Louisville’s vegan restaurant scene is heating up.
With an array of health benefits and other politically-motivated reasons to skip the meat and dairy, it’s easy to see why veganism has gained popularity. (Not to mention the love of our animals friends!)
Luckily, Louisvillians have plenty of great options when it comes to vegan food. Check out these pop-ups and restaurants that are either totally vegan or have enough good options to satisfy.
And if we missed your favorite spot? Let us know! We’re always on the hunt for more of the best vegan restaurants in Louisville.
Cosmic Bird
619 Baxter Ave.
A trained chef with 20 years of experience, James Morier opened Cosmic Bird with high hopes that his plant-based chk’n sandwiches and upcoming vegan sushi Sundays will be a game changer for the Louisville food scene. Come summer, Morier and his dedicated General Manager Sabrina Felts plan to have the back patio open for business and filled with live music and a space for growing mushrooms. Cosmic Bird via InstagramShahar Cafe Pop-ups
Various Locations
Patrons were devestated when Shahar Cafe closed its doors in 2023, but we’re happy to report that they’re still absolutely crushing it in the pop-up scene. They’ve recently brought their Midwestern and Southern-style vegan flavors to spots like Canary Club and The Merryweather. Try the burger stacked with Impossible meat, Follow Your Heart cheddar-style slices, fresh avocado, and house-made pic de gallo on a slightly toasted brioche bun, with a side of loaded fries or tots, and pair it with Canary Club’s menu of artisanal brunchy cocktails. Shahar Cafe via InstagramNaive Kitchen + Bar
1001 E. Washington St.
In 2022, Naive won Best Butchertown Restaurant and third place in the Best Vegetarian Restaurant category in LEO’s Readers’ Choice Awards. The chic eatery’s menus include a plethora of vegan options including butternut squash bruschetta, kohlrabi curry, pumpkin orecchiette, and avocado toast. Naive Kitchen + Bar via InstagramHeart & Soy
1216 Bardstown R.
We might be cheating a little with this entry because Heart and Soy and the next restaurant in our slideshow, Roots, are technically two restaurants in the same space. Heart and Soy is more casual and navigates most of the carry-out orders, serving Pan-Asian dishes like spring rolls, Singapore noodles, pad Thai, Vietnamese rice noodle salad, and a lot more. Robin GarrRoots
1216 Bardstown Rd.
Next to its sister restaurant, Heart and Soy, Roots serves upscale vegetarian dishes, many of which can be made vegan. Roots via FacebookHalf Peach Bakery
170 Sears Ave. (facing the parking lot in the back of the building)
Inspired by the peach as a symbol of Chinese culture, Chef Sue Zhao, brings her experience with Chinese cuisines and Southern American food traditions to this vegan bakery and cafe in St. Matthews. Look for Half Peach goods at Rainbow Blossom locations. Half Peach Bakery via InstagramRamsi’s Cafe on the World
1293 Bardstown Rd.
Ramsi’s Cafe on the World offers dishes from all around the world, and, wouldn’t you know it, a lot of the world eats vegetarian or vegan. The hip all-lowercase menu includes peanut ginger noodles, a sari wrap, banh mi, and kusheri (also known as “egyptian kitchen”), a dish you literally cannot get anywhere else in town. Ramsi'sVietnam Kitchen
5339 Mitscher Ave.
Fans of Vietnam Kitchen had been worried that the restaurant might close permanently when the original owner Alex Lam retired, but now, his son Phillip is keeping the business alive and thriving. There are 25 vegetarian dishes on the menu and an assortment of vegan options as well. LEO food critic Robin Garr especially loves the Banh Xeo crepe (an egg-free omelet) and vegetarian fried tofu egg rolls. Robin GarrSpinelli’s Pizzeria
614 Baxter Ave. and 4001 Shelbyville RD.
This punk-music-club-themed pizzeria has two locations in Louisville that are open until 5 a.m. seven days a week. Come for the non-diary cheese vegan knots or the vegan sausage sandwich with peppers and onions. Stay for design flourishes like the booth made of a vintage Lincoln Continental with suicide doors. Spinnelli'sSoul Hi Vegan
Follow on Facebook for Pop-up Locations
Black-owned Soul Hi offers Jamaican-inspired soul food potato bowls, smoothie bowls, and desserts at pop-ups all over Louisville, from Germantown to J-Town. They also offer vegan meal preps and catering services. Soul HiParis Bánh Mì Cafe and Bakery
1237 Bardstown Rd.
Paris Banh Mi (it rhymes if you pronounce “Paris” in the French way) serve boba tea with a broad spectrum of options for tea type, fruit variety, boba style, sweetness level, and even ice volume — and they make all of their boba tea with almond milk. Boba tea is traditionally made with dairy milk, but at this clean and cozy spot in the Highlands, vegans and lactose sensitive customers have a menu full of possibilities. Paris Bánh MìIn Season Harvest Kitchen
324 W Main St.
Nearly everything at this salad and healthy harvest shop can be made vegan aside from the jollof rice, and, of course, protein options. In Season Harvest KitchenPizza Lupo’s Neapolitan
1540 Frankfort Ave.The Neapolitan Classic Pizza comes with San Marzano tomatoes, basil, oregano, olive oil & sea salt. Pizza LupoEl Mundo Vegan Queso
1540 Frankfort Ave.Vegan queso? Oh yeah. It exists. Enjoy the vegetable-based, soy-free, gluten-free, nut-free vegan cheese dip with tomato, chipotle & green chiles. You can even add vegan chorizo! El MundoPaseo
900 Baxter Ave.Paseo, located inside Myriad Hotel, can make plenty of their menu items vegan by request. The Paella can be made Vegan with the subtraction of the Berbere Aioli, featuring bomba rice, saffron broth, seasonal veggies and sofrito. The Hummus Brulee is also vegan and has quickly become a fan favorite. Wetland VenturesDairy Del & Dairy Kastle
Dairy Del has been open since 1951 and you’ll find its old school charm is still fully intact. Customize any option with their vegan almond milk soft serve ice cream. Dairy Kastle has vegan options as well!
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