While Denver may not be known for its meat-free fare, it’s absolutely known as a haven for those who want to live and eat healthy. In the Mile High City, there’s at least no shortage of healthy options that lean vegetarian or nix the animal products all together. With it being January–which also doubles as Veganuary–we wanted to put together a round up of our favorite vegetarian and vegan restaurants you can feel good about eating here in Denver.
1. The Corner Beet
The perfect little cozy cafe with tons of natural lighting, potted plans, and a menu of organic, vegetarian dishes. The Corner Beet is where you’d want to spend a post-yoga or post-peloton session, tucking into one of their organic plates or raw options, plus, you can sip away at their list of juices coffee, and more. We’d recommend one of their hearty Breakfast Bowls with Potato, Egg, and Cheese (comes vegan) or their Acai Bowls with berries, granola, coconut, and presented beautifully.
Where: 1401 N Ogden St, Denver, CO 80218
2. City, O’ City
City, O’ City is an eclectic, bohemian haven that perfectly suites every palate, from vegetarian versions of your favorite comfort foods (try their Seitan Buffalo or BBQ Wings) to organic options (like their vegan Caesar Salad). Drop in for breakfast and tuck into a bowl of heart tempeh bacon hash or come in for a late night bite of vegetarian poutine to go with a craft cider or IPA.
Where: 206 E 13th Ave, Denver, CO 80203
3. Bang Up To The Elephant
Bang Up To The Elephant is a Caribbean Getaway tucked into a tropical interior that houses the best vegan Cubano you’ve ever had. They’ve got everything from Coconut Curry made with house-spiced chickpeas and tofu to Cauliflower Wings with three sauce options–hot & sweet tamarind, mango-scotch bonnet, and pineapple-soy-scotch bonnet. They’ve also got a fun menu filled with tropical cocktails, like their Piña Colada with coconut liqueur and dark rum, to their fizzy, alcohol free sodas in flavors like Guava and Mango.
Where: 1310 Pearl St, Denver, CO 80203
4. Wellness Sushi
One of the newest restaurants on the block is Wellness Sushi, Denver’s first plant-based sushi spot. Their doors opened September 5th, 2021 with a full menu of delicious sushi sans fish. While they have an entire range of veggie-based rolls like their Royal Potato Roll with Sweet Potato Tempura, Avocado, Cucumber, and Roasted Beetroot Sauce, they’ve also got some rolls that resemble traditional fish-based sushi. Try their version of a shrimp tempura roll, the Ebi Tempura Roll, or they’ve even got a vegan krab salad to add to their rolls. They’ve also got four different types of vegan ramen and curry plates–all without animal products.
Where: 939 Bannock St. Denver, CO 80204
5. Meta Burger
This burger joint is the 100% plant-based, fast casual joint of your dreams. If you’ve ever missed the feeling of a burger in your hands, no worries. Meta-Burger has got you covered. Their burgers are stacked with all the ingredients you’d expect to find at a specialty burger spot, like vegan bacon, grilled mushrooms, bacon-onion jam, and cheese. They’ve even got fried vegan chicken if you’d like to substitute, plus ooey-gooey melts that’ll make you feel all the comfort of fast food.
Where: 7950 E Mississippi Ave, Denver, CO 80247
6. Watercourse Foods
Denver’s original vegan restaurant has perfected their menu, with dishes that replicate and elevate typical classic comfort foods. This is one of the spots on the menu with vegan Italian dishes, like their Fennel Sausage Bolognese or their Brown Butter Sage Gnocchi, which sound as decadent as they are cruelty-free. You can also try one of their stacked sandwiches with ingredients like their Pastrami & Gouda to their Buffalo Tofu Sandwich. If those dishes sound a bite heavy, dig into their salads–you can choose from Kale, Antipasto, or Moroccan Carrot and Garbanzo Salad. Don’t leave without hopping on the latest cocktail trend–zero-proof–and trying out one of their creations.
Where: 837 E 17th Ave, Denver, CO 80218
7. Native Foods
Native Foods is a plant-focused, fast, casual spot that offers vegan renditions of comfort foods, and has multiple locations nationwide. Their menu ranges from hearty mains like Gastropub Burgers to Chicken Tenders and MeatballSandwiches to healthy fresh salads like their Kale Salad. Their newest addition to their menu is their French Dip, 100% plant-based sliced beef on toasted bead and with a dipping sauce that pairs with it to create a cruelty-free rendition of the popular sandwich.
Where: 680 S Colorado Blvd, Glendale, CO 80246