Want to go meatless in Boston? This is a local’s guide to the best 21 vegan restaurants in Boston, including some that are vegetarian but vegan-friendly.
While I’m not vegan myself, I do regularly enjoy plant-based meals. Boston has an impressive diversity of tasty vegan food, spanning from flavorful Thai food to Ethiopian veggie platters!
Last Updated: November 21st, 2023
Disclaimer: prices or menu items may change since I made this article. Always double-check with the restaurant!
Best Vegan Restaurants in Boston
Red White Ramen
First on the vegan restaurants in Boston list is the city’s only fully-vegan ramen shop. Red White is a standalone counter-service ramen spot in Back Bay with an impressive selection of flavors, including Yuzu Sesame, Ginger Curry, and Red Hot Miso. The menu has been curated by Chef Kei, who had been making authentic Japanese food in Japan for over 15 years now!
I tried a variety of broths, and the No 8 Red Hot Miso came out on top. The noodles came with vegan tofu “meat”, corn, onions, arugula, and garlic oil. The added garlic oil gave the broth a strong depth of flavor. The portion size is pretty large, with plenty of chewy, fresh noodles.
Another ramen that I see patrons raving about is the Tokyo Masala ramen. The ginger-curry-based broth has a mild spice and comes loaded with vegan meat and veggies.
294 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02115 / redwhiteusa.com
Further Reading: 11 Best Ramen in Boston (check out the creamy cashew vegan ramen at Bosso!)
Lucy Ethiopian Cafe
If you haven’t tried Ethiopian food yet, you’re seriously missing out. Located just above the Symphony T stop on the Green Line, Lucy’s is a family-run Ethiopian restaurant with plenty of vegan options.
I recommend that you order one of their veggie combos, which come with 3-4 sets of veggie dishes. Some of their vegan options include miser wot (spicy stewed red lentils), kik alecha (mild yellow split peas), spinach with potatoes, and collard greens.
The combos are served with injera, which is a fermented pancake-style flatbread. You’re meant to tear pieces of it off and use it as a vehicle to scoop the fillings into your mouth. The bread has a sour taste that pairs well with the strong flavors of the veggies. And, while it didn’t look like much food, I was pleasantly surprised by how full I got after a few bites.
Other vegan restaurants in Boston with Ethiopian stews:
- Blue Nile in Jamaica Plain
- Fasika Cafe in Roxbury
- Oasis Vegan Veggie Parlour – Ethiopian stews, as well as grain bowls, wraps, and juices. Located in Dorchester
334 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02115
Rhythm ‘N Wraps
What started as a food truck in 2013, Rhythm ‘N Wraps now has a location in Allston. They specialize in plant-based tacos, burgers and sandwiches, wraps, and bowls. Each taco is $4 and comes in interesting fillings like BBQ pulled jackfruit, crispy fried tofu with kimchi pears, and a chili bean quesadilla. They also have a dedicated gluten-free menu.
I do want to note that the restaurant takes the “Rhythm” in its name seriously. There’s always loud music playing throughout the eatery and a fun vibe.
1096 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02134 / rhythmwraps.com
Life Alive
Life Alive is an organic cafe chain with a plant-forward menu including smoothies, breakfast dishes, warm grains and greens bowls, acai bowls, smoothies, and even ramen!
A customer-favorite dish is their Rainbow Harvest bowl, which is filled with beets, carrots, whipped sweet potato, kale, and brown rice and topped with ginger tamari sauce. Like many of their other grain bowls, the dish is super colorful from the variety of vegetables.
During the Boston summer heat, I opt for the acai bowls. They have the plain acai, but also other fun smoothie bowl flavors like Green Planet with kale and avocado, and PB and J acai.
They also have fun drinks like the Iced Ocean Blue latte made with blue-green algae, and Mexican hot chocolate!
The cafe itself is beautiful. It has funky Bohemian-style furniture like colorful throw pillows on the booths, high ceilings that make it feel spacious, and a cozy outdoor seating area. This is one of the best vegan restaurants in Boston for a catch-up with friends or a date!
Multiple locations / lifealive.com
Further Reading: 27+ Best Boston Date Ideas
Clover
Clover is a fully-vegan Boston-based chain with over 15 locations in the Boston metro area. They pride themselves in their use of organic, locally sourced ingredients for all their meals. They specialize in pita sandwich wraps, plant-based bowls, and soups.
I frequent this place often and have tried most of their menu by now. Their most popular item is undoubtedly the Chickpea fritter pita or plate, which comes with crispy falafel, pickled vegetables, hummus, and a drizzle of tahini. The cold dish is pretty refreshing.
The BBQ Seitan is also a hit. Seitan is marinated in BBQ sauce and covered with cheese and caramelized onions, then lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and mayo.
While you’re there, don’t miss their rosemary french fries. They only have 3 ingredients – potatoes, rosemary, and kosher salt! The string-style fries are salty and have a heavy oil taste that I love. They pile on a LOT of fries – it’s perfect for sharing.
The ordering process online is straightforward. They even have their own app that is very transparent with the ingredients and nutrition in each dish. Check the Clover website for full allergen information, nutrition, and ingredients they use.
Multiple locations / cloverfoodlab.com
Further Reading: Best 13 Sandwiches in Boston
Saus
Craving poutine? Saus in Boston’s Haymarket has a vegan miso-mushroom poutine gravy! Vegan toppings to finish off your poutine include crispy shallots, sambal, and kimchi.
While Saus isn’t a vegan restaurant, they cater to vegans well. They have a wide selection of vegan french fry dipping “Sauses” like smoky chipotle, garlic chickpea, curry ketchup, and sweet bill’s bbq. They pair well with the thick-cut, salty Belgian fries. Saus even has a vegan cauli falafel sandwich and chicken nuggets.
I’ve been eating at Saus for a decade now, and it’s one of my all-time favorite vegan restaurants in Boston.
33 Union St, Boston, MA 02108 / sausboston.com
Cocobeet
A great spot for smoothie bowls is Cocobeet right next to the Government Center Station in Downtown Boston. The takeout spot is 100% plant-based and specializes in smoothie bowls, green juices, salads, and other healthy foods.
One of my favorite menu items is the simple acai bowl, which comes with acai berry, maqui berry, strawberry, and banana, and is topped with sunflower seed butter, homemade vanilla maple granola, fresh fruit, and coconut flakes.
Other great smoothie spots in Boston:
- Playa Bowls in Huntington Plaza next to Northeastern
- Mother Juice in the Boston Public Market & Newbury Street
- Jugos in Boston’s South End and Back Bay
100 City Hall Avenue, Boston, MA 02108 / cocobeet.com
My Thai Vegan Cafe
Located in Boston’s Chinatown, My Thai Vegan Cafe is a long-standing vegan restaurant in Boston loved by vegans and omnivores alike. Must-try dishes include the green curry “chicken”, Pad Kee Mao, and Vietnamese noodles.
The restaurant is extremely unassuming – it’s located on the second floor of Pho Pasteur in Chinatown. However, it surprisingly gets busy inside and has a great view of the neighborhood through the window.
3 Beach St #2, Boston, MA 02111 / mythaivegancafe.com
Further Reading: 17+ Best Restaurants in Boston’s Theater District
Sugar and Spice
Next on the best vegan restaurants in Boston guide is one of my favorite spots. While it’s not a fully vegan restaurant, Sugar and Spice in Porter Square has a very expansive vegan menu with over 50 options! It’s the perfect place to dine with non-vegan friends.
Perhaps the most popular vegan dish (and most photographed), is the colorful Kow Yum. It’s a rice-based salad with BLUE rice, Thai herbs, fresh vegetables, fruits, toasted coconut flakes, and fried tofu. It comes with a side bowl of dark herb vinaigrette to add as you like. It has a heavy lemongrass and Thai basil flavor.
You can also order vegan curries and noodle dishes like pad thai and tom yum. I love how flavorful everything is while still staying true to the bold Thai flavor profile.
It’s a relatively small restaurant and is VERY loved by the community, so expect to wait during weekends and peak times.
1933 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140 / sugarspices.com
Further Reading: Boston’s Best Thai Restaurants 2023
Veggie Crust
The next few spots on this best Vegan restaurants in Boston list are more fast food centered. First is Veggie Crust, the Boston area’s only vegetarian/vegan-based pizza restaurant. The entire pizza menu is vegetarian with vegan options. They have two locations in immediate proximity to Boston – Somerville and Brookline, which is also completely kosher.
Their menu is inspired by cultures all around the world, with flavors like Paneer Tikka Masala Pizza, Garden Veg Manchurian, and falafel pizza. They also serve vegan-friendly pasta like bolognese, sandwiches, and FoMu ice cream.
Multiple locations / vegcrust.com
Beatnic
Formerly known as ByChloe, Beatnic is a popular fully vegan fast food chain across the U.S. You can get everything from veggie burgers to salad bowls. My go-to is their guacamole burger, which has a mushroom-brown rice patty topped with creamy guacamole, corn salsa, veggies, and chipotle aioli. The french fries are crisp and thick-cut.
Their quinoa taco salad is also a favorite. It’s filled with romaine, quinoa, tofu crema, soy-based taco “chorizo”, and tortilla crisps for the perfect crunch.
399 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116 / eatbeatnic.com
Veggie Grill
The last fast food spot for vegan restaurants in Boston is Veggie Grill! Located just outside the city in Harvard Square, they have a wide selection of burgers and fried chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, bowls, and salads.
I enjoyed their veggie burger made from a Beyond burger patty, cheese, special sauce, pickles, tomatoes, lettuce, and onion on a brioche bun. They also have a rotating Asian-inspired bowl menu!
57 John F. Kennedy St, Cambridge, MA 02138 / veggiegrill.com
Veggie Galaxy
Veggie Galaxy in Central Square (Cambridge) is a cult favorite among Bostonians. The old-fashioned diner-style restaurant sells fully vegetarian American comfort food, with the option of everything being vegan. They also have a fully vegan bakery that sells donuts on the weekend!
You can order their all-day American breakfast, a wide selection of mac and cheese, sandwiches, and burgers. I really enjoy the buffalo cauliflower.
450 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139 / veggiegalaxy.com
DIG
I know that Dig is a national chain, but it’s a reliable option for locally sourced, delicious plant-based grain bowls and deserves a mention on this best vegan restaurants in Boston list.
You choose a bowl base, two sides, and your choice of protein. The menu changes based on what’s in season, but a vegan meal option includes glazed maple cider tofu, roasted sweet potatoes, charred broccoli, and brown rice.
Multiple locations / diginn.com
Red Lentil
This vegan restaurant is actually not in Boston, but Red Lentil in Watertown is a must for any vegan in the greater Boston area! They have an international-inspired menu of items that are high in protein, fiber, and vitamins.
Popular items include their red lentil soup, gobi manchurian (cauliflower with Indian seasonings and sweet and spicy tomato sauce), sweet potato quesadilla, and Mexican pizza. They also have gluten-free items including the pulled jackfruit tacos and Tex-Mex enchilada.
600 Mt Auburn St, Watertown, MA 02472 / theredlentil.com
FoMu
Last on the vegan food in Boston list are vegan desserts! FoMu is a fully vegan ice cream shop with ingredients that are carefully sourced and entirely plant-based. Their ice creams are made using coconut milk and natural sweeteners (perfect for lactose-intolerant people too!)
You’ll find a variety of unique and fun ice cream flavors, frappes, sundaes, and novelty items like cookie dough bars and peanut butter popsicles.
My go-to is the strawberry rhubarb pie ice cream. It’s strawberry ice cream with house-made rhubarb compote and gluten-free pie crust. It’s sweet and the pie crust adds a fantastic texture. I also love that it’s not too heavy on the coconut flavor, which is something that I’ve noticed often with vegan ice cream.
My only gripe about Fomu is that it’s kind of pricey – each ice cream is about $8. It’s definitely more of a treat for me.
Multiple locations / fomuicecream.com
Further Reading: Boston’s Best 31 Desserts
Honorable Mentions: Best Vegan Restaurants in Boston
- Revolution Health Kitchen for acai bowls, salads, smoothies, etc. Multiple locations
- Grasshopper Restaurant in Allston for vegan Chinese food
- Lulu Green in South Boston for breakfast sandwiches, quinoa bowls, lentil soup, and more
- PlantPub in Cambridge for inventive burgers and fried chicken sandwiches
- Dosa n Curry in Somerville for a fully vegetarian menu of North Indian, South Indian, and Indo-Chinese food. Many of the menu items can be made vegan.
Wrapping Up: Best Vegan Restaurants in Boston
That concludes my best vegan restaurants in Boston list! Once you’ve eaten through the best vegan food in Boston, check out other things to do in the city:
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