Eating meat-free hasn’t always been easy, but in Lexington, it’s a piece of (vegan) cake.
Our local food scene is as vibrant as ever, so it’s no surprise there are a slew of local chefs serving up fresh, vegetarian bites across town. From vegetarian BBQ to scrumptious vegan tacos, here are 20 restaurants serving up meat-free fare in Lexington.
🧁 Satisfy your sweet tooth
North Lime Coffee & Donuts, 101 W. Loudon Ave. + 3101 Clays Mill Rd. | Sip on an oat milk latte or herbal iced tea, then sink your teeth into its daily vegan donut flavors like spice cake or strawberries + cream.
The Press Juice & Health Bar, 191 Kentucky Ave. | From smoothies to juices, to salads + wraps, this Woodland neighborhood favorite is full of veggie power.
🍸 Date night
Blue Sushi Sake Grill, 105 Summit at Fritz Farm, Ste. 130 | Vegan finds at a sushi restaurant? Hear us out. Sample small bites like charred edamame + seaweed salad or check it its full list of vegan maki options.
Carson’s, 362 E. Main St. | Not only does this popular downtown spot have a robust salad section, its menu denotes which items are vegan as-is like the Hawaiian-style tofu.
County Club, 555 Jefferson St. | Be sure to check the menu as it changes monthly, but you can expect to find vegetarian plates like a seasonal soups, jalapeno pimento cheese dip, and a plant-based BBQ chicken sandwich.
East End Tap & Table, 333 E. Main St., Ste. 180 | This downtown American-international fusion spot has a menu full of veggie-forward options, like Sally’s Salad, a hummus plate, and the popular Asian Bowl with tofu.
Epping’s on Eastside, 264 Walton Ave. | While it may be known for some its meat-forward dishes, the Quinoa en Nogada is a filling + vegan-friendly entree option.
The fresh + filling Vegan Power salad from Vinaigrette Salad Kitchen. | Photo by @vinaigrettesalads
🍕 Casual eating
Bourbon n’ Toulouse, 829 Euclid Ave. + 1080 S. Broadway, Ste. 107 | Vegans will love the jackfruit BBQ sandwich and vegetarians need to try the mouthwatering black beans + caramelized corn.
Core Life Eatery, 4040 Finn Way, Ste. 110 | A truly customizable meal experience that lets you be the chef — without the prep or clean up. Make your own veggie-packed salad, grain bowl, or soup.
DV8 Kitchen, 867 S. Broadway, Ste. #140 + 594 E. Third St., Ste. 100| This all-day breakfast joint has menu items like the Mediterranean vegetable sandwich, hot PB&J sandwich, and fresh salads. City Editor Molly loves the veggie curry tacos.
Vinaigrette Salad Kitchen, Various locations | Forks up for this filling salad menu with two completely vegan bowls — the Vegan Power Salad + Pharaoh Grain Bowl.
Stella’s Kentucky Deli, 143 Jefferson St. | The vegan options on the menu include a Grilled PB&J sandwich, a Mushroom Rueben, and the Lentil Surpreme Burger.
The Salad Bar, 2051 Richmond Rd. | Build-your-own salad — need we say more? Eat the rainbow by loading your plate with colorful fruit + veggie toppings like peppers, berries, tofu, and more.
Nourished Folks, 101 W. Loudon Ave. | This cozy cafe located at Greyline Station offers prepared food pick-up + a meal subscription service, as well as a new menu each week. Think: Veggie-filled salads, adaptable main courses, and rice bowls.
🌱 100% vegan eats
Moody Mike’s, Food Truck | Lexington’s first vegan food truck will have you do a double take when you see its Philly Beef Sub and Shrimp Po’ Boy.
Woke JunkFood Vegan, UK Dining Hall | While located on campus, Chef Anetra Polk can be found popping up around town at SoulFeast Week and is also available for catering.
🌎 From around the world
Han Woo Ri, 371 S. Limestone | Many of the menu items for this campus staple can be modified for a vegetarian diet like the sweet potato noodle dish Japchae and Pajeon, a green onion pancake.
Oasis, 837 Chevy Chase Pl. | This Chevy Chase Mediterranean restaurant has a veggie-packed menu, including Baba Ghannouj, Falafel, and Moussaka, an eggplant stew.
Masala, 3061 Fieldstone Way | You can find vegetarian appetizers and many more options in its dedicated “vegetarian delights section.” City Editor Aayat loves the Chana Saag dish featuring chickpeas + spinach.
Thai Street Food Kitchen, 3340 Clays Mill Rd., Ste. 110 | Build your own noodle bowl or try the vegetarian spring rolls + the vegetarian mock duck dish.
🍽️ Chef it up at home
Check out our favorite tips and tricks for serving veggie-focused fare from your own kitchen:
- To make zucchini, carrot, or beet noodles, try a veggie spiralizer that magically turns vegetables into noodles.
- Tired of wasting money on spices you use once? Broth Bomb combines all the spices you need for a flavorful meal.
- Harness the power of fresh and high-quality spices from James Beard Award-winning chef Meherwan Irani.
- A tofu press draws out water and can help tofu firm and crisp up once you cook it — the one linked here is dishwasher safe + works in twenty minutes.
- If your least favorite part about veggie prep is chopping, this all-in-one vegetable chopper can minimize prep time.
- Use a sprouting jar kit to grow microgreens and sprouted beans at home.
- If you’re making fresh bread, this Sourhouse starter jar was designed to be the easiest-to-clean sourdough starter jar in the world.
- For the ultimate veggie food prep, this glass storage container set keeps lunches and leftovers organized.
- Need some good recipes? Browse cookbooks “Inspiralized: Turn Vegetables into Healthy, Creative, Satisfying Meals” for veggie spiral recipes, “The Blue Zones Kitchen: 100 Recipes to Live to 100” for plant-based ideas, or “The Complete Plant-Based Cookbook” from America’s Test Kitchen.
