Detroit, Michigan is the largest city in the state of Michigan and is known for its historical contributions to the automotive industry and as the birthplace of Motown music. The city has a rich cultural heritage and offers a diverse range of attractions, including museums, sports teams, music venues, and vegan restaurants.
So what’s it like finding vegan options in Detroit? You’ll be pleasantly surprised to find out that it’s extremely easy! There are numerous vegan restaurants throughout Detroit that offer a range of options, from soul food to pizza, burgers, and more! Several annual events, such as the Detroit VegFest and annual Vegan Fest, also showcase the city’s growing vegan food scene. Being vegan in Detroit is growing easier every day.
Here’s our take on the best vegan food in Detroit!
Chili Mustard Onions
Price: $$
Cuisine: Coney inspired
Website: detroitcmo.com
Also known as CMO, Chili Mustard Onions is a vegan restaurant located in the historic districts of Detroit’s Brush Park. The restaurant serves a variety of plant-based dishes, including vegan hot dogs, burgers, sandwiches, salads, and sides. The interior of the restaurant has a modern, industrial feel, with exposed brick walls and high ceilings. Some of their signature items include the CMO Coney Dog, Gyro (Year-Oh), and Chili Cheeze Waffle Fries. My personal favorite is the Big Mock Burger!
Detroit Vegan Soul
Price: $$
Cuisine: Southern Soul Food
Website: detroitvegansoul.com
Detroit Vegan Soul is a vegan restaurant that offers plant-based soul food including mac and cheese, collard greens, and sweet potatoes. The restaurant has received numerous awards and recognition for its food and community involvement. Some of the most popular items include the “Catfish” Tofu Sandwich, Mac & Cheese, and The Soul Platter.
The Kitchen, by Cooking with Que
Price: $$
Cuisine: Fusion
Website: thekitchenbycwq.com
The Kitchen, by Cooking with Que is a Detroit-based cooking show hosted by Que Broden, a vegan chef, author, and entrepreneur. The show takes place in the same location as the restaurant. In addition to cooking demonstrations, The Kitchen also features interviews with other vegan chefs, entrepreneurs, and activists, as well as tips on nutrition, health, and wellness. A few favorites on the menu are the Vegan Mac N Cheez, Cauliflower Wings, and Oh Kale Yeah Burger.
Trap Vegan
Price: $$
Cuisine: American
Website: trapvegan.com
Family-owned and operated, Trap Vegan features a 100% plant-based menu and is also home to the best smoothies and raw juices in Detroit. If you’re looking for some feel-good food then Trap Vegan is the place to be! Some of the most popular items on the menu include the D.Boy Burger, Magic Potion Smoothie, and Truffle Fries.
Pie Sci Pizza
Price: $
Cuisine: Pizza
Website: piescipizza.com
Although not exclusively catering to vegans, Pie Sci Pizza can make nearly all of their menu items vegan by using vegan cheeses and vegan proteins. With frequent changes to the menu, every visit is a new adventure. A few classic favorites include the BLT pizza and Nacho Mama pizza. Just ask for the vegan options!
Breadless
Price: $$
Cuisine: Health-focused
Website: eatbreadless.com
Breadless is a health-focused restaurant that specializes in low-carb and gluten-free cuisine. Although it is not a vegan restaurant, they offer many vegan options to choose from. The restaurant’s menu features a variety of dishes made without bread or traditional grains, such as the vegan Spicy Chick(pea) wrapped in greens. Breadless also offers a selection of fresh juices, smoothies, and vegan sweets!
The Brooklyn Street Local LLC
Price: $$
Cuisine: American/International
Website: brooklynstreetlocal.com
The Brooklyn Street Local is a restaurant with a focus on serving high-quality, locally-sourced, and organic food. The menu features a mix of breakfast and lunch items, as well as a selection of coffee and tea beverages. While this restaurant doesn’t specialize in vegan cuisine, their many vegan options like the Vegan Poutine, and the Spicy Tofu sandwich made with organic tofu will not disappoint!
Aratham Gourmet To Go – Detroit
Price: $
Cuisine: Mediterranean/Middle Eastern
Website: aratham.com
Aratham Gourmet To Go is a family-owned plant-based restaurant that offers a variety of gourmet, healthy, and organic dishes for customers to take away. So if you’re looking for a healthy and flavorful meal on-the-go for a picnic or hike then this is the place to go! Be sure to visit their website for their current weekly menu as it changes regularly.
Grandma Bob’s Pizza
Price: $$
Cuisine: Pizza
Website: grandmabobs.com
Grandma Bob’s Pizza is a pizzeria known for its thin crust, New York-style pizzas that are made from scratch using fresh ingredients and cooked in a stone oven. Most of their pizzas and starters can be easily made vegan as well as their dessert options like vegan custard and shakes. Some of the top picks from the menu include the Big Mack Pizza, Hawaiian Pizza, and Boozy Shakes.
The Detroit Pepper Company
Price: $
Cuisine: Stuffed Peppers, Carry-Out Only
Website: thedetroitpeppercompany.com
The Detroit Pepper Company is dedicated to stuffed peppers. The sturdy red, green, and yellow bell peppers are served cut long ways and crammed with brown rice, black beans, and jackfruit. All menu items have vegan options, but these are some highlights: Vegan Stuffed Pepper, Vegan Chili Soup, and Detroit Kale Apple Salad. For a refreshing drink option, try one of their fresh fruit smoothies! Keep in mind that carry-out is the only option.
Keri Schubkegel
Keri Schubkegel is a freelance writer who travels the USA with her husband and two plant-powered dogs in their self-converted campervan. She seeks new experiences and perspectives to fuel creativity and thrives in a minimalistic and self-sufficient way of living. Living on the road has given her the freedom to pursue her passion for writing, photography, and travel while also being able to live in accordance with her beliefs about animal rights and environmental sustainability. She loves to explore new vegan restaurants, help others adopt a whole food plant-based diet, and offers a unique perspective on nomadic living as well as the challenges and benefits of being a vegan in a non-traditional way. She also enjoys reading, hiking, yoga, and learning about the many benefits plants have on our body.
