Eating meat-free hasn’t always been easy, but in Asheville, it’s a piece of (vegan) cake.

Our local food scene is as vibrant as ever, so it’s no surprise there are a slew of local chefs serving up fresh, vegetarian bites across town. From vegetarian barbecue to scrumptious vegan burgers, here are 20+ restaurants serving up meat-free fare in the 828.

100% vegan fare

Choclo AVL, Various locations
Keep up with the pop-up to find plant-based Peruvian delights like tamales, papa rellena, and picarones.

Plant, 165 Merrimon Ave.
Don't miss this sophisticated fine dining vegan spot. The menu typically varies by season, but some items we always order are the Crispy Mushroom Mole, Pecan Crusted Tempeh, and the Peanut Butter Cheesecake for dessert.

Pulp + Sprout Juice Bar + Vegan Café, 233 S. Liberty St.
This café is teeming with colorful menu choices — like the Goji Apparatus smoothie bowl with goji berries, strawberries, blueberries, and banana slices, and the Up-Beet Salad with lettuce, roasted beets, cucumber, avocado, and cashew ricotta. Pro tip: Ask about the rotating selection of vegan cheesecakes and pies.

Romeo's Vegan Burgers, 640 Merrimon Ave., Ste. 203
Even vegan foodies crave a burger from time to time, and you can get one (or a chicken sandwich or hot dog) with all the fixings here.

Mean Mandy's Food Truck, Various locations
The food truck's ever-changing menu will take you all over the map, offering 100% plant-based dishes like a mock bánh mì to beer-braised jackfruit tacos.

The Royall Vegan, 25 Fletcher Commercial Dr.
This truck's home base is at Fletcher's Village Food Truck Park, but you can dine on its ever-changing menu on the road as well. Expect hearty fare like pulled "pork" sandwiches, a plant-based McRib, and an "oxtail tip" plate.

The tater tots at Romeo's are a must-order for us. | Photo by AVLtoday

Sweets and such

Dough House, 601 W. State St., Ste. 3, Black Mountain
This made-to-order vegan donut shop is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Pro tip: Try the Boston Cream Filled and the Chocolate Espresso.

The Hop Ice Cream, Various locations
The local favorite is always reliable for finding plant-based treats to indulge in. Inventive vegan flavors are always on the menu, now made with a creamy, dreamy pea protein base. Bonus: There are also plenty of plant-based toppings to choose from.

Back Porch Baking Co., Various locations
You can find these scrumptious, flaky baked goods at cafes and coffee shops around Asheville, including Pollen, Rowan, and Cooperative Coffee Shop. Don't sleep on the pop tarts.

Vortex Doughnuts, 32 Banks Ave., Ste. 106
The South Slope doughnut shop is known for its fluffy, vegan yeast doughnuts — and you won't have to wait much longer to get them. Vortex has been closed since Helene, but plans to reopen in February.

New Moon Donuts, 1461 Sand Hill Rd., Candler
The old-fashioned cake donuts come in fun flavors like coconut ube, Biscoff cookie, and apple cider.

The brunch bunch

The Smokin' Onion, 697 Haywood Rd., Ste. E
Visit the Haywood Road brick-and-mortar location for a menu full of breakfast + lunch options. Its truck is still rolling around town as well — track it down so you can enjoy vegan nachos smothered with cashew queso.

Green Sage Café, Various locations
Green Sage caters to a multitude of dietary requirements with its menu of juices, smoothies, fresh pastries, pancakes, biscuits, salads, grain bowls, sandwiches, and tacos.

Simple Café & Juice Bar, 643 Haywood Rd.
Take our advice: Order the Carrot Cake smoothie and the vegetarian Breakfast Crunch Wrap Supreme. Also, be sure to browse the fresh-baked pastry selection.

Bridge & Tunnel Coffee Co., 10 Fernihurst Dr.
Located inside A-B Tech's Coman building, everything at this cafe is vegetarian and can be made vegan. Try a breakfast burrito with tofu scramble and coconut bacon or a chickpea cutlet sandwich on Hominy Farms' vegan bread.

Smokin' Onion serves up vegan food with flair. | Photo by AVLtoday

International veggie cuisine

Addissae Ethiopian Restaurant, 48 Commerce St.
The downtown spot offers a vegan menu with nine delicious options. We especially love the Gomen with collard greens cooked in onion, garlic, and ginger.

Baba Nahm, 60 Biltmore Ave.
Baba Nahm's crispy falafels are what dreams are made of. Plus, try the seared halloumi and an order of the artichoke Dolma with lemon tahini.

Gypsy Queen Cuisine, 807 Patton Ave.
From falafel to vegan Lebanese poutine to "not lamb" shawarma wraps, there are plenty of mouthwatering options on the menu.

La Rumba, 105 River Hills Rd., Ste. C
The Latin American spot has a dedicated vegan + vegetarian menu full of flavorsome entrees. For the indecisive, there's the Chef Mike Sampler with mixed vegetables tostada, vegan chorizo street taco, fried yucca, platanos maduros, and curtido slaw.

Nine Mile, Various locations
A number of the restaurant's Caribbean-inspired dishes can be made vegetarian by swapping the protein for jerk tofu, but many dishes can be made vegan as well.

Warm + hearty

Rosetta's Kitchen, 68 N. Lexington Ave.
You can't go wrong with the classic Family Favorite, with peanut butter baked tofu, smashed potatoes with gravy, and sauteed kale. You can also help the local favorite make sure that everybody eats.

Black Bear BBQ, 800 Fairview Rd., Ste. C8
Two words — vegan barbecue. The East Asheville joint offers veg-e-que with the options of pulled Jackfruit or faux barbecue chicken.

White Labs Brewing Co., 172 S. Charlotte St.
The brewery's piping hot pizzas can be made with vegan cheese and plant-based Italian sausage. Bonus: They also have gluten-free crusts available.

Cooperative Coffee Shop, 210 Haywood Rd.
The shop recently added vegan egg and cheese biscuit sandwiches to its menu, pairing perfectly with an oat milk latte.

Cheese board made with Dare Vegan Cheese. | Photo by @vexkitchen

Plant-based ingredients

Chef something up at home with these locally made vegan products.

Darë Vegan Cheese
Indulge in creamy dips and spreads, cheese wedges, and even vegan + gluten-free cheesecake.

White Squirrel Kitchens
Hit up the RAD Farmers Market for small-batch plant-based brie, Gouda, and Camembert.

Everydate
The chocolatiers craft rich, organic treats made with ceremonial grade cacao and without refined sugar.

WadadliDessertOasis
The RAD Farmers Market and North AVL Tailgate Market vendor is bringing tropical flavors to the mountains with vegan desserts and plant-based patties.

Pro tip: If you're looking for more vegan dishes to try from local restaurants, be sure to follow @ashevileveganvibez on IG for some stellar recs.

Did we miss one of your favorite vegan joints? Let us know so we can add it to this guide.