Your Comprehensive Guide To The Best Vegan/Vegetarian Food In Nashville
When it comes to Nashville’s food scene, the Southern staples that the city is most known for (think hot chicken or meat and three) might not exactly be vegetarian friendly. But this does not mean that those on vegan and vegetarian diets are destined for disappointing dry salads; in fact, Nashville contains a plethora of vegan/vegetarian-friendly restaurants serving a myriad of cuisines. Read on for a guide to the best plant-based (and plant-friendly) restaurants offering dishes that are just as inventive, filling, and satisfying as any meat-based meal.
Strictly Vegetarian
A few of the best restaurants in town offering exclusively vegetarian and vegan fare.
1. The Wild Cow
Restaurant, Vegan, Vegetarian, American
Sunflower Cafe
2. AVO
AVO
Not only is every single item on the menu at AVO — a relentlessly hip and relatively new player in the Nashville vegetarian food scene — vegan, but many of its menu offerings are also raw, meaning that they are not heated above 118 degrees. Unlike The Wild Cow and Sunflower, AVO is a bit more upscale, and its small menu may not satisfy diehard meat-eaters, but in terms of inventiveness and dedication to using only the freshest and most sustainable ingredients possible, it is certainly worth a visit. Particular standouts are the zucchini pasta verde and the AVO Margarita (which is made with avocado — and, yes, is way better than it sounds).
3. Woodlands
Restaurant, Indian, Vegetarian
4. Graze
Graze
Around the corner from The Wild Cow — and founded by Wild Cow owners Melanie and John Cochran — sits Graze, one of the newest plant-based eateries to hurtle its way onto the Nashville vegetarian food scene. While it has been open for only a handful of months, Graze has already attained an impressive reputation among locals for its wide range of vegan goods: from breakfast to small plates to lunch, dinner, and even drinks, Graze offers an elevated-but-still-casual (not to mention delicious) take on plant-based eating. Try the Seitan Bahn Mi or the Hot Tempeh for a vegan spin on your favorite sandwich, or, if you’re feeling particularly indulgent, try the Mac & Chorizo — a dish Nashville Scene recently voted the ‘best vegan junk food‘ in Nashville.
Graze, 1888 Eastland Ave, Nashville, TN, USA, +1 615 686 1060
https://instagram.com/p/BKYY98XgTm1/?taken-by=grazenashville
Vegan/Vegetarian Friendly
While not entirely vegetarian, these restaurants offer a wide array of standout plant-based options.
5. Jamaicaway
Market, Restaurant
Jamaicaway
Jamaicaway has cultivated a robust local following among both omnivores and vegetarians for its fantastically authentic Jamaican cuisine (in fact, Nashville Scene recently named the joint ‘the best place to be a vegetarian dining with meat-eaters). Meat-eaters will love the jerk chicken, oxtail stew, and curried goat; vegetarians will be similarly pleased by the substantially sized vegetarian section of the menu, which in addition to numerous vegetarian twists on classic Jamaican dishes, also includes two vegan dishes, including a curried tofu dish so good that even picky omnivores won’t miss the meat. And be sure not to pass over the extras on the menu, as their sides (especially the fried plantains), beverages, and desserts are also standouts.
Jamaicaway Restaurant at Midtown, 1812 Hayes St, Nashville, TN, USA, +1 615 678 4031 or 900 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN, USA, +1 615 255 5920 (in the Nashville Farmer’s Market)
6. Calypso Cafe
Cafe
Calypso Cafe
Known for its menu of delicious, healthy, and hearty Cuban-inspired meals, Calypso Cafe is one of the best options in town for good-for-you food that won’t wreak havoc on your budget. Each of the cafe’s three Nashville locations boasts a relaxed, no-frills atmosphere in addition to menu offerings adaptable to nearly every diet. While meat-eaters will likely be fond of the fantastic rotisserie chicken, plant-based eaters will be equally delighted by offerings such as the veggie burger, Cuban black beans, and the bioja muffins (think sweet, coconut-topped corn bread). Oh, and be sure to try the fruit tea, because this joint offers one of the best renditions of this Southern staple in town.
Calypso Cafe, 3307 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN, USA, +1 615 321 3878
7. PM
Restaurant, Asian, Fusion, Vegetarian
Honorable Mentions
The following restaurants offer vegetarian/vegan spins on classic meat dishes that are, perhaps, even better (or at least just as good) as the original.
Veggie Burgers
The falafel burgers and the black bean burgers at The Pharmacy; the Marathon and Troyathalon burgers at Burger Up; and the veggie burger at Fido.
Tacos
The sweet potato at quinoa tacos at Mas Tacos Por Favor; the veggie taco at Taqueria del Sol; and the vegetarian jerk tacos at Taco Mamacita.
Pizza
Both Mellow Mushroom and Two Boots offer fantastic vegan pizza options.
Hot Dogs
Even hot dogs can be made vegetarian-friendly! I Dream of Weenie, in East Nashville, serves up one of the best veggie hot dogs you can find.
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