Lovingly known by locals as “The Emerald City,” Seattle, Washington is one of the best cities in the United States for vegan eating and culture. So far, I’ve gotten the chance to travel to both San Diego and Portland over the past couple of months.
Portland was my most recent vacation, and I absolutely loved what the city had to offer in terms of food.
Before leaving the West Coast and returning home to New York, I decided to take advantage of how close I was to Washington and flew straight to Seattle. I stayed there for six days, ate tons of great food, did a bit of hiking, and even made some friends.
Overall, it was a great trip, and it inspired me to create lots of new content for you guys!
So, in today’s post, I’m about to show you some of the best vegan food in Seattle. I was in town for less than a week, so this list is, by no means, conclusive. However, the following restaurants definitely stood out to me.
Whether you’re a local Seattle resident looking for good vegan eats or you’re a traveler planning to visit the city soon, this post is worth a read!
Is Seattle Good For Vegans?
Seattle may not be the biggest city on the West Coast, but it’s one of the top-rated cities in the U.S. when it comes to a vegan lifestyle. You’ll find tons of great vegan-only restaurants and loads more that specialize in vegetarian food or offer vegan-friendly options on their menu.
Plus, the people here are awesome! Everywhere I went, I kept bumping into friendly people. There’s also a surprisingly large vegan community here.
It could have just been the restaurants I visited, but it seems like everywhere offers at least a few vegan options for the growing vegan population.
Are There Upscale Vegan Restaurants In Seattle?
Admittedly, Seattle doesn’t have quite as many upscale vegan restaurants as New York. However, there are a few really great upscale spots that are worth checking out!
Of the few spots I visited, I’d have to say that Harvest Beat and Plum Bistro were the most upscale vegan restaurants in Seattle. They’re both reviewed below!
The Best Vegan Food In Seattle: My Top Picks For 2024
Seattle is, most notably, known as a coffee town. If you didn’t already know, it’s actually the birthplace of Starbucks Coffee!
That being said, they also have a reputable food scene as well, that features a growing number of vegan-friendly eateries.
So, without further ado, here are some of the best vegan restaurants in Seattle!
1) Harvest Beat
- Website: https://www.harvestbeat.com/
- Location: 1711 N 45th St, Seattle, WA 98103
- My Favorite Dish: Potato Croquettes
Harvest Beat was the first upscale vegan restaurant that I visited in Seattle. If you want to eat in the restaurant, you’ll need to place a reservation first. Otherwise, you’ll have to order to-go.
Unlike most restaurants, which give you a varied menu to choose from, Harvest Beat has a set five-course meal that changes with the season (since everything is “garden to table”).
To start off, you’re offered a vintage vegan Cava wine along with a mint-lime-orange “elixir.” The first course features a roasted tarragon and beet bisque served alongside a wonderfully complex salad that’s topped with dandelions.
Next, you’re served a light rose alongside some of the best potato croquettes that I’ve ever had. The croquettes are topped with a house-made pepper sauce and a savory balsamic reduction.
After that, they bring out a small yet delicious dish made from butternut squash along with… more wine (surprise, surprise)! Finally, they bring out a delicious cake made from maple syrup and almond flour. Then, you’re given a final glass of wine and an herbal tea as an aperitif.
The dinner and wine pairing cost $112 before tax and tip, so be prepared to spend some money if you go here. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind high-end vegan dining experience, though, it’s worth every dollar!
2) Plum Bistro
- Website: https://plumbistro.com/
- Location: 1429 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
- My Favorite Dish: Buffalo Portobello Burger
Plum Bistro offers an upscale industrial environment but sells great-tasting American favorites, such as vegan burgers, fries, nachos, mac and cheese, calamari, and more.
They also have an in-house bakery that makes loads of delectable vegan cakes and pastries. Everything on the menu is 100% vegan, so you can order anything you want!
To start with, I ordered the Garlic Rosemary Fries, which were lightly crispy (just how I like them) and seasoned with garden-fresh rosemary and garlic salt. Then, upon recommendation, I decided on their famous Buffalo Portobello Burger.
The plant-based burger was absolutely delicious and featured a lightly breaded and fried portobello mushroom topped with buffalo sauce, vegan ranch, onions, veggies, and cucumbers. They also offer gluten-free buns for anybody who can’t consume traditional buns.
Everything was outstanding, and the Portobello Burger was easily one of the best vegan burgers I’ve ever had. I absolutely loved the vegan ranch dressing too, and it’s much better than the typical vegan ranch you’ll find in the grocery store.
Last but not least, the service here was on-point! The staff is incredibly friendly, will help you decide on your meal, and are more than happy to accommodate any dish modifications or dietary needs that you may have.
3) Kati Vegan Thai
- Website: https://kativeganthai.com/
- Location: 1190 Thomas St, Seattle, WA 98109
- My Favorite Dish: Pumpkin Curry
Thai food typically involves lots of fresh vegetables, so it’s a cuisine that naturally lends itself to vegan interpretation.
Although I’ve been to my fair share of vegan Thai restaurants, I have to say that Kati Vegan Thai stood out as one of my favorites.
They have a large menu and offer appetizers, rice-based dishes, all-veggie dishes, and some incredible curries. I opted for the Pumpkin Curry, which features large chunks of chopped pumpkin in the house-made red coconut milk curry. The dish also contains broccoli, basil, and sliced bell peppers.
If you’re a drinker, then Kati Vegan Thai also offers a number of delicious cocktails to accompany your meal. I ended up getting the refreshing Cucumber Gimlet, made with freshly muddled cucumber and lime and topped with top-shelf vodka.
4) Más Veggies Vegan Taquiera
- Website: https://www.eatmasveggies.com/
- Location: 2681 NE University Village St, Seattle, WA 98105
- My Favorite Dish: Chipotle Carnitas Tacos
Mas Veggies is one of the first vegan taco spots I’ve been to that serves real Mexican-style street tacos… but all-vegan!
They offer favorites like Chick’n Tinga, Carnitas, and even Asada which are all made with handmade corn tortillas, fresh cilantro and onion, and your choice of vegan meat. They also offer some truly incredible homemade salsas!
If you’re not feeling tacos, they also offer vegan burritos, vegan nachos, vegan bowls, and sides of chips-and-dip. There are two locations in Seattle, which both offer the same menu. I opted for the one on NE University Village Street.
Watch YouTuber Vegan Bodegacat’s review here:
5) Wayward Vegan Cafe
- Website: http://www.waywardvegancafe.com/
- Location: 801 NE 65th St Suite C, Seattle, WA 98115
- My Favorite Dish: The Belgian Benedict
Wayward Vegan Cafe is a small family-owned restaurant that’s known for having some of Seattle’s best vegan breakfast food. They offer an all-day breakfast that features vegan twists on all of your favorite breakfast cravings.
The atmosphere is warm, friendly, and bustling. As soon as you sit down, you’re greeted and offered a fresh coffee with vegan creamer and sugar options. Then, they give you a menu that’s full of so many delicious-looking options that it’s hard to tell exactly what you want.
I opted for the Belgian Benedict, a vegan twist on the classic English breakfast, “Eggs Benedict,” that’s made using vegan Belgian waffles that are topped with vegan eggs, maple vegan sausage, and vegan sausage gravy.
To top it off, the dish is topped with a creamy vegan cheese drizzle and served with a side of potato hash browns.
Easily one of the best vegan breakfasts I’ve ever had!
Where’s The Best Vegan Breakfast In Seattle?
If you’re looking for the best vegan breakfast in Seattle, I can’t recommend Wayward Vegan Cafe enough! Whether you’re looking for light and fresh or heavy and savory, they’ve got both ends covered.
Everything on the menu is 100% vegan and it’s one of the top-rated vegan spots in Seattle.
The Verdict – What’s The Best Vegan Restaurant In Seattle Overall?
Seattle has some delicious vegan spots, ranging from quick and simple to high-end, reservations-only restaurants.
However, if I had to pick my favorite… I’d go with Plum Bistro! I loved the industrial yet upscale vibe and the quality of the food was outstanding.
If you ever find yourself down south in SoCal, be sure to check out my list of the best vegan eats in San Diego next!
