Atlanta’s plant-based culinary scene is thriving. With plenty of all-vegan joints and many more restaurants serving a range of vegan options, you're never too far from a delicious plant-packed meal. Here are a few of my favorite spots:
Açaí Bowl + Vegan Wrap from Kale Me Crazy.
Recess
Krog Street Market
This whimsically decorated food stall in Krog Street Market boasts a number of delicious vegan options, from grain bowls to sandwiches to falafel. The busy (pre-COVID) atmosphere of Krog Street only adds to the experience.
I think of the My Farro Lady bowl from Recess as my first love when it comes to Atlanta’s vegan culinary scene. Warm, chewy farro with the best kale pesto I’ve ever had? Plus golden raisins, spaghetti squash salad, and perfectly charred broccoli? All in one glorious bowl? This dish pretty much got me through freshman year. Thank goodness for UberEats.
Although it was very hard for me to do so, I eventually ordered something else from Recess. I was not disappointed. I can confidently vouch for the Harvest Moon (a huge kale salad piled high with veggies and pepitas), the Superbowl (a grain bowl with sweeter tones that I enjoyed while cheering for Kansas City), and almost all of their heavenly vegetable sides (ask me about the time I ate an entire quart of their brussels sprouts in one sitting…).
More good news: Recess’s menu isn’t completely vegan, so you can bring your omnivore friends for a meal everyone will love!
Tassili’s Raw Reality
West End
I discovered Tassili’s Raw Reality a little further into my Atlanta foodie journey. Although I am overjoyed that I finally visited this West End gem, I mourn for the days I spent in darkness, ignorant of the bliss that comes with biting into one of their massive kale wraps.
Kale wraps—I know what you’re thinking. But shed those preconceptions, because these wraps will literally change your life. Try the Punany Wrap, which is stuffed with TRR’s classic kale salad (you can order it spicy or mild), couscous, sweet corn, tomato, and plenty of creamy avocado. The kale is massaged in a soy mayo that is probably as close to perfection as vegan mayo can get. I’m telling you—one bite and you are hooked for life.
Did I mention the size of these wraps? When I say massive, I mean MASSIVE. It could eat a Chipotle burrito for lunch. I pride myself on my ability to handle my veggies, but even I can only eat half a wrap in one sitting. Thankfully, Tassili’s offers both whole and half sizes, though I would still recommend ordering a whole (you’re gonna want the leftovers).
Tassili’s menu is 100% vegan and raw, meaning even their scrumptious soups, sides, and desserts aren’t heated above 120 degrees. However, vegans and non-vegans alike are sure to find something to love at this epic plant-based eatery.
Kale Me Crazy
Multiple locations throughout Atlanta
Ah, Kale Me Crazy, an Atlanta essential when it comes to healthier fare. While they may be known for their smoothies and juices, this quick service joint offers an impressive amount of breakfast and lunch options as well. My favorite? The Vegan Wrap, of course.
I know, I know, another wrap. And yes, this one also includes a healthy amount of kale. But trust me, this dish is not to be missed. With quinoa, avocado, hummus, and plenty of veggies, you’ll be far too full to order a smoothie for dessert (even though the temptation will be strong once you see the menu). Did I mention the tahini dipping sauce that comes with it? Yeah, I’d like to bathe in the stuff.
Another favorite is the Recovery smoothie—a blend of banana, cherries, cashews, coconut yogurt, and vegan protein. Almost all of the smoothies at Kale Me Crazy are vegan, though, so good luck choosing from the massive menu. They also serve açaí bowls, salads, avocado toast, and a few specialty lattes. Basically, they’re doing the most, and you really can’t go wrong.
This is another pick with meat and dairy options as well, so it’s non-veg family-friendly! Smoothies, juices, and wraps for all!
Sama Food for Balance
Buckhead
Sama Food for Balance offers a whole lot more than a menu full of nourishing options. This feel-good Buckhead eatery provides catering, meal plan services, and even classes for yoga and meditation. Order a latte with Good Mood Mylk (made in-house) or a Balance Bowl to feel super zen AND support female-owned businesses.
My go-to is the Pitta Bowl, which comes with your choice of grain base, crunchy falafel, lemon garlic kale, roasted sweet potato, and a cucumber mint chutney. It’s every vegan food group in one bowl, and it is all delicious. I could eat the garlic kale for dessert.
Sama also boasts a wide variety of organic breakfast bowls, toasts, and oats. Oatmeal is my favorite food, and Sama does it right. Everything on their menu is created with love and an intent to nourish, so you can even feel good ordering a paleo brownie for dessert.
Sama is completely dairy and gluten-free, but they do offer some paleo dishes that include meat. So whatever your dietary needs may be, they can work with you. Come hungry, leave balanced.
True Food Kitchen
Buckhead
Yes, yes, I know that True Food is a chain, but it felt wrong not to include it. TFK is one of the first restaurants I tried when I moved to Atlanta (no locations where I’m from), and it remains one of my favorites. Their menu changes with the seasons but always promises a variety of delectable and healthy vegan options.
Their winter menu may just be my favorite, because who doesn’t love butternut squash and brussels sprouts? While the Butternut Squash Soup and Seasonal Ingredient Salad (with squash, brussels, white beans, kale, pomegranates… need I say more?) are pretty close to perfection, my favorite winter dish is the Butternut Squash Pizza. With caramelized onions, kale, dried cranberries, and a homemade almond ricotta, this pie may just become your new vegan favorite.
True Food also offers a fantastic weekend brunch. The banana date shake is not one to miss, and yes, you can drink it for breakfast.
TFK is another restaurant that caters to a variety of dietary preferences, so expect to see meat and dairy on the menu as well. However, I think if my omnivorous friends were to try that almond ricotta, they’d never go back to the cow stuff. :)
My other vegan favorites:
Cafe Sunflower Buckhead (100% vegan menu + whole cakes and pies)
Mela Ethiopian Kitchen (order the Vegetable Combo to be full for days)
Cafe West Express (try the Earth Burger or choose from a huge variety of vegan soups)
R. Thomas’s Deluxe Grill (wacky decorations and plenty of raw vegan fare)
Dragon Bowl (the brussels sprouts cannot be ignored)
Veda Juice (I could drink the Maca Smoothie for breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
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