You’d be forgiven if you thought Nashville was all about fried chicken joints, steakhouses, and BBQ restaurants. On the contrary, veggie eaters will encounter a vast array of vegan restaurants that offer exemplary menus filled with plant-based dishes.
Whether you’re craving veggie burgers, gluten-free desserts, or need to find meals with all-natural ingredients, Nashville has a hot food scene that includes options for non-meat eaters.
If you want to try as many vegan restaurants as possible, don’t forget to store your extra luggage in Nashville before you get started. You don’t want to be hauling heavy bags on a full stomach.
Here are eight of Nashville’s best vegan restaurants for dedicated vegans or those first trying a plant-based diet.
The Southern V
Although the American South is better known for deep-fried, greasy delights, The Southern V transforms the way you’ll perceive Southern cooking. Their plant-based, Southern-style menu serves typical favorites like Nashville hot chicken but has an interesting twist for vegans.
Everything in the eatery is whipped up from scratch and made entirely from plants. Enjoy lip-smacking treats like the Rodeo Burger, Cliff Burger, BBQ Jackfruit Sammich, and Chick’n Strips without giving up an ounce of flavor.
Many dishes are prepared from tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soy, while gluten-free items are labeled on the menu.
AVO
AVO was one of the first eateries in Nashville to cater to vegans and vegetarians. The restaurant is 100% plant-based, Kosher certified, and gluten-free, using only top-notch ingredients.
Scrumptious dishes include Kimchi Spring Rolls, Wild Nashville Salad, and filling Pad Thai. Don’t leave without trying a delicious sweet from the dessert menu, like the Cherry Chocolate Cheesecake or Chocolate Avocado Tart.
In addition to the well-balanced menu, AVO offers customers an online marketplace that sells all sorts of healthy treats. Stock your fridge and pantry with cheeses, dressings, legumes, and other nutritious items in their constantly evolving grocery store.
Grins Vegetarian Café
Grins Vegetarian Café is a popular lunchtime spot for health-conscious students and faculty of Vanderbilt University. The on-campus eatery serves wraps, salads, sandwiches, and pastries made with vegetarian-friendly ingredients.
Early-risers can indulge in breakfast items like strawberry & yogurt parfait, breakfast tacos, and Nutella paninis. The café offers specialty items for lunch such as vegan mac & cheese, Nashville hot tofu, and black bean & sweet corn tacos.
Menu items are 100% Kosher certified and daily specials feature healthy plates like Szechwan Noodles and Indian Veggie Curry.
The Wild Cow
The Wild Cow is a staple in the Nashville veggie scene, and the restaurant has been going strong for over 10 years. The eatery serves 100% vegan dishes in a low-key environment that welcomes residents with a variety of taste interests.
The restaurant’s move to the vibrant Five Points neighborhood in East Nashville only strengthened its solid reputation among Nashville vegans and vegetarians. They use ingredients sourced from local farmers and make many items from scratch.
Wild Cow’s extensive menu includes appetizers, salads, tacos, wraps, and entrée bowls. Stop by the bar for a wide range of wines, beers, ciders, and cocktails to pair with your healthy meal.
Feed the whole family with their catering menu and pick an item from the kids’ menu for the youngsters. The staff is active within the community and hosts frequent workshops with expert hosts to teach others about the benefits of healthy habits.
Sunflower Cafe
Sunflower Café has built a superb reputation amongst Nashville residents for their nourishing vegan food with incredible flavor. The family-owned restaurant’s signatures are veggie burgers and vegan barbecue, but you’ll find an extensive selection of gluten-free and soy-free menu items.
Their dedicated staff promotes the health benefits of a well-balanced diet and organic, locally-sourced ingredients are used to craft each dish. The plant-based menu is one of the biggest in town, serving burgers, wraps, salads, and combination bowls.
Make sure to check out the daily chef specials for an a la carte menu that includes veggie burgers, entrée salads, and the day’s special. Customers with a sweet tooth can visit their sister restaurant, Sunflower Bakehouse, for lots of gluten-free treats.
Graze Nashville
Graze is a laid-back bistro and bar that welcomes vegans with all sorts of taste preferences. Whether you drop in for dinner, brunch, or a few drinks with friends, the eatery has you covered with a menu full of healthy items.
Popular menu items include the ChoriQueso, Szechuan Brussels, Green Chile Burrito, and Mock Tuna Melt. The restaurant satisfies dessert lovers with tempting sweets like blueberry muffins, chocolate cake, and brownie sundaes.
Daily specials include delectable treats like spicy garlic buffalo wings, Caribbean-pineapple black bean soup, and pumpkin pie cheesecake. Quench your thirst at the bar with refreshing beverages that include Blueberry Mules, Blood Orange Mezcal Margaritas, glasses of wine, or draft beer.
If you’re hosting a large party, Graze offers a catering menu to feed every hungry member of your group.
Vegan Vee Gluten-Free Bakery
Vegans with a sweet tooth will step foot into culinary paradise at Vegan Vee. The bakery sells a plethora of vegan and gluten-free sweets that include muffins, brownies, cupcakes, and donuts.
The staff only uses natural and GMO-free ingredients in their recipes, and most baking products used are organic. Whenever you make an order from Vegan Vee, you’re guaranteed a fresh batch made from scratch with no artificial flavors or preservatives.
Some of the featured items that are a hit with locals include the chocolate chip muffins, snickerdoodle muffins, and XL brownies.
I Dream of Weenie
A whimsical addition to the Nashville veggie scene, I Dream of Weenie is a hot dog stand that offers some of the tastiest plant-based wieners in town. The walk-up window is literally an old Volkswagen bus, and the cooks whip up seasonal tofu dogs with a variety of toppings.
Some of the staff’s creations include the Dill Weenie, Rebel Yelp, Slaw Weenie, Pimento Cheese Weenie, and Hot Southern Mess. You can even stop by for the Sunday weenie brunch that includes quirky breakfast items like the French Toast Weenie and Triple B.
The weenie stand has become a Nashville sensation, and patrons can pick out merchandise designed with the corky logo or Volkswagen.
Sources:
The sources for this piece were the websites of each restaurant. They are linked within the text.
