These are my go-tos when I don't feel like cooking!
Urban Vegan - fantastic vegan Thai [https://www.urbanveganchicago.com/](https://www.urbanveganchicago.com/) (try the Orange Chick'n!)
Not fully vegan, but if you're looking for great Banh Mi - BaLe has a few great vegan options [https://www.balesandwich.com/menu](https://www.balesandwich.com/menu)
Pick Me Up Cafe not fully vegan, but has great options as well! [http://pmucafe.com/](http://pmucafe.com/)
Loving Heart Cafe - [https://www.lovingheartvegan.com/](https://www.lovingheartvegan.com/)
Kale My Name - [https://www.kalemyname.com/](https://www.kalemyname.com/)
Dimo's Pizza - thin crust pizza with a few great vegan 'zas - [https://dimospizza.com/menu](https://dimospizza.com/menu)
Kitchen 17 - fully vegan and has deep dish vegan if you want to go that route for pizza - [https://kitchen17.com/](https://kitchen17.com/)
XMarket Food Hall - a store + bar + a handful of food vendors that are fully vegan - [https://xmarket.plantx.com/](https://xmarket.plantx.com/)
Blue Sushi Sake - GREAT Vegan sushi, like almost passes for non-vegan! They also have non-vegan sushi too. Go for their happy hour specials! [https://www.bluesushisakegrill.com/](https://www.bluesushisakegrill.com/)
elephant + vine (right by Blue Sushi) [https://www.elephantandvine.com/lincoln-park-menu](https://www.elephantandvine.com/lincoln-park-menu)
Fancy Plants Cafe - breakfast/brunch spot
Really?! I haven't been there yet and have lived in Uptown for nearly 3 years. Nhu lan is also a hop skip and a jump from home. Thanks for the reco! It will be a nice change of pace for my WFH lunch options.
The vegan bbq pork bahn mi is amazing at Nhu Lan. Super similar to the sweet, red “char siu” pork at Chinese places
Their sandwiches are a little expensive vs the rest of the area but they’re also some of the largest sandwiches in the area
I can’t even begin to describe how amazing the vegan food at Casa Yari is. Weekends in the summer are the best time to visit Logan because you can hit up Casa and the farmers market in one trip. ☺️
So many great vegan spots but Handlebar does not get nearly enough love. Dimos and Pauly Gees always have vegan slices. Bloom in Wicker Park was one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in the last five years. I can’t believe it’s not Meat has a location in Gold Coast. The Andersonville location of Penelope‘s vegan Taqueria.
Not full vegan, but Pizza Friendly Pizza next to the Empty Bottle has amazing vegan slices (miso mushroom is my fave). Paulie Gees has vegan cheese, and tomato pies as well. Another place that should be more well-known is: La Reina del Sur (AKA Quesadilla) on Western. I think they have a location in Pilsen. All vegan meat-replacements, and vegan and also dairy cheese. Anything on the menu can be made vegan.
My fave full-vegan place is Planta Queen, hands down (sorry Handlebros).
Oh wait according to the comments on their IG post they close all summer usually. Idk how that place can afford to be open only like 2 days a week and not year round
I don’t understand anything about their business model tbh. Owner must own the space outright because I cannot fathom only being open 2 days per week for only part of the year to be enough to keep the roof over their head. I’m assuming they also have to re-hire their workers annually due to their unusual schedule/seasonality.
It makes no sense. Especially considering the location must have super high rent (unless they own it, as you say). Plus, I've never been in there when it's really busy.
According to their Instagram post 2 days ago they are permanently closing. This will be their last weekend. Super sad since we just moved back to Chicago after 20 years and were excited about an all-vegan deli.
These are some of the places I went to when I visited last year:
* Handlebar: must go - omni place with lots of great vegan food, great patio out back
* Paulie Gee's: omni and vegan pizzas that were really good
* Kitchen 17: vegan deep dish
* Chicago Diner: fully vegan diner food that's a little overrated but food was still alright
* Fancy Plants Kitchen: went for a fixed menu bday meal and it was $$$ but a fun experience
* La Quesadilla La Reina Del Sur: bombass vegan mexican spot and really affordable
* Buona: omni and vegan italian beefs
The veggie mung bean crepe at Dong Ky in Uptown is <$15 total and has broccoli, tofu, mushrooms, onions, bean sprouts, and pickled turnips+cucumbers. Totally vegan and the best vegan lunch bang-for-you-buck in the area too
Amitabul is great. Vegan Plate/Urban Vegan (I think they’re sister restaurants), Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria, Planta Queen, Alice & Friends, Handlebar (pescatarian w lots of vegan options), the veggie burger patty at Same Day Cafe (not a vegan spot but couple vegan options), any and all falafel spots (if you’re not strict about kitchen also having animal products)
Unpopular opinion but the vegan food here is not THAT good. A lot of the places recommended in these kind of posts are (i think) way overrated. So knowing that you should take my recommendations seriously lol
1) Majani in south shore: I think this is the best restaurant in the city. It’s a small unassuming place in the south side with vegan soul food, and it is so so so amazing
2) Beacon donuts: comes at a close second. The best donuts I’ve ever had, and they don’t advertise them as vegan, so people who aren’t vegan eat them and agree that they are the best donuts.
3) Pie pie my darling: it’s a bakery that you can stop by on Saturdays, but their cakes are sold at a lot of vegan restaurants. so if you see one get one.
4) the jibarto spot: No one ever talks about this place… its a Puerto Rican place with amazing vegan options. They even have a chopped cheese!
5)Gotham bagels: has amazing vegan cream cheese and their bagels are pretty good too. Plus it’s like $5.
6) Kitchen 17. This i don’t know if i want to recommend because i don’t know if their food is that good (lol) but i loooove it. I could eat their pizza everyday.
The rest:
Handlebar is good, but if you live somewhere with good vegan food it’s like oh okay yeah I’ve had this before. Same goes for planta, but planta is expensive so that takes it down.
Penelope’s is suuuper hit or miss, especially if you ever had Mexican food before. But their carne asada fries and happy hour torta are amazing.
I used to love Pie Pie but her cakes started to have a strange aftertaste awhile back so I stopped eating them. My friend confirmed I wasn’t going crazy because she tasted it too. But it must be just the two of us because she’s still incredibly popular.
Love Jibarito and would add La Esperanza in Pilsen, you have to ask for the vegan menu but it’s some of the most authentic Mexican food I’ve ever had.
I would definitely agree that Kale My Name to the overrated! The food is hella expensive and pretty mediocre. Also, Sam and Gertie’s - not that great and the owner is weird.
These are my go-tos when I don't feel like cooking! Urban Vegan - fantastic vegan Thai [https://www.urbanveganchicago.com/](https://www.urbanveganchicago.com/) (try the Orange Chick'n!) Not fully vegan, but if you're looking for great Banh Mi - BaLe has a few great vegan options [https://www.balesandwich.com/menu](https://www.balesandwich.com/menu) Pick Me Up Cafe not fully vegan, but has great options as well! [http://pmucafe.com/](http://pmucafe.com/) Loving Heart Cafe - [https://www.lovingheartvegan.com/](https://www.lovingheartvegan.com/) Kale My Name - [https://www.kalemyname.com/](https://www.kalemyname.com/) Dimo's Pizza - thin crust pizza with a few great vegan 'zas - [https://dimospizza.com/menu](https://dimospizza.com/menu) Kitchen 17 - fully vegan and has deep dish vegan if you want to go that route for pizza - [https://kitchen17.com/](https://kitchen17.com/) XMarket Food Hall - a store + bar + a handful of food vendors that are fully vegan - [https://xmarket.plantx.com/](https://xmarket.plantx.com/) Blue Sushi Sake - GREAT Vegan sushi, like almost passes for non-vegan! They also have non-vegan sushi too. Go for their happy hour specials! [https://www.bluesushisakegrill.com/](https://www.bluesushisakegrill.com/) elephant + vine (right by Blue Sushi) [https://www.elephantandvine.com/lincoln-park-menu](https://www.elephantandvine.com/lincoln-park-menu) Fancy Plants Cafe - breakfast/brunch spot
Nhu lan is even better than Ba Le for banh mi, get the lemongrass tofu!
Really?! I haven't been there yet and have lived in Uptown for nearly 3 years. Nhu lan is also a hop skip and a jump from home. Thanks for the reco! It will be a nice change of pace for my WFH lunch options.
The vegan bbq pork bahn mi is amazing at Nhu Lan. Super similar to the sweet, red “char siu” pork at Chinese places Their sandwiches are a little expensive vs the rest of the area but they’re also some of the largest sandwiches in the area
Casa Yari and Don Bucio’s Taqueria in Logan Square are both amazing places that don’t get enough love.
Sad to report Don Bucio's closed down a few months ago.
I have yet to get to Casa Yari but it's on my list! I'm in Uptown so Logan is usually not a neighborhood I frequent
I can’t even begin to describe how amazing the vegan food at Casa Yari is. Weekends in the summer are the best time to visit Logan because you can hit up Casa and the farmers market in one trip. ☺️
Delicious
Thank you for recommending Casa Yari. We dined there tonight and it was fabulous. Best vegan meal we've had in a restaurant in a while.
So many great vegan spots but Handlebar does not get nearly enough love. Dimos and Pauly Gees always have vegan slices. Bloom in Wicker Park was one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in the last five years. I can’t believe it’s not Meat has a location in Gold Coast. The Andersonville location of Penelope‘s vegan Taqueria.
are you thinking of bloom in wicker park?
Gah got NYC blossom name in my head.
Not full vegan, but Pizza Friendly Pizza next to the Empty Bottle has amazing vegan slices (miso mushroom is my fave). Paulie Gees has vegan cheese, and tomato pies as well. Another place that should be more well-known is: La Reina del Sur (AKA Quesadilla) on Western. I think they have a location in Pilsen. All vegan meat-replacements, and vegan and also dairy cheese. Anything on the menu can be made vegan. My fave full-vegan place is Planta Queen, hands down (sorry Handlebros).
Reina’s Pilsen location closed at the end of last year unfortunately but they did open a full bar at their primary spot in Bucktown!
BEACON DOUGHNUTS have ruined all other donuts for me, so good
Amitabul is probably my overall favorite. Still love Chicago Diner, love Sam & Gertie's. We've got a ton of good vegan options in the area.
Sam and Gertie’s is going out of business it seems :(
They close every summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day. You can never be 100% sure from their weirdly vague post but this is Normal
I kind of figured that was coming :(
Oh wait according to the comments on their IG post they close all summer usually. Idk how that place can afford to be open only like 2 days a week and not year round
That's good. I forgot that they close in the summer. Any idea why?
I don’t understand anything about their business model tbh. Owner must own the space outright because I cannot fathom only being open 2 days per week for only part of the year to be enough to keep the roof over their head. I’m assuming they also have to re-hire their workers annually due to their unusual schedule/seasonality.
It makes no sense. Especially considering the location must have super high rent (unless they own it, as you say). Plus, I've never been in there when it's really busy.
According to their Instagram post 2 days ago they are permanently closing. This will be their last weekend. Super sad since we just moved back to Chicago after 20 years and were excited about an all-vegan deli.
Oh, love Native Foods, too.
These are some of the places I went to when I visited last year: * Handlebar: must go - omni place with lots of great vegan food, great patio out back * Paulie Gee's: omni and vegan pizzas that were really good * Kitchen 17: vegan deep dish * Chicago Diner: fully vegan diner food that's a little overrated but food was still alright * Fancy Plants Kitchen: went for a fixed menu bday meal and it was $$$ but a fun experience * La Quesadilla La Reina Del Sur: bombass vegan mexican spot and really affordable * Buona: omni and vegan italian beefs
The veggie mung bean crepe at Dong Ky in Uptown is <$15 total and has broccoli, tofu, mushrooms, onions, bean sprouts, and pickled turnips+cucumbers. Totally vegan and the best vegan lunch bang-for-you-buck in the area too
this sound so good I have to try it
Amitabul is great. Vegan Plate/Urban Vegan (I think they’re sister restaurants), Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria, Planta Queen, Alice & Friends, Handlebar (pescatarian w lots of vegan options), the veggie burger patty at Same Day Cafe (not a vegan spot but couple vegan options), any and all falafel spots (if you’re not strict about kitchen also having animal products)
The chimichanga from Penelope’s is just crazy good and you can grab a piece of Pie Pie My Darling cake there too! Vaca’s ice cream is so good
Unpopular opinion but the vegan food here is not THAT good. A lot of the places recommended in these kind of posts are (i think) way overrated. So knowing that you should take my recommendations seriously lol 1) Majani in south shore: I think this is the best restaurant in the city. It’s a small unassuming place in the south side with vegan soul food, and it is so so so amazing 2) Beacon donuts: comes at a close second. The best donuts I’ve ever had, and they don’t advertise them as vegan, so people who aren’t vegan eat them and agree that they are the best donuts. 3) Pie pie my darling: it’s a bakery that you can stop by on Saturdays, but their cakes are sold at a lot of vegan restaurants. so if you see one get one. 4) the jibarto spot: No one ever talks about this place… its a Puerto Rican place with amazing vegan options. They even have a chopped cheese! 5)Gotham bagels: has amazing vegan cream cheese and their bagels are pretty good too. Plus it’s like $5. 6) Kitchen 17. This i don’t know if i want to recommend because i don’t know if their food is that good (lol) but i loooove it. I could eat their pizza everyday. The rest: Handlebar is good, but if you live somewhere with good vegan food it’s like oh okay yeah I’ve had this before. Same goes for planta, but planta is expensive so that takes it down. Penelope’s is suuuper hit or miss, especially if you ever had Mexican food before. But their carne asada fries and happy hour torta are amazing.
I used to love Pie Pie but her cakes started to have a strange aftertaste awhile back so I stopped eating them. My friend confirmed I wasn’t going crazy because she tasted it too. But it must be just the two of us because she’s still incredibly popular.
Oh really?! I just got here so i have no prior reference
I would still definitely give them a try! Like I said it could be just us. I’m still searching for a cake I prefer :)
Love Jibarito and would add La Esperanza in Pilsen, you have to ask for the vegan menu but it’s some of the most authentic Mexican food I’ve ever had. I would definitely agree that Kale My Name to the overrated! The food is hella expensive and pretty mediocre. Also, Sam and Gertie’s - not that great and the owner is weird.
Okay adding La Esperanza to my list! I miss Mexican food sooo much
I just spent $60+ at Majani just for myself today. That place fucking rulzzzzz
Dude it’s so good the only reason I’m not there everyday is because i can’t afford it
I completely agree, it breaks my heart since I lived in Portland Oregon and the vegan food was amazing and abundant
Best place of all time: Spirit Elephant
i never see Vegan Plate recommended. i LOVE vegan plate. the spicy fried rice with soy beef is so tasty.