The Best Vegan Restaurants in Charlotte
My husband and I took a trip to Charlotte, NC recently to “city shop” - that is, to start the journey of deciding where we’d like to settle down at some point. In addition to exploring the area, we also happily ate our way through the city - on of my favorite things to do while traveling. Everyone has their own take on plant-based food so it’s always fun to see what chefs come up with. These were my top 5 favorites:
Southern Plate at Fern, Flavors from the Garden
This was our first meal here and wow! We took a winding road through this beautiful historical neighborhood, admiring the homes on our way to this gem tucked away in Dilworth. Fern is a quaint and inviting spot that specializes in creatively reimagined vegan dishes. We started with the buffalo cauliflower which was just how you want it - tangy and crispy. I was a big fan of their “Southern Plate” (braised collards and cabbage, candied sweet potatoes, bbq pulled jackfruit and oyster mushrooms, and cornbread)- it was SO good, I got it twice on the trip. Grady tried the “Zo Boy” and enjoyed it but he said their eggplant parm sandwich was the best he’d ever had.
So this was a bit of a drive but it was well worth it and our absolute favorite. If you’re looking for a fine dining vegan experience, where the love and care that go into the food shows, this is your place. Where do I even start?! There was a cute little sign when we arrived with my name on it. The charcuterie plate was so carefully crafted and perfect - oh and also the restaurant is gluten-free so they had the most amazing gf baguette I’ve ever had. We also loved the pumpkin ravioli and the crispy black pepper tofu au poivre. We got the tiramisu to go and it was out of this world! We even bought the cookbook. It’s very small so reservations are strongly recommended.
Luna’s Living Kitchen or just Living Kitchen
In the bustling South End, Living Kitchen offers a sanctuary of raw, organic, and plant-based delights. It was hard to order here because really, everything looked good. I decided to tap into my inner child who loved blt’s and order their version with eggplant bacon on their gf bread with soup - it was not too heavy and hit the spot. I actually don’t remember what Grady had ordered - sorry! But it’s a place we would frequent if we lived their. Great healthy options with great juices and cheese made in house.
Spirit Roll at Oh My Soul restaurant
Bringing a piece of South Africa to Charlotte's NoDa neighborhood, Oh My Soul is more than just a restaurant; it's an experience. While this place was so cute, it seemed like they used a lot of fake meats and at this point I wanted something really healthy to start the day so I had their “Spirit Roll” and it was fantastic! Grady went BIG and got their “Faithful Frenchie” (french toast stuffed with cream cheese topped with cinnamon fried banana) and I almost had to roll him out lol! He also ordered the strawberry rose match which was beautiful but too sweet for me for my taste.
Emmy Squared *Not fully vegan
Our last night, we went out with friends and didn’t end up eating dinner so we ordered late night pizza at the hotel (I just love a meal in at the hotel and a good movie!) We found Emmy Squared (a chain that was new to us) and got one of their gluten free and vegan pizzas and WOW! It was hard to believe there was no gluten. It was soft and doughy with a nice crisp crust. Known for their Detroit-style square pizzas, they offer a nice variety of vegan options.
Bonus:
I had a hard time finding a good latte in Charlotte. I think I’ve grown to like my own and once you have fresh nut milk, it’s hard to enjoy a boxed milk latte. That was until Summit - I had the maple chai (and made it dirty with a shot of espresso) and it was a winner! Really cute cafe with a variety of fun seasonal coffee drinks.
Charlotte's plant-based dining scene is as diverse as it is delicious, catering to a range of preferences and tastes. There were quite a few on our list that we never got to try. Whether you're a dedicated vegan, a curious vegetarian, or simply someone looking to explore healthier dining options, there is something for everyone. Each restaurant brings its unique flair to the table, making Charlotte a fun destination for plant-based food lovers!