Detroit’s new, talented chefs are generally hip to the fact that more and more people are going meatless, and they’re adjusting their recipe books accordingly. Add to that the presence of national and regional cuisines like Middle Eastern or Bangladeshi that come with vegan options built in, and you start to see why meatless dining in Detroit isn’t too difficult.

We have pulled 30 restaurants, eateries and food trucks that we think you should visit from the 72 spots that our sources say are among the metro Detroit and Ann Arbor’s most vegan-friendly.

Detroit Vegan Soul 8029 Agnes St., Detroit; 313-649-2759 It’s Detroit’s only all-vegan restaurant, which several of our sources point out is a huge bonus because “you don’t have to worry or ask questions.” Vegan Soul trades in comfort foods and our favorite is the Catfish Tofu (cornmeal battered tofu, a broccoli and corn medley, redskin potatoes, and onions). Collective favorites include Smothered Tempeh (tempeh smothered in a brown mushroom gravy topped with green onion and sliced almonds, served with redskin mashed potatoes, and green beans) and the Soul Platter (mac-n-cheese, tenderly smoked collards, maple-glazed yams, black-eyed peas, and a cornbread muffin). (Photo courtesy of Detroit Vegan Soul)
The Clean Plate 45629 Hayes Rd., Macomb; 586-580-3293 The east side’s most comprehensive vegan and vegetarian restaurant makes everything from scratch and serves dishes like the ABLT, a veggie BLT on toasted wheat bread topped with avocado, shiitake “bacon,” lettuce, tomato, and garlic aioli. There’s also the Thai, a colorful, piquant Thai-inspired dish built around spiral zucchini noodles, sauteed shiitake mushrooms, and a peanut sauce. Owner Amber Poupore is one of the area’s most talented and pioneering vegan chefs, and her resume is lengthy – she worked at Inn Season for around 11 years, then opened Cacao Tree Cafe before venturing to Shelby Township for the Clean Plate three years ago. (Photo courtesy of Tom Perkins)
Brooklyn Street Local 1266 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-262-6547 The Corktown diner is one of our sources’ collective favorites for the variety and because it sources from the area’s best producers. That shows in its vegan breakfast options, like the banana walnut pancakes (organic bananas, Carncross Sugar Bush real maple syrup, and candied walnuts) or vegan breakfast hash with tempeh. The housemade Ashley’s Veggie Burger is another favorite, as is the spicy tofu sandwich, along with sides like roasted potatoes and fresh greens. (Photo courtesy of IG user @pu_su_gi)
Taste Of Ethiopia 28639 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield; 248-905-5560 Ethiopian kitchens generally produce a good deal of vegan-friendly cuisine, and some of the top dishes here are gomen with collard greens and teff injera, and defin misir with green lentils simmered in garlic, ginger, onion, and turmeric. (Photo courtesy of IG user @kiva_tya)
Cacao Tree Cafe 204 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak; 248-336-9043 This raw, soy and gluten free cafe is a favorite of the city’s vegan community, and a second owned by Amber Poupore. The smoothies and juices are a main attraction, and our sources recommend the Strawberry Shortcake Smoothie (strawberry, almond mylk, honey, date, brown rice protein, hemp seed, maca, and raw tahini) and burrito (seasoned nut “meat,” pico de gallo, guacamole, cashew sour cream, and shredded romaine). We also will point you to the General Tso’s Lettuce Wrap (romaine leaves, sesame nut “meat,” cilantro, basil, avocado, carrot, red cabbage, sprouts, and General Tso’s sauce). (Photo courtesy of IG user @kylie_johnston)
Al Ameer 12710 W Warren Ave., Dearborn; 313-582-8185 Lebanese and Middle Eastern restaurants’ come with a good amount of vegan options built in, and Al Ameer is a James Beard winner for a reason. Items like the Ameer tomato kibbee — a meatless take on the classic Lebanese raw meat dish — are unmatched in its piquant flavor. (Photo courtesy of IG user @austinramzy)
Pie-Sci 5163 Trumbull Ave., Detroit; 313-818-0290 Most Pie-Sci pizzas can be made vegan for a couple extra bucks, and the Woodbridge pizzeria uses Follow Your Heart Vegan Gourmet cheese, which some of our sources say is the best on the market for pizza making. (Photo courtesy of IG user @ekmfoodiepics)
Try it Raw 213 E. Maple Rd., Birmingham; 248-593-6991 Among the highlights in a simple-but-exciting menu at the Birmingham raw cafe is Los Tacos. In the dish you’ll find a collard-green wrap holding walnut pate, pumpkin seeds, “refried beans,” avocado, tomato, lettuce, green onions, red pepper hot sauce, nacho kale chip crumbles, red peppers, sprouts, and cashew “sour cream.” (Photo courtesy of IG user @rawveganginger)
Moor Herbs 16140 W. Seven Mile Rd., Detroit; 313-583-9709 Detroit’s Moor Earth is part store, part grab-and-go restaurant offering daily specials and dishes like pineapple fried rice, or sandwiches like the Philly Cheeze Shroom, a take on the Philly cheesesteak but with shiitake mushrooms, red onions, green peppers, garlic, seasonings, and vegan cheeze. (Photo courtesy of IG user @moorherbs)
Chive Kitchen 33043 Grand River Ave., Farmington; 248-516-7144 This slightly more upscale vegan-only restaurant boasts items like the Grilled Chicken Marsala (panko crusted grilled chicken seitan, creamy marsala wine sauce, cremini mushrooms, potato mash, and grilled zucchini) and the jalapeno burger (seitan, house made cashew nacho cheese, jalapenos, and Avalon bread) along with a long list of craft cocktails. (Photo courtesy of IG user @wanderlustandtofu)
Inn Season Cafe 500 E. Fourth St.; Royal Oak; 248-547-7916 Chef Jenny New of Nue Kombucha calls Inn Season “the grandfather” of Detroit’s vegan food community, and most of the menu is such. It also denotes dishes that are wheat, soy, and gluten free. New, a former Inn Season chef, highlights the Sunday brunch menu and the Macro Platter (brown rice, steamed kale, sea vegetable, and your choice of sautéed tofu, tempeh, or adzuki beans. Served with shiitake-miso sauce and garnished with the Brinery sauerkraut). (Photo courtesy of IG user @dineanddrinkmoore)
NeeHee’s (Canton and Troy) 45656 Ford Rd., Canton; 734-737-9777 NeeHee’s bills itself as vegetarian Indian street food, and its meatless menu is literally a book, so there are plenty of vegan options to choose from. We recommend the Aloo Paratha with unleavened dough stuffed with a spiced mixture of mashed potato, rolled out and cooked on a hot tawa. One of the great bummers of veganism is that chicken 65 is out of the question, but NeeHee’s remedies that with its Gobi 65, a take on the dish. (Photo courtesy of Nick Azzaro)
GreenSpace 215 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-206-7510 Among the latest of the area’s meatless restaurants, GreenSpace is a product of esteemed vegan cardiologist Dr. Joel Kahn. Our sources suggest a wide range of favorites, including the Blackened Tempeh (cajun spice, organ­ic tem­peh, avo­cado, creamy herb dress­ing, organ­ic leaf let­tuce, lemon-vinai­gret­te dressed greens, and pick­le). The sliders could fool you into thinking they’re meat. GreenSpace’s menu also notes which dishes are prepared free of any cook­ing oils, coconut, nuts, avo­cado, and refined sug­ars. (Photo courtesy of IG user @adamvanosdol)
Om Cafe 23136 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-548-1941 Another of the vegan and vegetarian pioneers, Om Cafe is described as a “Cheers of the vegan community.” Nearly all of our sources offered suggestions, but the most common favorites are the Nori Roll (organic brown rice, umeboshi plum paste, carrot, daikon radish, and pickle, all wrapped in toasted nori — served with Om’s tahini dressing for dipping, pickled ginger, and wasabi) and the tempeh reuben. (Photo courtesy of IG user @dknlvli)
Earthen Jar 311 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-327-9464 Over the decades, vegans and carnivores alike have gotten down with Ann Arbor’s best vegan and vegetarian Indian buffet that’s stocked with dishes like Hahi Korma Sabzi with a broccoli in a rich mushroom masala sauce, and a menu that denotes which options are meatless and which are not. (Photo courtesy of IG user @breezygfreezy)
Anita’s 22651 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248 548-0680 Ferndale’s popular Mediterranean eatery is an easy pick for vegans with the classic Mediterranean options and some originals, like the chickpea salad with cracked wheat, fresh mint, parsley, lemon, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil dressing. (Photo courtesy of IG user @theredhookcoffee)
The Nosh Pit Detroit Mobile truck Try the Larry (corned tofu, sauerkraut, house-made vegan 1000 island dressing topped with either sharp or vegan cheese on fresh-made N.Y. kosher rye) the Dill Pickle Soup, or the Kaz (house-made black bean and chickpea burger topped with vegan cheese, granny smith apple, and vegan aioli). It’s a food truck, so check its site for details. (Photo courtesy of Yelp user Shelly C.)
Sy Thai Multiple locations A favorite among our sources, with vegan dishes like Pad Pow Prik Vegan, curry noodles, and spring rolls. (Photo courtesy of IG user @amabrebam)
Russell Street Deli 2465 Russell St., Detroit; 313-567-2900 Among the favorites our sources pointed to are the banana waffles, the TLT, and its housemade veggie burger. The amazing soup roster includes vegan options like carrot ginger, crushed lentil, and Cuban black bean. (Photo courtesy of IG user @myveryownlolita)
Royal Kabob 3236 Caniff St., Hamtramck; 313-872-9456 All the Mediterranean favorites are made at this Hamtramck restaurant. Its sour and salty fattoush and hummus are among the best east of Dearborn. (Photo courtesy of IG user @rizeats)
Wasabi 15 E. Kirby St., Detroit; 313-638-1272 This is one of the few spots in town where you’ll find vegan udon, ramen, and other noodle bowls, along with a selection of vegan sushi rolls. (Photo courtesy of IG user @loveiskneaded)
UFO Factory/Laika Dog 2110 Trumbull Ave., Detroit Laika uses Field Roast-brand vegan frankfurters and vegan cheese for its take on the coney. Try the Detroit, with vegan chili, onions, mustard, or the Kimchi with kimchi, wasabi vegan mayo, and fried ramen. (Photo courtesy of IG user @christellejackson)
The Wurst Bar 705 W. Cross St., Ypsilanti; 734-485-6720 Ypsilanti’s sausage house didn’t ignore that Washtenaw County is home to tons of vegetarians and vegans. Find hits like the Hot Seitan made with red pepper, paprika, fennel (uncased), or the Chick-fu made with tofu, vegan chicken stock in a southern fried “chicken” patty served with L.O.T., and pickles. (Photo courtesy of IG user @coachcarleigh)
Arbor Brewing Co. Multiple locations Vegan Poutine (thick-cut seasoned fries, avocado, vegan curry, gravy and sliced scallions) are worth the trip, and there are a lot of directions one can go with the vegan burgers. (Photo courtesy of IG user @alwaystakeabanana)
Jerusalem Gardens 314 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor; 734-995-5060 One of Ann Arbor’s favorite old-school vegetarian and vegan spots that trades in the Middle Eastern standards on its 42-plate menu. (Photo courtesy of IG user @notaleafeats)
Pho Nguyen Hoang 510 Wyandotte St. W., Windsor, Ontario; 519-977-0852 Our friends in Windsor say this Vietnamese spot is one of the few spots that vegans can slurp a bowl of meat product-free pho. (Photo courtesy of IG user @kmarkcrosby7)
7 Greens 1222 Library St., Detroit; 313-964-9005 A salad shop is sort of a no-brainer, but salads can be boring. However, 7 Greens does it right. Behold items like the Hippie Bowl made with red cabbage leaves, corn, black beans, radish, green onion, organic blue chips, avocado, salsa fresca, vegan taco meat, hemp hearts, and lime wedge. (Photo courtesy of IG user @eatingouthealthy)
Hippie’s Pizza 121 W. 13 Mile Rd., Royal Oak; 248-733-1111 Hippie’s made its name on creative toppings like hemp seed and corn, and it didn’t forget about vegans. Pizzas can be ordered with Daiya cheese and vegan sausage and pepperoni. As a bonus, there’s also a vegan dessert menu with choices like Vegan Bam Bam Bread. (Photo courtesy of IG user @eatgreendetroit)
Shimmy Shack Multiple locations New American is all the rage these days, but new American vegan food is something original. Check out plates on the vintage food truck’s rotating menu like the Classic, your classic burger with a lentil patty under lettuce, vegan cheese, tomato, pickles, mustard, and ketchup. (Photo courtesy of Yelp user Coco C.)
Seva Multiple loctions An old-school vegan and vegetarian favorite with dishes like the Vegan Veracruz (fried corn tortilla topped with pinto beans, Daiya “cheddar,” tomatoes, green onions, guacamole, cilantro, and choice of sautéed tofu or chargrilled tempeh — served with salsa and a whole wheat tortilla). (Photo courtesy of IG user @tesiabeam)

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