Everyone enjoys getting together with friends or family and eating a good meal from time to time. It’s typically a fun experience from start to finish, from the light-hearted conversations to the tasty food and getting to try new cuisines. Finding vegan friendly restaurants in D.C. is not always easy though.
Whether you’re grabbing takeout on the way home or planning to meet some friends for a quick bite, being mindful of everyone’s menu preferences is a must.
Many people choose vegan or vegetarian diets, and knowing the difference between the two can help ensure you choose a restaurant everyone can enjoy. The diets are similar, but the simplest differentiator is that vegans do not consume animal products or bi-products like eggs, honey, or dairy while vegetarians do not eat animals but may eat their bi-products.
The good news is that we have some of the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Washington, D.C., as well as locales that offer vegan and vegetarian options. There’s always something for everyone, especially at these locations near our apartment communities.
Must-Try Vegan Restaurants in Washington D.C.
Dupont Circle Offers Great Vegan Eats: Dupont Circle is home to a variety of vegan-friendly restaurants, including Sweet Green, Hip City Veg, and Frutive, all offering plant-based options for a quick bite or a leisurely meal.
Hip City Veg’s Specialty Burgers and Sandwiches: Known for their plant-based burgers and sandwiches, Hip City Veg in D.C. offers delicious options like the Disco Chick’n sandwich and sweet potato fries.
Frutive’s Plant-Based Pizzas and Bowls: This 100% plant-based restaurant serves pizza with whole wheat crust, Superberry Bowls, and breakfast options like avocado toast and steel-cut oats.
Vegz’s Indian Vegan/Vegetarian Cuisine: A hidden gem offering hearty portions of Indian dishes such as Masala Dosa, Paneer Uthappam, and Vegetable Korma, making it a must-try for vegan and vegetarian food lovers.
Teaism’s Fusion of Vegan and Vegetarian Options: Known for its vegan cheeseburger, Okonomiyaki, and sweet potatoes with miso, Teaism also offers an inviting spot for afternoon tea and boba drinks.
The Little Beet’s Customizable Bowls: Offering a wide variety of bowls made with quinoa, basmati rice, leafy greens, and proteins like sweet ‘n’ spicy tofu, The Little Beet is a great place for a healthy, vegan-friendly meal.
Vegan Dining in Cleveland Park: Indique in Cleveland Park offers an affordable and flavorful menu with dishes like Vegetable Mini Dosa and Morel Vegetable Stew. True Food Kitchen serves crave-able vegan dishes like Teriyaki Quinoa Bowl and Butternut Squash Pizza.
Nu Vegan Cafe’s Soul Food Staples: Nu Vegan Café is famous for its soul food with vegan twists, including Herb-infused Seitan Roast, Vegan Chick’n Drummies, and Vegan Crab Cakes.
Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats for Vegan Baked Goods: Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats is the go-to place for vegan treats, from cupcakes to crumb cakes and sticky buns, making it the perfect stop for dessert lovers.
Vegan Options Across D.C. Neighborhoods: Many neighborhoods, including Cathedral Heights, Cleveland Park, and Columbia Heights, offer great vegan and vegetarian dining options, perfect for residents looking for variety in their meals.
Dupont Circle Neighborhood Vegan Restaurants
Dupont Circle is the quintessential neighborhood to live in if you love eating at the best vegan restaurants in D.C. From the vibrant community vibe, to the lively nightlife, there’s never a shortage of hip vegetarian eateries in this neighborhood.
Nearby communities include:
Sweet Green
Whether you order online, grab take-out, or dine-in, Sweet Green offers a menu almost as sweet as the name suggests—with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options right in the Dupont Circle neighborhood—that includes protein-packed greens and everything from chicken chimichurri plates to harvest bowl salads made with almonds and kale, and much more. Their homemade Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Greengoddess Ranch or Hot Honey Mustard are a great vegetarian side dish or a perfect afternoon treat, and we are loving their Harvest Bowl for a quick lunch that will keep you going through the afternoon.
Hip City Veg
This small, plant-based fast-food chain has two D.C. locations and offers various specialty burgers and sandwiches. At Hip City Veg, you can choose from zesty, spicy, and tangy sauces for your burgers. The flavors complement their organic smoked tempeh and tofu options, or you can order a grilled jerk chick’n or udon salad if you’re looking for a more organic meal. If you ask us, the Disco Chick’n sandwich and their sweet potato fries make this place one of the best vegan restaurants in Washington D.C.
Frutive
Frutive also has two D.C. locations and is a great alternative to your chain pizza locations. They are 100% plant based which makes them a great choice for vegan restaurants in D.C. They offer plant-based pizzas made with whole wheat crust and delicious Superberry Bowls made with oat or almond milk. For early mornings, you can grab steel-cut oats with granola, chia seeds, and your favorite fruits or some delicious avocado toast. We love their Southwest Salad and Roasted Veggie Pizza too!
Vegz
Offering both vegan and vegetarian options, Chef Swarn Singh created Vegz from the comfort of his mother’s kitchen. You can feel the love in the dishes offered from this hidden vegan/vegetarian gem. You’ll find delicious homemade Samosas and Papdi Chat as appetizers, then circle into your main course and enjoy items like Masala Dosa and Paneer Uthappam crepes, mixed vegetable korma, and other Indian-styled options.
The portions are generous—great for sharing— and at an affordable price. If you’re vegan or vegetarian and love Indian food…Vegz is a must try vegetarian restaurant in D.C.
Teaism
If you’re looking for a vegetarian restaurant in D.C. Teaism has vegetarian options with three locations throughout D.C. They have spots in DuPont Circle, Lafayette Park, and Penn’s Quarter. Teaism serves mouthwatering dishes that are perfect for a mixed diet and keep you coming back for more.
As you go through the menu, try their Okonomiyaki—a crispy cabbage pancake with wasabi and okonomi sauces— a vegan cheeseburger, or some tasty sweet potatoes with miso.
Teaism is also a great place to stop in for an afternoon tea and treat. We are head over heels in love with their Jasmine Creme Brulee and their Ginger Scones. Don’t forget to try their specialty boba tea or our favorite— iced chai!
The Little Beet
The Little Beet is a vegetarian-based restaurant with a new menu that includes Whole30, Paleo, and Keto options. They offer a wide variety of make-your-own bowl options, including basmati rice, quinoa, and leafy field greens to start things off. You can choose between warm or cold veggies to mix in and include proteins like baked falafel or sweet ‘n’ spicy tofu. If you’d prefer to order something off the chef’s specialties, you can opt for a Brussel Hustle Bowl, Yuzu Poké Bowl, or a short list of other options. Our favorite dish on the menu…The Beet Falafel Bowl!
Vegan Restaurants in the Cleveland Park Neighborhood
The Cleveland Park Neighborhood has it all…friendly neighbors, charm, tree lined streets…and great vegetarian restaurants.
Nearby communities include:
Indique
Staying true to Indian cuisine, Indique mixes in unique flavoring to bring you meals you won’t forget. If you’re looking for vegetarian restaurants in D.C. with a great vibe—Indique has amazing veggie options, great staff, and it’s affordably priced.
Their dinner menu provides spicy street snacks such as Vegetable Mini Dosa, and their main courses bring you options like Bagara Baingan which is made with baby eggplant. Enjoy their Morel Vegetable Stew on rainy or cooler days, and Punjabi Chole for a delicious take on potatoes and chickpeas. If you live at the Sedgwick Gardens apartments, Indique is only a 5-minute walk away.
True Food Kitchen
True Food Kitchen thrives on bringing you “crave-able food that boosts your mood.” A few vegan favorites on the menu are the Teriyaki Quinoa Bowl and Ancient Grains Bowl. They also serve a homemade Butternut Squash Pizza made with caramelized onions and roasted garlic that’s perfect for sharing. You dine with True Food for brunch, lunch, or dinner, then take your leftovers home with you for a second round at their appetizing menu.
Mount Pleasant & Columbia Heights Neighborhood
If you happen to live in Mount Pleasant or Columbia Heights you already know there’s no shortage of delicious cuisines in the area. Whether you are looking for an upscale dining experience, late night drinks at your favorite dive bar, the best vegan pizza, a cafe lunch, or a vegan cupcake…the neighborhood doesn’t disappoint.
Nearby communities include:
Nu Vegan Cafe
Formerly known as Woodlands Vegan Bistro, Nu Vegan Café is D.C.’s number one spot for vegan soul food. Menu items include Herb-infused Seitan Roast, Vegan Chick’n Drummies, Ginger Spiced Tofu, Black Bean Burgers, and more vegan favorites. No matter what you’re craving, when it comes to vegan restaurants in D.C, Nu Vegan has a dish for everyone and every food mood. Vegan Crab Cakes? Yes, please! Did we mention they have weekend brunch?
Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats
You can find all of your vegan baked goods at Sticky Fingers. Choose from crazy delicious flavors of cupcakes, small and big bites, and bakery sweets. A sticky finger lunch favorite is their black bean and green chile quesadilla, and you can’t help but follow it up with one of their crumb cakes or sticky buns.
If you’re feeling extra generous and buying treats for everyone, try some of their classic cookies or not-so-daily-donuts on select days. We love that they sell vegan baking mixes and decorating kits to take home for some messy fun too!
Are you moving to the Washington, D.C. area or simply looking for a new community to call home? Contact us to speak with a leasing specialist. We’re happy to discuss your needs and desired location, then schedule a time to tour one of our open floor plans.
We have apartments in the best neighborhoods in D.C. including:
- Cathedral Heights
- Cleveland Park
- Columbia Heights
- Dupont Circle
- Foggy Bottom
- Georgetown
- Mount Pleasant
- Thomas Circle
- Upper 16th NW
- Kalorama
- Logan Circle
- Van Ness
- Woodley Park
- Hyattsville
There’s great vegetarian and vegan options in all of our neighborhoods, so get in touch—we can’t wait to meet you!
Vegan Restaurants in Washington D.C. FAQ
What vegan restaurants can I find in Dupont Circle?
Dupont Circle is home to several great vegan restaurants including Sweet Green, Hip City Veg, and Frutive. These spots offer a variety of plant-based meals, from protein-packed salads to specialty sandwiches and pizzas.
What makes Hip City Veg a great option for vegan dining?
Hip City Veg is known for its plant-based burgers and sandwiches, offering delicious options like the Disco Chick’n sandwich and sweet potato fries. It’s a great spot for a quick, flavorful vegan meal.
What can I expect from Frutive’s menu?
Frutive offers a 100% plant-based menu with options like whole wheat crust pizzas, Superberry Bowls made with oat or almond milk, and breakfast items such as avocado toast and steel-cut oats. It’s a healthy choice for breakfast or lunch.
What kind of vegan food does Vegz offer?
Vegz serves a variety of vegan and vegetarian Indian dishes, including Masala Dosa, Paneer Uthappam, and Vegetable Korma. The restaurant offers generous portions and affordable prices, making it a great choice for sharing meals.
What can I find on the menu at Teaism?
Teaism offers a mix of vegan and vegetarian options, including a vegan cheeseburger, Okonomiyaki (a crispy cabbage pancake), and sweet potatoes with miso. It’s also a great spot for afternoon tea and boba drinks.
What makes The Little Beet a good choice for vegan dining?
The Little Beet offers customizable bowls with a variety of options like quinoa, basmati rice, leafy greens, and proteins such as sweet ‘n’ spicy tofu. It’s a healthy and flexible dining option for vegans.
What vegan dishes can I find at Indique in Cleveland Park?
Indique offers a variety of vegan dishes including Vegetable Mini Dosa, Morel Vegetable Stew, and Punjabi Chole (a flavorful potato and chickpea dish). It’s a great spot for those looking for vegan Indian food with unique flavoring.
What are some popular vegan dishes at Nu Vegan Cafe?
Nu Vegan Cafe is known for its vegan soul food, with dishes like Herb-infused Seitan Roast, Vegan Chick’n Drummies, and Vegan Crab Cakes. It’s a must-visit for those craving comfort food with a vegan twist.
What types of vegan treats can I find at Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats?
Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats offers a wide range of vegan baked goods, including cupcakes, crumb cakes, sticky buns, and cookies. It’s the perfect place for anyone with a sweet tooth looking for delicious vegan desserts.
Are there vegan-friendly options in all of D.C.’s neighborhoods?
Yes, many neighborhoods in Washington D.C., including Cathedral Heights, Cleveland Park, and Columbia Heights, offer great vegan and vegetarian dining options. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a sit-down meal, you’ll find plenty of choices throughout the city.
