The 6 best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Charlotte

Charlotte was a hard city to eat plant based in for a long time, and long term vegans say so plainly. That has changed in the last few years, though the good places are scattered and several keep short or unusual hours, so this is a guide you should check before driving. Six rather than ten, because these are the ones that hold up. Hours are current as of this writing.

1. Mike’s Vegan Grill

The University City restaurant with more than 2,000 reviews and a near perfect rating, the most reviewed vegan kitchen in Charlotte and the one that turns meat eaters. A vegan Philly cheesesteak people say they could not identify as vegan, Lo Maximo hot dogs, chili cheese fries, sweet potato tots, a Philly cheese pizza and cookie shakes. Lion artwork, games for children and staff who explain the menu. Open until midnight on weekends.

Hours: Monday to Thursday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight

Address: 440 E. McCullough Dr, Suite 123, Charlotte, NC 28262

Why it made the list

• The cheesesteak.
• Works for a family with mixed diets.
• Late weekend hours.
• The deepest track record here.

Directory listing: Mike’s Vegan Grill

2. Saucy Vegan

The North Brevard restaurant grown out of a food truck, built on oyster mushrooms, walnut meat, hearts of palm, chickpeas and jackfruit rather than packaged meat substitutes. Fried oyster mushrooms in sweet chili are the dish people come back for the next day, with chickpea tuna, plantains, pizza, egg rolls and fresh juice. Long time vegans call it the restaurant that fixed Charlotte for them. Short hours, closed Monday and Tuesday.

Hours: Wednesday and Sunday 1 to 6 p.m.; Thursday to Saturday 2 to 9 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday

Address: 2200 N. Brevard St, Charlotte, NC 28206

Why it made the list

• Whole ingredients, not analogues.
• The oyster mushrooms.
• Made to order.
• Check the hours before you go.

Directory listing: Saucy Vegan

3. Oh My Soul

Vegan soul food, a bakery and a coffee bar on North Davidson in NoDa, with a big patio and live music. Loaded nachos regulars call the best in the city, a rainbow wrap, the Crunchy Mom, burgers, omelettes at brunch, pressed juices including soursop and lattes worth ordering. Gluten free handled properly. Meat eaters come for the food, not the principle. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Hours: Wednesday to Friday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday

Address: 3046 N. Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205

Why it made the list

• Vegan soul food done right.
• Patio, live music and coffee.
• Weekend brunch.
• In the middle of NoDa.

Directory listing: Oh My Soul

4. Soul Miner’s Garden

The small North Graham Street restaurant, one of the longest standing in Charlotte’s vegan scene and unusually careful with allergies beyond the usual, garlic, onion and cinnamon included. Loaded nachos that regulars rank first in the city, chickie bites, vegan wings, spicy Brussels sprouts, a barbecue quesadilla and buffalo ranch fries. Everything tastes like vegetables rather than a substitute.

Hours: Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday

Address: 1801 N. Graham St, Suite 101, Charlotte, NC 28206

Why it made the list

• The best allergy handling on this list.
• Nachos and buffalo fries.
• A Charlotte vegan institution.
• Short hours midweek.

Directory listing: Soul Miner’s Garden

5. Vegan Bistro CLT

The small east Charlotte cafe on Albemarle Road, also called Love in Action Cafe, doing vegan versions of soul food and Southern plates from a short counter menu. Vegan oxtails, vegan oysters, fried mushrooms with a house sauce, a mac and cheese customers rank among the best anywhere in the city, plus pasta salad, sandwiches and tacos. Lunch is the realistic visit; it closes by six.

Hours: Tuesday to Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday

Address: 7200 Albemarle Rd, Suite L, Charlotte, NC 28227

Why it made the list

• Vegan oxtails and oysters.
• The mac and cheese.
• A genuine neighborhood find.
• Lunch only, effectively.

Directory listing: Vegan Bistro CLT

6. Flower Child

The health focused restaurant on the rail trail in South End, bright and open, with bowls, salads and plates covering vegan, vegetarian and gluten free without fuss. The Mother Earth bowl, seasonal salads with charred asparagus and crispy tofu, sweet potato fries and sangria. A regional chain with modest portions for the price, and the easiest place in the city to feed a table that cannot agree on anything.

Hours: Daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Address: 1537 Camden Rd, Charlotte, NC 28203

Why it made the list

• Feeds a mixed table without argument.
• Open seven days, reliable hours.
• On the rail trail.
• A chain, and priced like one.

Directory listing: Flower Child

Also worth knowing

Several restaurants in our other guides run real vegan menus rather than a token dish: Maria’s Mexican on South Boulevard has a full vegan section including tamales, Artisen Gelato in Matthews is entirely vegan and gluten free, and Seemingly Overzealous makes dairy free ice cream people choose on purpose. If your spot is missing, tell us.