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Where To Eat Vegetarian or Vegan in the Champaign-Urbana Area

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We’ve searched high and low for the best vegetarian and vegan food in Champaign-Urbana

 

Even if you don’t follow an exclusively vegetarian or vegan diet, you might want to experience these eateries the next time you dine out

Once upon a time, being a vegetarian in the Midwest was, well, not too fun. Thankfully, that has changed! And with the growing popularity of following a vegan diet in recent years, there are plenty of restaurants that offer vegetarian-friendly or vegan eats in the Champaign-Urbana area.

Where to eat vegetarian or vegan around Champaign-Urbana

Gone are the days when ordering vegetarian or vegan cuisine limited you to “just” a salad. Champaign-Urbana area restaurants are chock full of unique dishes that you can turn to when you are searching for somewhere to enjoy a meatless meal.

In case you are curious, the terms vegetarian and vegan are NOT interchangeable.

Individuals who eat vegetarian will not consume food products made from meat or fish; a vegan diet is even more limited, as vegans do not eat dairy or eggs either. Both of these terms are, as you may have guessed, not entirely black and white.

People who choose to follow a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle will follow these diets to varying degrees, based on their own lifestyle choices and personal preferences.

Also, many people eat a diet that includes meat, dairy and eggs, but choose to limit these products, thus sending them in search of vegetarian and vegan eats out and about town.

If you haven’t tried a meatless dish recently, we have a long list of recommendations that many will enjoy. Why not expand your horizons and give it a try?

Portobello mushroom

Where Champaign-Urbana goes to order vegetarian and vegan dishes

Afghan Cuisine, Champaign: Vegan and vegetarian options are clearly denoted on this menu. Vegan food is pretty typical Afghan fare, so you may find yourself enjoying vegan food even without any modifications to your order.

Baxter’s, Champaign: Try the beet salad, with or without goat cheese, depending on your dietary preferences. Baxter’s also has a “Va Va Veggie” sandwich that is entirely vegan.

Big Grove, Champaign: You can always find vegetarian items on the menu at Big Grove, and with its menu rotating a bit, it does a fabulous job showcasing the “vegan selection,” if you want to jump straight to that.

Black Dog, downtown Champaign: Black Dog offers a jackfruit BBQ sandwich on its menu. It looks just like pulled pork, but without the pork. Jackfruit is a vegan staple, with a neutral flavor and texture similar to other shredded meats.

Black Dog jackfruit

Breaking Taco, Mahomet: Its fish and shrimp tacos are some of the best around the Champaign-Urbana area.

Breaking Taco shrimp taco

Cactus Grill, Champaign: Try the tofu burrito here, or a line-up of veggie dishes with robust flavors.

Cafe Sababa, Champaign: Located at the Cohen Center for Jewish Life on the campus of the University of Illinois, this lunch spot serves no meat (you will find fish, though). You can order vegan dishes here, too.

Espresso Royale, several locations: Espresso has a hummus wrap, called to be “ridiculously amazing” by one of our readers. You can ask for it to be warmed up too.

Farren’s, downtown Champaign: The falafel burger OR black bean burger tacos both make great choices at this popular burger restaurant.

Fiesta Cafe, Champaign: Vegetarian enchiladas and sopes are two of the things you can order here. Staff are known to be welcoming and accommodating of special requests.

Firefly Grill, Effingham: If you’re up for a drive, Firefly Grill in Effingham is an excellent date night restaurant and has high quality vegetarian options all the time.

Firefly Grill

Forage Kitchen, Champaign: Located on Green Street on campus, Forage is new to the C-U dining scene. A build-your-bowl style place, three of the protein options are tofu, tempeh and lentil meatballs.

Forage Kitchen Interior

Golden Harbor, Champaign: A number of Golden Harbor dishes can be prepared with tofu, and they are quite delicious, too. The crispy tofu is a fan favorite.

Himalayan Chimney, Champaign: Indian cuisine is typically very vegetarian friendly — and Himalayan Chimney is no different. Its menu has a large vegetarian section.

Kohinoor, downtown Champaign: Kohinoor has an extensive list of vegetarian dishes on its menu that can be prepared vegan, and things are clearly noted (making it super easy for people to pick something to order).  You are sure to leave stuffed anytime you dine at Kohinoor, but our favorite thing is to order the Vegetarian Thali for lunch.

Vegan Kohinoor

Maize, downtown Champaign: A Mexican establishment with an entire vegetarian section of the menu. Whether tacos or a burrito or something else you are looking for, Maize definitely satisfies.

Neil St. Blues, Champaign: Many options at this soul food restaurant, including a whole vegan section of the menu. The vegan jambalaya is a stand-out.

Oishi, Champaign: If you’re going out for hibachi, know that you’ll have a vegetable/noodle special as one of your options. Expect it to be prepared alongside the meat dishes on the same griddle, though.

Pekara, Champaign: Brunch favorites here include the mushroom and goat cheese toast, roasted veggie crepes and the dill vegetarian sandwich.

Pizzeria Antica, downtown Champaign: This Neapolitan pizza joint has a number of meatless pizza options, the margherita being the most famous in C-U.

The Poke Shack, Champaign (at the Fields) or Mahomet: Order a poke bowl with a tofu cutlet instead of fish! You may steer clear of some of the toppings, but you will definitely be able to build a satisfying bowl this way.

Poke Shack

Red Herring, Urbana: Located on the campus of the University of Illinois, Red Herring operates a fully vegetarian kitchen with somewhat limited hours. During the spring 2024 semester it is focused on hosting special events as well as a weekly meal club option (with pickup on Thursdays).

Seven Saints, Champaign: Many options to be found here, including the tofu tacos, the four grain power bowl, southwest chipotle salad, tomato and pesto grilled cheese, portobello sandwich and the list goes on!

Shawarma Joint, Urbana: Delicious Mediterranean vegetarian food to be found here, with perhaps the best baba ganoush in Champaign-Urbana.

Siam Terrace, Urbana: Thai food, deliciously prepared with tofu will satisfy your vegan desires.

Siam Terrace prepared with tofu

Stango Cuisine, Urbana: Try the Chio’s Platter, or one of many other Zambian options.

Sun Singer, Champaign: Fans are missing the vegetarian reuben that graced the menu once upon a time, but thankfully there are other vegetarian options here, like a black bean burger and some incredible salads.

Thara Thai, Champaign: Just ask when you’re dining here, and the folks at Thara Thai will be able to steer you towards vegetarian and/or vegan dishes they can prepare for you.

The Space, downtown Champaign: Find a vegan CHX sandwich on the menu, as well as some appetizers labeled as vegetarian, for something different.

Watson’s Shack and Rail, downtown Champaign: Order the Popcorn Tofu Po’Boy, and even the remoulade is prepared vegan for you (straight off the menu, no edits needed).

Vegan and/or vegetarian sweet treats:

Hopscotch, Champaign: Hopscotch is known for baking with both gluten-free and vegan ingredients on a regular basis. If you stop in, you should be able to find something vegan in the bakery case at any time. Vegetarians will find some excellent breakfast pastry here, too, with egg and cheese in the ingredient list.

Hopscotch vegan cookie

Pandamonium Doughnuts, Champaign: Pandamonium usually has at least one vegan donut on the lineup. It is worth noting that it does fry the vegan donuts in with the non-vegan fare. They are popular with vegans and non-vegans alike, they are so delicious!

Pandamonium vegan doughnut

RegCakes, Savoy: This gluten-free bakery also has certain items that are vegan. Want a vegan cookie cake? Here is where you can order one.

Suzu’s Bakery, Champaign: This Japanese bakery may offer some unique options for your next special event.

Did we miss your favorite? Tell us: editor@chambanamoms.com

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