Chicago's Vegan Restaurants: Where To Find The Best Meat- And Dairy-Free Eats In The City

Whether you do it for the animals, for your health or just because you like it, going vegan in Chicago has never been easier thanks to the growing number of vegan-friendly restaurants in the city. Check out some of these places which boast the top meat- and dairy-free dishes in Chicago.

Did we miss your favorite? Let us know in the comments.

1 of 5

The Chicago Diner

1 of 6

First Slide

Previous Slide

@

The Chicago Diner: The Chicago Diner has been a favorite among vegans in the Chicago area for almost 30 years. One of the highlights is the homemade seitan, which is used to make their signature Radical Reuben sandwich (pictured), winner of the Vegetarian Time Magazine's Reader's Choice Award for best vegetarian sandwich in the Midwest in 2008. While many other vegan spots tend to try more unusual dishes, The Chicago Diner is where vegans go when they're craving the comfort foods that standard menus usually prevent them from enjoying. 3411 N. Halsted St.; 773-935-6696

NATO In Chicago: Joliet Prison Considered For Detained Protesters, Cop Recording Ban Won't Apply

Chicago Area Cats & Dogs For Adoption (4/27) (PHOTOS)

Rita Crundwell: Dixon, Illinois Comptroller Actually Stole $53 Million, According To Feds

Chicago Mental Health Cuts: Protesters Occupy City Hall On Day Of Planned Clinic Closures

Erika Harold, Former Miss America, Finalist In Bid For GOP U.S. House Nomination

Chicago NATO Journalists on Twitter You Should Follow

The Chicago Diner: The Chicago Diner has been a favorite among vegans in the Chicago area for almost 30 years. One of the highlights is the homemade seitan, which is used to make their signature Radical Reuben sandwich (pictured), winner of the Vegetarian Time Magazine's Reader's Choice Award for best vegetarian sandwich in the Midwest in 2008. While many other vegan spots tend to try more unusual dishes, The Chicago Diner is where vegans go when they're craving the comfort foods that standard menus usually prevent them from enjoying.
3411 N. Halsted St.; 773-935-6696

comments(49)

Total comments: 49 | Post a Comment

1 of 6

This Vegan Spot

Rank #2  |  Average: 4

No thanks! Yum!

• 
  1
• 
  2
• 
  3
• 
  4
• 
  5
• 
  6
• 
  7
• 
  8
• 
  9
• 
  10

Top 5 Vegan Spots

loading...

Top 5 Vegan Spots

UserName

 | Become a fan

Picked These as the Top 5 Slides in the Slideshow

loading...

Top User Slides

← Prev|Next →

 | Become a fan

Picked These as the Top 5 Slides in the Slideshow

loading...

Users who voted on this slide

← Prev|Next →

loading...

Comments

[Matthew Kochis]

12:43 PM on 07/21/2011

I love finding great Vegan food in Chicago. The Chicago Vegan Chef showdown is coming up this weekend! They were discussing it today on Windy City Live! Check it out here for more detailshttp://bit.ly/n6iW0i. Be sure to hit the facebook like and tweet buttons!

[Pat Goldberg]

11:07 PM on 06/19/2011

Where can we get that sandwich unmeat in SF area

[sfizi]

12:25 PM on 06/19/2011

No such thing as best vegan... they all suck

[Marie Perkins]

06:19 PM on 06/19/2011

So do you.

[peskime]

12:57 AM on 06/20/2011

Opinions are like a s s h@les, everyone has one, some people are one

[hannajane]

11:50 PM on 06/18/2011

This list has a real north side bias - Soul Vegetarian on the south side is the frickin' best!

[SlurmsMcKenzie]

06:01 PM on 06/17/2011

Looking at these dishes, it is obvious that vegan does not mean healthy, it means no animal or animal by products. you can still gain weight, especially if you eat all the rice cream stuff.

[minusjason]

09:10 PM on 06/19/2011

Absolutely. It's all a matter of calories. Now, it is true that vegetarians are generally healthier than non-vegetarians-- there was some study, no I can't link it for you, I read about it years ago. But you can eat nachos all day and be a vegetarian, and you can eat nothing but french fries and you'll be a vegan. Still have to actively think about what you're eating!

[SlurmsMcKenzie]

06:04 PM on 06/20/2011

you said that much better then i.

[GMarez]

10:17 AM on 06/20/2011

Not all vegans do it for health reasons. We call those sorts of people "vegetarians."

[minusjason]

02:42 PM on 06/20/2011

Incorrect.

[JerseyHooligan]

11:09 PM on 06/16/2011

I am a trained chef. Culinary school, extensive resume, and a wide palette.... Vegan food is utterly terrible.. Vegans may "like" it, but there is a shred of untruth... they may be eating healthy, but they are telling white lies to themselves everytime they eat it. And... unless you cover the spectrum of available ingredients (when most people dont) a vegan diet can be unhealthy.... There is no vehicle for flavor to travel in vegan food... Just grow a pair, and eat a porterhouse. You can still live healthy... that cow was not going to save the world.

[markscoular]

12:34 PM on 06/17/2011

not sure what culinary school you went to or your resume however the best chefs in the world prepare vegan dishes and the trend is evolving to alternative proteins. If you do your research, you might be surprised or as an alternative, you can move to Philly and specialize in cheesestaek sandwiches....

[Marie Perkins]

07:24 PM on 06/19/2011

Please tell me where you are a chef so I make sure never to go there and eat your garbage. You must be paid by the meat industry to say such k rap. And your ridiculous statement that a vegan diet is unhealthy, you obviously cannot read since a study from the World Cancer Research Fund stated otherwise. http://www.wcrf.org/cancer_research/cup/index.php.

[markscoular]

03:18 PM on 06/16/2011

Coming soon to Chicago.....3 restaurants under construction.... check out www.NativeFoods.com

We have them in California and they are great AND totally vegan with gluten free options

[Lori Lippitz]

11:28 PM on 06/19/2011

Where??

[markscoular]

12:17 AM on 06/20/2011

Wicker Park (on Milwaukee), Lakeview (Belmont), Loop (South Clark) and 1 more currently in lease negotiation

[Blak Plague]

01:58 AM on 06/20/2011

Yeah, Native Foods is great. But I still want that Reuben.....

[markscoular]

01:04 PM on 06/20/2011

LOL..... I know they rotate a Reuben through occassionally. It's good.Check it out http://www.nativefoods.com/menu/favorites.aspx

[morphine507]

02:09 PM on 06/16/2011

I love the cheese steak and BBQ pita from the stemartaen truck! Chicago Diner is to die for too but usually too far out my way. I have to try "I dream of falafel" at some point, mmm falafel.

[klanej]

12:34 PM on 06/16/2011

Victory's Banner is astoundingly good and should 100% be on this list!

Pick-Me-Up Cafe also has some really great vegetarian and vegan options.

[DC Condo]

10:45 AM on 06/16/2011

Whoops! Forgot one in the last post. I should mention from my mega list: Delicious Cafe, (adeliciousvegancafe.com/A_Delicious_Menu.html) at 3827 N Lincoln Ave.

Collect'em all! :-)

[DC Condo]

10:39 AM on 06/16/2011

Thank you, Ashley, for this piece on vegan dining options. Mana is my favorite place to eat in the City by far. (The sliders, unfortunately, are not vegan.) Over the last three years, I have been compiling a list of definitely vegetarian and vegan venues, and from that list here are just a few places that offer vegan friendly options in case folks are looking in addition to what others have said:

- Urban Vegan (new place!) 1605 W Montrose Ave (view comments on Yelp/Google/etc.)
- Drew's Eatery, (drewseatery.com), 2207 W Montrose
- Dragon Lady Lounge, (new place!) 3188 N Elston Ave
- Earwax Cafe, 1561 N Milwaukee Ave @ Damen (BYOB)
- Pick Me Up Cafe - 3408 N Clark St;
- Green Zebra (greenzebrachicago.com/menu.html);
- The Handlebar (bar serving a variety of vegan sandwiches, soups, etc.) 2311 W North Ave;
- Cousin's Incredible Vitality - Raw food. 3038 W Irving Park Rd @ Kedzie;
- Yummy Yummy. (mock meat Chinese cuisine and then some) 2901 N Broadway St
- Indian Grill 2258 N Clark St @ Belden

Always check to make sure places are not closed and for the latest reviews. Cheers.

[youresomodest]

08:25 AM on 06/30/2011

Handlebar has great breakfast!

[training123]

10:26 AM on 06/16/2011

Oh Mana!!!

This place is so absolutely fantastic; I'm so glad to see it mentioned.

Unlike Chicago Diner and other places mentioned, Mana is actually a pretty classy place and isn’t one of those places that just try to do a veggie/ vegan version of meat items. Not that that is necessarily bad, but for vegans like myself who appreciate real food because of what it is, not what it’s trying to replicate, Mana nails it.

The space couldn’t be tinier (I always try to show up early), but if you’re looking for some great Vegetarian fare in the WP, forget the $$$$$$ at Green Zebra and come here instead. I love you, Mana!!!

[Harriet90]

09:50 AM on 06/16/2011

Amitabul on Milwaukee on the NW side. Totally vegan. Delish.

[thecatwoman]

05:36 PM on 06/19/2011

hoping you see this...is this the same place that used to be close to Schuba's? I had heard some time ago that they closed!

[sheputstheLinPAIN]

08:13 AM on 06/16/2011

Victory's Banner in Roscoe Village is wonderful: calm, pretty and friendly. They are veggie, but have a vegan menu with lots of great choices, many of which are tasty versions of the regular menu. Love Karyn's Cooked on Wells just South of Chicago too!

[BrettlyCS]

11:47 PM on 06/15/2011

Loving Hut is great! Love the food and friendly staff.