5 Best Vegan Restaurants in Chicago (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

By Thorne Savarin, Culinary Explorer · ✓ Data verified August 2026 · 8 min read

Chicago's vegan scene has grown well past the salad-and-tofu stereotype, into diners, soul food, sushi-style small plates, and upscale plant-based dinners. The vegan restaurants in Chicago below have logged over 13,600 Google reviews between them, and even the lowest-rated name still sits at 4.4 stars, which says a lot about how far the bar has moved in this city.

Short answer: The Chicago Diner, Lakeview carries the deepest track record of any name on this page at 4.7 stars across 3,365 reviews, running plant-based comfort food since the 1980s. True Food Kitchen has the most reviews overall (2,786) for a healthy, wellness-focused menu, while Handlebar in Wicker Park is the pick for a full bar plus vegan comfort food. Expect roughly $10 to $30 per person depending on where you go.

Jump to a business

1. The Chicago Diner, Lak…
2. Handlebar
3. PLANTA Chicago
4. True Food Kitchen
5. Soul Veg City
Get listed

Chicago's Vegan Restaurants, Side by Side

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	The Chicago Diner, Lakeview	4.7 ★	3,365	Plant-based comfort food, longest track record	View ›
2	Handlebar	4.6 ★	2,641	Vegan comfort food with a full bar	View ›
3	PLANTA Chicago	4.6 ★	2,438	Date night, upscale Asian-inspired vegan	View ›
4	True Food Kitchen	4.5 ★	2,786	Health-focused menu, most reviewed	View ›
5	Soul Veg City	4.4 ★	2,410	Vegan soul food, South Side	View ›

5 Best Vegan Restaurants in Chicago (2026)

Our top picks, reviewed

#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days

The Chicago Diner, Lakeview

4.73,365 Google reviews

The Chicago Diner in Lakeview has been serving vegan and vegetarian comfort food since 1983, per its own site, and describes itself as meat-free since '83. It's a traditional diner format built entirely around plant-based versions of classic comfort dishes: Reubens, mac and cheese, biscuits and gravy, and a full daily brunch menu. It also runs monthly sensory-friendly evenings with lower lights and music.

What people praise

Reviewers repeatedly call the seitan wings and vegan Reuben among the best they've had anywhere
Brunch served daily until 3pm, with a dedicated kids' menu
Sensory-friendly nights offered monthly for guests who benefit from a calmer environment
Long operating history reflected in a large, steady volume of reviews

Worth knowing

Street parking only in the evenings before 6pm, which some reviewers note can be tight

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.7 / 5

Review volume3,365 · 98th

Confidencevery high

Recency13 days ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown79% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The most-reviewed comfort-food option here and the longest continuous track record on this page, a safe first stop for anyone new to vegan dining.

Website Book now +1773-935-6696 Directions

3411 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657

#2🕑 Open 7 days

Handlebar

4.62,641 Google reviews

Handlebar has served made-from-scratch vegetarian and vegan comfort food in Wicker Park since 2003, with a full-service bar and beer garden attached. The menu leans casual and hearty, cauliflower crunchwraps, taco salads, and a rotating vegan cheesecake, and the space includes both indoor and outdoor patio seating.

What people praise

Nashville Hot Fried Chicken and Black Bean Maduro dish both singled out repeatedly
Patio and beer garden add a different vibe than a typical vegan restaurant
Reviewers note the menu is roughly 90% vegetarian with a small fish menu for mixed groups
Long operating history since 2003

Worth knowing

Weekend waits of 20 to 30 minutes are common, and the space can get loud and crowded at peak times

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.6 / 5

Review volume2,641 · 88th

Confidencevery high

Recency2 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown77% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A strong pick if you want a full bar and a livelier atmosphere alongside your vegan meal, not just a quiet sit-down dinner.

Website Book now +1773-384-9546 Directions

2311 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

#3🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

PLANTA Chicago

4.62,438 Google reviews

PLANTA Chicago, in River North, is part of a multi-city plant-based restaurant group offering globally inspired dishes with an Asian-fusion lean: sushi rolls, crispy rice, dragon rolls, and noodle dishes, alongside cocktails and a dedicated happy hour and lunch menu. The space is described by reviewers as intimate and stylish, built for a special occasion rather than a quick bite.

What people praise

Bang Bang Broccoli and Crispy Rice dishes mentioned across multiple reviews as standouts
Ambiance repeatedly described as warm, stylish, and well suited to a celebration or date night
Weekday lunch menu offers two courses for a set price
Reviewers who aren't vegetarian themselves report being pleasantly surprised by the food

Worth knowing

A couple of reviewers found individual dishes, like a potato appetizer, inconsistent in execution

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.6 / 5

Review volume2,438 · 83th

Confidencevery high

Recency2 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown83% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The most date-night-oriented option on this page, worth booking ahead for a special occasion rather than a casual weeknight dinner.

Website Book now +1630-691-7238 Directions

413 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

#4🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

True Food Kitchen

4.52,786 Google reviews

True Food Kitchen, in River North, is a wellness-focused restaurant chain with a menu built around whole, less-processed ingredients, offering plant-based dishes like a double cheeseburger with vegan cheese on a gluten-free bun, alongside seafood and other proteins for mixed groups. It carries the highest review count of any restaurant on this page.

What people praise

Reviewers consistently describe the food as fresh, flavorful, and thoughtfully prepared without sacrificing taste
Plant-based double cheeseburger and air-fried fries called out as standout vegan options
Large vegetarian selection makes it easy to bring non-vegan guests along
Modern, spacious dining room suited to groups

Worth knowing

Multiple reviewers mention the dining room running noticeably cold, worth bringing a layer

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.5 / 5

Review volume2,786 · 93th

Confidencevery high

Recency2 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown72% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The most-reviewed name here, and a strong choice if your group includes non-vegans who still want lighter, health-forward options.

Website Book now +1312-204-6981 Directions

1 W Erie St Unit A/Floor 1, Chicago, IL 60654

#5🕑 Open 7 days

Soul Veg City

4.42,410 Google reviews

Soul Veg City, on the South Side, serves entirely vegan soul food from a daily-changing hot bar, alongside smoothies, juices, and desserts. It's the only soul-food-focused kitchen on this page, with reviewers describing dishes like mac and cheese and jerk-spiced items served cafeteria-style so diners can build their own plate.

What people praise

Mac and cheese repeatedly called the best vegan version reviewers have had in the city
Smoothies made fresh to order rather than pre-batched
Staff and overall atmosphere described as consistently warm and welcoming
Recently remodeled space praised as brighter and more spacious than before

Worth knowing

Street parking only, and reviewers say it can be tight during busy periods

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.4 / 5

Review volume2,410 · 78th

Confidencehigh

Recency3 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown67% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Ranks fifth on review volume rather than quality, this is the spot for anyone specifically craving vegan soul food rather than the more common diner or Asian-fusion styles above.

Website +1773-224-0104 Directions

203 E 75th St, Chicago, IL 60619

Your business here

Get listed on this page, in front of local customers already searching for you.

Claim this spot ›

How we score

Rating is the live Google average for each restaurant. Review volume measures how many diners have actually left a review, ranked against the others on this page. Confidence weighs the rating against that volume, so a high score built on thousands of reviews carries more weight than one built on a handful. Recency looks at how recently people are still reviewing, a sign the kitchen is still delivering consistently. No business can pay to change any of these numbers.

How much does vegan food cost in Chicago? (2026)

Prices vary by restaurant style, from a casual comfort-food plate to an upscale sit-down dinner. Reviewer price-per-person data from Google gives a realistic sense of what to expect across the restaurants above.

Job	Typical price
Casual comfort food (diner, soul food)	$10-$20 per person
Sit-down lunch or dinner	$20-$30 per person
Upscale dinner with cocktails	$40-$70 per person

Ranges compiled August 2026 from reviewer-reported price-per-person data on Google for the restaurants listed above.

Serving all of Chicago

These restaurants span Lakeview, Wicker Park, River North, and the South Side, so a vegan restaurant near you is realistically a short trip no matter where in the city you live. River North has the highest concentration for a night out, while Lakeview and the South Side each offer a distinct, longer-standing neighborhood option.

What to ask before you book a table

Is the entire menu vegan, or does it include vegetarian and other options for mixed groups?
Does the restaurant take reservations, or is it walk-in only during peak hours?
Are gluten-free substitutions available for dishes like buns or noodles?
What’s the average wait time on weekends?
Is outdoor or patio seating available?
Does the restaurant offer a set lunch or happy hour menu for better value?

Frequently asked questions

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from public Google data. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner (badge and top placement), but that never changes another business’s score or position.

How did you choose these vegan restaurants?

We pulled every vegan and plant-based restaurant with a real Google presence in Chicago, then ranked by rating, review volume, and how recently people are still reviewing. All of them here hold a 4.4 rating or higher.

Which of these is best for a group with non-vegan guests?

True Food Kitchen and Handlebar both offer some non-vegan options alongside their plant-based menus, making them easier for mixed groups. The Chicago Diner, PLANTA, and Soul Veg City lean fully plant-based.

How often is this updated?

This page reflects Google ratings and review data verified in August 2026. We refresh listings periodically as new reviews come in.

The bottom line

The Chicago Diner is the safest default, with the longest track record and the deepest review base of any name here. If you want something more special-occasion, book PLANTA ahead of time, and if you’re craving soul food specifically, Soul Veg City is worth the trip south.

Best Speciality Cuisine in other cities

More categories in Chicago

Own one of these businesses, or want to be here?

Claim your spot on this page: Basic listing $50 or Premium $100 for the top spot, held a full year. Both include a permanent link to your site.

Get listed See pricing