Dining guide: Lexington vegan, vegetarian restaurants even meat eaters would love
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Lexington dining guides
LexGoEat.com is here to help with a number of guides of Lexington restaurants from family meals to Italian to Mexican.
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Lexington loves barbecue. And good fried chicken. And a great steak. You knew that.
But did you also know that a lot of people in Lexington love to eat a plant-based diet? It’s true.
There’s a thriving community of people in Central Kentucky who are vegan, vegetarian or somewhere on the plant-based spectrum.
They want more than a good salad. And restaurants are stepping up, adding more plant-based, non-meat and non-dairy items to their menus.
Here are some local standouts worth a try whether you’re already on a plant-based diet or not. This list doesn’t include chains, some of which also have great vegetarian and vegan options.
Alfalfa
141 East Main Street, facebook.com/AlfalfaRestaurant/. This longtime Lexington restaurant recently changed hands again but new owners Tiffany and Wali El-Amin say they plan to keep it “hippie” and that includes vegetarian and vegan offerings like the famous Alfalfa hoppin’ John. The restaurant is expected to reopen by August.
Archa Nine Thai Kitchen
162 Old Todds Road, archaninethai.com, 859-309-2726. This Thai restaurant has a whole section on its menu called “Vegan Glory” where you can customize your online order for Thai Vegan Salad, plus Wealthy Tofu, Woon Sen Chay Wok, Brussels Sprouts, Szechwan Eggplant and plenty of vegetarian options too.
Arirang Garden Korean BBQ
109 Mount Tabor Road, arirangky.com, 859-269-8273. There several vegetarian options on the menu at Arirang Garden - Korean BBQ, the most popular being Bibim Bop, tice topped with a variety of pickled veggies, lettuce & egg.
Athenian Grill
115 North Locust Hill, atheniangrill.com, 859-368-9725. This traditional Greek restaurant has vegetarian and vegan dip and appetizers, salads, spanakopita, Greek veggie plate and sides (those roasted lemon potatoes!)
BakEd
Caterer, facebook.com/bakEd.sweetslex/. This vegan baker is part of the Black Vegan Collective along with Taco Queen Catering and Woke Junk Food Vegan, which hosts pop-ups together. BakEd takes orders via email or Facebook messages for cookies and treats like strawberry “Twinkies” or cinnamon rolls. 859-213-9756 Taco Queen: 463-203-3497 Woke Junk Food Vegan: facebook.com/wokejunkfoodvegan/
Bazaar Eatery
102 West Vine Street, restaurantji.com/ky/lexington/bazaar-eatery-/, Order online or call 859-368-0132. Inside the Ethereal Brewing Public House, Bazaar has the Brochachos, available with grilled vegetables; Cali Swag burrito with grilled veggies; of the Vegan Swag, without cheese. And their tacos, including the Shogun and the Gringo can be made without meat.
Bourbon ‘n’ Toulouse
829 Euclid Avenue, ilovecajun.com, You can order online or call 859-335-0300. Bourbon N’ Toulouse has a jackfruit barbecue that comes with vegan coleslaw. They always have at least one other vegan dish each day, with the second black beans or white chili served over rice. And it comes with bread from Sunrise Bakery and topped with a vegan spiced “butter.” BNT also has vegetarian dishes daily, such as black beans & caramelized corn, artichoke & Parmeson cream with mushrooms and Tami’s Thai peanut sauce.
Broomwagon
800 North Limestone, broomwagonbikes.com, 859-554-6938. This bike and coffee shop also has a cafe that serves sandwiches, wraps and brunch daily. Vegetarian options include a zippy grilled cheese made with mozzarella, feta, basil and lemon zest on local sourdough and a breakfast wrap with fried eggs, tomato and mozzarella grilled in a flour tortilla. They also have a vegan BLT, a veggie wrap and a bean burrito with Puerto Rican style beans and potatoes than can also be made vegan.
Carson’s
362 East Main Street, carsonsfoodanddrink.com, 859-309-3039. Maybe you knew Carson’s had great salads but deeper into their menu, there also is a vegan and gluten-free section that includes a portobello vegetable stack with grilled veggies in a cilantro lime vinaigrette, a tofu stir-fry, and a chickpea curry. For vegetarians, there’s a smoked gouda mac and cheese and a portobello sandwich, as well as a cauliflower quinoa patty you can substitute on any burger.
Crank & Boom Craft Ice Cream
1210 Manchester Street and 3101 Clays Mill Road, crankandboom.com, 859-288-2176. Looking for vegan ice cream? Crank & Boom has just added a line of non-dairy ice cream, according to owner Toa Green. Flavors include Strawberry Fields, Cookies & No Cream and Chocolate Fudge Ripple.
East End Tap and Table
333 East Main Street, eastendtapandtable.com/, 859-785-2511. This eclectic menu has bowls such as Sally’s Salad as well as their “Pastrami” Beet Reuben, made with spiced roasted beets or Siam-wich, a Thai bahn mi that can be made with tofu satay. Brunch on Saturday gives some extra vegetarian options, such as Frosted Flake-crusted PB+J sandwich made with French toast and the fried egg bahn mi.
Epping’s on Eastside
264 Walton Avenue, eppingsoneastside.com, 859-971-0240. Epping’s, and its family friendly Poppy & Olive option, offer lots for vegetarians and some for vegans. There’s tomato & garlic confit soup, grilled halloumi cheese sandwich, and Beyond burgers, plus tofu bibimbap, which can be ordered without the egg to make it vegan.
Gluten-Free Miracles
145 Burt Road, glutenfreemiracles.com, 859-278-8888. This bakery makes cakes and pastries, including vegan options like chocolate banana muffins. Other items can be made vegan by request.
GirlsGirlsGirls Burritos
395 South Limestone, girlsgirlsgirlsburritos.com, 859-285-6853. The whole menu here is vegetarian unless you choosing a meat protein and Girls regularly has a vegan or vegetarian version of its weekly specials. Even the bloody Mary/Maria mix is vegan and gluten-free. Vegan options include black beans, pinto beans, crispy tofu, falafel, rice, and potatoes. Most popular item by far: The vegan BabyBull with crispy tofu, avocado, sriracha, baby spinach, pickled red onion and cilantro.
Good Foods Co-op
455 Southland Drive, goodfoods.coop, 859-278-1813. The co-op has vegan and vegetarian specials, including soups and salads daily in the cafe, as well as brunch on Sunday. The hotbar also now has house-made cheese tamales and sweet potato and black bean burritos. In the Grab & Go section, they have vegan pies, cupcakes, muffins and cookies plus new house-made items including vegan BBQ tofu wrap, fried tofu nuggets with southwest sauce, vegan pimento cheese, vegan no chicken salad, vegan eggless salad, tomato and garlic pesto linguine, vegan spaghetti and meatballs and “pulled” BBQ jackfruit.
Gumbo YaYa
1080 South Broadway and 294 East Brannon Road, gumboyayaky.com, 859-252-9292 (Lexington) or 859-245-9292 (Nicholasville). Both locations offer a different vegetarian and/or vegan option each day, such as veggie Pazole stew, a spicy variation on a Mexican favorite, or succotash, a piquant and spicy bean dish with corn, tomatoes, okra, peppers and more.
Honeywood
110 Summit at Fritz Farm Suite 140, honeywoodrestaurant.com, 859-469-8234. The menu includes the TFC, an appetizer that can be made with crispy tofu, ginger soy mnarinade, carrots, gochujang glaze and mixed pickles’ salads including one that can be made vegan with panko-fried tofu; the Chicken Katsu Sandwich, which also can be made with tofu; a mushroom melt than is available vegan; grilled cheese with soked provolone, fontina, onion jam and Creole mustard on sourdough; the famous Beetloaf, with tomato gravy, parsnip uree and salad; and mushroom croquette, smoked mushrroms served with trinity, crispy rice, chow chow marmalade, poblano peanut puree and a salad. For brunch on weekends, there’s also the Hippie Bowl, with kimchi dressing and farmers’ vegetables.
J. Gumbo’s
808 North Limestone, jgumboslex.square.site/, 859-286-9239. Lots of vegetarian and vegan dishes including appetizers like Carnivale Slaw, Gullah-Style Hushpuppies and Bumble Bleu Dip. The Bumble Bee Stew is a vegetarian version of the classic maque choux with yellow corn, stewed tomatoes, onions and black beans in a creamy honey and cayenne sauce. The white bean chili is vegan and gluten-free.
The Jerk Lex
Food truck, jerkjerkjerk.com, 859-935-JERK. This food truck has vegan Beyond “meat” loaded fries and marinated kale salads topped with jerk Beyond “meat.” You can also ask to have them without cheese to make them vegan.
Minton’s
760 North Limestone, mintonsat760.com, 859-948-1874. Though small, the menu at Minton’s has several vegetarian and vegan options include from a brunch menu served daily. Vegetarian choices including huevos rancheros, Elvis Pancakes and sweet potato hash that can be made vegan too. Lunch menu includes the Little Brother smoked sausage with mac & cheese, available vegetarian or vegan. The sriracha tempeh salad sandwich is vegan and the lentil & black bean burger is vegetarian.
Mr. Kabab
2901 Richmond Road, mrkabablexington.com/, 859-266-5222. The Mediterranean restaurant has a falafel platter with hummus and vegetables, falafel sandwich, and sides such as Greek salad, tabooli salad, babaganoush, fatoush salad and stuffed grape leaves.
The Mousetrap
3323 Tates Creek Road, mousetrapky.com, 859-269-2958. The deli has a large selection of both vegetarian and vegan options. Their classic pimento cheese is completely vegetarian, plus fresh salads, soups and sides that are freshly made and plant-based. There’s also a gourmet eggplant Parmesan with vegan mozzarella cheese and ratatouille.
Nefertiti
1301 Winchester Road, facebook.com/Nefertitilex/, 859-280-9138. This Mediterranean restaurant has falafel, Greek salad, cucumber salad, hummus, tahini salad, fatoush salad, tabooli, babganoush, lentil soup, stuffed grape leaves and more.
North Lime Coffee & Donuts
575 North Limestone and 3101 Clays Mill Road, northlime.net. The bakery has specials with at least one vegan option every day. 859-414-6654 (Limestone) or 859-303-6114 (Clays Mill)
Not Your Ordinary Vegan
1313 North Limestone Street, notyourordinaryvegan.com/, 859-545-0130. This cafe tucked into the back of a church has an all-plant-based menu of barbecue, brats, burgers, stuffed peppers, tacos and even desserts.
Oasis
837 Chevy Chase Plaza, oasisrestaurant.org, 859-269-6440. This Lebanese-Mediterranean restaurant was known for its lunch buffet before the pandemic, with vegetarian and vegan entrees. The small restaurant has not reopened for dining in yet but you can still order favorites like falafel, foul moudammas (fava beans sauteed with lemon juice, garlic and olive oil), hummus, tabbouli, moujadara (lentils and rice topped with sauteed onions), moussaka (chunks of eggplant cooked in tomato sauce with chickpeas) and more.
Papi’s Mexican
818 Euclid Ave and 1214 South Broadway, papislex.com, 859-368-9369. Papi’s and the new Papi’s Rapido taco stand have some interesting vegetarian and vegan options beyond the usual bean items, such as vegan chorizo and cauliflower pastor tacos.
Pearl’s
133 North Limestone, facebook.com/pearlspizzapie/, 859-309-0321. Pizza places often have vegetarian offerings but Pearl’s are a bit different, with charred broccoli salad, vegan caesar salad, vegan marinara pizza and vegetarian versions like the Seb n’ Jeb, with garlic white sauce, kale, mushrooms mozzeralla and crushed red pepper.
Pho Saigon
1555 East New Circle, phosaigonky.com/, 859-244-8989. This Vietnamese restaurant has meat-free egg rolls, spring rolls, tofu lemongrass, noodle soup with tofu and veggie broth and more.
The Press Juice Bar
191 Kentucky Avenue, thepressjuicebar.com, 859-317-8915. The Press Juice Bar offers juice, wraps, salads, acai bowls, smoothies, many of which are vegan or can be made vegan.
Roulay Restaurant and Bar
107 West Short Street, facebook.com/RoulayRestaurantandBar/, 859-253-2222. Roulay has multiple vegan and vegetarian options on the menu, including for brunch.
Sage Rabbit
438 South Ashland, thesagerabbit.com, 859-523-2095. The Sage Rabbit has plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, such as panzanella salad, their Big Bunny salad and spicy noodle bowl. But the best is the Chef’s Garden, with a plate of all seasonal and local vegetables. They restaurant also has daily specials and many regular dishes can be made vegan or vegetarian on request.
Sav’s
630 East Main Street, SavsGrill.com, 859-785-1635. Owner and chef Mamadou “Sav” Savane features West African cuisine that has vegetarian and vegan dishes like peanut sauce, mafen, cassava, okra and more served on fufu, keke salad, keke (a type of couscous made from cassava root) served warm with mixed vegetables, fried plantains and more. And Sav’s Chill has sorbets too.
Smithtown Seafood
501 West Sixth Street, smithtownseafood.com, 859-303-4100. This seafood place tucks in some surprising vegan options including their vegan Super Food Wrap, Artichoke “Filet of Fish” sandwich with vegan tartar sauce, Singapore Salad and the Smithtown Salad Supper. Sides and appetizers, along with beer pairings from the brewery next door, also available.
Southland Bagel
428 Southland Drive, southlandbagel.com, 859-309-2286. Most of their bagels are vegan and they have lots of vegetarian options such as chickpea salad, house-made hummus and tofu herb “cream cheese.”
Sorella Gelateria
219 North Limestone, facebook.com/sorellagelateria/, 859-797-0085. Sisters Alma Kajtazovic and Selma Sulejmanagic specialize in gourmet gelato and post on Facebook their flavors, including what vegan sorbetto they will have.
Taj India
154 Patchen Drive, tajindialexington.com, 859-489-4479. Indian food often is a great option for vegetarians and vegans, and Taj India has a slew of vegetarian specialties, from paneer tikka masala to tadka dal. Ask about vegan options.
Taste of India
2467 Nicholasville Road, tasteofindiaky.com/, 859-260-1911. Another good option for vegetarians, Taste of India has daily specials that include non-meat dishes, as well has a section of vegetarian specialties. Ask about vegan options.
Vinaigrette Salad Kitchen
Multiple locations, vinaigrettesaladkitchen.com/ Vinaigrette specializes in salad bowls with delicious dressings. You can the Vegan Power bowl or the Pharaoh Bowl with grains for a little more heft.
The Wok
537 Waller Avenue, thewoklex.com, 859-255-7383. The Wok will fix any wok dish with tofu; you just choose your sauce.
Zim’s Cafe
215 West Main Street, zimscafe.com, 859-785-3690. Zim’s collects favorite menu items from other Ouita Michel restaurants together, so you can lots of choices, including a new beet burger, artichoke fritters, vegan chili, a Kentucky mezze platter or Greek salad with tofu cheese, Greek Tartine sandwich, and Impossible burgers and more.
This story was originally published July 20, 2020 at 6:00 AM.
