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Two slices of avocado toast with cucumber and a sprinkle of red spice sit on a wooden board in a window.
Avocado toast at Avalon.
Michelle and Chris Gerard

12 Excellent Ann Arbor Restaurants Serving Vegetarian Food

Where to fill up on vegetarian and vegan meals

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Avocado toast at Avalon.
| Michelle and Chris Gerard

Whether a longtime vegan, recent convert, or just trying to eat more vegetables, Ann Arbor has several options for meat-free dining. From farm-to-table to Indian to meatless Reuben sandwiches to bar food, here’s a list of ten spots where vegetarians, vegans, and their omnivore dining mates can have a good meal.

Above all, remember that no matter how normal it may feel to go out and eat again, dining right now is not the same. Takeout is generally considered by health experts to be lower-risk than in-person service, and drinking can lower people’s inhibitions, so be careful. Whenever possible (or required), it’s essential that customers wear a mask and wash their hands regularly. This is a tough time for the restaurant industry and its staff, too, so if you do choose to grab a bite, be kind and remember to tip well — even if you’re doing to-go drinks.

A number of metro Detroit restaurants have resumed dine-in service. The level of service offered is indicated on each map point. However, this should not be taken as endorsement for dining in, as there are still safety concerns: For updated information on coronavirus cases in your area, please visit the state of Michigan’s coronavirus tracker. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.

Did we overlook your favorite spot for a vegetarian meal? Drop a note at the tipline and let us know.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Fresh Forage

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Fast-casual meets farm-to-table at this westside eatery, where the menu features an ever-changing list of locally grown and foraged ingredients. Patrons can choose from eight different bowls or create their own by choosing a base (carbs or greens), proteins, vegetables, and sauces. Fresh Forage is open for dine-in or place an order online for carryout or curbside service.

Ann Arbor’s oldest vegetarian restaurant has been serving vegan and vegetarian versions of popular dishes for 45 years. There’s something for everyone on Seva’s menu, which features dishes from around the world — from Mexican favorites to Thai noodles to a vegan fettuccine alfredo. Seva is open for dine-in, carryout or curbside service. Call to order.

Juicy Kitchen

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Juicy Kitchen serves healthy breakfasts and lunches using local ingredients from its small northwest side diner. The Good Morning Sunshine is a can’t-miss item with its grilled banana bread, fresh fruit, peanut butter, yogurt, and Michigan maple syrup. Order online or by phone for pick-up as the dining room is currently closed.

John Reyes

First Bite

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This Main Street fast-casual restaurant serves a largely vegetarian menu that caters to the “clean-eating” crowd with non-GMO, organic ingredients. Veggie burgers are served on whole wheat turmeric buns alongside rice bowls, wraps, salads, and smoothies. First Bite is open for dine-in or order online for carryout.

Vedge Cafe

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This casual Main Street diner proudly features an all-vegan menu of sandwiches, soups, salads, and other goodies. Vedge makes its own vegan versions of popular sandwich meats that are available by the pound. The dining room is closed, but orders can be placed online or by phone.

Shalimar

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Indian food is always a good option for vegetarian dining, and Shalimar is an Ann Arbor favorite. The menu features dozens of vegetarian options, including several naan dishes (bread topped with various herbs and toppings) freshly baked in a tandoori oven. Shalimar is open for dine-in or order online for curbside service.

Avalon Cafe and Kitchen Ann Arbor

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This outpost of the Detroit-based bakery and cafe serves almost exclusively vegetarian and vegan options. Look for items like fancy toast, spicy tofu sandwiches, potato tacos, and vegan grain bowls on Avalon’s downtown Ann Arbor menu. Wines and local beers are still available as well as the company’s iconic baked goods. Avalon is open for dine-in or order online for carryout.

The bar at Avalon features an orange espresso machine and chalk menu boards. Avalon Breads [Courtesy photo]

Detroit Street Filling Station

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The menu at Detroit Street Filling Station features vegan takes on classic bar food like nachos, wings, and burgers. The space is usually a place for live music and community events but the dining room is currently closed. The full menu as well as cocktails and grocery items are available by ordering online or phone.

Detroit Filling Station [Official photo]

The Lunch Room - Bakery & Cafe

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The Lunch Room serves a wide variety of vegan items for breakfast and lunch. The hearty, flavorful dishes draw inspiration from around the world — from American classics to southeast Asia to Mexico and Latin America. Order online for pickup.

Everest Sherpa Restaurant

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While the restaurant takes its name from owner Pem Sherpa, it’s also a nod to his former life as a guide on Mount Everest. The menu features food from all over the Himalayan region and several vegetarian options, such as their momo dumplings and hearty Base Camp Thukpa noodle soup. Order online or by phone for pickup or delivery.

24th Cheesecakerie Ypsilanti

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This small, family-owned shop sells New York-style cheesecakes in downtown Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor’s Briarwood Mall. The vegan cheesecakes are every bit as rich, thick, and creamy as the standard versions, too. Call or email the shop to place and order for pickup.

Three slices of cheesecake on white plates. 24th Cheesecakerie [Courtesy photo]

Jolly Pumpkin Café & Brewery

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Jolly Pumpkin has become famous for its well-regarded Belgian-style ales. The Main Street brewpub was the first of what is now nine locations across Michigan and Chicago and has always had a menu with an excellent selection of vegetarian fare. Jolly Pumpkin is open for dine-in or order online for carryout.

Fresh Forage

Fast-casual meets farm-to-table at this westside eatery, where the menu features an ever-changing list of locally grown and foraged ingredients. Patrons can choose from eight different bowls or create their own by choosing a base (carbs or greens), proteins, vegetables, and sauces. Fresh Forage is open for dine-in or place an order online for carryout or curbside service.

Seva

Ann Arbor’s oldest vegetarian restaurant has been serving vegan and vegetarian versions of popular dishes for 45 years. There’s something for everyone on Seva’s menu, which features dishes from around the world — from Mexican favorites to Thai noodles to a vegan fettuccine alfredo. Seva is open for dine-in, carryout or curbside service. Call to order.

Juicy Kitchen

Juicy Kitchen serves healthy breakfasts and lunches using local ingredients from its small northwest side diner. The Good Morning Sunshine is a can’t-miss item with its grilled banana bread, fresh fruit, peanut butter, yogurt, and Michigan maple syrup. Order online or by phone for pick-up as the dining room is currently closed.

John Reyes

First Bite

This Main Street fast-casual restaurant serves a largely vegetarian menu that caters to the “clean-eating” crowd with non-GMO, organic ingredients. Veggie burgers are served on whole wheat turmeric buns alongside rice bowls, wraps, salads, and smoothies. First Bite is open for dine-in or order online for carryout.

Vedge Cafe

This casual Main Street diner proudly features an all-vegan menu of sandwiches, soups, salads, and other goodies. Vedge makes its own vegan versions of popular sandwich meats that are available by the pound. The dining room is closed, but orders can be placed online or by phone.

Shalimar

Indian food is always a good option for vegetarian dining, and Shalimar is an Ann Arbor favorite. The menu features dozens of vegetarian options, including several naan dishes (bread topped with various herbs and toppings) freshly baked in a tandoori oven. Shalimar is open for dine-in or order online for curbside service.

Avalon Cafe and Kitchen Ann Arbor

This outpost of the Detroit-based bakery and cafe serves almost exclusively vegetarian and vegan options. Look for items like fancy toast, spicy tofu sandwiches, potato tacos, and vegan grain bowls on Avalon’s downtown Ann Arbor menu. Wines and local beers are still available as well as the company’s iconic baked goods. Avalon is open for dine-in or order online for carryout.

The bar at Avalon features an orange espresso machine and chalk menu boards. Avalon Breads [Courtesy photo]

Detroit Street Filling Station

The menu at Detroit Street Filling Station features vegan takes on classic bar food like nachos, wings, and burgers. The space is usually a place for live music and community events but the dining room is currently closed. The full menu as well as cocktails and grocery items are available by ordering online or phone.

Detroit Filling Station [Official photo]

The Lunch Room - Bakery & Cafe

The Lunch Room serves a wide variety of vegan items for breakfast and lunch. The hearty, flavorful dishes draw inspiration from around the world — from American classics to southeast Asia to Mexico and Latin America. Order online for pickup.

Everest Sherpa Restaurant

While the restaurant takes its name from owner Pem Sherpa, it’s also a nod to his former life as a guide on Mount Everest. The menu features food from all over the Himalayan region and several vegetarian options, such as their momo dumplings and hearty Base Camp Thukpa noodle soup. Order online or by phone for pickup or delivery.

24th Cheesecakerie Ypsilanti

This small, family-owned shop sells New York-style cheesecakes in downtown Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor’s Briarwood Mall. The vegan cheesecakes are every bit as rich, thick, and creamy as the standard versions, too. Call or email the shop to place and order for pickup.

Three slices of cheesecake on white plates. 24th Cheesecakerie [Courtesy photo]

Jolly Pumpkin Café & Brewery

Jolly Pumpkin has become famous for its well-regarded Belgian-style ales. The Main Street brewpub was the first of what is now nine locations across Michigan and Chicago and has always had a menu with an excellent selection of vegetarian fare. Jolly Pumpkin is open for dine-in or order online for carryout.

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