Eating meat-free hasn’t always been easy, but in Lexington, 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 and vegan bites across town. From vegetarian BBQ to scrumptious vegan tacos, here are 18 restaurants serving up meat-free and plant-based fare in Lexington.

City Editor Molly loves The Mermaid Bowl at The Press. | Photo by LEXtoday

🧁 Satisfy your sweet tooth

North Lime Coffee & Donuts | Sip on an oat milk latte or herbal iced tea, then sink your teeth into daily vegan donut flavors like spice cake or strawberries + cream.

The Press Juice & Health Bar | From smoothies + juices to salads + wraps, this Woodland neighborhood favorite is full of veggie power.

🍸 Date night

Blue Sushi Sake Grill| Vegan finds at a sushi restaurant? Hear us out. Sample small bites like charred edamame + seaweed salad or check it the full list of vegan maki options.

Carson's | Not only does this popular downtown spot have a robust salad section, its menu denotes which items are already vegan friendly, like the Hawaiian-style tofu.

County Club | Be sure to check the rotating monthly menu, but you can expect to find vegetarian plates like a seasonal soups and jalapeno pimento cheese dip, then indulge your sweet tooth with banana pudding.

East End Tap & Table | This downtown American-international fusion spot has a menu full of veggie-forward options, like Sally's Salad, a hummus plate, and the popular Asian Bowl with tofu.

Epping's on Eastside | While it may be known for some its meat-forward dishes, the Quinoa en Nogada is a filling + vegan-friendly entree option.

The fresh + filling Vegan Power salad from Vinaigrette Salad Kitchen. | Photo by @vinaigrettesalads

🍕 Casual eating

Bourbon n' Toulouse | Vegans will love the jackfruit BBQ sandwich and vegetarians need to try the mouthwatering black beans + caramelized corn.

DV8 Kitchen | This all-day breakfast joint also has lunch items like the Mediterranean veggie sandwich, curry veggie tacos, and fresh salads. City Editor Sam would also like to remind you that, technically, DV8's cinnamon rolls are vegetarian, too.

Vinaigrette Salad Kitchen | Forks up for this filling salad menu with two completely vegan bowls — the Vegan Power Salad + Pharaoh Grain Bowl.

Stella's Kentucky Deli | The vegan options on the menu include a Grilled PB&J sandwich, the Mushroom Rueben, and Cuban black beans + rice with vegan cheddar.

Nourished Folks | This cozy cafe located at Greyline Station offers prepared food pick-up + a meal subscription service, as well as a new menu each week. Think: Veggie-filled salads, adaptable main courses, and rice bowls.

🌱 100% vegan eats

Moody Mike's, Food Truck | Lexington's first vegan food truck will have you do a double take when you see its Philly Beef Sub, Shrimp Po' Boy, and Wet Lemon Pepper Wings.

Woke JunkFood Vegan, UK Dining Hall | While located on campus, Chef Anetra Polk can be found popping up around town at SoulFeast Week and is also available for catering.

🌎 From around the world

Han Woo Ri | Many of the menu items for this campus staple can be modified for a vegetarian diet, including the sweet potato noodle dish Japchae and Pajeon, a green onion pancake.

Oasis | This Chevy Chase Mediterranean restaurant has a veggie-packed menu, including baba ghannouj, falafel, and moussaka, an eggplant stew.

Masala, 3061 Fieldstone Way | You can find vegetarian appetizers and many more options in its dedicated "vegetarian delights section." City Editor Aayat loves the Chana Saag dish featuring chickpeas + spinach.

Thai Street Food Kitchen | Build your own noodle bowl or try the vegetarian spring rolls + the vegetarian mock duck dish.

🍽️ 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.