Best Vegan Restaurants and Cafes in Atlanta

Let's be honest: Atlanta may not be the first city that comes to mind when you think of healthy vegan restaurants and cafes. We're no Santa Monica or Portland, Oregon. But don't let that fool you - our city's serious plant-based game is worth discussing. Our CEO, Leslie, Zinn a vegan for 14 years, is the perfect person to ask about her favorite vegan spots in Atlanta. So, we asked her to share her top picks for the best vegan restaurants and dishes in the city. Keep reading to discover where to enjoy delicious and healthy vegan meals in the city!

1. Arden’s Garden

We'd be remiss if we didn’t include our own Arden’s Garden at the top of the list. Arden's Garden has been nourishing our community with plant-based goodness since 1995. What began as a humble juice and smoothie venture has blossomed into a thriving chain of 17 locations across the Atlanta area. However, 10 years ago, Leslie expanded our menu to include healthy to-go meals, making plant-based eating even more accessible to busy Atlantans.

Here are Leslie's Top Picks

Buffalo Chick'n Wrap - Made with plant-based chick’n, crisp lettuce, shredded carrots, and a tangy buffalo sauce, all wrapped in a soft tortilla. Delivers a perfect blend of spice and satisfaction, proving that plant-based alternatives can be just as crave-worthy as their traditional counterparts.

Mediterranean Bowl - A hearty and fresh bowl filled with vibrant flavors and nourishing ingredients, such as a mix of quinoa, chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and olives, topped with a lemon-tahini dressing.

Cherry Pie Smoothie -  A blend of cherries, bananas and almond milk creates a naturally sweet and creamy drink that delivers the comforting flavors of a classic dessert in a light and refreshing way.

Seasonal Cheesecake - A rich and creamy dairy-free dessert made with cashews, coconut cream, and seasonal fruit topping. It showcases how delicious dairy-free desserts can be.

Check out one of our stores.

2. Planta

Credit: AJC

Planta Restaurants brings a unique dining experience to Atlanta with two locations: one in Krog Street Market and another in Buckhead. Despite being a chain, Planta doesn’t feel like one, offering a chic atmosphere that feels distinctly “vegan upscale.” It’s also the only spot in Atlanta where you can enjoy plant-based sushi, making it a standout destination for innovative vegan dining. Our CEO, Leslie Zinn, is a big fan of their creative menu. 

Here are her favorite dishes:

Dragon Roll: Tempura broccoli and spinach combine with spicy unagi for a flavorful plant-based sushi option that is both creative and satisfying.

Bang Bang Broccoli: Crispy tempura broccoli coated in a sweet and spicy glaze delivers the perfect mix of crunch and bold flavor.

Hawaiian Pizza - A unique blend of pineapple, BBQ sauce, cashew mozzarella, smoked tempeh bacon, hot peppers, and ranch creates a vibrant and indulgent plant-based take on this classic pizza.

The Big Cookie - A massive chocolate chip cookie that’s as delicious as it is oversized. Planta says it best: “She’s beauty and she’s grace. She’s our Chocolate Chip Cookie that’s bigger than your face.”

3. True Food

Credit: True Food

True Food Kitchen is another chain, but it’s hard to fault a restaurant that prioritizes bringing plant-based options to the table. Located at Lenox Mall, Leslie’s only challenge with True Food is navigating the traffic and finding parking. However, once inside, the menu makes it all worth it. 

Here are Leslie’s top picks from True Food Kitchen:

Vegan Seasonal Pizza - Made with a sourdough crust that’s perfectly crispy and chewy, with a toasty, tangy flavor. The vegan toppings elevate it further, making it a standout option.

Teriyaki Quinoa Bowl - Packed with vibrant vegetables like carrots, broccoli, snap peas, bok choy, and pickled shiitake mushrooms. This bowl is hearty, flavorful, and loaded with textures.

Vegan Burger - We know that everyone raves about Slutty Vegan in Atlanta, but Leslie swears by this burger. It’s her go-to for a delicious plant-based take on a classic favorite.

4. Muchacho

Muchacho, located in Atlanta's Reynoldstown neighborhood, is more than just your typical brunch spot. Travel and Leisure lists it as one of the best brunch destinations in the U.S. This 1970s Venice Beach-inspired café offers a laid-back atmosphere paired with standout food and drinks. Lead bartender Erin Walsh is behind the cleverly crafted cocktails, but if you’re stopping by for brunch, Leslie recommends the Chai Latte with soy milk for a truly elevated experience. 

Here are her favorite dishes:

Green Bowl - A flavorful mix of cilantro rice, roasted sweet potato, broccolini, marinated cabbage, guacamole, Oaxacan refried beans, tomatillo pico, and crispy fried chickpeas. This satisfying bowl is packed with fresh and vibrant ingredients.

Avocado Toast - Leslie is no millennial, but she loves Muchacho’s avocado toast. Served on thick sourdough bread, this toast is topped with creamy avocado and finished with Togarashi, a Japanese spice blend that adds just the right kick.

Travis Birkenstock - Imagine a burrito made with matcha-marinated tofu, beans, and vegan cheese. That’s your Travis Birkenstock and it’s one of our favorite vegan burritos in the city.

5. Cafe Sunflower

Café Sunflower is a true Atlanta classic, opening its doors in 1994—making them a year older than us! While Atlantans remember the original Sandy Springs location closed in 2020, the Buckhead spot is still going strong.

Nourishing Bowl - This bowl is exactly as the name suggests—nourishing. It features kale massaged to perfection, quinoa, Brussels sprouts, chickpeas, beets, sliced almonds, tomatoes, and avocado.

Crispy Brussels Sprouts - A delicious way to get a high dose of Vitamin C and K, these crispy sprouts are a must-try!

6. Slutty Vegan

How can we not list Slutty Vegan? Slutty Vegan has been an Atlanta icon since Pinky Cole started it in 2018. Back in the day, you’d have to wait in line for two to three hours to try one of Pinky Cole’s creations. Today, there are seven locations in Atlanta alone. Some even argue it’s now overtaken The Varsity as Atlanta’s top dive spot. Leslie’s favorite spot? The Georgia Tech location—mostly because she’s just happy to see good vegan food at her alma mater. 

Her go-to order?

Dance Hall Queen - A plant-based patty topped with sweet jerk plantains, vegan cheese, onions, lettuce, tomato, and the infamous Slut Sauce. (We don’t dare ask what’s in the "slut sauce.") It’s a must-try for any Slutty Vegan fan.

Atlanta’s Growing Vegan Scene

Atlanta might not be the first place that comes to mind for vegan food, but the city has quietly become a go-to destination for plant-based eating. While we’d love for you to come to Arden’s Garden for all your vegan needs, you can’t go wrong with any of the options on this list. From Slutty Vegan’s iconic creations to Planta’s unique dining experience, there’s something for everybody here in the city of Atlanta.