Vegan restaurants in Denver have come a long way in the last 20+ years. Denver went from having one vegan restaurant on the side of a Krishna temple to having several great vegan-only restaurants. I have developed a list of the six best vegan restaurants in Denver and several other great vegan dining options to help you decide where to eat next.
As a proud Denver native, I can honestly say the food scene here has improved yearly. We now have unique and creative restaurants all over the city, including vegan-only restaurants.
Speaking of vegan only, that is the only criteria for this post. The restaurant has to be vegan or plant-based foods only. No animal products and, therefore, no modifications are necessary. No wondering what was in the fryer, cooked on the grill before your food was cooked. The best part is that you are 100% confident the restaurant is vegan when you walk in!
Oh yeah, and the restaurant has to serve delicious food!
Table of Contents
Best Vegan Restaurants in Denver(IMHO)
1. Somebody People
"A Vegetable-Forward Dining Experience"
Hands down, Somebody People is my favorite vegan restaurant in Denver. The food is fresh, creative, and daring! If you eat here, I recommend not to look at the menu and go straight to the "Feed Me" option. The server brings out small plates of 6 - 7 sharable items. Do worry about the term"small." You will leave here full and happy!
Somebody People is an excellent place for any occasion, especially a special occasion. The restaurant is a friendly environment with excellent customer service. So great my waitress even went and got my license plate number so I could enjoy my drink.
Somebody People is a bit loud, and I am not talking about the images of David Bowie and Kate Bush. This trendy eatery is always packed. Because of this, I recommend making reservations. You can reserve directly on their website. They are located directly on south broadway, just off of I-25. Parking is also limited, so leave a few extra minutes early to find a spot.
Address: 1165 S Broadway #104, Denver, CO 80210
Website: Somebody People
2. Bang Up To The Elephant
"Beach Shack Food. Neighborly Service. Tropical Bar"
Bang Up to the Elephant is self-described as a "Curry, jerk & other Caribbean-inspired dishes meet tropical drinks in a light- & plant-filled space."
I admit that when I first heard of this place, I did not think it was for me. I quickly found out I was wrong! Bang up the Elephant is also creative and daring with the menu. Their food perfectly balances tropical flavors, heat, and sweetness. I tried a few things at this restaurant, and while I especially liked the coconut curry, my favorite was the cassareep rice bowl.
Their happy hour and drink menu specialize in tropical cocktails like Pina Colada, Rhum Punch, and my favorite, the dirty banana.
Leave a little extra time for parking. Bang Up to the Elephant is tucked into Capitol Hill, where parking is limited. But don't let that scare you. Just leave a few minutes earlier. Their food is worth the extra effort!
Address: 1310 Pearl St, Denver, CO 80203
Website: Bang Up to the Elephant
3. Wellness Sushi
I found out about Wellness Sushi from a Denver Vegan Facebook group. Every other day, there seemed to be a post of their sushi rolls followed by raving comments. With so many positive reviews, I decided to try it. Oh my, I am happy I did!
Wellness sushi is fresh food you can feel good about eating. They were founded in 2019 by traditional sushi chef Steven Lee and his wife, Phoebe Lee. Together they saw an opportunity to create food where taste was never sacrificed for health.
Wellness Sushi's menu is full of flavorful sushi rolls and bowls of ramen. They focus on using only fresh ingredients (vegetables, mushrooms, fruits, and organic tofu). The menu is also reasonably priced items ranging from $10.99 - $15.75.
Currently, Wellness Sushi is sharing a kitchen in Aurora. However, a little birdie told me they would open a new restaurant near East High School in the Capitol Hill area.
Address: 1120 Yosemite St, Aurora, CO 80010
Website: Wellness Sushi
Looking to Cook at Home? Try These Vegan Recipes
4. So Radish
Located in Old Town Arvada, So Radish brings back American classics in vegan style! The interior is bright and fun, 80's style.
The menu options range from banana fosters french toast to chicken fried steak and all the great 80's sides (Did someone say mashed potatoes and gravy?). My favorite is the mushroom cheesesteak, So Radish's take on a Philly cheesesteak.
Breakfast lovers rejoice; brunch is available until three daily! While you are there, check out the breakfast burrito. Prices range from $9 - $18.50. So Radish also has a full-service bar.
Address: 5711 Olde Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, CO 80002
Website: So Radish
5. Meta Burger
"Plant-Based American Classics"
As vegans everywhere know, sometimes, you want to sink your teeth into a burger. It's not the meat but the sensation of sinking your teeth into a bun, thick tomato, onion, lettuce, mayo, and ketchup.
But when it comes to a veggie burger at a traditional restaurant, vegans and vegetarians are left wondering what was also cooked on that grill. What is floating around that fryer on my vegan sweet potato fries?
Wait no more; Meta Burger is our answer! Meta Burger is a plant-based food-only menu. The menu items include plant-based burgers ($11), plant-based chicken patties ($11), sides ($4 - $5), and shareable ($8 - $10).
3 Locations
Address: 7950 E Mississippi Ave, Denver, CO 80247
5505 20th Ave Edgewater, CO 80214
1905 29th Street #1174 Boulder, CO 80301
Website: Meta Burger
6. Watercourse Foods
"Vegan Comfort Food"
Watercourse Foods has long been a Denver Staple. It opened in 1998 in the spot where City O' City is now located. At the time, Watercourse was a vegetarian restaurant with vegan options. Within a few years, Watercourse Foods outgrew that location and moved to 17th Avenue.
In 2015 Watercourse Foods moved to a vegan-only restaurant. When the change first happened, I admit I wouldn't say I liked the new menu and stopped going. However, I returned at my friend's urging and gave them another chance. I am so glad I did. The watercourse vegan menu is loaded with delicious vegan and plant-based options again.
Watercourse Foods has a full-service menu that includes alcoholic beverage options. Food is served all day, and prices range from $11 - $18. On the weekend, Watercourse is a popular brunch location and usually has a waitlist.
Finally, Watercourse, if you are reading this, please bring back the seitan french dip and curry soup. I miss them.
Address: 837 EAST 17TH AVENUE, DENVER, CO, 80218
Website: Watercourse Foods
Honorable Mentions
Make, Believe Bakery
Want a vegan dessert, bread, or pastry? Make, Believe Bakery is the place for you. Located on the same street as City O'City, Make, Beleive Bakery proves that vegan baking is just as good, if not better, than traditional baking!
Address: 214 E 13th Avenue. Denver, CO 80203.
Website: Make Believe Bakery
The Corner Beet
Located in Capitol Hill off of 14th and Ogden, The Corner Beet is a small cafe known as a 'chill vegetarian cafe and juice bar.' Popular menu items include acai bowls, cold-pressed juices, superfood lattes, salads, and sandwiches.
Address: 1401 N Ogden St, Denver, CO 80218
Website: Corner Beet
Native Foods
Native Foods is the perfect fast-casual vegan restaurant. They offer a lot of vegan versions of traditional meat items, making it a great restaurant to satisfy any meat craving.
Currently, there are 2 locations in Denver (Lone Tree and Glendale) and one in Boulder. They are growing fast, and I expect to see more in the metro area in the coming years.
Way Wong Veg
'Scratch Made Vegan Comfort Food'
Way Wong Veg is Denver's vegan food truck option. While the name might imply they serve a wide range of Asian dishes, the truth is they serve a wide range of dishes from all over the world. Visit Way Wong Veg to see where their tuck will be next.
Govindas
Long before Watercourse, there was the Krishna Temple in the Mayfair neighborhood. To the best of my knowledge, this was the first vegan restaurant in Denver serving plant-based only meals, now known as Govinda's.
However, before the Covid pandemic, there was a fire. Since then, Govendias has not reopened. Hopefully, the doors will open again. When they do, I will be there to support this long-standing and probably the first Denver vegan eatery.
Other Popular Vegan Optional Restaurants
- Vital Root tucked in the Highlands, this restaurant is 99% vegan and 100% gluten-free
- Root Down, is located in the LOHI and at DIA has vegan options, but not vegan only.
- True Food Kitchen, located in Cherry Creek has vegan options but is not vegan only.
- Spice Room, is an Indian restaurant in Berkley that has vegan options.
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