At the base of the Rocky Mountains, Denver is truly a beautiful place to visit. In the city, you can get all of the amenities you would expect from a thriving area, but with the breathtaking backdrop of the mountain range behind it.

The Rocky Mountains are known all over the United States for its trails and other outdoor activities, so it’s no surprise that you can find that right in Denver. Hiking, skiing, and snowboarding are only a few of a long list of fun things you can come across when traveling through. So keep an eye out for all of the outdoor attractions!

Along with its outdoor fun, you can also find a rich cultural scene in Denver. The Denver Art Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, and the Clyfford Still Museum are a few of the more well known places if you enjoy the art scene, but you can also find many galleries and performance venues, too!

Let’s talk about vegan restaurants in Denver! Denver is more known for its craft beer than most of its other culinary options, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have more to offer. The area is home to many local farms that help give farm-to-table options, as well as a lot of vegan options in the city. There may not be much in the way of completely vegan eateries, but you have a lot of choices when it comes to grabbing a bite! There are plenty of vegan options in Denver to keep you satisfied after a long day of exploring the great outdoors.

Here are our best vegan restaurants in Denver, Colorado.

Bang Up to the Elephant

Price: $$

Cuisine: Jamaican

Website: https://banguptotheelephant.restaurant/

Bang Up to the Elephant is definitely a fresh-take on vegan food. It is a Jamaican-inspired spot with so many choices. You can find anything from your typical salads to more Jamaican dishes like Potato & Plantain Mofongo. The best way to experience culture is through food, and Bang Up to the Elephant is putting out the very best. Don’t forget to check out the Cassareep Rice Bowl if you choose to come by! As far as what you can expect when dining in, the restaurant has outdoor seating much like those you would expect in cities like New York. The interior is well lit, and vibrant with colors. This place is truly a gem, and you can find it right in downtown Denver.

Watercourse Foods

Price: $$

Cuisine: Comfort Food

Website: https://www.watercoursefoods.com/

As far as renown vegan restaurants goes, I believe Watercourse Foods is the best one in Denver. Being a 100% vegan establishment, the choices that are offered here are top-notch when it comes to vegan comfort foods. For lunch, you can find some of the best Loaded Truffle Fries that you will find anywhere. Along with Seitan Wings, wraps, Po’ Boys, and more. For dinner, you can expect to see Cuban sandwiches, Gnocchi, Risotto, and more. Everything is mouthwatering, so don’t expect an easy choice! They also serve a great selection for breakfast, and have happy hour drinks between 2pm and 5pm. Watercourse Foods is located just north of Capitol Hill in North Denver.

Vegan Van

Price: $$

Cuisine: American and Latin Inspired

Website: https://www.veganvan.com/

The Vegan Van is something you should definitely check out while you are in Denver. Located at The Assembly in North Denver, the food truck has served the vegan community through the pandemic and continues to offer delicious food to the local community. You can expect comfort foods galore when ordering, everything from Fried Avocado tacos to homemade McLovin sandwiches. If you are looking for something to eat while in North Denver, this is definitely a place you should check out!

While these restaurants aren’t necessarily 100% vegan, we want to applaud them for making a fantastic effort in creating vegan options on their menus. Here are our top vegan friendly restaurants in Denver, Colorado.

 City O’ City

Price: $$

Cuisine: American, Latin & Italian Inspired

Website: https://cityocitydenver.com/

City O’ City is a stunning vegetarian restaurant located in the heart of Denver just north of Capitol Hill. They serve all day, including breakfast, lunch and dinner. Something that makes this a truly unique spot is that you can come in the morning for a latte, or dinner for a more adult beverage. The ambience is eclectic, with repurposed furniture and a new-age vibe. The food is absolutely remarkable. For breakfast, you can expect waffles, tofu and gravy, and even chicken and waffles made from cauliflower! Lunch and dinner has quinoa and bbq bowls, salads, and more including kimchi noodles. Check with the server if you have any questions on substitutions for anything. 

Sputnik

Price: $

Cuisine: American, Italian, and Latin Inspired

Website: http://sputnikdenver.com/

Sputnik, located in downtown Denver right next door to the world famous Hi-Dive music venue, offers up some extremely delicious food at great prices. The place gives a nightlife vibe, with a darker dining area than some of the others on this list, and has a very relaxing atmosphere. The vegan choices here are amazing. They have the Field Roast Vegan Cord Dog, an American staple but with a vegan take, and even vegan tacos! I recommend the Vegan Sputburger if you are into the classics, but you have a ton of choices to choose from if that isn’t your cup of tea. Be sure to check with the server if you have any questions on what is or isn’t vegan-friendly, they are great and love to help!

The Corner Beet

Price: $$

Cuisine: Contemporary

Website: https://cornerbeet.com/

Do you like organic, house-made cuisine that is sourced locally? The Corner Beet strives to do just that, with as little as possible coming from other sources. The restaurant is vegetarian, but they do have a lot of vegan options. Their avocado toast, which can come with tofu instead of eggs, is absolutely delicious. You can find anything from different coffees, breakfast that includes vegan loaded bowls, and dinner dishes that include farmer plates and daily soups. Being a vegetarian restaurant, some of the dishes can’t be made vegan, so be sure to check with the server on what substitutions can be made. Even with that in mind, they do have a lot of options to choose from.

Vital Root

Price: $$

Cuisine: Health Foods

Website: https://www.ediblebeats.com/vital-root

Nestled in downtown Denver near I-70, you can find Vital Root serving up delicious food that is healthy and sustainable. The foods here are primarily vegetarian, but with many substitutions and vegan options you are sure to find something delicious. You can expect to find Korean stir fry, country fried tofu, different wraps and sandwiches, and even more italian-inspired dishes like their risotto. Something to note, this is a kid-friendly restaurant giving options for kids as well!