Known for its love of cars and Motown, Detroit, MI may actually surprise visitors with its abundance of plant-based fare. Here, we’ve gathered some of the best places to grab a vegan bite next time you’re in Motor City.
Where to find the best vegan food in Detroit
The days of lackluster iceberg salads and soggy veggie burgers have been replaced with crispy Detroit-style, deep-dish pizzas; spicy noodles; and even traditional soul food.
If Detroit wasn’t on your travel list, it needs to be. Aside from tantalizing vegan fare, the city is also home to world-class cultural institutions, a diverse music scene, and sports teams that can’t seem to catch a break—but Detroiters love them nevertheless! When you visit, don’t miss these eight vegan-friendly restaurants in Detroit.
Seva
1 Seva
Exposed brick, vaulted wood ceilings, and a terrific outdoor patio make Seva the perfect place to meet up with friends for a fun night out. This vegetarian hot spot has been cooking up amazing meatless food since the ‘70s—the Detroit location is an expansion of the original Ann Arbor spot. The varied menu offers something to please even the pickiest of eaters such as savory stir-fries, spicy jambalaya, tempeh reubens, and so much more. The patio is the best place to enjoy dinner on a summer night with a glass of Michigan beer or cider.
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The Kitchen
2 The Kitchen by Cooking With Que
The Kitchen isn’t a typical table-service restaurant. It’s a culinary demonstration space that offers diners the opportunity to learn, taste, and experience a wide range of foods and drinks, always encouraging customers to try something new. However, those who would rather leave the learning for someone else and just order can do just that. The menu features a wide range of vegan dishes from cauliflower wings to a selection of entrée salads. Make sure you leave room for a cinnamon roll!
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Pie-Sci Pizza
3 Pie-Sci Pizza
Located near Wayne State University, Pie-Sci is the place for vegan Detroit-style pizza. This regional specialty features a crispy golden crust with a chewy interior that’s topped with melty vegan cheese. The most coveted portion of this Detroit-style pie is the corner piece. Dubbed “the golden corner” by locals, it’s the spot where the cheese caramelizes between the hot pan and crust creating a delicious lacey cheese cracker. While searching for the golden corner, choose from a selection of vegan pizza pies that range from plain cheese to pizzas topped with walnut mock chorizo, tofu bacon, radish slaw, jackfruit, and more.
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Takoi
4 Takoi
The hip atmosphere coupled with creative and herbaceous flavors make Takoi the perfect date night spot. While the Asian fusion menu isn’t entirely vegan, there are still plenty of worthy plant-based options. Grab a glass of wine and chill out on the patio while enjoying the spicy Som Tum Thai salad made with green papaya followed by the flavorful red curry featuring perfectly grilled king oyster mushrooms. Interested in dessert? Finish with the house-made coconut milk ice cream served with mango purée and almond crumb.
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Detroit Vegan Soul
5 Detroit Vegan Soul
This Black- and women-owned restaurant began after co-owner and executive chef, Erika Boyd, lost her father to cancer. She adopted a plant-based diet and began veganizing her favorite soul food recipes that eventually launched Detroit Vegan Soul. Through her delicious dishes, Boyd seeks to show the community how healthy and tasty traditional comfort food can be. The menu features favorites such as mushroom po’ boys and okra stew along with house-made vegan burgers served with pesto aioli on a pretzel bun. For a little taste of everything, order the Soul Platter. Loaded with Catfish Tofu, mac and cheese, candied yams, cornbread, brown rice, smoked collards, and black-eyed peas, this dish is the star of the menu. Plus, the fresh hibiscus punch or sweet tea is the perfect accompaniment to any meal.
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Spacecat V-stro
6 Spacecat V-stro
If you’re craving comfort food, Spacecat V-stro is the place to go. In fact, it even describes itself as a “comfort food” laboratory, so you know you’re in good hands. Indulge in a plethora of nourishing, filling options like the creamy, protein-packed mac and cheese, the Loaded Spacecat Nachos, and Cinnamon Chocolate Coffee Cake.
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Unburger
7 Unburger
Sometimes, only a burger will do. If you’re in the mood for a big juicy handheld, Unburger on Michigan Avenue has you covered. Vegan chicken options include Buffalo Ranch and Chick’n Parm Italiano, and you can also try vegan beef, chickpea patties, and for something sweet, there are ice cream sandwiches, too.
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Rebecca Gade Sawicki is the Detroit-based creator of vegan travel blog Veggies Abroad.
