Detroit is a city of grit—it’s tough, DIY, and probably not the first place that comes to mind when you think of vegan food, but I’m about to make a pretty tight argument that it should be. Detroit is full of hardworking people opening up restaurants and businesses, creating art, running urban farms, and thinking outside the box—and that’s where vegan comes in.
From vegan doughnuts to slurp-worthy ramen, Detroit’s got it. Oh—and the city has a seriously on-point soul food joint loved by locals and celebrities alike.
Detroit Vegan Soul
Three words: “catfish” tofu sandwich. Three more words: fried buffalo bites. Mmmm. Motivated by the fight for food justice, Detroit Vegan Soul is owned by wife-and-wife team Kirsten and Erika, who strive to bring healthy, delicious soul food to the masses. They have a location in historic West Village and another in the West Side Grandmont-Rosedale neighborhood. And P.S. Stevie Wonder ate here … that should pretty much seal the deal that this place is legit.
Soul platter at Detroit Vegan Soul
Johnny Noodle King
It’s so cold in the D …. So it’s a good thing that there’s bangin’ miso ramen.
Buddy’s Pizza
Buddy’s Detroit-style pizza is the stuff of legends—and it’s easy to veganize. Top any pizza with Daiya cheese and you’re all set to pile on the herbs and veggies. Pro tip: Get the Buddy Bread plain with a side of pizza sauce.
Dilla’s Delights
Uncle Herm (the uncle of late Detroit rapper J Dilla) pours heart and soul into his organic doughnuts—and he offers up several vegan flavors every day in his hip hop–inspired downtown shop.
Avalon International Breads
Avalon’s motto is “Eat well. Do good.” The company values its employees, community, and the Earth and, as such, offers up tons of vegan goodies, including monkey bread, cookies, brownies, breads, sandwiches, and more.
Avalon’s vegan carrot cake
Russell Street Deli
Russell Street is a staple in the Eastern Market community. A tiny deli with a huge heart, it boasts organic food, ethical business practices for humans, and tasty vegan options that are good for animals. Try the vegan TLT and the Cuban black bean soup, and look out for the specials—you’ll find vegan French toast and more!
Brooklyn Street Local
Banana-walnut pancakes, tofu scramble, poutine, spicy-tofu sandwiches … yum, yum, and yum.
The Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company
Voted the best place to read a good book and drink soy lavender lattes by … me, this place is a must-stop in the city. The tempeh bánh mì is what vegan bánh mì dreams are made of.
Seva
Seva is an OG. While the eatery originated in Ann Arbor, MI, it opened a Detroit location a few years ago and has been serving up delicious vegan food ever since.
Detroit Institute of Bagels
Do I need any words when I have this picture? Just LOOK AT IT.
FOLK Detroit
Avocado toast takes Detroit.
Pie-Sci Pizza
A newbie on the scene, Pie-Sci quickly won the heart of every vegan pizza lover in the city. I mean, this place offers a nacho pizza topped with vegan queso, beefless crumble, black beans, jalapeños, shredded romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, white onion, chili-lime chips, and vegan adobo sour cream drizzle. Need I say more?
PJ’s Lager House
A beloved dive bar where you can always catch a local band serving up some serious soul, PJ’s serves even more serious vegan food options—including homemade spicy queso, tempeh Reuben sandwiches, vegan chili, a vegan po’boy, and more.
7 Greens
Who said salads have to be boring?! Top your make-your-own bowl with roasted tofu, hummus, tabbouleh, and pomegranate sumac dressing, or vegan taco meat, black beans, and corn, or toasted ramen, tofu, edamame, and sriracha—or literally any of the other crazy-good options from the menu.
Parks & Rec Diner
Breakfast all day = happiness all day. Get fit with the diner’s Coco-Yo Parfait, topped with granola and house preserves, or snag the Tunisian bake, made vegan.
ima
Gimme all the udon. And chili-lemon edamame. And tofu tacos.
Treat Dreams
With vegan ice cream flavors like dark chocolate peanut butter, pistachio, and Mexican chocolate, how can you go wrong?
Biggby Coffee
This Michigan-based coffee shop has locations all over the state, and tons of vegan options! Most of their clear syrups are vegan–just ask at the counter! They also offer soy, almond, and coconut milk for their drinks.
Shimmy Shack
Vegan burgers and milkshakes, galore! That’s right, your dreams have officially come true. Celebrate with one of the truck’s beloved shakes like the Cookie Monster after nomming on the delish nachos.
Nosh Pit
Rocky’s Road Brew
Go! Sy Thai
Brome Modern Eatery
Fist of Curry
Calexico
Smoked tofu, deep-fried and stuffed into burritos and bowls. <3
Vegginini’s Paradise Cafe
Moor Herbs
The Grim Feeder
The ‘Burbs
Chive Kitchen
Chive Kitchen in Farmington—a few miles outside the city—boasts a fun and creative menu of new takes on Michigan classics, including vegan chili-cheese fries, patty melts, chili dogs, and more.
Yummy chili-cheese fries and a vegan Rueben sandwich!
GreenSpace Café
The perfect date night starts here! GreenSpace in Ferndale—opened by a vegan cardiologist who’s passionate about vegan food and health—has an upscale menu that features everything from healthy macrobiotic bowls with kimchi (yum) and stuffed avocados to pizzas, burritos, and more.
GreenSpace & Go
The quick-service outpost of GreenSpace serves up delicious smoothies, healthy bowls, and more!
Inn Season Café
Inn Season in Royal Oak is another orig in the veggie food movement of Metro Detroit, serving up classics such as cashew-ginger stir fry, “The Big Baprawski”—its take on a Big Mac—decadent chocolate cake with raspberry drizzle, and way, way more.
Hippies Pizza
I’ll get straight to it: Hippies in Royal Oak not only delivers vegan pizzas with meat-free pepperoni and Daiya cheese but also has a variety of vegan desserts—including cinnamon banana bread and cherry bombs, and apps too. You had me at vegan breadsticks, Hippies.
The Lunch Room
You’ll have to trek out to Ann Arbor for this one—but it’s worth it! Two locations in A2 serve up luscious sweet treats, including s’more cupcakes, Mexican hot-chocolate cookies, chai scones, and more! Don’t want to eat dessert for breakfast? Oooookay. Try their regular and brunch menus for dishes such as the chili mac, burritos, pancakes, and more.
Burrito bowl and yummy deserts at The Lunch Room
Detroit Dog Co.
A food truck that serves up veggie dogs? You’ve got it.
Urge Juice
Sprout House
The Clean Plate
OM Cafe
Ale Mary’s Beer Hall
*****
Oh, and here’s probably the most legit news ever for a vegan Detroiter: Some of the most popular Better Made chips are “accidentally vegan,” including the Original, Sour Cream & Onion Wavy, Red Hot!, and Barbecue flavors. You’re welcome!
Want more tips on going vegan? Of course you do!
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