Memphis Vegan Dining Guide

A-Tan Chinese Restaurant — Chinese restaurant with sushi and hibachi grill. Menu features several vegetarian selections. If you drink alcohol, try the Flaming Volcano (a tropical, flaming cocktail served in a ceramic volcano-shaped bowl).  3445 Poplar (901-458-8877).

Absynnia Restaurant – This Ethiopian restaurant features a number of low-fat vegetarian dishes served with endless spongey injera bread. Don't miss their amazing Saturday buffet where almost every dish offered is vegetarian. 2600 Poplar (901-321-0082).

Al-Rayan — Cute Middle Eastern joint tucked into a nondescript shopping center serving the best hummus and falafel in town. Plus, they have a few Ethiopian dishes, including the vegan Ful (a steaming dish of mashed fava beans with olive oil, lemon, garlic, and onion). There's also a tasty (and very filling) vegetable sandwich. Try the Arabic Coffee! 288 N. Cleveland. (901-272-0227).

Bangkok Alley — Thai meets Japanese at this Thai eatery/sushi bar. Vegetarian options are clearly marked as "Vegetarian (No Meat)." While the veg selection is not huge, the sauces used for entrees are absolutely delicious, and plain un-fried tofu can be added to veggie stir-fries. Brown rice is also an option. Bangkok Alley also serves Lolonis Ladybug wine, an organic wine produced by a winery that uses ladybugs for pest control rather than chemicals. 121 Union Ave. (901-522-2010).

Bhan Thai – Gourmet Thai dishes, any of which can be prepared with fried tofu. Be sure to ask the server to leave out fish sauce since it comes standard in most of their entrees. Avoid the curries, as they cannot be prepared without fish sauce. Also, avoid the soups as they are prepared with chicken stock. Its romantic ambiance makes this a great date restaurant. 1324 Peabody (901-272-1538).

 

Blue Coast Burrito – Make your own veggie burritos! 3546 Walker Ave. (901-323-3730).

Blue Fin — Hip downtown sushi bar with several veggie rolls, including the best shitake roll in town. 135 S. Main (901-528-1010).

 

Boscos Squared – This Midtown microbrewery serves yummy veggie burgers and locally-sourced, locally-brewed Ghost River beer. 2120 Madison (901-432-2222).  

Brother Juniper’s – Scrambled tofu, veggie sausage, and other vegetarian breakfast items. Located in the University of Memphis area. 3519 Walker Ave. (901-324-0144).

Cafe Eclectic — Best black bean burger in town, available in wrap with spicy vegan mayo or on a whole wheat bun. Also hummus pita, roasted sweet taters, soy lattes, and fresh-baked loaves of sourdough and ciabatta bread. Cafe Eclectic offers a tasty tofu scramble wrap with avocado and grilled veggies during Sunday brunch. 603 N. McLean (901-725-1718).

Café Ole – Mexican fare with plenty of vegetarian options. Try the veggie tacos (served with bean sprouts) and the black bean soup. 959 S. Cooper (901-274-1504).

Casablanca – This eatery offers Middle Eastern fare. Their falafel is to die for, especially when served on their "Big Mac of the Middle East" falafel pita sammy. Also check out the rice-stuffed grape leaves. 5030 Poplar Ave, #7. (901-725-8558).

 

Central BBQ – Get your BBQ fix sans the pulled pork with their BBQ portabella sandwich. Vegans, ask them to leave off the cheese 2249 Central (901-272-9377).

 

Chang’s Bubble Tea – Numerous vegan bubble teas options! Stick with the fruit-flavored teas, as the milk teas and creamy teas (like coconut and chai) contain dairy. The food menu has a few vegan options, like curry tofu, vegetable tofu, and vegetable fried rice. 8095 Macon Road (901-682-7229).

Ciao Bella — This romantic East Memphis eatery is, by far, the most vegan-friendly Italian restaurant in town. Tell your server you're vegan and Chef Jonathan Steenerson will whip you up a special vegan meal — think grilled vegan cheese, broiled tofu over Brussels sprout puree, spinach fettucine with pesto, and even vegan sorbets! 565 Erin Dr. (901-205-2500).

Cosmic Coconut — This all-vegan juice and smoothie bar offers delicious drinks using fresh, organic produce. They also serve coffee, tea, and smoothie bowls (smoothies served in a bowl topped with nuts, coconut, or granola). Try the Chocolate Covered Almond smoothie (bananas, coconut milk, carob, cacao, and almond butter) or the Solar Power Juice (carrots, apples, ginger, and orange). 5101 Sanderlin Ave., Suite 104B (901-729-7134).

Deja Vu Creole Soul Food and Vegetarian Cafe — Large vegan menu featuring Southern comfort foods, like mock chicken salad, BBQ tofu, and much more. All the soul food sides are vegan, like collard greens and candied yams. And they have vegan desserts!! 936 Florida St. (901-942-1400).

Do - This Cooper-Young sushi joint features several vegetarian items, like the veggie roll and the cucumber roll. Try the flash-fried tofu as an appetizer. 964 S. Cooper (901-272-0830).

Flavors Indian Cuisine — South Indian restaurant serving dosas, gobi manchurian, aloo gobi, Indian street snacks (chaat) and much more. Many of their dishes are vegetarian, and their Saturday buffet is overwhelming with delicious choices. 4205 Hacks Cross Rd. (737-9914). 


Frank's South Main Market & Deli — This quaint downtown quick shop features several vegan options made with portabella mushrooms. There's a mushroom panini, a wrap, and a salad. Just be sure and ask them to leave off pesto and goat cheese. Frank's delivers by bike to downtown locations. 327 S. Main (901-523-0101).


Fuel - This eco-friendly Midtown cafe offers plenty in the way of vegan options. The smoky house made vegan burger will blow your mind! The vegan nachos and chili mac are both topped a hearty quinoa chili. Ask the server for vegan cheese. They usually have it. At dinner, ask for the vegan pasta of the day or the tofu Thai curry. By the way, this place is Project Green Fork certified, which means they recycle, compost, use green cleaners, and commit to sustainable business practices. 1761 Madison Ave. (901-725-9025).

Hi-Tone — This Midtown rock club also boasts an impressive lunch and dinner menu with several vegan options. There's a veggie burger, and the Hi-Tone now serves vegan cheeze pizza (made with Daiya). They also typically have a vegan brunch special (think tofu scramble or vegan pancakes) every Sunday. 1913 Poplar Ave. (901-278-8663).

Huey’s – Famous Memphis burger joint offering veggie and black bean burger patties. The patties are completely vegan! 77 S. Second (901-525-4839); 1927 Madison (901-726-4372); 4872 Poplar (901-682-7729); 7825 Winchester (901-624-8911); 1771 N. Germantown Pkwy. (901-754-3885); 2130 W. Poplar, Collierville (901-854-4455).

Imagine Vegan Cafe — Memphis' ONLY totally-vegan cafe! Imagine offers a HUGE menu of veganized comfort food classics —French dip subs, Philly cheesesteaks, chicken fried steak, Frito chili pie, you name it. There's also a build-your-own vegan cheese pizza option and hot dog bar. Oh, and they have vegan cheese sticks! Freakin' vegan cheese sticks! And let's not forget dessert. The peanut butter milkshake will change your life, and the cakes, brownies, and cookies are to die for! Imagine now offers brunch from noon to 3 p.m. every Sunday. The Memphis Slam (biscuits topped with sausage, gravy, tofu scramble, and vegan cheese sauce) is amazing!! 2156 Young Ave. (http://www.imaginevegancafe.com/)

India Palace – Lots of veggie options are offered at this Midtown institution. Try the vegetable curry, the dhal soup, or the extensive buffet. 1720 Poplar (901-278-1199).

 

Jasmine – There are tons of vegan options at this yummy Thai restaurant. Dishes on about half the menu are served with tofu (and they have a huge menu). Try the Potato Basket (fried tofu and stir-fried veggies served in a basket made from fried hashbrowns). 916 S. Cooper (901-725-0223).

 

Java Cabana – This Cooper-Young coffeehouse serves vegan tacos, soy burgers, vegetarian sausage and biscuits, giant vegan cookies, and vegan cappuccinos. 2170 Young Ave. (901-272-7210).

Kwik Chek – Who says convenience store food has to be unhealthy? At the Kwik Chek on Madison (across from the Blue Monkey), they’re serving up falafel and hummus pitas (vegans: ask them to leave off the cucumber sauce). 2013 Madison (901-274-9293).

Mellow Mushroom — Vegan-friendly pizza parlor offering Daiya vegan cheese (OMG y'all!), BBQ tofu, pesto tofu, and tempeh toppings. Also offering tofu and tempeh hoagies. 9155 Hwy. 72 (901-907-0243).

 

Moe’s Southwest Grill – This national chain of burrito restaurants offers marinated tofu in place of chicken or steak on burritos and tacos. And bring your appetite because the burritos are super-fat! 6300 Poplar (881-6012); 465 N. Germantown Pkwy. (901-737-5058).

 

Molly’s La Casita – A Memphis staple, this Mexican joint makes a mean vegetarian platter. 2006 Madison (901-726-1873).

Mosa Asian Bistro — This Asian fusion eatery offers an assortment of Chinese and Thai dishes, most of which can easily be made vegan. Tofu is offered as a protein choice for almost every dish, and most are fish sauce-free. The friendly staff is happy to help vegans decipher the menu. 1825 Kirby Parkway (901-755-6755);  850 S. White Station (901-683-8889).

New Hong Kong — This modest mom-and-pop Chinese shop has a secret vegan menu! Just ask the lady behind the counter, and feast your eyes (and eventually your mouth) on the massive menu of classic Asian dishes prepared with mock chicken, mock beef, mock shrimp, mock ham, and fried bean curd. They even have vegan fried wontons! 4594 Quince (901-680-0999).
 

Otherlands – This quaint little Midtown coffeeshop serves vegan frozen coffee drinks, juices, bagels with various spreads, soups, and other yummy quick items. You must try the vegan cheese toast! 641 S. Cooper (901-278-4994).

 

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro – Fine dining the vegetarian way. Though only a few menu items list tofu, ANY dish at P.F. Chang’s can be made with tofu instead of meat. Just ask your waiter. 1181 Ridgeway (901-818-3889). 

 

Pei Wei Asian Diner – A fast-food version of P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, this Midtown chain serves several tasty tofu dishes. 1680 Union (901-722-3780); 540 South Mendenhall Rd. (901-761-9226); 2257 North Germantown Parkway (901-382-1822).
 

Pho Hoa Binh – During the work week, this little Vietnamese joint has a buffet full of fried tofu stir-fries and soups. And it’s only like $6 for all-you-can-eat! Other times of the day, order off the extensive menu. 1615 Madison (901-276-0006).

Pita Cafe — Best damn falafel in the world! The always fried-fresh-to-order falafel is best enjoyed stuffed inside their giant Falafel and Hummus Wrap with the works (lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onions, jalapenos, hot pepper relish, and hot sauce). 3950 Park Ave. (901-452-1055). 

RP Tracks — This U of M bar & grill serves YUMMY barbecue tofu nachos, a barbecue tofu burrito, a barbecue tofu sandwich, a veggie burger, wild rice & veggies, and some damn good hummus. A must for any local or visiting vegetarian! 3547 Walker. (901-327-1471).


Saigon Le — Vietnamese restaurant with tons of tofu dishes and a few wheat gluten-based entrees. Try the Kung Pao Tofu, the Lemongrass Tofu, or the Barbecue Wheat Gluten. 51 N. Cleveland. (901-276-5326).

Slider Inn — This Midtown slider joint offers a vegan slider made from brown rice, black beans, beets, onion, and jalapeno and topped with avocado and sprouts. Order a plate of three and consume with Slider Inn's amazing French fries. 2117 Peabody Ave. (901-725-1155).


Three Angels Diner — This kitschy diner in the Broad Avenue Arts District features several vegan options, including the world's best tofu eggless salad sandwich. The Momma's Tofu sandwich is also delish — baked tofu and roasted red peppers. And their housemade vegan burger is a must-try. 2617 Broad Ave. (901-452-1111).

Trolley Stop Market — Adorable farm-to-table cafe where owners Jill and Keith use produce from their own farm to make many of the dishes. Trolley Stop has a vegan cheese (Daiya) option for their housemade, locally-famous pizzas. Plus, you can add vegan cheese to their delectable Spinny Shroom Sandwich (spinach and mushrooms on toasted bread ... ask for no butter on the bread). There's also an amazing homemade veggie burger and a hummus and black bean wrap. 704 Madison. (901-526-1361).  

Whole Foods – Offering several vegan and vegetarian entrees on the hot bar and salad bar, as well as a number of vegetarian take-home deli items. The mock chicken nuggets on the hot bar are a must-try. 5022 Poplar (685-2293). 

Young Avenue Deli – Not only do they boast the best homemade French fries in town, they also serve several delicious veggie wraps, quesadillas, and sandwiches (one even includes fried tofu). 2119 Young Ave. (278-0034).