Durham's Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants

Let’s start with a confession – I am neither vegetarian nor vegan. I adore a nice piece of fried chicken, I get down with offal and weird cuts of meat and I’ve been known to eat burgers for three or four days in a row. However, even I, a true-blue omnivore and food writer who often describes himself as “a human garbage disposal who will eat anything,” appreciate a well-crafted meatless meal more often than not these days. I also feel the pain of my vegetarian and vegan friends who, when dining out, are forced to choose from bland salads, pasta with plain red sauce or a plate of “roasted seasonal vegetables” as their meal options.

Luckily, here in Durham we have a plethora of options for those who require – or just desire – a meat-free meal. Some of the best bites I’ve had in the Bull City have had nary a bit of bacon or dab of dairy. Whether you are a lifelong vegan or just participating in Meatless Mondays, you can rest assured that you will have plenty to choose from – in fact, the following restaurants are just the tip of the iceberg. Start with my recommendations, then feel free to branch out and explore. North Carolina might be the spiritual home of pulled pork, but Durham’s dining scene is more than just meat.

Restaurants with Great Vegan and Vegetarian Options

Cheeni

202 Corcoran St., STE 100

Most folks know Indian cuisine has many vegan and vegetarian dishes, and Cheeni is no exception. This restaurant, headed up by two-time James Beard Award Semifinalist Chef Preeti Waas, serves both well-known Indian classics and home-style dishes Waas cooked for her children as they grew up. Enjoy small plates like Baby Brinjals or Vegetable Samosas and, for your main dish, dig into Badamjan, South Indian Vegetable Kurma and more.

Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas

112 W. Main St.

Ok, so a Latin American restaurant might not be the first place you think of when looking for vegan and vegetarian options, but trust me. Not only does Luna have a decent amount of vegan offerings on their menu, but their Vegan Chili-Braised Jackfruit Grain Bowl might just be one of my favorite lunch options in town. Packed with quinoa, rice, black beans, kale, a trio of sauces and salsas, and topped with crunchy pepitas and little flavor bombs of chili jackfruit, it’s one of the most flavorful and healthy bites you’ll find in Durham.

Goorsha

910 W. Main St.

Let’s leave Latin America, cross the Atlantic Ocean, and trek across Africa (in our minds) before stopping in Ethiopia for our next meal. Goorsha has been a Durham mainstay for years, and Ethiopian cuisine has plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. Don’t let the lack of meat fool you – dishes like Timatim Fitfit (a tomato, onion and jalapeno dish) and Azifa (a lentil dish) are absolutely bursting with flavor. There’s a whole vegan section of the menu, and when you scoop it all up with some injera flatbread you’ve got yourself a memorable culinary adventure right here in the Bull City.

The Refectory Cafe

2726 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.

Where do you go when you want to eat something that’s both meat-free and familiar? Well, I go to The Refectory Cafe where I can enjoy classic dishes like Piccata (done here with cauliflower), roasted brussels sprouts, veggie lasagna and more. The menu leans a bit Italian-American, but there are nods to classic American and Asian cuisine as well, and plenty of meatless options to choose from.

Heavenly Buffaloes

1807 W Markham Ave.

If you are a fan of chicken wings but want to skip the whole chicken part of the equation, Heavenly Buffaloes has you covered. They offer vegan wings with the bonus of having virtually their entire sauce and rub menu be vegan/vegetarian as well. This is a great option for a quick snack that can satisfy everyone!

QueenBurger

359 Blackwell St.

On to another classic, just about everyone loves a good burger, vegetarians included. QueenBurger knows this, and they deliver. Enjoy their mouth-watering smash burgers veggie style with the Veggie Burger. Their secret recipe will have you grateful its a double and not a single. Also available as a vegan dish, this is a handheld you won't want to miss out on.

Lime & Lemon Indian Grill

811 9th St.

I’m a huge fan of Indian cuisine and Lime & Lemon happens to be one of my favorite spots for Indian food in town. Luckily for those who don’t eat meat, the menu offers dozens of different vegan and vegetarian options. Some of my favorites include the Gobi Manchurian (a classic fried cauliflower dish), the South Indian Vegetable Korma, and the Dal Tadka, a lentil dish that I could probably eat every single day.

M Sushi, M Kokko, & M Pocha

311 Holland St.; 311 Holland St., STE B; 101 E. Chapel Hill St.; 111 Orange St.

Chef Mike Lee's M Restaurants do it up when it comes to vegetarian and vegan food. Each restaurant has its own unique concept while maintaining that same M Restaurant charm across the board. Order the Cucumber Avocado Roll at M Sushi or enjoy street-stall classics like Vegan Japchae at M Pocha. While M Kokko operates as a "casual chicken joint", there are still plenty of excellent vegetarian options like the Biang Biang Noodles or the Curry Udon.

Roses Noodles, Dumplings & Sweets

121 N. Gregson St.

Started out of "a love for quality ingredients and big flavor," Roses Noodles, Dumplings & Sweets makes everything in house. These East-Asian inspired dishes are all packed with flavor, and the vegetarian dishes are no exception. The House Made Belt Noodles can be ordered vegan and gluten free, and the wilted spinach salad (hold the dried shrimp) is excellent. They will also have seasonally available vegetarian dishes, like Sprouted Cauliflower treated like Singapore Chili-Crab, so keep an eye on their socials for announcements.

Juju

737 9th St.

One of my favorite places to meet up with friends for small plates and conversation is Juju on 9th Street. Not only are their Asian-fusion dishes unique and delicious, but they have a great selection of vegetarian bites that won’t even have you missing the meat. I’m a sucker for bread of any kind, and their Bing Bread with sour cream butter, chives and flaky Maldon sea salt is the perfect starter. The Leek Fried Rice (with a perfectly poached egg) and Garlic Ramen Noodles are also great choices, and the Sweet Chili Cucumbers are a must.

Pizza

No, there isn’t a Durham restaurant just called “Pizza”, but it happens to be one of my favorite foods and there are plenty of vegetarian and even vegan options to be found around town. Here are some of my favorites:

• Devil’s Pizzeria on 9th Street has an entire vegan pizza section of their menu.
• Over in East Durham, Sofia’s Pizza (probably my favorite overall pizzeria in town) has a Vegetarian Pizza with kalamata olives, sundried tomatoes, bell peppers, mushrooms, and caramelized onions that is to die for.
• Pizzeria Toro’s Yukon Gold Potato White Pizza with bagna cauda and pecorino is a dream.
• The Urban Shroom at Pie Pushers (a mushroom pie with fresh herbs and garlic, mozz, pecorino, arugula, and big drizzle of Alabama-style white BBQ sauce) is a must.

The Parlour & The Parlour Jr.

117 Market St. & 1621 Green St.

Keeping on theme with ice cream, The Parlour has four vegan ice cream flavors between their two stores. Some of the best handmade ice cream in town, make sure you stop in for a scoop if you're nearby either location. Some of these coconut-based vegan ice creams are only available seasonally while others are served year round. Order a scoop of the Mocha Swirl for a post-dinner decadent dessert or get a cup of the Kiwifruit Sorbet for a midday sweet treat. Only available at their downtown location, the seasonally available Vegan Pisatchio is a Durham delicacy.

Simons Says Dip This

117 W. Parrish St.

This list wouldn't be complete without a little ice cream. Simons Says Dip This has their delicious vanilla soft serve in dairy-free, complete with dairy free, vegetarian topping and dip options. Their dairy free ice cream is made with an oat milk base. Get yourself a cone with a strawberry or passion fruit dip, and throw on whatever toppings speak to you in the moment.

Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants

Pure Soul

4125 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.

Out running errands and need to stop for a quick bite? Pure Soul has you covered. It’s fast-casual, it’s delicious and it’s all vegan! You’ve got soybean-based pulled “pork”, a hot honey fried Kind Chkn sandwich, vegan Soul rolls and more. The Soul Bowl is its take on a classic Southern meal, with Hoppin’ John, vegan cornbread, avocado and yellow rice. This is the sort of place where you’ll find something for the kids as well as the grandparents, and trust me when I say no one will even care that the meat isn’t there. It’s that good. (Plus they cater, so if you need a meatless option for parties or work functions, Pure Soul has you covered!)

Banu Vegan

2534 S Roxboro St.

Banu describes their menu as “conscious comfort food,” and they aren’t wrong. In the mood for a burger? The black bean-based patty comes on a bun or a wrap with onions, peppers, and a tangy, garlicky aioli. Banu’s version of a chicken sandwich comes with air-fried oyster mushrooms on a pretzel bun with vegan bacon, lettuce, onion, tomato and more of that delicious garlic aioli. The Cajun fries are a popular side, and the pulled jackfruit sandwich will satisfy anyone looking for a taste of classic Southern barbecue.

Pure Vegan Cafe

2812 Erwin Rd.

If variety is what you’re after in your vegan meal then definitely check out Pure Vegan. The menu skews both Southern and Indian – think savory Uttapam, Indian-style pancakes topped with veggies and served with coconut chutney and a side of vegetable stew, as well as a Chik’n and Waffles dish that hits all the right brunchy notes. There’s a vegan hot dog and vegan Chik’n vindaloo, a whole slew of vegan burgers and a jackfruit biryani.

Soul Cocina

Durham Farmer's Market

Soul Cocina offers customers plant based, Latin-inspired ready to heat-and-eat meals. Perfect for group gatherings, celebrations and more, Soul Cocina's dishes are delicious and healthy. You can order everything from appetizers to desserts, available for pickup at the Durham Farmer's Market. Kick things off with some tamales then move into a main course of veggie barabcoa with a side of yuca puffs before indulging in some passion fruit cheesecake for dessert.

Bklyn Bakery

Pop-Ups at Various Locations

At Bklyn Bakery, everything is vegan. These sweet treats are a must-get for anyone interested in vegan baked goods in Durham. Serving cakes, cookies, pastries and more, Bkln Bakery is committed to delicious, cruelty-free baked goods made with high quality ingredients. You can find them at the Durham Farmer's Market every Saturday or at periodical pop-ups around town.

This list only begins to scratch the surface of all the options vegetarians, vegans, and those who are just looking to eat a little less meat will be able to find in the Bull City. From fast-casual joints to James Beard-nominated eateries, it seems like practically every restaurant in Durham has begun to ensure that vegans and vegetarians have more than just a side salad and a baked potato to curb their hunger, and to quote Martha Stewart, “That is a very good thing, indeed.”

Gluten-Free Durham Restaurants

In addition to its many vegetarian and vegan friendly restaurants, Durham also supports many establishments that accommodate other food preferences and nutritional needs. Some of these businesses are entirely gluten free while others have gluten-free options.

• JP's Pastry, a self-dubbed gluten-free paradise, hand makes all of their baked goods, and they are all gluten-free.
• Many of Cucciolo Osteria's delicious pastas are available gluten-free, like the Spicy Vodka Tomato Cream Rigatoni and the White Ragu Tajarin.
• There are multiple gluten-free pizza options in Durham, with Pizzeria Toro and Pie Pushers offering excellent gluten free crusts.
• Sandwich lovers will want to head to Toast, where you can get any one of their sandwiches made with gluten-free bread.