Vegan- and Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants
(Gluten-Free Suggestions too)
Unlike a decade ago, Nashville now boasts an abundance of plant-based dining options. These are among the most popular with local folks.
Totally vegan or vegetarian
Even if they’re primarily vegetarian, they can accommodate vegan preferences. The places that tout their menu as exclusively Vegan are noted as such.
Succulent Vegan Tacos
Farmers Market. Want a taste of Mexico City? Stop by for quick feast of tacos made with seitan, soy, and zippy vegetables. Dine in the food court adjoining Bicentennial Mall State Park. Open only for lunch.
Avo
Near Centennial Park. Bistro dining in a refined atmosphere. Hank said, “Order the bread.” His mom said, “Get a charcuterie board.” Both were right. I also devoured my perfect bowl of fettuccine. Vegan.
Graze
East Nashville. As a non-vegan, I have to say that nothing was missing from the flavor of my breakfast burrito containing seitan chorizo. (Pictured) My confirmed vegan friend applauds it as one of his favorite places to dine. Its weekend brunch is a hot ticket. Vegan.
The Be-Hive
East Nashville. Rarely do you find a quick-service restaurant with such rave reviews as The Be-Hive. Great sandwiches including crunch wraps and highly-praised vegan burgers. Plus they make their own meat substitutes. Vegan.
Guerilla Bizkits
East Nashville. No nuts. No dairy. No eggs. No animals. No apologies at this tiny bakery with a lot of attitude. Vegan.
Southern V
Buena Vista (near Germantown). True to its name, the eatery offers vegan versions of fried chicken, hot chicken, mac’n’cheese, and desserts. Open for breakfast and lunch. Vegan.
Sunflower Bakehouse
Donelson. My friend Jeff loves this place for its breakfast offerings. I wasn’t a fan of their biscuits but apparently I’m alone in that opinion. They offer lots of cookie and baked good options as well as soups, salads, and smoothies.
Sunflower Cafe
Berry Hill. Comfort food sans meat from a steam table. Stand-outs include their takes on barbecue and burgers. A variety of salads including several with chik’n. Save room for dessert. Lots of GF options. Very popular at lunchtime. Vegan.
E+Rose Wellness Cafe
Downtown, the Gulch, Rutledge Hill, Wedgewood/Houston, and ONECity. Your quick stop for a bowl, wrap, smoothie, protein drink, tea, or coffee. They’re completely vegan with one small exception: honey is found in a few items. Vegan.
Woodlands Indian Cuisine
West End. I love a quiet restaurant so I liked Woodlands from the moment I walked in. Our neighbors who frequent the restaurant proclaim that’ve never not liked anything they’ve ordered–and the menu is extensive. You can also opt for their lunch buffet. Many items can be prepared vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free. Portions are large so you may have leftovers. It wasn’t my all-time favorite naan–but that’s a small point.
Vegelious
North Nashville and Antioch. Craving a plate of soul food or a Philly sandwich sans animal? They’ve got you covered with a fairly broad menu including wraps, po boys, lasagna, salads–even cocktails. An array of gluten-free options available. Vegan.
Grins
Vanderbilt University campus. Located in the Ben Shulman Center for Jewish Life, this certified-Kosher cafe can be a little difficult to find (and parking is a challenge) but you’ll be rewarded with delicious quiches, tempting soup-of-the-day options, and black bean burgers along with other sandwich and salad selections. An easy walk from Centennial Park.
Options for vegans/vegetarians
These broad-menu restaurants do a good job of offering genuine tasty dishes with sensitivity to those with special dietary concerns.
Downtown
Chief’s
Rodney Scott is nationally known as a barbecue wizard but the menu of his restaurant inside Chief’s on Broadway clearly labels what’s vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free. Might be a good solution if your group has a variety of food preferences.
60 Vines
Located atop the Fifth and Broadway complex, the restaurant offers a broad menu which includes a number of options for those who are vegans, vegetarians, and on gluten-free diets.
Blue Sushi
In most sushi places, avocado or cucumber rolls are the vegan option. Here there’s a vegan “fish” choice that’s considered quite good.
Husk
It’s not a vegetarian restaurant but the chefs have an in-house competition to see who can come up with the best vegetarian dishes. Located in a historic home in SoBro.
Mellow Mushroom
Pizzas for everyone. Scroll down their menu for vegan and gluten-free options including pizzas, pretzels, and salads.
The Mockingbird
Well-prepared vegetables which can be ordered without a protein and they always have at least one vegetarian entree on the menu.
East Nashville:
Butcher & Bee
The dinner and brunch menu changes monthly so I can’t tell you what’s in store. But this month’s vegan delights include ratatouille, avocado crispy rice, and peach & tomato salad. The menu clearly denotes their vegan and gluten-free options.
Lyra
Home of modern Middle Eastern dining, vegans and vegetarians will find an assortment of appealing options. Their hummus earns raves.
Fancy Pants
I’ll quote from their website: If you’re vegan, vegetarian, gluten free or allergic to nuts, we got you. New as of Summer ’24, it’s a funky, hip spot–with onsite parking.
East Park Donuts
They always make a variety of vegan and GF options.
Vui’s Kitchen
East Nashville, Berry Hill, Nolensville, Franklin. Vui’s is a local empire of Vietnamese favorites including bowls, pho, and broths. Can accommodate gluten-free diners.
Fattoush Cafe
Midtown. No website and very old FB postings. I will tell you that they offer legit Greek and Mediterranean cuisine with halal options. Feast on selections made from garbanzo beans, eggplant, and other veg-centric ingredients.
Deg Thai
Midtown and Glencliff. Born in a food truck, their concise menu of Thai favorites skews toward animal proteins but they’ll gladly accommodate your dietary needs and preferences.
Tailgate Brewery
Music Row, West Nashville, East Nashville, Germantown, South Nashville, Airport. You’re not left out in the pizza department at this popular brewhouse. Tailgate offers both vegan and gluten-free options. FYI, there’s an upcharge of $3.99 for a small pizza. Salads available too.
Brooklyn Bowl
Germantown. Better known as a concert venue and bowling alley, their menu include hearty options led by tofu, roasted cauliflower, butternut squash, and other non-meat heroes.
Sunda
12South. Boasting New Asian cuisine, this Chicago-based chair touts its sushi, sweet potato noodles, and vegan poke bowls. Vegan and gluten-free items are noted in the menu.
Carrabba’s
Green Hills. My friend Mike says this Italian chain offers a variety of well-prepared vegetables. He pairs them with a marinara and he’s a happy man.
True Food
Green Hills. Taking a strongly healthy approach to dining, they make it easier for its patrons to order vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free options.
Riddim and Spice
North Nashville. Located near Meharry Hospital. Bypass the oxtail and goat for a satisfying Caribbean bowl of your own creation. Select the BBQ jackfruit for a meat substitute. If the weather’s nice, head to their wonderful patio.
Caliber Coffee Co.
Donelson. Gluten-free and dairy-free diners will find a variety of pastry items as well as GF breads for toast and sandwiches.
These barbecue places offer GF side items: Puckett’s, Martin’s, and Edley’s.
Gluten-Free Suggestions
In addition to the restaurants mentioned above noted as offering gluten-free options, consult this informative website:
Locally-owned restaurants of special note:
- Jack’s Bar-B-Que A real-deal barbecue joint with locations on Lower Broadway, in Midtown, and North Nashville. Many Nashville visitors are looking for local flavor and Jack’s delivers The staff exercises great care in protecting its customers from contaminants and several regular side items are gluten-free.
- etch Under the watchful eye of locally acclaimed chef Deb Paquette, etch offers delightfully creative dishes, many of which can be presented gluten-free.
- Frothy Monkey Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, Frothy is a combo restaurant/wine bar/coffeehouse/bakery which offers a small but satisfying roster of GF items.
- Mangia Can make almost anything on their menu gluten-free. On Friday and Saturday evenings, their amazing 10-course Italian feast can be made GF.
- Butter Milk Ranch Their bakery has you covered.
- Lady Bird Taco Gluten-free corn tortillas. Great spot for breakfast or lunch.
- Thistle Farms Cafe’ Offers GF muffins and breads. (Pictured: TF website)
- Joyland in East Nashville and Sylvan Park offers fried chicken and burgers on GF buns–without an upcharge.
- Barrel Proof in Germantown uses a separate fryer to create their GF burger and fries combo.
- 312 Pizza Uses a special tray for its gluten-free crust.
- Tailgate Brewery Same situation as 312 Pizza except available at multiple locations around Nashville. Also offers cider options.
- Stay Golden Often-praised breakfast spot offers a GF biscuit. Note: it’s relocated to The Nations so disregard the old Sidco Drive address.
- Donut Distillery Makes at least a couple of GF doughnut varieties.
Honky tonks (and similiar venues) on or near Broadway which report offering GF selections: Acme Feed & Seed (see their special menu for those with dietary restrictions), Jason Aldean’s, Lainey Wilson’s Bell Bottoms Up, Luke’s 32 Bridge, Rippy’s, Blake Shelton’s Ole Red, Miranda Lamber’s Casa Rosa, Margaritaville, Hard Rock Cafe.
