
Veganism isn't just a food preference — it's a lifestyle! For many people around the Columbus area, adhering to a diet of clean, sustainable foods is a way of life made possible through a variety of places offering vegan options.
Thankfully, gone are the days of salads being the only vegan items on popular restaurant menus. Today, there is an exceptional number of vegan and vegan-friendly eateries scattered throughout Columbus. Let's dig into these healthy habits and check out twelve awesome vegan restaurants around The Arch City.
4241 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43214
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Salads, burgers, pizza, burritos, bowls — there's a vegan item to satisfy your hunger at Northstar Café. Come in early for a healthy breakfast featuring housemade granola and breakfast potatoes. Northstar Café even has vegan options on their kid's menu! Bring your little ones in for a Northstar Burger or Little Buddah Bowl so they can eat healthy just like their parents! When it comes to accessible clean eating, Northstar Café tops the list for many Columbus vegans.
1038 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43201
While a liquor bar may not be your first thought for great vegan food, we encourage you to keep tabs on Oddfellows Liquor Bar. Every Monday, they feature a pop-up vegan restaurant with unbelievable pretzel bites, grilled cheeses, and chili. There's also an all-you-can-eat brunch complete with tofu scrambles and pancakes, among other vegan options.
1439 Grandview Ave., Columbus, OH 43212
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Wellness-inspired food in a fast-casual café, Alchemy Kitchen and their Alchemy Café mix up savory foods and sweet drinks for vegans and non-vegans alike. For brunch, enjoy breakfast tacos, Tumeric bagels, and avocado toasts. For lunch and dinner, barbeque jackfruit, basil portobello, salads, and toasts are among their great offerings. Stop by for a meal, or if you're pressed for time, hit up the Alchemy Café for a delicious smoothie.
401 W. Town St., Columbus, OH 43215
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One difficult challenge with clean eating is that, while many restaurants offer vegan items, they're usually quite limited to salads and such. Strongwater Food & Spirits offers upscale dining with fantastic vegan options that rival their non-vegan counterparts. The Black Bean Burger, Jackfruit Cake, Black and Blue Salad, Golden Beet Salad, Soba Noodle Salad, Pub Fries, and Sautéed Green Beans are available for lunch and dinner. This East Franklin gem provides you with a nice night out without having to worry about a limited vegan menu.
4428 Indianola Ave., Columbus, OH 43214
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Known as Columbus' best vegan restaurant, Portia's Café caters to a variety of dietary lifestyles. Absolutely no animal products are used in any of their food, and all foods are gluten-free, GMO-free, organic, and made with clean water. Portia's has one of the largest vegan menus we've ever seen — soups, salads, dips, starters, wraps, bowls, pizzadillas, quesadillas, desserts, and drinks offer you endless options. Say hello to your new favorite vegan destination!
680 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43215
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The word 'brassica' is a genus of plants such as Brussels sprout and cabbage. The place Brassica in Columbus is a family-owned restaurant that knows the best way to prepare these healthy veggies for your vegan-friendly appetite. Pick a housemade pita and fill it with organic chickpeas, hummus, veggies, or even brassica fries. Simple food using fresh ingredients from local growers means clean eating at its finest.
1195 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43201
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Pizza is life, but if you live a vegan lifestyle, a good vegan pizza can be hard to come by. Thankfully, Paulie Gee's Short North serves up four pies full of awesome-sauce. Order a slice of Red, White, & Greenpeace with pickled red onion and post-over cashew milk or In Ricotta Da Vegan with house vegan sausage. When you're hungry enough to eat a whole pie, ask for the Vegan Supreme. Looking for a simple slice? Simply & Red is a straight-forward classic.
2216 Summit St., Columbus, OH 43201
If you're craving comfort food, invites you to scale to the summit for unpretentious food with a twist. Filling options include vegan samosa, vegan kraut, butternut squash, roasted garlic, and vegan sausage. New varieties are baked every Tuesday, but the only place to find them is inside Café Bourbon. Pierogi Mountain pierogis are on the menu six nights a week and they're also available in take-home packages so you can savor Pierogi Mountain's delicious and diverse vegan flavors right in your kitchen.
132 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215
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What can be better than tacos, tequila, and margaritas? The convenience to build your own vegan tacos! While Condado's full menu isn't vegan, it highlights every item that is including tortillas, rice, veggies, sauces, and sides. If you don't want to build your own, you can confidently choose the Dutch Dragon, a double-decker with hard corn and soft flour shells, guacamole, grilled mushrooms, salsa verde, jicama, pickled jalapenos, tomatoes, and corn salsa. Rated the best tacos in Ohio by Thrillest, Condado is open late to fill your late-night vegan taco cravings.
1437 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43201
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Looking for the best vegan food in Columbus? Eden Burger may hold the title. Their menu is 100 percent vegan so you can bring your appetite and leave your worry at home. Organic, plant-based ingredients are crafted into fast food favorites like burgers, wings, wraps, and sides that are too good to resist. Try a burger made with lentils, mushrooms, and rice or a breaded tempeh patty. Gluten-free buns are available as well for those with additional dietary restrictions. Be sure to swing by for brunch and enjoy breakfast burritos, loaded home fries, and donuts — all vegan and all delicious.
677 Parsons Ave., Columbus, OH 43206
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What is plant-forward cuisine? Find out at Comune. They strive to create sharable dishes that are locally sourced and showcase satisfying flavors. Comune builds its menu from in-season ingredients, offering a taste of Ohio for a vegan diet. Chongqing Noodles, Banh Mi, and a Roasted Fennel Sandwich are fantastic lunch items, while the Pumpkin Sabzi, Grilled Stone Fruit, and Magic Chili Peanuts are on the menu for dinner. You'll also be pleased to know that they offer a selection of vegan wines to pair with your entrée.
1111 S. Hamilton Road, Whitehall, OH 43213
Discover authentic Ethiopian cuisine in the heart of Ohio at Lalibela Restaurant. Although most Ethiopian dishes include meat, Lalibela's menu has special vegan breakfast, lunch, and dinner options for every day of the week. The classic Gomen dish of collard greens with cottage cheese and Bamia with okra and berbere spice are local favorites, and the Ye Kik Alicha Wot split chickpea dinner is equally filling. They also have a full bar and billiards room if you're searching for a delicious vegan spot to spend the evening.
Where is your favorite Columbus spot for vegan food? Let us know in the comments!