Exploring vegetarian food in the USA is super exciting! I’ve been a vegetarian traveler for 11 years. I’ve seen how plant-based options have grown all over the country. Now, you can find amazing meatless dishes in big cities and small towns.
Cities like Los Angeles, Portland, and San Francisco are full of vegetarian spots. In San Francisco, I tried French crepes and Lebanese platters. The Mission Beach Cafe is great for breakfast, and Ghirardelli Square has amazing ice cream sundaes.
Even fast-food places are getting into vegetarian food. Veggie Grill has a whole menu without meat. Taco Bell and Burger King let you choose meatless options. In fact, 44% of the top 25 fast-food places now have vegetarian choices.
Vegan meals in the USA are amazing. You can get gourmet cinnamon rolls at Cinnaholic or homemade plant-based meats at Mama Cheá Café. If you want Mexican food at Viva Vegan or lasagna at World Party Pizza, you’ll be impressed.
Top Vegetarian-Friendly Cities in America
The USA is home to many cities that love plant-based food. Let’s look at some of the best places for vegetarian restaurants and veggie delights.
Los Angeles: The New Plant-Based Capital
Los Angeles is now the top city for vegans and vegetarians. It has almost 1,000 places to eat plant-based food. LA scored 61.26 out of 100 in WalletHub’s research.
The city has many healthy vegetarian options. You can find fancy restaurants and casual cafes.
Orlando’s Rising Vegetarian Culture
Orlando is second with a score of 60.60. It’s full of juice bars and salad shops. Orlando has the most salad shops per capita, making it great for health lovers.
Portland’s Sustainable Food Scene
Portland is third with 59.63 points. It’s famous for its vegan food. People in Portland order plant-based meals 148% more than the national average.
This city is all about being green and eating with care.
San Francisco’s Diverse Meat-Free Options
San Francisco is a top spot for vegan travelers. It has the most salad shops per capita. The city offers amazing vegan dining experiences.
San Francisco’s food scene has something for everyone. It attracts both locals and tourists looking for veggie delights.
| City | Ranking | Score | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 1 | 61.26 | Nearly 1,000 plant-based restaurants |
| Orlando | 2 | 60.60 | Highest number of salad shops per capita |
| Portland | 3 | 59.63 | 148% higher vegan/vegetarian food orders |
| San Francisco | Not specified | Not specified | Top destination for vegan travelers |
USA vegetarian food in Popular Restaurant Chains
The USA’s fast-food scene is changing. Many chains now offer tasty meat-free dishes. This meets the growing need for vegetarian options and shows the variety of vegetarian cooking in the USA.
Veggie Grill’s Plant-Based Menu
Veggie Grill, now part of Next Level Burger, is a leader. Their Santa Fe Chickin’ Sandwich and VG Classic burger are loved by many. They prove that vegetarian food in the USA can be both tasty and fulfilling.
Taco Bell’s Customizable Options
Taco Bell welcomes vegetarian diet plans. In 2022, over 23% of their sales were vegetarian. They offer bean burritos and veggie power bowls, letting customers make their ideal meat-free meal.
Burger King’s Impossible Offerings
Burger King introduced the Impossible Whopper, a plant-based version of their famous burger. This shows big chains are now catering to vegetarians without losing flavor.
Fast-Food Chains with Vegetarian Alternatives
Other chains are also embracing vegetarian options:
- Subway has many veggie-packed subs in its 37,000+ restaurants worldwide.
- Domino’s Pizza lets you customize vegetarian pizza options.
- Dunkin’ offers meat-free breakfast sandwiches along with their famous donuts.
- Shake Shack, starting as a hot dog cart, now has a popular veggie burger.
These choices show vegetarian diet plans are becoming common in American fast food. They offer a wide range of flavorful meat-free dishes across the country.
Finding Local Vegetarian Cuisine Across States
The USA’s vegetarian food scene is as diverse as its landscape. From coast to coast, plant-based recipes and American vegetarian dishes are taking center stage. In California, Gracias Madre in West Hollywood serves up vegan Mexican cuisine. Crossroads Kitchen offers an upscale Italian-inspired plant-based menu.
Heading east, Chicago’s The Chicago Diner has been meat-free since 1983. It proves the longevity of vegetarian food in the USA. In Atlanta, Slutty Vegan attracts long lines for its famous plant-based burgers. The Land of Kush in Baltimore wins awards for its vegan soul food, including plant-based “BBQ ribs” and “crab cakes.”
Even in unexpected places, vegetarian options flourish. Idaho’s BBQ4Life in Boise offers smoked tempeh. Cool Al’s in Jackson, Mississippi, boasts nearly two dozen meat-free burger selections. The plant-based food market in the U.S. grew by 29% in 2020. This shows the increasing popularity of vegetarian and vegan lifestyles across the nation.
With over 200 plant-based restaurants in Los Angeles alone, it’s clear that vegetarian cuisine is no longer just a trend. It’s a staple of American dining. Whether you’re craving vegan Mexican, Italian, soul food, or classic diner fare, you’ll find it in the vibrant vegetarian food scene across the USA.
