Eating meat-free hasn’t always been easy, but in Chattanooga, it’s a piece of (vegan) cake.
Our local food scene is as vibrant as ever, so it’s no surprise there are a slew of local chefs serving up fresh, vegetarian bites across town. From vegetarian barbecue to scrumptious vegan tacos, here are 24+ restaurants serving up meat-free fare in the Scenic City.
Southern Squeeze does monthly specials like this fresh roll salad for the month of July.
Photo by Karen Culp Photography & Design provided by @southernsqueeze
🌱 100% vegetarian/vegan eats
Cashew, 149 River St. | This vegan café offers a wide range of options, including three takes on a burger + has an in-house bakery — all of the classics, veganized. Try this: vegan Philly Cheesesteak with BeHive seitan slices, cashew cheese, sautéed peppers, onions, and mushrooms on a Niedlov’s wheat hoagie.
Sluggo’s, 505 Cherokee Blvd. | Get your southern-comfort fix at Chattanooga’s first vegan restaurant. Bonus: Stop in for Sunday brunch.
Southern Squeeze, 1301 Dorchester Rd. | With smoothie bowls, hand-crafted juices + food freshly made with local produce, this spot offers it all, including a rotating specials menu each month. Pro tip: Try one of the specialty waffles, and sip it down with a Rhinestone Cowboy.
Plant Power Café, 6215 Lee Hwy. | “Chattanooga’s best rated vegan café" offers a bit of everything — from burgers + sandwiches to juices and more.
Real Roots Café, 607 N. Market St. | This spot offers breakfast + lunch items like paninis and smoothies.
Eating vegan doesn’t have to mean missing out on the fun stuff, like these donuts.
Photo provided by @sleepyheadchatt
☕ Coffee + tea shops
Sleepyhead Coffee, 735 Broad St. | Grab a cup of coffee + a vegan housemade pastry to get your day going — always be on the lookout for a new donut and latte flavor.
Oaks Coffee House, 2916 Silverdale Rd. | This coffee house offers several vegan options, with dishes like the breakfast plate and a patty melt where vegan sausage can be requested.
Mean Mug, Locations vary | Check out this popular spot that has superfood lattes + vegan and vegetarian-friendly food options like a tofu breakfast plate and burrito.
Wildflower Tea & Apothecary, 1423 Market St. | Stop in for an organic loose-leaf tea latte made with plant milks + grab a vegan donut made by Cashew.
Milk and Honey, 135 N. Market St. | Not only does this restaurant offer non-dairy alternatives, but you can make several dishes vegan. Try this: Curry cauliflower bowl with quinoa, sweet potato, sautéed veggies + curry roasted cauliflower.
Be Caffeinated, Locations vary | Take your cup of coffee with various milk alternatives + pair it with a vegan pastry from Poppytons Patisserie.
Buenos Dias Coffee Cafe, 802 Chickamauga Ave. | This Mexican-inspired cafe offers vegan options for certain menu items such as the chocolate waffle topped with fruit + drizzled in chocolate sauce.
Stone Cup Cafe, 208 Frazier Ave. | Try out this spot’s wide menu.
Keep your eyes out for a new menu coming soon to Final Girl Vegan Food.
Photo provided by @finalgirlveganfood
🌮 Food trucks
Asarum, Locations vary | This truck offers a local mushroom Bahn Mi + one other rotating vegan option on the menu. Bonus: Check out this spot’s new brick and mortar location at the Eastgate Town Center (5600 Brainerd Rd.).
California Smothered Burrito, Locations vary | Check out their vegetarian options like the burritos or nachos. Need it vegan? Get the nachos sans the cheese.
Final Girl Vegan Food, Locations vary | You can find this fully vegan truck around town + at the Chattanooga Market. Try this: Fritos topped chili, “cheeze,” crema, and scallions.
Yummy Thai, 1402 Cemetery Ave. | This Asian cuisine truck serves up various delicious made-to-order meals that can be customized + the yellow curry, spring rolls, and pad Thai sauce are all vegan.
Johnny Poppers, Locations vary | Check out the house-made black bean burger. Skip the sriracha aioli to make it vegan. Bonus: This spot uses vegan buns.
The Oatmeal Experience, Locations vary | Stop by this truck to build your own oatmeal with fresh toppings, the way you like it.
Flora takes customized orders for parties + other events.
Photo provided by @floraveganbakes
🍰 Delicious baked goods
Bread & Butter, 3955 Dayton Blvd. | This shop specializes in artisan bread, freshly hand-crafted + the best part — almost all of it is naturally vegan (unless they add cheese to the bread).
Flora Vegan Bakery, Online | Order specialty-made desserts like cakes, cookies, donuts, and bread. Bonus: You can find them at The Daily Ration + Be Caffeinated’s Northshore location.
Poppytons Patisserie, Locations vary | Get your sweet fix with the food truck’s vegan line of “fresh, seasonal, and sensational” pastries. Try this: strawberries n’ cream poppytart (a vegan take on the classic Pop-Tarts).
The Bakery, 9408 Apison Pk. | Located in nearby Ooltewah, this vegan-vegetarian artisanal bakery offers a full menu of classic sweets like turnovers filled with apple, guava, chocolate ganache + more.
Clumpies, Locations vary | Our local ice cream shop doesn’t leave anyone out with its options, serving up various dairy-free scoops like the raspberry lemonade sorbet. Pro tip: Check out what ingredients each flavor contains before ordering.
Have you eaten at a local vegan or vegetarian restaurant recently? Let us know.
