By Kedar Deshpande as appeared in Minnesota Veg Living Magazine Issue 11
Minnesota continues to punch above its weight for vegan-friendly restaurant options. For sheer variety and quality, Minnesota has strong offerings and consistency compared to bigger markets that have high restaurant turnover or favor quantity over quality.
Let’s take a look at places that have unique offerings and are off the beaten path, the likes of which you won’t find in other cities and speak to how great Minnesota food culture is.
Twin Cities Restaurant Favorites
Both Minneapolis and St. Paul continue to have a solid repertoire of vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants, and a number of suburbs have also upped their game. Between Francis, HEA MPLS,, The Herbivorous Butcher, Herbie Butcher’s Fried Chicken, J. Selby’s, Lulu EthioVegan, Reverie Cafe + Bar, Trio, and the remaining Vegan East outlet, we’re well-covered for purely vegan options. Vegetarian stalwarts like Hard Times, Seward Cafe, Thanh Luong and Nala’s Kitchen, among others, help round things out.
But what about places that are simply vegan-friendly? I am continually impressed by the array of high-quality and unusual vegan options we can find throughout Minnesota. These are some of my personal favorites with my reasons.
Channa Kitchen, which only serves takeout, focuses on Indo-Trinidadian food and fills a void now that Harry Singh’s is closed. Get their doubles (a roti-based street food), alloo pies, and roti with curry.
The Himalayan is a bustling and homey Nepalese restaurant that won the Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge in 2024 with its now-permanent challenge dish Jackfruit Tikka Masala.
The Hyderabad Grill has a few locations in the Twin Cities and offers reliable, tasty North- and South-Indian staples, with all vegan items labeled.
Jasmine 26, a longtime Eat Street staple, recently brought back many of its old menu items alongside new hot pot options. Stop by for a hearty meal and a good drink in a family-run spot.
Lake & Bryant Cafe is a quaint neighborhood cafe with a chef-driven, eclectic menu with influences from Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia. Try their standout dishes such as the Garam Masala Tofu Scramble, extremely spicy noodles and garbanzo & kale stew. Their housemade chai features an authentic Indian recipe that can be made vegan with either almond or oat milk and is never too sweet for my taste.
Mandalay Kitchen in St. Paul is one of the only Burmese restaurants in Minnesota and its sheer variety of vegan options, and consistent quality, make it a go-to for anyone looking for food that’s simultaneously familiar, yet also unique from other South and Southeast Asian cuisines.
Muddy Tiger in Edina offers Vada Pav (pronounced “wuddah pow”), a street food staple of the state of Maharashtra in India. It’s a fried potato dumpling on a bread roll, seasoned with savory spices and sauces, and the rendition here is as good, if not better, than what you’ll find in Mumbai and Pune (the two largest cities in Maharashtra).
Rainbow Chinese fills a niche as a longtime community staple and chef-driven Chinese spot. Expect unusual and creative dishes. Many dishes can be modified to be vegan. For the single best preparation of mock duck in the city, get the Mock Crispy Tiger — a delectable mix of wok-seared mock duck, green onion, and taro chips.
Rincon Mexicano in Inver Grove Heights has the best vegan tacos in the Twin Cities, with an array of mock meats and fresh sides. The veggie chorizo tacos, and soy meat tacos, are both excellent, simple and cheap. Pro tips: this restaurant is closed on Saturdays, and is not to be confused with Taqueria El Rincon one block away.
Uffda Donuts in Maple Grove started offering vegan donuts on Thursdays and Sundays. These are easily the best raised (yeast) vegan donuts in the Upper Midwest, and you’ll find an array of flavors. Get there early before they sell out or preorder.
Duluth and The North Shore
Whenever I go up north, I’m always impressed by the food options. Try these in the Duluth/North Shore area:
Dovetail Cafe has the best vegan breakfast options in Duluth and has great baked goods, tea, and coffee in a cabin-like environment.
Juice Pharm is the only fully vegan restaurant in Duluth. I enjoy the juices and snacks offered in this earthy spot.
Lilly’s Asian Cafe is a family-run Southeast Asian restaurant in Two Harbors. Both tasty and welcoming, it’s a nice break on the drive to the Boundary Waters.
Thai by Thai in Duluth is an old-school Thai restaurant serving fresh and savory dishes downtown.
Zeitgeist Restaurant & Bar in Duluth offers a lovely, upscale dining experience run by a nonprofit. Their vegan scallops (mushrooms), stick-to-your-ribs vegan curry, and superb vegan banh mi are worth the trip.
St. Cloud Area
Jules’ Bistro has fresh, creative options (think bowls, salads, and soups) including vegan baked goods.
The Local Blend in St. Joseph is a throwback coffee shop with vegan mac and cheese and great vibes.
The White Horse offers homemade and labeled vegan items including a burger and pasta dishes.
Minnesota’s Plant-Based Scene Shines Bright
Minnesota’s plant-based food options remain strong and varied around the state and especially in the Twin Cities. More importantly, they are high-quality and thoughtful, borne of a food culture committed to integrity and creativity.
