When they say “everything’s bigger in Texas,” these days, it’s in reference to the mountains of vegan nachos, mega fish-free sushi platters, and giant pizzas that can be found in Dallas-Forth Worth. This super-sized region, known for its meat-heavy cuisine, is undergoing a thrilling plant-based revolution, and though you may have to drive 30 minutes to try it all, rest assured: each vegan spot is well worth the trek.
TLC Vegan Kitchen
1 TLC Vegan Kitchen
One bite of Chef Troy Gardner’s extra-crispy fried oyster mushrooms, and you’ll instantly know why this ghost kitchen is called Tastes Like Chicken. But the menu at TLC Vegan Kitchen doesn’t stop at chicken-fried mushrooms. Here you’ll find Dallas’ best nachos: a pile of hot-out-of-the-fryer tortilla chips loaded with chili, queso, Impossible beef, sour cream, salsa, jalapeños, and mashed avocado. For a hearty dinner, the impressive three-cheese lasagna—layered with housemade ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, Italian-seasoned vegan beef, spinach, zucchini, and a roasted tomato sauce—is a solid option.
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World Party Pizza
2 World Party Pizza
If you somehow leave TLC Vegan Kitchen wanting more, you’re in luck: Dallas’ first entirely vegan pizzeria concept World Party Pizza is housed in the same kitchen. Chef Gardner flexes his passion for the Italian pie with thin and crispy or fluffy and thick Sicilian-style crusts that tempt diners even before they make it through the parking lot. You won’t go wrong with the Veganation Spectacular with pesto, roasted cauliflower, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, house cashew mozzarella, and parmesan.
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Bam’s Vegan
3 Bam’s Vegan
Brandon “Bam” Waller was an instant hit at the Dallas Farmers’ Market, thanks to his mouthwatering, New Orleans-inspired grub like blackened vegan shrimp nachos and homestyle gumbo. But now, 20 minutes east of the city in Irving, this once-a-week indulgence has found its own permanent home at Bam’s Vegan. Walk inside, where you’ll find the company motto “Manifest Higher” glowing in neon against an Instagram-ready wall of lush faux greenery, and take your pick of raw taco salads, overflowing smoothie bowls, creamy blackened cauliflower alfredo, or Southern banana pudding.
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Nuno’s Tacos & Vegmex Grill
4 Nuno’s Tacos & Vegmex Grill
Nuno’s Tacos & Vegmex Grill will satisfy with classic favorites like tacos, quesadillas, and enchiladas, but it’s the unique spins of Mexican-inspired pizzas, loaded nachos with secret tacos at the bottom, and tequila-spiked tres leches cake that make this place a standout. Go for the Aztec Pizza topped with chilaquiles, garlic refried black beans, and sour cream on cauliflower crust, but be sure to save room for the Sopapillas—puffy fried tortillas dusted in cinnamon sugar and drizzled with strawberry and cream cheese sauces.
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El Palote Panadería
5 El Palote Panadería
When Aurelio Arias was diagnosed with heart disease, he knew he needed to make major changes to save his life. So he went vegan. And then his family went vegan. Eventually, every menu item at their bakery and taqueria El Palote Panadería was given a total plant-based overhaul. Now, El Palote is a beloved community institution with conchas, tortas, flautas, and barbecue sandwiches so good that Arias’ son went on to open his own vegan taqueria—the above-mentioned Nuno’s. But it all started with El Palote, so treat yourself to an order of fully loaded crinkle-cut papas norteñas or a taquito-stuffed burrito.
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The Healthy Hippie Cafe
6 The Healthy Hippie Cafe
For a dining experience you won’t soon forget, head about 25 minutes north of Dallas to The Healthy Hippie Cafe in Watauga, a hole-in-the-wall vegetarian restaurant-slash-zero waste artist community that specializes in local, organic food that’s vegan by default. Kick back and enjoy your Il Foragiatto Flatbread with pesto, tomatoes, portabello mushrooms, garlic cashew cheese, and arugula, and don’t be surprised when regulars come in with bags of food scraps—the café’s loyalty program will exchange compostables for free food!
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Reverie Bakeshop
7 Reverie Bakeshop
No trip to Dallas is complete without a sweet finale at the city’s premier women-owned vegan bakery Reverie Bakeshop. Dessert-loving Dallasites fawn over the shop’s strawberry-pistachio cupcakes, chocolate-raspberry macarons, and brûléed doughnuts. Those really in the know keep their eye on the holiday specials (like Pandan Tres Leches and King Cakes) and savory bites like vegan honey butter chicken biscuits and potato-tofu scramble kolaches.
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