A long and grueling day at work can make even the idea of coming home and preparing a meal thoroughly unappealing. Although finding vegan options in your area can be tricky, it’s not at all impossible as more establishments are adjusting their menus to meet the growing demand for plant-based meals.
Currently, there are many fast food chains that offer meatless and dairy-free options, such as Chipotle and Taco Bell. But if you’re looking to support an all-vegan establishment—or just want to try out the delicious food—you may be surprised to learn of this summer’s newest vegan options. Whether you’re looking to dine-in or takeout, here are 6 brand new vegan restaurants and bakeries that are sure to please your grumbling belly. Bon appetit!
1. TASTE – Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
If you’re looking for an upscale dining experience, TASTE is the place to be! Quaintly nestled in Phoenixville’s historic downtown area, Sand Castle Winery transformed their retail space and opened the ultra-chic restaurant at the start of the summer. TASTE collaborated with the Herbivorous Butcher—the world’s first meatless butcher shop—to create an elegant and 100% plant-based menu featuring more “meat-like” options that are sure to please the vegans and non-vegans alike! The modern space also offers a full bar stocked with an array of alcoholic beverages including spirits, craft beers, and Sand Castle Winery’s very own 100% European Vinifera wines.
2. P.S. Kitchen – New York, New York
With a prime location only walking distance to Times Square in Manhattan, this adorable restaurant serves up artisanal vegan dishes all for a great cause! With a mission to break the cycle of poverty, P.S. Kitchen donates 100% of its profits to various charities. If this isn’t reason enough to support this newly opened business, P.S. Kitchen’s meals are made with fresh and organic ingredients. P.S. Kitchen also has several gluten-free options and is certified kosher by the International Kosher Council (IKC). The restaurant features such dishes as Orzo Alfredo and Ginger Rice Congee complete with many dessert options such as Strawberry Short Cake and the Cookie Plate—need I say more? Seats do fill up fast, so reservations are always recommended.
3. Pulse Café – Hadley, Massachusetts
If artisanal wood-fried foods like this scrumptious pizza make your mouth water, you’ll want to make a pit stop at this cozy café. Having kicked off their grand opening just last week, Pulse Café’s main focus is on healthy living, which they promote through their 100% plant-based dishes, all of which are made with organic and locally sourced ingredients including produce from their sister farm, Five College Farms. Whether you’re in the mood for burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, or soups, Pulse Café will surely have something everyone can enjoy. They even have a juice bar with offerings that include Kale Lemonade, Iced Local Chaga Tea, and a Tumeric Latte. If you’re looking for an even healthier option, go for their organic cold-pressed juices!
4. Globally Local – London, Ontario, Canada
If you reside in or near London, Ontario, you now have access to the world’s first 24-hour vegan drive-thru! Created by the married duo James and Lia McInnes, Globally Local is a popular vegan restaurant first established in downtown London. After much success, the couple opened their second location earlier this summer with the ultimate goal of providing faster service to their customers. The fast food restaurant specializes in vegan comfort food and includes such favorites as french fries, macaroni and cheese, tacos, and the vegan equivalent of a Big Mac—the Famous Burger.
5. Cinnaholic – Los Angeles, California
Are your insatiable sugar cravings getting the best of you? Well, it’s alright to indulge in them once in awhile—and a rendezvous at any one of Cinnaholic’s many locations can certainly help with that! Cinnaholic’s newest addition opened in Echo Park mid-summer, and features a 100% vegan menu of customizable gourmet cinnamon rolls. Founders of Cinnaholic, Shannon and Florian Radke, found much success following their time on ABC’s “Shark Tank” where they received funding to expand their franchise, leading to stores opening up across California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Utah! For newcomers, your Cinnaholic experience begins with a plain cinnamon roll fresh out of the oven followed by your choice of frosting and toppings—and with flavors like butterscotch, caramel, hazelnut, and raspberry as well as toppings such as chocolate chips, brownie bites, pecans, walnuts, and strawberries, just to name a few—the options are truly endless!
6. Bot Bakery – Chicago, Illinois
Another store to open its doors this month is bringing vegan and gluten-free baked treats to local Chicagoans. Following years of selling her tasty products in local retail stores and farmers markets, Betty Alper—founder of Bot Bakery and baker extraordinaire—has set up shop in South Shore. Bot Bakery’s decadent cupcakes, breads, cakes, cookies, muffins, and pastries are perfect for any occasion and can even be customized!
Have you tried any of these brand new vegan spots?
Also by Audrey: 10 Epic Dairy Free Ice Cream Spots To Cool You Off This Summer
Related: Found: 9 LA Restaurants With Ridiculously Delish Vegan Fare You *Must* Try
6 Vegan Meals At Top American Restaurants Better Than Parts Unknown (Anthony Who?)
Get more like this–sign up for our newsletter for exclusive inspirational content!
__
Photo: @taste_vegan via Instagram, @pskitchennyc via Instagram, @pulsecafema via Instagram, @cinnaholic via Instagram, @bettybotbakery via Instagram
