The Best Vegan Food in Nashville

Nestled in the middle of Tennessee on the traditional unceded lands of the Cherokee and Shawnee people is the legendary Music City: Nashville! Aside from being deemed the birthplace of country music, Nashville is also known for iconic country music venues like the Grand Ole Opry and museums like the Country Music Hall of Fame. It has even become known as the songwriting capital of the world!

World renowned singers like Dolly Parton, Miley Cyrus, and Taylor Swift have roots in Nashville, and so many more who have shaped the country music industry into what it is today have also called Tennessee’s capital city home. And although Tennessee is a rather conservative state, Nashville is a blue island amongst the sea of red; it glistens with hope and is filled with countless progressive, collaborative minds eager to make the city even better.

With the Cumberland River winding through the middle of the city and the breathtaking Great Smoky Mountains not too far away, there are plenty of opportunities to venture outside when in Nashville. And once back in Nashville’s city limits, you may just be greeted with a friendly smile or “hey y’all!” from those you pass around town. This southern city is known as a happy place, and it’s truly fit for everyone. From working professionals and Vanderbilt University students or professors to musicians and families… you name it, chances are Nashville has it!

East Nashville is undoubtedly the most hippie-like of Nashville’s boroughs, and exploring SoBro and its abundance of honky tonks in downtown Nashville is always a grand ole time. And you surely won’t want to miss out on the incredible vegan food all throughout the city! Finding vegan options in Nashville is easy. No matter if you are looking for traditional southern food with a plant-based twist or other cuisines, Nashville’s food scene leaves no one behind. So, whether you’ve lived in Nashville your entire life, have just moved there, or are in the midst of planning your next visit, these vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants should most definitely be on your radar! Enjoy our guide to the best vegan options in Nashville!

Vegelicious

Price: $$

Cuisine: Soul food

Website: https://vegeliciousllc.com/

Not only is Vegelicious a stellar place for vegan soul food in Nashville, but it was also voted the #1 black owned vegan restaurant in the US! Vegelicious’s 100% vegan menu was created by the owner herself in attempts to lead a plant-based life to improve her health, and every dish is made with love. If you have the opportunity to stop by, do yourself a favor and try the Soul Food Plate; this entree is the ultimate southern comfort meal and includes mac & cheese, barbeque chicken, collard greens, yams, and a roll! And if you prefer fried chicken to barbeque, the Soul Chic Plate (or the Soul Chic Hot Plate if you like your chicken spicy) may be the move for you. And these plates aren’t the only dishes at Vegelicious with incredibly rich southern flavors; we highly recommend the BBQ Chick Sandwich, any of the Po-Boys, and a slice of their delectable cakes or some of their Blueberry Bread Pudding if you have any room left. On Saturdays, Vegelicious also serves brunch! We love their pancakes (the Pecan and Peaches & Cream are our favorites) and their Breakfast Tacos and Burritos, and no Nashville brunch is complete without a side of grits or vegan sausage and some sweet tea to wash it all down. We truly hope you get the chance to dine at this one-of-a-kind establishment next time you’re in Nashville– just remember to bring your appetite!

AVO

Price: $$

Cuisine: Comfort (multiple cuisines), raw and cooked, craft cocktails, desserts

Website: https://www.eatavo.com/

AVO may just reign supreme when it comes to Nashville’s selection of affordable, high end vegan food. Dedicated to sustainable dining, this female-owned restaurant lives in a converted shipping container and sources their ingredients locally whenever possible. Inside is a relaxing atmosphere with soothing R&B music playing smoothly in the background, and its patio sits right next to a beach volleyball court. Seeing players in action from your table elevates the AVO dining experience even more when games are on; talk about dinner with a view! AVO’s chef is one-of-a-kind and never fails to wow guests with gorgeous presentations of truly delicious dishes. Their famous Kimchi Spring Rolls are a staple for AVO’s frequent guests, and the OG Nachos never disappoint. And if you’re looking for some of the Southern tastes Nashville is known for, try the Wild Nashville Salad featuring the chef’s choice of whatever local produce is in season, and be sure to get a side dish like their Cornbread Stuffing with Gravy, Braised Collards or Baked Beans. Another excellent choice – and served on a yummy sweet potato bun – is the Lentil Walnut Burger (especially when eaten with their handmade beet ketchup on). Or, if you’re as enthralled as we are with mushrooms and their ability to help dishes reach their full potential, look no further than the Lions Mane ‘Crab’ Cakes made from marinated Lions Mane mushrooms! Be sure to also check out their seasonal specials and their brunch menu; their English breakfast and French Toast Sticks with a maple spiced pumpkin butter are particularly scrumptious. All of the dishes here are noticeably fresh and filled with incredible flavors, but their food isn’t the only way they shine. AVO also features a full bar with a creative selection of drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), making for an exciting and generous happy hour! Try their signature Avocado Margarita or go for another of their original cocktails like the Cinn-Ful Spritz or the Oliver Twist. As Nashville’s first plant-based restaurant, AVO did us all a favor by setting a high standard for vegan eats in this southern city. You have our never-ending gratitude, AVO!

Succulent Vegan Tacos

Price: $

Cuisine: Mexican

Website: https://succulentvegantacos.com/

Many Mexican restaurants often make it easy for plant-based guests to dine out, but Succulent Vegan Tacos takes it to another level. More than just rice and beans or other basics, the dishes at Succulent are unique, exciting, and bursting with flavor. This husband-and-wife owned spot is located inside the Nashville Farmers’ Market, it’s Kosher-certified, and it is Nashville’s first plant-based Taqueria. Their authentic Mexican recipes and flavors come through in each of their dishes, but we especially recommend trying their Al Pastor tacos and Papas tacos. An order of rice, beans, or esquites are a scrumptious addition to any meal, and if you happen to stop by over the weekend, be sure to try the Tamales and Concha! Wash it all down with a Mexican soda, one of their rotating flavors of Aqua Fresca, or a Mexican hot chocolate if they have it. Succulent’s flavors are outstanding, their prices are affordable, and we love that their location makes it so convenient to also wander around the farmers’ market. So, don’t miss out and stop by Succulent next time you’re in Nashville; you won’t regret it!

KOKOS Ice Cream

Price: $

Cuisine: Ice cream

Website: https://kokos-ice-cream.square.site/

When it comes to vegan ice cream, Nashville’s KOKOS Ice Cream has some of the best in town. This small business frequently creates new and original flavors of their artisanal plant based ice cream, and the taste isn’t the only department their ice cream excels in. Every scoop from KOKOS is beautifully presented and is made from high quality ingredients that will make you feel as lovely as each spoonful tastes. And the colors of their flavors are stunning! From common flavors like their Cookies ‘N Kream, Belgian Chocolate, and Green Mint Chip to unique flavors like their Bantha Mylk, Moon Dust, and Lavender Dream, KOKOS has something for everyone and always keeps their menu exciting. They even help us ring in each new season with their seasonal flavors, and their holiday flavors really help bring any holiday to life. KOKOS has a fun, friendly atmosphere where you can even watch beach volleyball if it’s nice enough outside! Whether you’re vegan or not, anyone who visits KOKOS Ice Cream will most definitely leave with their tummy full, heart happy, and sweet tooth satisfied. 

Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Nashville

Two Boots

Price: $$

Cuisine: Pizza

Website: https://twoboots.com/menu

With a designated vegan pizza menu featuring nine vegan pizzas to choose from, Two Boots is the best of both worlds for vegans dining with (or without) their non-vegan friends or family. Two Boots gets its name from the geographical shape of Italy and Louisiana, and its flavor combos are inspired by the cultures and cuisines of these boot-iful places too! Their unique cornmeal-crust pizzas are simply delectable, and their vegan pies are as funky and creative as the art on their walls. The Vegan Larry Tate is fresh and sauceless, the Super Vegan has veggies and is drizzled with basil AND sweet red pepper pesto sauces, and both of these pies feature a yummy vegan ricotta! If mock meat pizzas are more your thing, the Vegan Cleo and The VCBGB are wonderful choices, and the Earth Mother (named in honor of Bette Midler who helped save community gardens in NYC’s Lower East Side) is perfect for veggie lovers who prefer their pies without vegan cheese. Regardless of your order, the Cajun-Italian flavors Two Boots has been known for since it first opened in 1987 will undoubtedly shine through.

Milk & Honey

Price: $$

Cuisine: Brunch, American, salads

Website: https://www.milkandhoneynashville.com/

Milk and honey may not be vegan ingredients, but don’t be fooled by the name of this Nashville brunch spot. Milk & Honey is not strictly plant-based, but they have vegan versions available for a number of their menu items as well as a plant-based menu! From toasts to bowls to salads and pizza, Milk & Honey has something for everybody whether they are vegan or not. We highly recommend the Vegan Big Kid Breakfast and the Vegan Matcha Scone. They also have a full bar menu, a wide array of coffees, and lots of juices. We especially love the Strawberry Orange juice, and if you like ginger, the Liquid Gold juice is delightfully refreshing! Milk & Honey is definitely popular and may have a bit of a line, but it is well worth the wait. Plus, to help the time pass by you can grab a snack from their walk-up counter or explore some of the nearby shops!

Frutta Bowls

Price: $$

Cuisine: Smoothies, smoothie bowls, toasts

Website: https://fruttabowls.com/

Nashville may not be in a tropical region, but that doesn’t mean meals in this southern city can’t be refreshing and fruity! With locations by both Vanderbilt University and Stocking 51 Building, Frutta Bowls has you covered and then some in the smoothie department. With smoothies, smoothie bowls, toasts, protein bites, and more, Frutta is a one-stop-shop any time of day. While the smoothies and bowls on their menu are not all fully vegan, each is customizable which makes your order plant-based or meeting any other dietary needs is a breeze. Frutta even offers plant based protein powders and protein bites! If you stop by, we highly recommend trying a smoothie bowl; you can even watch the Frutta bowl of your dreams become your reality by building your own bowl. The choice is yours for everything from the base of your bowl to the toppings and everything in between. You have full creativity here! Or, try one of their signature bowls that are carefully crafted with flavors that complement one another beautifully. We especially love the Beachin’ bowl and the Hulk bowl (veganized of course) for something fresh and fruity, and an oatmeal bowl is the move when we need something a bit warmer and cozier. Another highlight at Frutta has to be their smoothies. From ‘green’ smoothies like The Green Machine or the Detox to sweet smoothies like the Chocolate Explosion or the Glow Up (and everything in between), Frutta has a wonderful variety of smoothies to choose from. At its core, this female-created business values wellness and community building, and we love that they choose to use whole-food ingredients that are fresh, ripe, and bursting with flavor. Whether you dine in or take your food to-go, a visit to Frutta will leave you feeling delightful inside and out.

Grins

Price: $

Cuisine: Vegetarian, deli, diner

Website: https://www.bongojava.com/pages/grins

Grins is Nashville’s oldest vegetarian restaurant and has some of the most affordable, delicious vegan options around. Conveniently located on Vanderbilt’s campus and included in the university’s meal plan, this café is a go-to for the Vandy community. It also has some parking for non-university visitors, though, so you most definitely don’t have to attend or work at Vanderbilt to dine at Grins. Their menu is small but mighty, and it clearly indicates what is vegan, what is gluten-free, and it is also the first certified Kosher restaurant in the area! Starting your day with a cup of their Bongo Java Roasting Co. coffee is perfect whether dining in or grabbing it to-go on your way to class or work, and their food is so good that even non-vegans/vegetarians won’t find themselves missing meat. We especially love the Grins Smoothie and their Hummus & Veggie Sandwich, and make sure to ask about their daily chef-inspired specials! So, whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, or have no dietary restrictions at all, be sure to stop by Grins for some of the best eats in town.