Best "Meats": The Herbivorous Butcher

The Herbivorous Butcher knows a thing or two about vegan meats. As one of the only 100% vegan butcher shops in the country, these folks have captured the texture, taste, and crave-ability of meat... without the meat. Stock up on totally vegan chorizo, breakfast sausage, bacon, steaks, ribs, brats, burgers, chicken, cold-cut sandwiches, and more. They even have cheese plate-ready vegan cheeses!

Best Burgers: Stray Dog & Francis Burger Joint

Stray Dog's epic vegetarian menu offers so much more plant-based goodness than your typical bar that it'll leave your head spinning. Loaded with vegan options, the burger section alone features a whopping FOURTEEN veg-friendly burgers, including Beyond patties with vegan bacon on a white cheddar-stuffed pretzel bun and housemade vegan patties topped with jalapeños and cayenne lime mayo.

Find Francis Burger Joint in Northeast Minneapolis and the Longfellow neighborhood. Francis' atmosphere feels nostalgic and like the neighborhood's go-to diner, and it's a staple for plant eaters and omnivores alike. Try the classic Francis burger, the infamous Jucy Lucy (yes, a plant-based version of this is possible), or even their take on a fried chicken sandwich. Our favorite is the Garlic Girl - a black bean burger topped with bacon, berbere aioli, lettuce and pickled onion.

Best Variety: Reverie Cafe + Bar

As an "entirely plant based" restaurant, Reverie has to bring the variety to their menu. They have appetizers, bowls, handhelds, burgers and even vegan dessert! A couple favorites include a Cuban sandwich, pulled Cuban jackfruit, garlic aioli, pickled onions, tomato, and cilantro or the bulgogi cauliflower starter made with crispy cauliflower, gochugaru, and toasted sesame. And don't leave without having a slice of mini cashew cheesecake made with a date pecan crust.

Best Place to Also Grab a Drink: Earl Giles Distillery

Earl Giles is definitely known for their incredible drink connotations, but did you know you can also enjoy some delicious pizza and appetizers while you are there too? The best part is the menu is full of vegetarian options like the "Animal Lover" pizza, with roasted butternut squash, tallegio fondue, balsamic reduction, chives and provide you with the choice to go full vegan by substituting vegan cheese or Impossible Beef on any of their pizzas.

Best Brunch: French Meadow Café

French Meadow Café is a local favorite for organic, local eats and boasts tasty options to suit any diet. One of the best vegan breakfasts in the city, the “Classic Vegan Breakfast” features organic tofu scramble, hashbrowns, vegan sausage, and seeded sourdough toast.

Best Soul Food: Trio Plant-based

Louis Hunter is passionate about fighting for and feeding the Black community, and Trio Plant-based—the first Black-owned vegan restaurant in Minneapolis—captures that passion on every plate. Dig in to the For Your Soul Bowl, featuring vegan Mac & Cheeze and collard greens with a splash of buffalo sauce topped with crumbled cornbread, and a dab of maple butter. The BBQ Jackfruit Fries and Mac Attack cheeseburger are also legendary.

Best Bakery: Vegan East

Vegan East offers a variety of vegan cakes, rolls, bars, and sandwiches that taste just as good as the non-vegan stuff. Cool off with a vegan ice cream sandwich or treat a loved one to a bouquet of vegan cupcakes!

Best Global Flavors: World Street Kitchen

In the mood for food from... just about everywhere? World Street Kitchen is your place! Try the squash and mushroom tacos with pumpkin seed salsa, crispy marinated tofu rice bowl, sweet onion-stuffed, falafel burger, or mushroom bulgogi lettuce wraps.

Best Vegan "Chicken": Herbie Butcher's Fried Chicken

The vegan masterminds behind Herbivorous Butcher are at it again, with 100% plant-based fried chicken and classic sides—think biscuits with maple butter, coleslaw, mac & cheese, and tater tots. The menu may be simple, but you can really get creative with their long list of sauces, from Modern Times Nashville Hot Sauce to Sweet & Sour.

Best for Holistic Lifestyles: HEAL MPLS

This newly opened plant based cafe and herb shop wants to "heal" Minneapolis by creating a "safe space to chill, eat, socialize and gather as a community." Their daily selection of nutritious food is specially curated to provide plenty of variety and options. Visitors can also pick up some sweet treats, smoothies, fresh juices, herbal teas and more than 130 kinds of bulk herbs to keep that healthy lifestyle in tact. As a black-woman owned business, HEAL MPLS, is hoping to bring a little bit of wellness to the NorthSide Minneapolis community.

Best Fast Food-Style Nosh: J. Selby’s

A "fast-food" restaurant where you don’t have to modify anything because everything is 100% vegan? Yes, please! The totally plant-based menu features wings, burgers and sandwiches, milkshakes, and veggie-loaded bowls, so you're covered whether you're in the mood for something indulgent or virtuous.

Best for Ice Cream: Milkjam Creamery or Crepe and Spoon

Milkjam is known for their wild creations and their variety of vegan and gluten-free ice cream flavors. You'll often find a line out the door during the summer months, but don't worry, it moves quickly. Sample a few rotating flavors like "Poison Apple" (caramel apple sorbet), "PB vs Everybody" (peanut butter banana with oreo chunks), or "Black" (the darkest cocoa).

Don't want to bother with any non-vegan options? Crepe and Spoon offers a fully vegan menu of ice cream parlor classics—think ice cream tacos, peanut butter fudge ice cream, vegan milkshakes—as well as nostalgic sweet and savory crepes.

Best if You're Looking for Some Spice: Himalayan Restaurant

With dishes from India, Nepal, and Tibet you know Himalayan is going to bring the spice. There are plenty of vegan and vegetarian to be found on this menu as well. Grab a variation of the Daal soup to start and then dig into the Takari entrees all of which are vegetarian or vegan.

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