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

Our local food scene is as vibrant as ever, so it’s no surprise there are a variety of local chefs serving up fresh, vegetarian and vegan bites across town. From juicy meatless burgers to scrumptious vegan desserts, here are 30+ restaurants serving up meat-free fare in Oak City.

100% vegetarian/vegan eats

Pure Vegan Cafe, 8369 Creedmoor Rd. | This juicery and eatery is 100% vegan. Try this: The breakfast burger topped with vegan egg, bacon, and gouda.

The Fiction Kitchen, 2409 Crabtree Blvd., Ste. 100 | This 100% vegetarian kitchen has everything from eastern NC-style barbecue to imitation chicken + waffles.

The Dirty V, coming soon to Raleigh | This all-vegan noshery is coming home to Oak City after a stint in Apex with a daring plant-based menu — plus, it's owned by the same folks as Element Gastropub.

Element Gastropub, 421 Fayetteville St., Ste. 103 | Enjoy vegan fare like the Nojangles chik'n tenders and faux barbecue nachos.

Marian, 301 Glenwood Ave., Ste. 103 | Don’t let Marian's all-vegan menu fool you — the bites are just as good without animal products. We’re eyeing the caviar service.

Soul Cocina, fodo truck | This Latin-inspired eatery serves plant-based food at farmers markets around the Triangle.

Soul's Kitchen, food truck | Next time we see this food truck, we're getting an oyster shroom po' boy and some barbecue-topped smack + mac.

The brunch bunch

Cinnaholic, 1028 Oberlin Rd., Ste. 236 | Start your day with sweets. This vegan bakery whips up dairy-, lactose-, and egg-free cinnamon rolls with creative toppings.

Good Day Good Night, 603 W. Morgan St. | Order something yummy from the plant-forward menu. Try this: Berry parfait, sourdough French toast + Larry's Adults Only latte.

Irregardless Cafe, 901 W. Morgan St. | This cafe has been serving plant-forward bites + live music since 1975, and we can't get enough of dishes like the mushroom vadouvan.

Simply Crepes, 8470 Honeycutt Rd., Ste. 110 | A fresh goat cheese + arugula crepe and a mimosa flight sounds like the perfect start to the weekend.

Coffee shops + juice bars

Cold off the Press, 416 W. South St. | This organic, plant-driven kitchen serves cold-pressed juices.

Juicekeys, multiple locations | This juice bar specializes in unique smoothies, power bowls, cold-pressed juices, and health-filled foods.Try this: Blueberry Bliss power bowl + chocolate chia pudding.

Little Native, 426 S. Person St. | This intimate coffee shop serves bites from bakery Crummy Hunters that are completely vegan and gluten free.

Lucky Tree, 3801 Hillsborough St. | While munching on a vegan baked good, enjoy local live music and organic coffee.

Purr Cup Cafe, 210 Prospect Ave. | The only thing better than visiting with the cats at this cafe is the 100% vegan coffee + bites.

Raleigh Raw, 7 W. Hargett St. | Grab a juice, smoothie, or toast from this downtown cafe.

Sosta Cafe, 130 E. Davie St. | This spot serves multiple vegan and vegetarian sandwiches with homemade vegan sides.

Casual eating

Anise Pho, 222 Glenwood Ave. | This Vietnamese restaurant serves vegetarian- and vegan-friendly dishes like banh mis and pho.

Berkeley Cafe, 428 S. Dawson St. | Not feeling picky? Order the veggie Shut Up and Eat It burger and the kitchen will whip up something tasty + vegetarian for you.

Bul Box, multiple Raleigh locations | Create your own vegan or vegetarian bowl with Asian-inspired flavors.

Burger Village, 510 Glenwood Ave., Ste. 103 | With six vegan + vegetarian sandwich options, vegans and vegetarians can enjoy a variety of plant-based flavors.

Diced, multiple locations | Athlete Michelle Woodward started this healthy eatery right here in Raleigh with top-notch ingredients + tasty ingredient combos.

Gringo A Go Go, 100 N. Person St. | This Mexican restaurant has plenty of options like vegetarian empanadas and vegan tacos filled with nopales or faux meat options.

Happy + Hale, multiple locations | This local spot is our go-to for salads, smoothies, bowls, and more. Try this: Beyond bulgogi bowl filled with vegan Korean barbecue meatballs, jasmine rice, veggies, and yum yum sauce.

Mustang House, 411 Fayetteville St., Ste. 109 | This Nepalese + Indian spot has a variety of veggie-based dishes, including dal, saag paneer, and aloo gobi.

Neomonde Mediterranean, 3817 Beryl Rd. | This family-owned restaurant has been serving Lebanese + Mediterranean cuisine with a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan options since 1977.

A Place at the Table, 300 W. Hargett St., Ste. 50 | Order vegan + vegetarian options regardless of your means.

Sassool, multiple locations | This local spot specializes in homemade Lebanese-Mediterranean cuisine. Try this: Zaatar pizzette + fava bean salad.

Side Street Restaurant, 225 N. Bloodworth St. | This historic eatery has plenty of fun veggie sandwiches, like the hummus-stuffed Humdinger, Vance's Mushroom Desire, the Cheese Delight, and Betsy Buford's Equal Time.

Village Deli and Grill, multiple Raleigh locations | It's easy to grab a quick vegetarian bite at this local cafe. Try this: The homemade bean burger.

Date night

Ajja, 209 Bickett Blvd. | This James Beard-recognized restaurant has a Mediterranean menu with veggie picks including king trumpet mushrooms, vegetarian spreads, and fresh salads + veg.

Bella Monica, 3121 Edwards Mill Rd. | Enjoy Italian flavors, sans meat and dairy, with a whole vegan menu.

Bida Manda, 222 S. Blount St. | This Loatian restaurant and bar is located near Moore Square. Try this: Basil stir fry with tofu.

Brewery Bhavana, 218 S. Blount St. | Certain menu items like the General Tso chicken and the pork mapo tofu can be made vegan upon request.

Lime & Lemon Indian Grill & Bar, 105 Friendly Dr., Ste. 101 | Dine on vegetarian curry, appetizers, and more.

Sitti, 137 S. Wilmington St. | This local restaurant serves Lebanese cuisine. Try this: Falafel with vegetables and the vegetarian tasting plate.

Sushi O Bistro, 222 Glenwood Ave. | Try creative sushi like the Bunny Roll, Zen Roll + Veggie Dynamite Roll.
Tamasha Modern Indian, 4200 Six Forks Rd., Ste. 130 | Named one of the most beautiful restaurants in the US, this progressive Indian restaurant is stocked with vegan and vegetarian eats.

Tazza Kitchen, 432 Woodburn Rd. | Located in the Village District, this restaurant uses wood-fired cooking. Try this: Brick oven Brussels sprouts + roasted spaghetti squash.

Chef it up at home

Check out our favorite tips and tricks for serving veggie-focused fare from your own kitchen:

To make zucchini, carrot, or beet noodles, try a veggie spiralizer that magically turns vegetables into noodles.
A tofu press draws out water and can help tofu firm and crisp up once you cook it — the one linked here is dishwasher safe + works in twenty minutes.
If your least favorite part about veggie prep is chopping, this all-in-one vegetable chopper can minimize prep time.
Use a sprouting jar kit to grow microgreens and sprouted beans at home.
For the ultimate veggie food prep, this glass storage container set keeps lunches and leftovers organized.
Need some good recipes? Browse cookbooks “Inspiralized: Turn Vegetables into Healthy, Creative, Satisfying Meals” for veggie spiral recipes, “The Blue Zones Kitchen: 100 Recipes to Live to 100” for plant-based ideas, or “The Complete Plant-Based Cookbook” from America’s Test Kitchen.