It’s no secret that Philadelphia has been making a name for itself as one of the nation’s vegan capitals. In the past decade, the veg community has been steadily growing, and local restaurants are following suit. 

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With recognition building and many beloved Philly institutions earning well-deserved spots on vegan must-try lists around the country, The City of Brotherly Love’s pride and joy will always be the classic neighborhood haunts. Here’s how to stop in, pull up a chair, and eat like a local.

The top places for plant-based finds in Philadelphia, PA

Screenshot 2023-09-21 at 3.12.52 PMThe Tasty

1 Diners and smiles

There’s nothing quite like classic diner food, and The Tasty in South Philly has perfected the art. Think biscuits and gravy, fluffy pancakes, hearty omelets, and stacked BLTs—but with their own unique flair. On weekends, locals pack this laid-back neighborhood spot for comforting specials like the Mile High Tater Tot Pie: a golden tater tot crust filled with tofu scramble, Chao cheese, diced ham, green peppers, and red onion, all served with green chili queso gravy on the side.

Screenshot 2023-09-21 at 4.41.32 PMMiss Rachel’s Pantry

2Fine-dining experience 

Miss Rachel’s Pantry is a staple of Philly’s fine-dining food scene, and it just happens to be unapologetically vegan. The menu changes daily, and there’s only one seating per night, making for a sweet, cozy, and intimate experience. An evening at Miss Rachel’s is perfect for date night or any night you want to feel like a special occasion, especially with dishes that balance haute cuisine with homestyle comfort like crispy risotto cakes with cantaloupe and beet prosciutto or crispy, black garlic-gochujang-glazed lion’s mane mushrooms.

Screenshot 2023-09-21 at 4.19.46 PMP.S. and Co.

3 Pastries for all

For vegan and gluten-free dining in Philly, P.S. and Co. breaks all the stereotypes. Known for its stunning pastry case filled with towering cakes made from nuts, seeds, natural dyes, and zero refined sugar or gluten, this spot is anything but ordinary. But the real magic? Their brunch. From organic waffle clubs layered with local tofu and raw vegan cheese to vibrant smoothies and a dessert case brimming with cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and scones, this is where health meets indulgence. 

Screenshot 2023-09-21 at 4.43.55 PMAlgorithm Vegan Grill

4 A twist on tradition

Algorithm Vegan Grill has come a long way from its humble food truck beginnings, serving up burgers, breakfast sammies, and tacos on the go. Now with a beloved brick-and-mortar location, it’s a must-visit for Philly vegans. While the food truck is still rolling, the restaurant is where you can savor a frosty milkshake alongside their famous Calabrian Chili Whiz Fries. Locals swear these spicy-sweet, cheesy fries are bucket-list worthy.

Screenshot 2023-09-21 at 4.26.54 PMLuhv Vegan Deli

5Deli treats

Swing by Luhv Vegan Deli in Philly’s bustling Reading Terminal Market or its newly opened location in Point Breeze, and get yourself a heaping Italian hoagie or a classic Reuben while also stocking up on corned beef for lunches and some coppa for a charcuterie board to share with friends. Luhv started as a husband-and-wife team with a simple goal: eat a bit healthier and a lot more joyfully. And you can taste it in their food—all their cold cuts and hoagies are handmade and packed with flavor for a vegan version of one of Philly’s oldest and proudest food traditions.

Screenshot 2023-09-21 at 4.43.55 PMCrust

6Pop-tarts and brookies

There’s seemingly no limit to what the geniuses at woman-owned vegan bakery Crust can veganize. Get a dose of nostalgia with a rotating selection of vegan pop-tarts or tuck into one of their famous fluffy buns, but be prepared to make a tough choice: classic cinnamon, black sesame, or pistachio cardamom rose? No matter what your favorite pastry is—brownies, blondies, brookies, and everything in between—there’s something to make your mouth water at Crust.

Screenshot 2023-09-21 at 4.34.11 PMMonster Philly

7 Spooky sips and savory bites

Horror lovers, rejoice: Monster Vegan in Center City is your next obsession. If delectably creamy pastas (clams and linguine with beurre blanc and parmesan) and sumptuous, hot sandwiches (fried chicken bánh mì) aren’t enough to hook you, the excellent craft cocktails with spooky names will. Stop in for a classic horror film screening complete with a plate of Truffle Alfredo Florentine and an Elvira’s Movie Macabre (a frothy gin cocktail with elderflower liqueur, crème de violette, and vegan egg whites).

Screenshot 2023-09-21 at 4.37.52 PMUnit Su Vege

8 Dim sum dreams

Vegan dim sum can sometimes feel like a distant dream, but for plant-based dumpling lovers, a trip to Unit Su Vege is a dream come true thanks to an almost entirely vegan menu. Shareable plates include everything from savory fried taro cakes and sweet red bean buns to ham-shiitake shumai and notoriously difficult-to-veganize soup dumplings. So be warned, bring a friend to help conquer the menu, but don’t be surprised if you end up not wanting to share.

Screenshot 2023-09-21 at 4.39.04 PMPrimary Plant-Based

9 Globally local

A visit to Primary Plant-Based in Fishtown feels like a global culinary adventure without ever leaving Philly. This cozy eatery serves up dishes that transport your taste buds, starting with creative appetizers like Masa Ball Soup—a Mexican-inspired twist on the classic, featuring corn masa dumplings in a tangy chile-lime broth. For mains, don’t miss the Persimmon Glazed Koginut Squash, a dreamy butternut-kabocha hybrid paired with buckwheat risotto, green garbanzos, preserved lemon coconut yogurt, and dried cranberries. 

Screen Shot 2024-03-17 at 5.54.27 PM@grindcorehouse/Instagram

10 Coffee shop love

For your early morning coffee fix, head to Grindcore House’s South Philly or West Philly locations. The completely vegan coffee house isn’t just a great stop for your oat milk latte fix, you can also order savory sandwiches with sliced deli meats and cheeses, pastries that are both local and brought in from longtime vegan bakery Vegan Treats, and bagels with over 6 different kinds of dairy-free cream cheese. 

VegNews.CharliewasasinnerCharlie was a sinner

11 Bar bites

Small bites and strong cocktails? Count us in. Charlie was a sinner has been serving up plant-based libations since 2014 and has since earned a cult following. On the menu you’ll find over a dozen expertly-crafted cocktails, as well as a handful of zero-proof mocktails. For bar bites you can expect small plates such as potato croquettes with chipotle aioli, artichoke frites with saffron rouille, and zucchini crab cake sliders with old bay remoulade. 

Screen Shot 2024-03-17 at 6.36.39 PMFitz on 4th

12 Tapas hour

With a heavy focus on seasonal ingredients, the rotating menus at Fitz on 4th offer fresh, local, abundantly flavorful small bites and tapas-style plates. While the seasonality means you can’t always find the same dishes on the menu, some past highlights have included Charred Taos Eggplant with unami citrus sauce, Butternut Gnocchi with crispy sage, and Edamame Wontons with sweet black vinegar reduction. 

Screen Shot 2024-03-17 at 6.47.24 PM@goldiefalafel/Instagram

13 Falafel and shakes

You haven’t tasted magic until you’ve had a tahini shake from Goldie Falafel in Philly. This completely vegan and kosher falafel shop serves up crispy vegan fried goodness doused in tangy amba tahini sauce, subtly heated harissa tahini, or herbed schug tahini. But the shakes are really where Goldie shines. A rich blend of tahini adds a depth to these shakes that cuts through the sticky sweetness. We have a soft spot for the Turskish coffee flavor with hazelnut halva crumble, but try the Mint Cookie or Coconut for other varieties. 

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