A guest post by Kristin Bertram
In June 2025, I moved from Chicago to Minneapolis. The decision had been made about seven months earlier, and being a researcher, I immediately began a long distance deep dive into the city. I explored Minneapolis neighborhoods, culture, arts and entertainment, community organizations, and, most importantly, its vegan food scene.
Once I arrived, joining groups on Meetup turned out to be the best decision I could have made. I met so many wonderful people who helped me feel welcome, and through them I discovered even more vegan groups, events, and volunteer opportunities.
The Meetup dine out events quickly became my favorite activities. They encouraged me to try new restaurants, explore different neighborhoods, navigate the transit system, and form new connections.
Facebook and Instagram have also been helpful as there are events and invitations shared on those platforms that aren’t shared anywhere else. It’s good to follow all of the vegan organizations, restaurants, and festivals for up-to-date information and special event invitations.
Kristin’s Favorite Vegan Meetup Groups
Some of the most helpful Meetup groups for me as a newcomer to Minneapolis have been:
Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA)
Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA) hosts Twin Cities Veg Fest and the Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge. I happened to arrive just in time for the Challenge, which gave me a great reason to dine out at the vegan restaurants and other restaurants with vegan options. CAA also hosts an annual Thanksgiving vegan potluck called ThanksLiving, and many other events throughout the year including potlucks, dine-outs, and more! A variety of volunteer opportunities are also available.
Vegan Adventure Club (VAC)
The Vegan Adventure Club (VAC) organizes active, social events for vegans like walks around Bde Maka Ska, group bike rides with stops for vegan ice cream, and the annual Turkeys Alive 5K Run. They’re also raising funds to open a Vegan Community Center.
Animal Rights Coalition (ARC)
Animal Rights Coalition (ARC) hosts potlucks, dine-outs at vegan eateries throughout the city, along with volunteer opportunities to support animals. They also operate a vegan store, Ethique Nouveau, that features vegan merchandise, pop-up events, and more. ARC runs Vegan University, Cuddle Coats, and other programs. ARC’s Minneapolis Vegan Guide is a great resource for local vegan restaurants, vendors, bakers, and other vegan food options around the city.
Kristin’s Favorite Restaurants & Dishes
Below are some of my favorite restaurants & dishes that I’ve enjoyed since moving to the Twin Cities:
Favorite Brunch Spots
- French Meadow on Lyndale is my favorite. I either get the Classic Vegan Breakfast or the Vegan Breakfast Burrito.
- Hen House Eatery in Downtown West has wonderful vegan options. My favorite is the Vegan Hash.
- The Breakfast Club in Uptown makes an excellent Vegan Eggs Benedict.
Fantastic Lunch and Dinner Locations
- Amazing Thailand in Uptown — I love their Pad Thai with Tofu (order without the egg).
- Bebe Zito in Lowry Hill East — They have great vegan burgers, fries and a nice selection of vegan ice cream. The Marvelous Mrs. Hazel is my favorite flavor.
- Food on the Fly located Downtown has a lot of vegan options. Their Vegan Crispy Chicken Rice Bowl is amazing.
- Francis Burger Joint in Longfellow and NE Mpls — I love everything here! My favorite dish is the Chopped Cheesy Fries with burger, cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomato, onions, and Francy sauce.
- Gai Noi in Loring Park — I like the Crispy Fried Tofu.
- J Selby’s in St Paul — Love their version of a vegan Big Mac called the Dirty Double.
- Litt Pinball in Lowry Hill East — They have vegan hot dogs. I’m partial to the Second City Hot Dog.
- Lucky Dragon on Riverside has good Fried Tofu and it’s the only place I’ve ever had Vegan Cream Cheese Wontons.
- Namaste in Uptown — Love the Crunchy Cabbage Salad, the Masala Fire Tacos, and the Crispy Cauliflower Wings.
- Tao Organic Cafe in Uptown has a good Vegan Sweet Potato Burrito.
Final Thoughts From Kristin
My first 6 months in Minneapolis have been amazing and I am so thankful to the local vegan community for making me feel welcome. I’m excited to keep trying new restaurants and dishes.
This winter I plan on searching for my favorite vegan pizza in Minneapolis. As a former Chicagoan, this may be a challenge but I’m looking forward to sampling it all.
