No Bones Beach Club
A new favourite that I discovered on my last visit to Seattle, No Bones Beach Club is exactly as it sounds. The atmosphere is casual and beachy, and the menu is vegan comfort food at its best. Think beer-battered tacos and macaroni & cheese balls. You can also find salads etc. but let’s be honest, you’re most likely going here for the comfort food. If that isn’t enough to convince you, they also make a killer Mojito. Recommended.
Kati Vegan Thai
There are several plant-based Thai restaurants in Seattle, but in my opinion, Kati Vegan Thai is the best. The atmosphere is delightful, with an airy and well-designed restaurant not far from Seattle’s Capitol Hill. Kati offers both a lunchtime buffet and a full-service evening menu alongside cocktails. I tried the evening menu and really enjoyed it, although beware of the spiciness of some dishes! My favourite item on the menu? Their house-made potstickers (although I hear the garlic jackfruit is incredible too).
Plum Bistro
If you’re going to try only one vegan restaurant in Seattle, make it Plum Bistro. Offering truly innovative and delicious dishes such as Black Truffle Gnocchi and Tempeh Vermouth, you’d be hard pushed to find a plant-based menu that would impress more. Be warned, it comes with a slightly steeper price tag, but the food is worth the indulgence. If their dinner prices are a little high for you, try their more cost-effective lunch menu instead. Or try Plum Chopped, their sister salad bar, below.
Plum Chopped
If the prices of Plum Bistro make your eyes water, head to Plum Chopped. Just next door to its sister restaurant, this eatery offers fresh, delicious salads paid by weight. You can pick from their menu or build your own, choosing delights such as Coriander-Rubbed Strami Tofu, Southern Spicy Pecans or fresh tangerines. Value for money combined with high-quality ingredients and the imagination of Plum Bistro makes Plum Chopped a winner.
Frankie & Jo’s
I love Frankie & Jo’s. Possibly my favourite place on this list for their ridiculously indulgent flavours, it’s a completely vegan ice cream parlour that offers delights such as Jamocha Chaga Fudge, Salty Caramel Ash and Gingerbread Golden Milk. They even have a flavour that’s only sweetened with dates, which is reason enough to go there in my opinion! The decor is also GORGEOUS, with dusty pink, brass and concrete tones throughout. Just go, you won’t regret it.
Chaco Canyon
Chaco Canyon is a sweet little spot in Seattle that started life as a juice bar and cafe. Now, it’s expanded – both in terms of menu offerings and locations (there are three branches around Seattle). Offering delicious organic meals, juices and sweet treats, you can be sure of finding nutritious, healthy meals here. Favourite menu items include their Artichoke Melt, Tempeh Reuben and Hippie Bowl. Portions are well-sized and the atmosphere is casual.
Ada’s Technical Books & Cafe
Not a restaurant as such, Ada’s Technical Books & Cafe is what it says: a technical bookshop with a cafe attached. Aside from anything else, the books here are fantastic – think volumes all about the science of sex, and zen in martial arts. It’s the perfect place to curl up with a book or two and read for hours, and they also happen to have a vegetarian cafe. With plenty of vegan options, you’ll find breakfast scrambles, tacos and salads, as well as excellent tea and coffee.
Veggie Grill
If you live in the US, you’ll probably have come across Veggie Grill already. It’s a chain restaurant with branches from California to New York. The food isn’t particularly glamorous, but it’s really affordable and they have a great range of offerings from burgers to healthy buddha bowls. I always breathe a sigh of relief when I find a Veggie Grill in a city I’m visiting, because I know if all else fails I’ll be able to get a good, nutritious vegan meal!
Life on Mars
And last but definitely not least, Life on Mars (which was newly opened in 2019) is a real gem in Seattle. A fully vegan bar with some outstanding cocktails complementing a menu of delicious comfort food, service is excellent and the atmosphere is welcoming but cool. It’s a real place of community, with a daily vinyl happy hour where you can pick your favourite records to be played throughout the bar. Go for the music, the drinks or the food – or all three! Highly recommended on the food menu are the Disco Fries and Market Board. (Word is, they’ll also be launching a dessert menu pretty soon!)
Text & Photography: Elizabeth Emery. Check out her blog here: Vancouver with Love.
