Eating meat-free hasn’t always been easy, but in Portland, it’s a piece of (vegan) cake.
Our local food scene is as vibrant as ever, so it’s no surprise that local chefs are serving up fresh, vegetarian bites across town. From plant-based barbecue to scrumptious seitan tacos, here are 17 restaurants serving up meat-free fare in Portland.
It’s difficult, but try to save room for one of Pine State Biscuit’s monthly Pop-Tart specials.
Photo by @pinest8biscuits
🍊 The brunch bunch
Bernstein’s Bagels, 816 N. Russell St., Portland | These hand-rolled bagels are made in-house every day. Try this: Garden Delight sando with avocado, arugula, cucumber, sweet onion, and hummus or vegan Mama Lil’s schmear for a lil’ added kick.
Pine State Biscuits, various locations | Don’t be intimidated by the weekend line — it’s worth it. Try this: Veggie Reggie, made with a vegan sausage patty, tofu bacon, and cheese and topped with shiitake mushroom gravy.
Start your delicious journey at Feral by making a reservation.
Photo by @feral.portland
🍸 Date night
Epif, 404 NE 28th Ave., Portland | The flavors of the Andes region of South America come to life at this pisco bar. Try this: Build your own empanada, with baked and fried options, and ají verde, pebre, and ají amarillo for fillings.
XO Bar, 906 N. Fremont St., Portland | Sip a tropical slushee cocktail and dig into small plates of pan-Asian cuisine. Try this: Barbecue Sambol Drumstricks smothered in miso curry dressing.
Feral Portland, 1640 NE Killingsworth St. | This former pop-up offers shareable small plates that pair perfectly with a range of craft cocktails and zero-proof beverages served in an intimate atmosphere. Try this: Any of the seasonal vegetable-forward dishes, like brined and grilled zucchini with sea purslane, wild leeks flowers, capers, herbs, and housemade shio koji.
Jade Rabbit at The Emerald Room, Bindery Annex, 2117 NE Oregon St., Ste. 202, Portland | Craving vegan dim sum? Look no further. Enjoy pan-Asian fare by chef Cyrus Ichiza, tea service, sake, and non-alcoholic drinks at this working distillery characterized by an Instagrammable emerald tile bar. Try this: Puto Pao Bunny Bao shaped like little rabbits filled with vegan “pork,” black garlic, and brown sugar.
Showcasing the season’s bounty (and farm-fresh ingredients) is a staple at Orange & Blossom.
Photo by @orange_and_blossom
🧁 Delicious desserts
Kate’s Ice Cream, 3713 N. Mississippi Ave. + 1430 NW 23rd Ave., Portland | Take a lick of dairy and gluten-free flavors made with organic cashew and coconut milks. Try this: Mint Chocolate Fudge (made with locally grown mint) or a seasonal flavor (think: Oregon strawberries).
Doe Donuts, 4110 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland | Portland’s only fully vegan doughnut shop has inventive year-round and rotating flavors. Try this: Portland Fog with organic Earl Grey glaze, fresh whip, and fair-trade vanilla bean. We’re not drooling, you’re drooling.
Petunia’s Pies & Pastries, 610 SW 12th Ave., Portland | Is this what heaven smells like? This woman-owned shop has a plethora of sweet and savory options, all of which are gluten free and vegan. Try this: Birthday Babycake with chocolate chip cookie dough, blue vanilla ice cream, and a cookie on top.
Orange & Blossom, 1612 NE Killingsworth St., Portland + PSU Portland Farmers Market | This modern patisserie is all about sourcing seasonal ingredients from local farms, leading to an ever-changing menu showcasing “wholesome, ethical ingredients we can all feel good about.” Try this: The signature Cardamom Orange Blossom Bun — airy, aromatic brioche topped with citrus glaze.
Mac and cheese lovers, try Flourish’s Not Yo Mama’s Mac made with cashew cheese sauce (there’s a nut-free version available upon request).
Photo by @flourishthefoodtruck
🌮 Food trucks
Planted PDX, 4390 SW Garden Home Rd., Portland | All of the globally inspired street food served out of this food cart is 100% vegan. Try this: Famous Fried Rice with a side of kimchi and fresh vegetables.
GNARLYS, Swan Dive, 727 SE Grand Ave., Portland | Your taste buds will never guess these vegan burgers are 100% plant based. Try this: Sallyweaver, a big ol’ juicy bacon cheeseburger with crispy onions, pickles, and barbecue sauce.
Chubby Bunny, Alberta Carts, 1027 NE Alberta St., Portland | This food cart serves vegan breakfast sandwiches all day long. You can thank us later. Try this: Boss Bunny with sausage, bacon, ham, cheese, onion, potato mittens (so cute), egg, arugula, and sriracha mayo on an English muffin.
Flourish Plant-Based Kitchen, St. Johns Beer Porch, 7316 N. Lombard St. | Scratch-made comfort foods that are free of gluten, soy, and meat? Yes, please. Try this: Unbeetable Burger, a delightfully pink-hued patty made with lentils, beets, and walnuts, paired with an optional slice of cashew mozzarella, garlic aioli, and local greens.
Mirisata frequently changes its rice and curry plate, so be sure to ask what the day’s special is.
Photo by @mirisata
🍕 Casual eating
Mis Tacones, 1670 NE Killingsworth St., Portland | This LGBTQ-owned shop tastefully captures the nostalgia of Los Angeles and Baja California street food. Try this: Cali B, a burrito stuffed with asada seitan, refried pinto beans, papas fritas, house-made cashew crema, guacamole, and fresh pico de gallo in a flour tortilla.
Boxcar Pizza, The Zipper, 2701 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland | Share a vegan Detroit-style pie — or devour it solo, we won’t judge. Try this: Jimmy Pesto with mozzarella, cheddar, pesto, pepperoni, jalapeños, and hot honey drizzle.
Mirisata, 2420 SE Belmont St. | Mirisata, that’s Sinhala for “spicy curry,” is a worker-owned cooperative slinging Sri Lankan dishes and street eats by the plate or as family-style meals, plus a Sunday brunch menu. Try this: The rotating rice and curry or the Hot Butter “Prawns.”
🍽️ Chef it up at home
Check out our favorite tips and tricks for serving veggie-focused fare from your own kitchen:
- To make zucchini, carrot, or beet noodles, try a veggie spiralizer that magically turns vegetables into noodles.
- Tired of wasting money on spices you use once? Broth Bomb combines all the spices you need for a flavorful meal.
- Harness the power of fresh and high-quality spices from James Beard Award-winning chef Meherwan Irani.
- A tofu press draws out water and can help tofu firm and crisp up once you cook it — the one linked here is dishwasher safe + works in twenty minutes.
- If your least favorite part about veggie prep is chopping, this all-in-one vegetable chopper can minimize prep time.
- Use a sprouting jar kit to grow microgreens and sprouted beans at home.
- If you’re making fresh bread, this Sourhouse starter jar was designed to be the easiest-to-clean sourdough starter jar in the world.
- For the ultimate veggie food prep, this glass storage container set keeps lunches and leftovers organized.
- Need some good recipes? Browse cookbooks “Inspiralized: Turn Vegetables into Healthy, Creative, Satisfying Meals” for veggie spiral recipes, “The Blue Zones Kitchen: 100 Recipes to Live to 100” for plant-based ideas, or “The Complete Plant-Based Cookbook” from America’s Test Kitchen.
