If you think the Strip has the market cornered for vegetarian and vegan dining, think again! Restaurants across the Valley have embraced the veggie movement, from Downtown to the ‘burbs. After all, locals don’t always want to haul it to The Strip, and visitors can get a break from the crowds and experience a more “authentic” Vegas experience.
Downtown Las Vegas
VegeNation
Downtown darling VegeNation has become the spot in Downtown Las Vegas for vegan dining … for both plant-based people and omnivores. And, with good reason. Helmed by Chef Donald Lemperle, the restaurant creates flavorful street food from around the world. Start your meal with a Bao Wow (Asian BBQ tofu in a bao bun), then check out the portobello sliders (Downtown Tony) and finish it up with a gooey, cruelty-free brownie sundae. Serving locally-sourced fruits and veggies, VegeNation offers daily POPUP menus, a killer two-for-one happy hour of locally-owned booze options, a sweet weekend brunch complete with “chicken” and waffles (the best version you will find in town) and more. If you’re around the last Monday of every month from 6 – 8 p.m., head to VegeNation for their Vegans, Baby meetup that includes a complimentary cocktail, special POPUP menu, live DJ and — of course — cool vegans to hang with.
616 E. Carson Ave., Suite 120, Las Vegas, 89101 (702) 366.8515 http://vegenationlv.com/
Simply Pure
Raw Angel Hair Zucchini Pasta with Sundried Tomaotes and Crimini Mushrooms. Photo Courtesy of Simply Pure
Simply Pure by Chef Stacy Dougan, is located in the hip Container Park. Dougan, a former chef with Wynn, has created a popular gourmet vegan/vegetarian café. With offerings like a vegan salad bar to vegan nachos and everything in between, it is the ultimate dining option for vegans or vegetarians who don’t just want to eat a boring dish. She even offers raw takes on her dishes. Dougan’s take on chicken salad, beef and more has earned rave reviews and is worth a stop in. Or multiple stops in.
707 Fremont St., Suite 2310, Las Vegas 89101, (702) 810-5641
MTO Cafes
Vegan Falafel. Photo Courtesy of MTO Cafe
While this popular dining spot isn’t strictly veggie or vegan MTO Cafe keeps these guests in mind with its vegan-friendly menu. Although bacon-covered sandwiches come to the table, people can also order such treats as vegan carrot coconut pancakes, vegan falafel, organic and healthy salads like the Celery Sucker (collard greens, quinoa, tzatiki, baba ganoush, tomatoes and cucumbers) and omelets. With two locations – Downtown and Summerlin – this locally owned shop is a popular breakfast and lunch spot.
Downtown – 500 S. Main Street, Las Vegas 89101 (702) 380-8229
Summerlin – 10970 Rosemary Park Drive, Suite 100, Las Vegas 89135 (702) 982-0770 mtocafe.com
Le Thai
Located in the heart of the action in Downtown Vegas, Le Thai offers its vegetarian twist on traditional Thai dishes. Think red curry with tofu. Yellow curry with tofu. Tom yum soup with tofu. Granted, it isn’t especially creative, but the Thai food here is super flavorful in a cozy setting. Check it out at lunch and order the $9.95 special.
523 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas, 89101 (702) 778-0888 lethaivegas.com
Chinatown
Veggie House
Located in Chinatown, just a few minutes from The Strip, Veggie House offers plenty of veggie and vegan options. This spot is total veg/vegan, but even for you meat-eaters out there, give it a go! We promise, you don’t have to keep the course, but these dishes are worth a quick meal convert. Try the Crispy Eggplant or Bamboo Flower with Tofu dishes for some tasty dining options.
5155 Spring Mountain Rd., Las Vegas, 89146 (702) 431.5802 yelp.com
Veggie Delight
One of the few totally vegan/vegetarian spots in the Valley, this Chinatown restaurant has become known for its healthy dining and teas. Veggie Delight serves fresh smoothies, juices, and Chinese and Vietnamese meals packed with tofu and “meat.” Have a craving for fried yummy? Try the crispy “chicken” or deep fried tofu, then wash it down with a fresh fruit juice or smoothie.
3504 Wynn Road, Las Vegas, 89103 (702) 310-6565 veggiedelight.biz
Ronald’s Donuts
If vegans could have a dessert paradise, this would be it. Vegan donuts win here and no stop in Vegas is complete without grabbing a fresh sweet like this. Picked as one of the top vegan donut spots in the USA by PETA, this shop serves a whopping selection of vegan morsels like cinnamon rolls, bear claws and soy custard donuts.
4600 Spring Mountain Road, Las Vegas, 89102 (702) 873-1032 yelp.com
The Burbs
Go Raw Café
Burger and Salad. Photo Courtesy of Go Raw Cafe
This little spot has two locations in the Valley. Part restaurant(ish), part shop, this raw café offers a multitude of healthy options for vegetarians and vegans. With toasts, salads, wraps and entrees (like the “cheese” “burger”), Go Raw is the ideal spot for people to get their fix of healthy and mindful food. Plus, people can purchase many of these items to enjoy at home, too.
The Lakes – 2910 Lake East Drive, Las Vegas, 89117 (702) 254-5382
Green Valley – 2381 E. Windmill Lane, Las Vegas, 89123 (702) 450-9007
gorawcafe.com
LYFE Kitchen
LYFE Kitchen’s menu is a lot of plant and whole-grain dishes designed to deliver protein without the meat, and give you the ultimate taste for under 600 calories a pop. This popular spot, with locations popping up all over the US, serves such goodies as morning tofu wraps, Gardein sausages, unfried buffalo chicken strips and more. Plus, they’ve got a wine and beer list to wash it all down.
140 S. Green Valley Parkway, #142, Henderson, 89102, (702) 558-0131 lyfekitchen.com
Sunrise Coffee
This neighborhood haunt caters to everyone in the neighborhood. Besides it’s organic, fair trade coffee, it also offers a bounty of veggie and vegan options. For a hearty breakfast, try Sunrise Coffee’s Nomnom burrito packed with vegetarian beans, eggs, cheese and more. For lunch, order the three-bean chili or the tofurky sandwich. What’s better – many of the vegetarian options can be made vegan, too.
3130 E. Sunset Road, Las Vegas, 89123, (702) 433-3304 sunrisecoffeelv.com
Bonus Pick – Head to a Farmers Market!
Bite Vegan Bakery
Vegans can enjoy all the bready breakfast yummy! Bite Vegan Bakery offers more than two dozen waffle varities, like cookie and cream, pina colada, peanut butter and more. They’ve even got vegan marshmallows and vegan ice cream with coconut or almond bases. Find all the breakfast deliciousness every Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fresh52 in Tivoli Village, 440 S. Rampart Blvd., Las Vegas, 89145 ivebeenbitten.com
Want more? For more vegan or vegetarian dining options in town, check out Diana’s new web site Vegans, Baby. If you’d like to recommend your favorite Vegan dining spot, let us know by leaving a comment.
