Plant-based dining has never been more exciting—or more rooted in the land. Across the U.S., a wave of restaurants is pushing past the idea of “just” vegan food and delivering menus that are hyper-seasonal, locally sourced, and packed with creative punch. These aren’t just great vegan restaurants—they’re great restaurants, period.
Eleven Madison Park — New York, NY
Yes, that Eleven Madison Park. The iconic three-starred fine-dining destination went fully plant-based in 2021. In August 2025, the restaurant announced that it would reintroduce select animal-based dishes starting in October 2025, while continuing to offer a dedicated plant-based tasting menu. What sets it apart? A direct partnership with Magic Farms in upstate New York, meaning the produce on your plate is grown exclusively for the restaurant. Book the full tasting menu for a transcendent multi-course experience, or try the bar tasting if you’re short on time but still want the magic.
Little Saint — Healdsburg, CA
Little Saint is everything you love about Sonoma: wine-country vibes, beautiful produce, and an earthy elegance. The team works hand-in-hand with their namesake farm in Dry Creek Valley, creating ever-changing menus that showcase whatever’s thriving in the soil that week. Order the prix-fixe dinner. Every plate feels like a love letter to Northern California. You haven’t lived until you’ve had the lasagna with cauliflower-bean ricotta!
The Plot — Oceanside & Costa Mesa, CA
With its Plot Garden Project and waste-nothing philosophy, The Plot is proof that sustainability and style aren’t mutually exclusive. The dishes here are vibrant, unexpected, and constantly evolving with what’s in season (and in the garden). So, what should you order? The cashew with seasonal stonefruit is a highlight, and don’t sleep on the biscuits and gravy with fried tofu.
Vedge — Philadelphia, PA
A pioneer in upscale vegan dining, Vedge continues to hold it down as one of Philly’s must-visit spots for both locals and travelers. The seasonal tasting menu is a smart way to explore the kitchen’s current obsessions, but if you spot the rutabaga “fondue” on the menu, get it. It’s served with a soft pretzel and a pickle pot.
Millennium — Oakland, CA
Before it was trendy, Millennium was showing how refined vegan food could be. Decades later, it’s still innovating, still sourcing from small farms, and still turning heads with its seasonal, globally inspired dishes. Dig into delicious plant-based fare like scallion girddle cakes, miso-glazed mushrooms and tandoori tofu paneer with ube sweet potato cakes.
Plant — Asheville, NC
This intimate Asheville gem is all about technique, depth, and letting local ingredients speak for themselves. The menu changes daily, and about 90% of the ingredients are organic. It’s a small space with a big soul.
Shizen Vegan Sushi Bar & Izakaya — San Francisco, CA
Shizen isn’t just a vegan sushi spot—it’s a full-blown izakaya experience built around seasonal produce and zero compromise. Even hardcore sushi lovers leave impressed. The rolls are gorgeous, unexpected, and, at times, whimsical. Try the “Surprise Ending” roll; it is fun, flashy, and full of flavor.
Apteka — Pittsburgh, PA
Apteka reimagines Eastern European cuisine through a vegan lens—and the results are stunning. Think mushroom-stuffed pierogi, house-baked rye, and plates that are as comforting as they are creative. It’s a local favorite that’s earned national buzz. FYI – the pierogi fillings rotate, but they’re always worth the wait.
