At first going vegan may seem like a simple choice… Until you realize just how few vegan grocery stores there are in the world!
Of course, almost all grocery stores sell fruits, veggies, beans, lentils, nuts, and other plant-based foods. Those things have never been hard to find and are, by far, the healthiest vegan foods you can eat.
However, if you’re craving a vegan burger or you’re looking for your favorite plant-based milk, then you may have a bit of trouble finding it at your local chain grocery store.
Thankfully, a growing number of mainstream grocery stores are stocking vegan specialty foods. However, not every city is as vegan-friendly as the next.
In today’s post, I’m going to show you some of the best vegan grocery stores that I love to visit! From plant-based protein to organic snacks, chips, and cereal, these places are bound to have something you love.
Take a look!
Where Is The Best Place To Shop For Vegans? My Top 4 Vegan Grocers
As I mentioned, vegans can really shop anywhere. As long as you’re not buying meat, dairy, or processed foods that contain animal-derived products, you’re free to eat all of the natural plant-based foods that you see on store shelves.
However, when it comes to those vegan “specialty” items, most grocery stores are a bit lacking in their selection. Some of my favorite vegan items that I almost never find in my local grocery store include:
- Tempeh
- Seitan
- Extra-firm tofu
- Grain-free tortillas
- Vegan “sausage” and “burgers”
- Vegan protein shakes
Sure, I can live without these items. But I’m a much happier vegan when I get to eat my favorite foods… Just ask my boyfriend! He knows just how happy I get when it’s vegan burger night.
Although vegan grocery stores can be a bit expensive, they’re worth it when you’re looking for specific items. So, with that in mind, here are some of the best vegan grocery stores that you should check out if you get the chance!
1) Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods Market is one of my favorite vegan-friendly grocery stores. Shortly after they were bought by Amazon, they started rapidly expanding across the country. This means that there’s a good chance that you’ll find a Whole Foods Market somewhere near where you live!
Whole Foods Market offers more vegan food than any other grocery store that I’ve ever been to. Their selection of organic, plant-based protein, snacks, and cereal is almost impossible to beat. They even have vegan ice cream made from cashew milk!
The only qualm I have with Whole Foods Market is that they’re a bit costly. This is because many of the brands they sell are made by small businesses instead of giant corporations.
Small businesses usually have higher-quality products that use more expensive, higher-quality ingredients. As such, you should expect to pay a premium for them.
However, all things considered, I’ve never had a problem with any of the vegan food I’ve purchased from Whole Foods Market.
2) Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s has locations spread all throughout the US, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding one if you live in a large or mid-sized city.
While they’re not exclusively vegan, they offer a number of vegan-friendly brands. Many of their own Trader Joe’s branded items are also 100% vegan and plant-based. In fact, Trader Joe’s is one of the few grocery stores I’ve ever been to that sells gelatin-free vegan marshmallows!
I’ve found vegan burgers, vegan cereal, snacks, and other vegan goodies that I’ve grown to love. Trader Joe’s also has great deals on their food. They regularly run sales and aren’t quite as expensive as Whole Foods Market.
The only drawback of Trader Joe’s is that they have a fairly small selection, compared to most grocery stores. That being said, it’s a great place to find a few delicious snacks that you won’t find anywhere else.
3) Aldi
Aldi is a German-based grocery store that’s slowly been opening locations all around the US. They manufacture many of their own foods but also work with local farms to source high-quality, low-cost produce.
Aldi is, by far, one of the most affordable places to find great-tasting vegan food. The cost of their food is very similar to the prices you’ll see at Wal-Mart and other discount stores, meaning that it’s a great place for frugal vegans!
Of course, every Aldi is a little bit different, so what’s available at one store might be available at the next. Aldi’s located closer to large cities typically have a bigger selection of vegan specialty foods.
4) Costco
Costco is a great place to get a deal when buying bulk vegan food! If you’re the type of person who hates going out shopping for groceries every single week, then you’ll love the wholesale prices (and amounts) offered by Costco.
There’s a reason why small businesses and restaurants use them for supplies and food.
Is Costco Worth It For Vegans?
The only downside of Costco is that you have to buy food in large amounts. This can be a bit problematic if you’re single and you’re purchasing perishable foods.
There have been many times where I’ve gotten “hooked on the deal” and bought something only to have half of the container go bad before I get a chance to eat it all.
This completely defeats the purpose of spending extra on bulk items!
If you’re living by yourself, then I suggest visiting Costco with a group of other vegan/vegetarian eaters. Then, you can split the cost of the groceries as well as the groceries themselves, which can save you a serious chunk of change!
The Verdict- Which Supermarket Sells The Most Vegan Food?
Out of all of the vegan grocery stores that I’ve been to, I’d say that Whole Foods Market sells the most vegan food. While they may be a bit expensive, they have a far wider selection than any other grocery store I’ve been to.
Don’t sleep on Amazon either! Now that the e-commerce brand owns Whole Foods Market, they’ve started offering a wide selection of vegan options online as well. For example, check out my post on the best vegan cake batter mixes, which are all available on Amazon!
