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Metro Detroit for Vegetarians: Where to Eat Meat-Free

An essential guide to vegetarian and vegan food

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Perhaps it's the growing focus on urban farming or simply a new set of palates entering the city and demanding something different, but Detroit restaurants these days are emphasizing more balanced menus that take into account vegetarians and vegans and not simply as an afterthought. The culinary styles range from Southern American to African to Asian to Canadian and everything in between. Here, in roughly geographic order, are 23 top notch veggie-focused restaurants to try right now.

Did we forget your favorite spot? Tell us about it in the comments.

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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.

Detroit Vegan Soul

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Those craving something both vegan and comforting at the same time have found it all in West Village at Detroit Vegan Soul. It's soul food, and all of it's vegan. Their goal is to convert those who might not love the whole raw sprouts idea of what veganism is, which makes the dedication of chef Erika Boyd and her partner Kirsten Ussery that much more amazing.

Russell Street Deli

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There's always a wait on market days, but the food makes it well worth it. They have plenty of vegetarian sandwiches, but their soups are what really set them apart from the rest, and they're just perfect on a cool day.

The Peterboro

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This Chinese-American bar and restaurant in Cass Corridor offers savory vegetarian dishes including pan fried noodles and spicy mapo tofu as well as a few salad small plates.

Go! Sy Thai

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It's not a strictly vegetarian restaurant, but it's easy to stay veggie or even vegan here, and the large portions, good prices, and lots of spice keep diners coming back.

Alley Taco

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Marcus Market's in-house street taco bar serves up three styles of vegetarian taco including cauliflower, squash and onion, and pepper and onion. Close to Midtown's many bars and open until 10 p.m. it makes for a good, inexpensive late-night taco fix.

Harmonie Garden

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A favorite for brunch and carryout, Harmonie Garden is also a go-to for many vegetarians. Falafel here has its own section on the menu and the Flobby Joe is a winning vegetarian burger option. The owners recently opened a second location on Fort Street in the West Side Industrial area.

Cass Café

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A beloved vegetarian hangout, they serve creative seasonal soups that are often meat-free. Looking for something more substantial? The lentil burger is a fan favorite.

Seva is an Ann Arbor classic, but the Detroit outpost near Wayne State is an all vegetarian/vegan oasis with a little bit of everything on the menu. The General Tso's cauliflower is a favorite, but the menu has no shortage of filling options that even meat-eaters will enjoy.

Living Zen Cafe

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After a long hiatus, this Hamtramck vegetarian favorite was successfully revived last fall with an expanded store area. Drop in during lunch for a revolving selection of vegetarian and vegan meals (think veggie quesadillas, cashew milkshakes, and fresh soups) or carry out.

PJ's Lager House

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Pj's Lager House is a dive bar with a cheap cover and loud band on any given evening, but they also have an extensive vegetarian menu. The brunch is a crowd favorite, and they also have plenty of meat for the beef lovers. [Photo]

The Brooklyn Street Local

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With many vegetarian and vegan options, it’s a can’t miss choice for brunch on the weekends. They even make a vegan version of their infamous poutine, with mushrooms, vegan gravy, and vegan cheese curds served on crispy French fries.

Laika Dog inside UFO Factory

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While hot dogs have a meaty reputation, UFO Factory's newly opened dog kitchen caters towards a vegan clientele. Every item on the menu has a vegan alternative from vegan Field Roast sausages to vegan grilled cheese. Dogs are topped with fancy fixins including kimchi, Thai peanut sauce, vegan chili, and hummus. Did we mention it's pretty cheap?

While not strictly vegetarian, Katoi's menu delivers a more than respectable selection of vegetarian dishes and alternatives with its signature Thai-influenced flare. Don't miss the thrice-cooked sweet potatoes and the chickpea tofu.

Greenspace Cafe

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Operated by plant-based diet advocate cardiologist Joel Kahn and his son Daniel, GreenSpace is a welcomed newcomer to the Ferndale vegetarian scene. The stylish dishes change regularly but include vegan cheese boards, tamale pie, and pad thai. Many of the choices are gluten-free and the restaurant boasts a raw juice and cocktail bar serving Drought concoctions.

The Blue Nile

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Enjoy a variety of filling vegetarian dishes with their crepe-like injera bread and try a glass of the Ethiopian tea on the side. It’s not an inexpensive restaurant (around $25 per person with a drink), but sharing a platter for two is perfect for date night.

Om Cafe

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Ferndale's homestyle vegetarian mainstay Om Cafe serves vegetarian, vegan, and macrobiotic cuisine, such as weekly taco specials and flavorful stir fry dinners.

Inn Season Cafe

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Located off Royal Oak's crowded main drag on a neighborhood corner this metro area institution operating since 1981 is a must-visit for vegetarian and vegan cuisine. The menu ranges from big satisfying tempe burgers to pizzas, salads, and macrobiotic plates.

Cacao Tree Cafe

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Another Royal Oak favorite, Cacao Tree is serves up a brief menu of raw, vegan food including salads, wraps, smoothies, juices. All the dishes are made with quality ingredients and the Mexican salad is a fan favorite.

Try It Raw

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This Birmingham raw bar serves vegan and gluten free fare. Start your day right with breakfast items like chia porridge and buckwheat granola, or try one of the entrees — the burrito has earned more than a few converts.

The Clean Plate

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Owned by the people behind Cacao Tree, this is a great lunch option in an underserved part of town. Choose from a variety of soups, filling salads, and sandwiches (try the ABLT). The desserts in particular have earned rave reviews.

Chive Kitchen

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Head to Farmington newcomer Chive Kitchen for vegan food with West Coast and Portuguese influences. The menu cycles regularly so you can always expect something a little different on your next visit. Feast on nachos, vegan chorizo tacos, and Coney-style Michigan dogs. The restaurant also offers a full bar and many items are gluten-free.

Turmerican Vegetarian Cuisine

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This well-trafficked Novi vegetarian establishment serves up excellent plates of Southern Indian cuisine. Try the platters or the selection of Indo-Chinese rice and noodle dishes. As a bonus, everything is prepared with organic and non-GMO ingredients.

NeeHee's

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Serving Indian street food that is strictly vegetarian, many guests drive an hour or more to come and feast on a range of authentic cuisine from multiple regions (including Indo-Chinese). Save room for a mango lassi to cool down after all that spice!

Detroit Vegan Soul

Those craving something both vegan and comforting at the same time have found it all in West Village at Detroit Vegan Soul. It's soul food, and all of it's vegan. Their goal is to convert those who might not love the whole raw sprouts idea of what veganism is, which makes the dedication of chef Erika Boyd and her partner Kirsten Ussery that much more amazing.

Russell Street Deli

There's always a wait on market days, but the food makes it well worth it. They have plenty of vegetarian sandwiches, but their soups are what really set them apart from the rest, and they're just perfect on a cool day.

The Peterboro

This Chinese-American bar and restaurant in Cass Corridor offers savory vegetarian dishes including pan fried noodles and spicy mapo tofu as well as a few salad small plates.

Go! Sy Thai

It's not a strictly vegetarian restaurant, but it's easy to stay veggie or even vegan here, and the large portions, good prices, and lots of spice keep diners coming back.

Alley Taco

Marcus Market's in-house street taco bar serves up three styles of vegetarian taco including cauliflower, squash and onion, and pepper and onion. Close to Midtown's many bars and open until 10 p.m. it makes for a good, inexpensive late-night taco fix.

Harmonie Garden

A favorite for brunch and carryout, Harmonie Garden is also a go-to for many vegetarians. Falafel here has its own section on the menu and the Flobby Joe is a winning vegetarian burger option. The owners recently opened a second location on Fort Street in the West Side Industrial area.

Cass Café

A beloved vegetarian hangout, they serve creative seasonal soups that are often meat-free. Looking for something more substantial? The lentil burger is a fan favorite.

Seva

Seva is an Ann Arbor classic, but the Detroit outpost near Wayne State is an all vegetarian/vegan oasis with a little bit of everything on the menu. The General Tso's cauliflower is a favorite, but the menu has no shortage of filling options that even meat-eaters will enjoy.

Living Zen Cafe

After a long hiatus, this Hamtramck vegetarian favorite was successfully revived last fall with an expanded store area. Drop in during lunch for a revolving selection of vegetarian and vegan meals (think veggie quesadillas, cashew milkshakes, and fresh soups) or carry out.

PJ's Lager House

Pj's Lager House is a dive bar with a cheap cover and loud band on any given evening, but they also have an extensive vegetarian menu. The brunch is a crowd favorite, and they also have plenty of meat for the beef lovers. [Photo]

The Brooklyn Street Local

With many vegetarian and vegan options, it’s a can’t miss choice for brunch on the weekends. They even make a vegan version of their infamous poutine, with mushrooms, vegan gravy, and vegan cheese curds served on crispy French fries.

Laika Dog inside UFO Factory

While hot dogs have a meaty reputation, UFO Factory's newly opened dog kitchen caters towards a vegan clientele. Every item on the menu has a vegan alternative from vegan Field Roast sausages to vegan grilled cheese. Dogs are topped with fancy fixins including kimchi, Thai peanut sauce, vegan chili, and hummus. Did we mention it's pretty cheap?

Katoi

While not strictly vegetarian, Katoi's menu delivers a more than respectable selection of vegetarian dishes and alternatives with its signature Thai-influenced flare. Don't miss the thrice-cooked sweet potatoes and the chickpea tofu.

Greenspace Cafe

Operated by plant-based diet advocate cardiologist Joel Kahn and his son Daniel, GreenSpace is a welcomed newcomer to the Ferndale vegetarian scene. The stylish dishes change regularly but include vegan cheese boards, tamale pie, and pad thai. Many of the choices are gluten-free and the restaurant boasts a raw juice and cocktail bar serving Drought concoctions.

The Blue Nile

Enjoy a variety of filling vegetarian dishes with their crepe-like injera bread and try a glass of the Ethiopian tea on the side. It’s not an inexpensive restaurant (around $25 per person with a drink), but sharing a platter for two is perfect for date night.

Related Maps

Om Cafe

Ferndale's homestyle vegetarian mainstay Om Cafe serves vegetarian, vegan, and macrobiotic cuisine, such as weekly taco specials and flavorful stir fry dinners.

Inn Season Cafe

Located off Royal Oak's crowded main drag on a neighborhood corner this metro area institution operating since 1981 is a must-visit for vegetarian and vegan cuisine. The menu ranges from big satisfying tempe burgers to pizzas, salads, and macrobiotic plates.

Cacao Tree Cafe

Another Royal Oak favorite, Cacao Tree is serves up a brief menu of raw, vegan food including salads, wraps, smoothies, juices. All the dishes are made with quality ingredients and the Mexican salad is a fan favorite.

Try It Raw

This Birmingham raw bar serves vegan and gluten free fare. Start your day right with breakfast items like chia porridge and buckwheat granola, or try one of the entrees — the burrito has earned more than a few converts.

The Clean Plate

Owned by the people behind Cacao Tree, this is a great lunch option in an underserved part of town. Choose from a variety of soups, filling salads, and sandwiches (try the ABLT). The desserts in particular have earned rave reviews.