Eating meat-free hasn’t always been easy, but in Columbia, 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 tacos, here are 31 restaurants serving up meat-free fare in Columbia.

🌱 100% vegetarian/vegan eats

A Peace of Soul Vegan Kitchen, 2338 Main St. | A Peace of Soul is all vegan with a rotating daily menu that features vegan variations of traditional Southern favorites. The new patio just opened so you can order online, pick up your lunch, and dine in.

Clean Eatz Cafe, 5550 Forest Dr. | Sign up for the vegetarian meal plans or stop in for a build-your-own-bowl or one of the burgerz.

The Hoot, 2910 Rosewood Dr. | If you miss The Whig's Veg-fil-A, you'll find it on the menu along with the Philly Sando + the Hoot Sandwich with tofu.

More Vegan Cafe, 4622 N. Main St. | This all-vegan spot has recreated vegan versions of classic dishes like its Phish and chips, Carrot Dog, Seafood Lasagna with Phish, Fried Sushi Tempura, and Walnut Spaghetti.

Tasty As Fit, 3001 Millwood Ave. | Tasty As Fit is a grab-n-go, vegetarian, and gluten-free retail storefront with rotating seasonal menus featuring grain bowls, fresh salads, loaded wraps, thick smoothies, and decadent desserts, showcasing the deliciousness of vegetarian food.

The Reizod Vegan Experience, 9300 Two Notch Rd. | This restaurant is well known for its local vegan dishes, but that's not all. Sign up for one of the vegan cooking classes and learn to cook like a pro.

Try the sweet potato burger and fries from Good Life Cafe. | Photo by City Social Co

🍕 Casual eating

Cocobowlz, 2015 Devine St.| All its smoothie bowl bases, including acai, pitaya, mango, cacao, and coconut, are dairy-free, vegan, and made without added sugar. It offers various dairy-free toppings (excluding caramel and Nutella) and a plant protein option.

Crave Cafe & Market, 2843 Millwood Ave. | Try the Longleaf Street Vegetarian on grilled Turano bread or the Meadow Street vegan filled with locally grown veggies like City Root's arugula microgreens.

Duke's Pad Thai, 904 Knox Abbott Dr. | Duke's features a full vegan menu that includes noodle and rice dishes, tofu nuggets, and veggie spring rolls.

Good Life Cafe, 1216 Taylor St. | From pizza, sandwiches, and a wide variety of salads, Good Life Cafe offers an abundance of vegetarian options.

Pitas, 1800 Taylor St. | From the vegetarian grape leaves to the veggie wrap, Pita's is a great spot to grab a veggie lunch.

Publico, 2013 Greene St. + 2180 Boyce St. | Publico, known for its menu that touches on Latin and Asian flavors and its vibrant atmosphere, also features a full vegan menu. Pro tip: start your meal with the vegan queso and chips before your tofu crunch roll arrives.

Rosewood Market, 2803 Rosewood Dr. | Not only does this local market sell everything you'd need to cook vegan at home, the grab-and go section and the deli offer a variety of vegetarian-friendly options.

Soundbites Eatery, 1425 Sumter St. | Try the Vegan Rap made with a housemade black bean vegan burger and red pepper spread on a multigrain wrap.

Surf’s Up Acai Bowls, 504 Gervais St. | Its acai base is dairy-free and the build-your-own options offer an array of dairy-free toppings.

Verde, 4840 Forest Dr. Suite 19 | Verde's vegan options are well-marked so you'll have no doubt when you customize your salad. Don't forget to try the vegan Black Bean Soup on the side.

Village Idiot, various locations | Village keeps the herbivores in mind with its vegan cheese so you can customize any 'za.

Try the cheesesteak special on Monday night with mushrooms. | Photo by Transmission Arcade

🍔 For the vegan carnivore

Market On Main, 1320 Main St. #150| Dine outdoors on Main Street and grab the vegan portabello sandwich. Keep an eye out for the chef's vegan specials.

Transmission Arcade, 1712 Main St. | If you don't get your fill of video games, be sure to try the Beyond the Smoked burger with a side of the vegan french fries or collards.

☕ Coffee shops

College Grounds Cafe,1217 College St. | The TTLA with smokey tofu bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado on wheat bread is a perfect lunch option for a vegan meal near USC's campus.

Curiosity Coffee Bar, 2327 Main St. | Curiosity's menu is vegan friendly and well labeled with a wide range of options like a vegan sausage breakfast sandwich and a vegan BBQ nugget wrap.

smallSUGAR, 709 Gervais St. | The menu is mostly plant focused featuring items that are perfect for a morning meal or brunch.

All of the dishes available on Coa's vegan menu. | Photo by Coa Agaveria y Cocina

🍸 Date night

2Gingers, 245 Bush River Rd. | 2Gingers menu is vegetarian friendly and clearly marks each vegan dish, whether or not it's gluten free, and the spice level.

Arabesque on Devine, 2930 Devine St. | Enjoy several Lebanese vegan options like the falafel platter with fried chickpea patties, hummus, pickled cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, and tahini sauce.

Boku Kitchen and Saloon, 916 Gervais St. | Boku's menu features several vegan + vegetarian options like the veggie spring rolls, the coconut curry, and the tofu and kimchi fried rice.

Coa Agaveria y Cocina, 823 A Lady St. | Coa offers a special vegan menu with dishes like its Ensalada de Betabel, a roasted beet salad with arugula + Envolturas de Lechuga made with beyond meat chorizo served in a lettuce wrap.

The Dragon Room, 803 Gervais St. | Many of The Dragon Room's dishes are highlighted with a "V" noting that the dish has a vegan option.

Hampton Street Vineyard, 1207 Hampton St. | Grab a glass of wine from one of the best spots in town and pair it with the French Onion Soup, Ratatouille, Seasonal Salad, or the Parisian Gnocchi.

Persis Biryani Indian Grill, 1728 Bush River Rd. | The Indian food is full of fresh ingredients, heady spices, and vibrant colors. It is also loaded with powerful anti-inflammatory phytonutrients.

🍽️ 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.
Tired of wasting money on spices you use once? Broth Bomb combines all the spices you need for a flavorful meal.
Harness the power of fresh and high-quality spices from James Beard Award-winning chef Meherwan Irani.
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.
If you’re making fresh bread, this Sourhouse starter jar was designed to be the easiest-to-clean sourdough starter jar in the world.
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