5 Best Vegetarian 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 has no shortage of restaurants that treat vegetarian food as an afterthought, which makes the ones that don't stand out fast. The vegetarian restaurants in Chicago on this page have logged nearly 15,000 Google reviews between them, and reviewers repeatedly flag one thing in common: a menu with real vegetarian depth, not just a side salad tacked onto a meat-first menu.

Short answer: The Chicago Diner, Lakeview is Chicago's most-reviewed vegetarian and vegan spot (4.7 stars across 3,365 Google reviews), serving plant-based comfort food since the 1980s. Maharaj Indian Grill (4.6, 3,289 reviews) and PLANTA Chicago (4.6, 2,438 reviews) round out the top picks for deep vegetarian menus. Expect most sit-down meals to run $20 to $30 per person.

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1. The Chicago Diner, Lak…
2. Maharaj Indian Grill
3. PLANTA Chicago
4. True Food Kitchen
5. Meli Cafe
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Chicago's vegetarian-friendly restaurants compared

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	The Chicago Diner, Lakeview	4.7 ★	3,365	All-vegetarian comfort food	View ›
2	Maharaj Indian Grill	4.6 ★	3,289	Indian vegetarian thalis and curries	View ›
3	PLANTA Chicago	4.6 ★	2,438	Upscale plant-based dining	View ›
4	True Food Kitchen	4.5 ★	2,786	Healthy, gluten-free-friendly options	View ›
5	Meli Cafe	4.2 ★	2,776	Vegetarian-friendly breakfast and brunch	View ›

5 Best Vegetarian 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 is a plant-based diner that has been serving vegan and vegetarian comfort food since the 1980s, with a menu built around reubens, mac and cheese, chicken-fried steak, and daily brunch until 3pm. Its entire menu is vegetarian, and most dishes are fully vegan. The restaurant also runs sensory-friendly evenings once a month with lower lights and music.

What people praise

Reviewers repeatedly call the vegan reuben one of the best they've had
Wide menu variety means larger groups can all find something they like
Fast, well-organized service even during busy brunch hours
Free parking lot available after 6pm

Worth knowing

Street parking can be tight before 6pm when the lot isn't yet available

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 vegetarian restaurant in Chicago and the only one on this list with a menu that's entirely vegetarian. A safe default whether you're vegetarian, vegan, or just want a genuinely good diner meal.

Website Book now +1773-935-6696 Directions

3411 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657

#2🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Maharaj Indian Grill

4.63,289 Google reviews

Maharaj Indian Grill is an Indian restaurant in the Loop with multiple Chicago-area locations, known for a large vegetarian selection alongside its meat dishes, including paneer curries, dal, and a Vegan Thali Combo. It's not a vegetarian-only restaurant, but reviewers specifically call out its vegetarian offerings as strong and well represented on the menu.

What people praise

Reviewers highlight the vegetarian thali and paneer dishes as flavorful and well seasoned
Large vegetarian selection clearly marked on the menu
Lunch combo meals offer good value for the portion size
Quick, attentive service noted across multiple visits

Worth knowing

A few reviewers found specific dishes inconsistent between visits
This is a full Indian menu with meat options too, not an all-vegetarian restaurant, so it suits diners who want strong vegetarian choices within a broader menu

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.6 / 5

Review volume3,289 · 93th

Confidencevery high

Recency3 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown79% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Second most-reviewed name on this list, with reviewers consistently pointing to its vegetarian dishes as a highlight rather than an afterthought. A strong pick if you want Indian food with real vegetarian depth.

Website Book now +1312-877-5376 Directions

333 S State St, 8 E Van Buren St Unit C13, Chicago, IL 60604

#3🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

PLANTA Chicago

4.62,438 Google reviews

PLANTA Chicago is a 100% plant-based restaurant in River North serving globally inspired dishes like bang bang broccoli, dragon rolls, and truffle fried rice in an upscale setting. It runs a Plant Powered Lunch deal on weekdays and a Maki Monday deal in the evenings, alongside its regular dinner menu.

What people praise

Reviewers highlight the bang bang broccoli and crispy rice as standout dishes
Warm, stylish atmosphere well suited to date nights and celebrations
Even self-described non-vegetarians report being pleasantly surprised
Weekday lunch and happy hour deals offer a more affordable way in

Worth knowing

One reviewer noted a specific appetizer came out soggy, though most dishes were praised
Street parking can be difficult to find nearby

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.6 / 5

Review volume2,438 · 78th

Confidencevery high

Recency2 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown83% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A genuinely all-vegetarian menu with an upscale feel, popular for special occasions rather than a quick bite. Worth booking ahead given the reservation-driven crowd it draws.

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 is a health-focused restaurant near River North with a large vegetarian selection built around organic and gluten-free ingredients, including a plant-based double cheeseburger and a range of grain bowls and pizzas. Its menu clearly labels vegetarian dishes throughout.

What people praise

Reviewers praise the plant-based double cheeseburger and air-fried fries specifically
Menu clearly marks vegetarian and gluten-free dishes, making it easy to navigate for dietary needs
Attentive, courteous service noted across multiple reviews
Earthy, open atmosphere that several reviewers compared to dining outdoors

Worth knowing

A few reviewers mention the dining room running cold, worth bringing a layer
Some found portion sizes or bun size a bit large for the dish

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.5 / 5

Review volume2,786 · 88th

Confidencevery high

Recency2 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown72% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Not exclusively vegetarian, but reviewers consistently point to its vegetarian and health-focused dishes as the reason to come. A solid choice for a group with mixed dietary preferences.

Website Book now +1312-204-6981 Directions

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

#5🕑 Open 7 days

Meli Cafe

4.22,776 Google reviews

Meli Cafe is a breakfast and brunch cafe with multiple Chicago locations, including one in the Loop, known for farm-to-table dishes, fresh-squeezed juice, and a vegetarian menu section alongside its full breakfast and lunch offerings. It's a general American cafe rather than a dedicated vegetarian restaurant, but reviewers note the vegetarian dishes are clearly labeled and well represented.

What people praise

Reviewers highlight the Irish eggs benedict and banana bread French toast
Vegetarian dishes are clearly labeled on the menu
Cozy, well-decorated atmosphere with patio seating available
Good prices for a downtown Chicago location

Worth knowing

Some reviewers found service slower during busy brunch hours
This is a general breakfast cafe, not a vegetarian-focused restaurant, so the vegetarian selection is a section of a broader menu rather than the whole point

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.2 / 5

Review volume2,776 · 83th

Confidencehigh

Recency8 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown57% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The lowest rating on this list, though still solidly positive, and best suited to a breakfast or brunch craving rather than a dedicated vegetarian dinner. Worth knowing it's a general cafe with vegetarian options rather than a vegetarian specialist.

Website Book now +1312-834-0500 Directions

500 S Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60605

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How we score

Every number on this page is computed from public Google data on the date shown, not from opinion or payment. Rating is the restaurant’s live Google star average. Review volume is how many customers have rated them, ranked against other Chicago restaurants with strong vegetarian menus. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a 4.7 from thousands of people carries more weight than a 4.9 from a few dozen. Recency reflects how recently customers are still leaving reviews. No business can pay to change these numbers.

How much does a vegetarian meal cost in Chicago? (2026)

Pricing varies by restaurant style, from a casual diner to an upscale plant-based dinner spot. Based on price-per-person figures reviewers reported for these restaurants:

Job	Typical price
Casual lunch or diner meal	$10-$20 per person
Standard dinner	$20-$30 per person
Upscale dinner with drinks	$40-$70 per person

Ranges compiled August 2026 from price-per-person figures reported by Google reviewers of the restaurants on this page. Actual cost depends on what you order and whether drinks are included, so check the current menu before booking.

Serving Chicago’s neighborhoods

The restaurants above are spread across Chicago, from Lakeview and River North to the Loop and beyond, with several also running additional locations in the suburbs. Searching for a vegetarian restaurant near me? Every listing below shows a live phone number and address so you can find the closest option and check current hours.

What to ask before you book a vegetarian-friendly restaurant

Is the vegetarian menu clearly marked, and are vegan options also available?
Can dishes be adapted for allergies like gluten or nuts?
Do you take reservations, or is it walk-in only?
Is parking available nearby, or is it mostly street parking?
Do you offer a lunch or happy hour deal on weekdays?
Is the kitchen able to accommodate a mixed group of vegetarians and non-vegetarians?

Frequently asked questions

How did you choose these restaurants?

We started from every restaurant in Chicago with a public Google presence and a strong vegetarian menu, then ranked by rating, review volume, consistency, and recency. See How we score above.

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from the public Google data in the scorecard. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner, which adds a badge and top placement, but that never changes another business’s score or position on the underlying data.

How often is this updated?

The data carries a verified date (August 2026 on this page). We refresh listings periodically so ratings and review counts stay current.

Are all of these restaurants fully vegetarian?

No. The Chicago Diner and PLANTA Chicago run fully vegetarian and mostly vegan menus. Maharaj Indian Grill, True Food Kitchen, and Meli Cafe serve meat dishes too, but reviewers consistently point to strong, clearly labeled vegetarian sections as a reason to visit.

Do any of these restaurants take reservations?

PLANTA Chicago and True Food Kitchen both support online reservations. Call ahead for the others, especially during busy brunch or dinner hours.

The bottom line

The Chicago Diner is the safe default for an all-vegetarian menu with the deepest review history in the city, while PLANTA is the pick for a more upscale plant-based night out. If you’re dining with a mixed group, Maharaj Indian Grill and True Food Kitchen both handle vegetarian and non-vegetarian orders well at the same table.

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