50 Best Vegan Restaurants in Washington

“Amazing cocktails and wonderful cuisine! Cool atmosphere and timely reservations!“

“The required tasting menu in the Tail Up Goat dining room is a six-course meal of difficult-to-prepare and skillfully presented tasty bites that will set you back $130 per person plus a mandatory 22% gratuity (beverage pairings are available for additional cost). Despite a distinct culinary virtuosity and attention to flavors and textures, there was no real wow from the dishes, and the portion sizes were wanting compared to other tasting menus and the price charged. The wine list was quite interesting, and we thoroughly enjoyed the Markus Molitor Riesling Brut. While we appreciated the meal and service, we can't give it our highest recommendation in terms of value for price.“

“The environment is great, the menu is very diverse, and seemingly commonplace dishes manage to be innovative in flavor“

“Great food and excellent service. John was fantastic. 100% recommend“

“Incredible Tour of the World menu!“

“Their food is great. We ordered a small cauliflower, a medium salad, and a large fried chicken. The chicken is juicy and tender with a very crispy taste. Salad is refreshing and mixed well with different ingredients. Overall very large portion and may recommend only order one medium and one large for two person.“

“I love this place! The food is phenomenal! I can’t get over the tempeh burger!!!“

“Brunch is amazing. Bottomless margaritas and the churros are excellent!“

“All of my experiences at L’Ardente have been phenomenal. The food, the atmosphere, and the service are all top notch!!!“

“Awesome service, food, ambience!“

“This restaurant defied my expectations. The interior had a party atmosphere - crowded and close quarters to other tables, bright colors, and loud music.

Everything was very flavorful - the chips, salsa, guacamole, and tacos. I tried something that I've never even seen on a menu before - a traditional dish of grasshoppers!

Bear in mind that everything is served tapas style (small plates to share) and it's more expensive than your average Mexican restaurant - six to nine dollars for a single taco, for example.

Dietary restrictions: They easily made adjustments so that my did remained dairy free“

“Had dinner before the Oh He Dead concert on Saturday December 17, 2022. We arrived a little before our seating and immediately were greeted and taken to our spots. Ian was outstanding! He was attentive, descriptive and helped create a good experience. Dan, our bartender, was magnificent. He created delectable cocktails and we also chatted along the way (we had bar seats which I highly recommend). This was very reasonably priced, we left very filled and happy. I want to give the highest possible compliments to Ian and Dan. The entire experience was perfect, largely because of the great food, but they took the experience well beyond a 1 star evening!“

“Great food great service!“

“5 stars isn't enough!! From the moment we walked in until the end of our night we were satisfied. The decorations, food, and service was amazing! They even offered me a quiet place to pray :). Give this place a try-trust me (portions may seem small, but it was very filling- we ordered the bowl of fries, which came with a delicious sauce, CROQUETTES, fish burger, beef burger, and gnocchi pomodoro. It felt like we were in nyc enjoy :)“

“Great waiter- delicious food, unique and cooked perfect! Music and vibes were very very fun!!!“

“Fun night for two out of towners! Food was amazing and the staff were incredibly friendly, even though we’re two or three times their ages and not cool at all! ;)“

“Came here after being very hungover and the food here brought me back to life! All of the dishes are simple but are packed with flavor. I definitely want to come back again for dinner. You will not be disappointed. The summer salad is very refreshing, the juk was so warm and comforting. Their take on chicken and waffles is phenomenal as well“

“This food was delicious! The owner & chef, Keem is amazing and personable. I would visit this restaurant again 10x!“

“Me and my friend went here for dinner on a Wednesday. I recommend a reservation even though it didn’t get too crowded until later in the evening. We opted to sit outside but the noise from U street traffic really dampened the atmosphere. They thankfully let us move inside. You order through a QR code or at the bar. We both got their limonadas which were great. And then got their fries to share and I got the masa gnocchi - all delicious! I would definitely go back to try more.“

“First I would like to say that I wish there were more than 5 stars. My son and I are visiting the DC area for the Cherry Blossom festivities. My son has a love for Indian food ever since his trip to India. I have never tried Indian food ever. So this was my very first experience. From the moment we walked in the door our amazing experience began. The atmosphere is beautiful and so is the staff. Our server, April was super helpful and very knowledgeable. She has an amazing spirit and is wonderful with her job! The food... was very fresh, aromatic and DELICIOUS!! My son said the food was the closest to the food in India that he has had here in the states. For my first time... OMG!!! I am HOOKED! The only bad part is that I have to go back to Florida and wait impatiently for my next visit.“

“Exquisite food and drink!“

“The food was great! The chicken wings & the Cuban sandwich were generous in portion size for the price ! The Mezze was good but small portioned for $17. The manager of the day made our experience very good and he was very kind to us . We had a big family & he checked in on us even more than the server herself! We appreciated it so much h because the waitress wasn’t super friendly. That is totally okay , but I always appreciate people that try to make the day happier. So thank you manager !!!! It is nice to be treated like humans !“

“Delicious food, beautiful architecture+decor, and great service.

Must-try dishes:
1/ Sake no tataki cold dish (pictured)
2/ Arjun sake toro no aburi has a rich flavor and fun fact: it’s named after the restaurant owner
3/ Maitake mushrooms
4/ A5 wagyu was perfect: super tender, flavorful, and perfectly seared (4oz pictured)
5/ mochi - strawberry flavor tasted very natural and fresh (I also tried the mango and vanilla but strawberry had them beat)“

“Today was my first time visiting this establishment, but it was highly recommended by my coworkers. Everything was absolutely delicious, but I was especially impressed with the plating. Every dish not only tasted absolutely delicious, but looked beautiful. I had the Mediterranean lunch special, which came with a choice between two salads, two entrees, and two desserts. I wish I took photos of my dishes because they were exquisite. My coworkers won't stop talking about the bombilini so it's a must. I will certainly be returning with my husband for a nice, romantic evening!“

“My parents and I are frequent customers there, so we definitely love the food.
Today, I'm sharing my personal experience at yesterday's family outing to Convivial on Happy Hour. Good price reductions. The single patty cheeseburger is to DIE for. And as always, I got one of my top 2 desserts there: profiteroles!
Not too crowded on Thursdays during rush hour time.
And fun bonus: they had some Elvis Presley songs in the background that day.

Parking: Garage available right by the restaurant.

Wheelchair accessibility: Ground level restaurant. Flat surfaces. No staircases.“

“We were really amazed and enjoyed our visit. Great staff and amazing food!“

“This was my first time visiting the restaurant as I’m new to DC, just moved here from Atl this week. I had a taste for some Jamaican food and decided to try this Caribbean restaurant. The food was incredible and Marcus provided excellent service as well as the entire staff. First of all there are beautiful glass jar candles at each table( I sat at an high top), there are a few options for water, I choose sparkling (got to take the remaining sparkling water bottle home). Every one was kind and friendly which means a lot to me. I knew what I wanted to eat for my first time here, with one glance at the menu ordered the Red Snapper with Tamarind sauce and black rice, two Pineapple Chow adult beverages, and Rum Cake A La Mode (to go). Five stars for everything from the location(parked on the street), music, service, atmosphere, quality, and value. It gave me just the Caribbean vibe I longed for. I will be back for many more lunch/dinners.

Parking: I just had perfect timing on a busy Sunday late afternoon where someone was leaving their spot as I arrived.“

“Oyster Oyster is not for everyone. If what you are looking for is familiar dishes, prepared to approach the pinnacle of perfection, go elsewhere. O/O is going to challenge and bewilder you. Some will be delighted, others offended. You've been warned. What O/O will deliver is an adventure. You will probably encounter flavors you have never tasted before. I guarantee you will encounter them in combinations you’ve never experienced. If you're like me, some will hit the mark (the marigold butter is shockingly good) some will miss (one of the kambuchas tasted just like colonoscopy prep), but you will not be bored. Adventure is about risk and with risk inevitably comes the occasional failure. If you're not failing now and then, you are just playing at risk. O/O is not playing.

The service is relaxed but extremely attentive and professional. Dishes arrive in the hands of a variety of staff, including from the kitchen. Each dish is lovingly described in detail (though it doesn't matter--you'll be left confused as to what the hell you are eating because of the truly novel preparations and combinations). My dinner guest--an experienced patron of fine dining--was just as disoriented as I was, though in different ways. I loved the strange fruity sauce that accompanied the buck-wheaty gnocci, but found the dumplings themselves overly mealy; for her it was the other way around (she liked the gnocci's hearty, nutty flavor, but was turned off by the sweet apricots). Both of us puzzled over the oddly familiar flavor the underlaid the fennel in the summer squash dish--it was both literally and figuratively on the tips of our tongues but neither of us could name it until it came to me as I was dozing off hours later: basil! O/O had my palate so twisted around that by the 3rd course I couldn't identify simple basil.

I loved this place. If you're an experienced diner and have grown bored with the same-old, same-old, I think you may, too. I imagine there are lots of folks who would hate it, and not without reason. There are two terrific (and affordable) Ethiopian places around the corner if you're still hungry.

Pictured below: flash fried celeriac ribbons that reminded me of barbecue potato chip, a stuffed squash blossom that put me in mind of a really good tamale, and a sesame and seaweed wrapped tomato (a substitute for their traditional raw oyster) that was yummy but defies further description. We intended to photograph every course, but were so enraptured by the experience that we forgot. ?“

“Delicious tasting menu executed by a great Chef!“

“Delicious neighborhood haunt.“

“An upscale Indian restaurant with very nice ambience. Dishes are unique and great overall. Crispy Spinach, Fish Chili Garlic, Duck Makhani were delicious! Halibut curry was just ok in my opinion: fish and curry are good but just don’t really fit together. Between the 2 curry dishes we had, Makhani was much better. Beetroot goat cheese was ok, not my fav and i would order something else next time. There are many interesting dishes we want to try.“

“The Tacos and clam chowder was really good. The frozen Rose’ was good as well. Great service“

“Yo, this place is awesome! The food's bomb, the drinks are strong, and the staff is super friendly. It's like being in an episode of Always Sunny, but without all the crazy stuff. You can get quick bites or a whole meal, and the sliders and Buffalo fried chicken sandwich are my faves. They even have cocktails on tap, like an Old Fashioned and a Manhattan, and they taste just as good as the ones you'd get in a fancy bar. And the staff is always there to take care of you, from getting you in the door to helping you choose the perfect drink. You'll have a great time here, for sure!“

“fantastic food and service. Will definitely be back“

“Came here with friends to celebrate my birthday. We did the five course tasting menu and left very satisfied! Portions start small and grow throughout. I’m not vegan/vegetarian but thoroughly enjoyed the food, which was bursting with flavor and made with thoughtful ingredients. The cocktails were unique and delicious as well! The service was great — our server was attentive and didn’t bat an eye when I sent back my drink after it not being what I expected. The interior is stunning as well. It is pricey, but worth it for a memorable experience, especially if you are celebrating something!“

“I am not vegan, but am a foodie and love trying all types of food as long as they are delicious. Planta went above and beyond my expectations in every aspect. It is the type of food you dream about long after you have digested it. I have two upcoming trips and I have already included dining at Plants in my itinerary in both trips. I was pleasantly surprised to have the best sushi—vegan or not— have ever had in my life. I ordered the spicy tuna roll, bam bam broccoli, among other dishes. Their drinks are also refreshing, original, and delicious. My server was also accommodating and pleasant. Once he was aware I was gluten free, he went out of his way to label the menu with a dry erase marker so I can easily identify the foods that can be modified to be gluten free; I felt included and cared for. This is now one of my all-time favorite restaurants.

Dietary restrictions: Gluten free“

“Yum yum Fantastic food and great service Highly recommend“

“I was looking forward to eating at Albi having lived in the Middle East. Delicious modern take on Arabic staples. Lamb kebab was delicious. In fact everything was gorgeous. The disappointing thing is the acoustics. I do not have hearing problems. However, we had to shout all night and couldn’t hear the waiter or the sommelier which wasn’t much fun as talking to the staff about the food and wine is usually enjoyable. The tables are just that bit too wide to enable you to chat to the person opposite without shouting and leaning. It was just all wrong. It’s a shame as obviously you eat “family style” but I found it quite stressful. It’s a very nice dining room but too many hard surfaces to make it comfortable. I felt like I was in a cafeteria. I recommend going in a twosome and sitting next to each other so that you can chat whilst enjoying the food. Perhaps opposite the fire.“

“One of my favorite spots in DC. Food is always delicious, wine selection is great, and good happy hour specials. I love the outside seating options and indoors is cute, but it can get pretty loud inside when busy where it gets hard to hear or have a conversation. During the summer, the mosquitoes are awful (at least for me) even though they offer bug spray.“

“Such a fun experience during our trip to DC. All the items we choose were outstanding and different . It was the highlight of our rainy day .“

“Vedat was amazing. The best waiter we could have asked for! The meal was timed perfectly and we didn’t have to ask for anything; Verdat brought out all the best plates. Highly recommend for a great brunch experience in DC — make sure to ask for Verdat!“

“Lamb chops steak is delicious! The fried potatoes were delicious! Brusselsprouts with fruit jam sweet and appetizing! His family's Pitabread can continue indefinitely“

“Good and service was exemplary“

“My partner and I walked in at 6:30 PM on a busy Friday night without a reservation (I didn’t realize they had started taking reservations!) The host said the only options were bar seating or outdoor seating under heat lamps. We didn’t really want either of those options, but understood that since we didn’t have a reservation, we could not be very choosy. The host then kept looking at his reservation app and offered us a very nice table as long as we could be finished by 8:30 PM. We said that two hours is plenty of time! He said he felt bad that there wasn’t room for us but we assured him this was perfect and we would definitely be finished by the time he needed the table back. He was so kind and accomodating. The rest of the staff was also excellent (as always!) and the food was outstanding. I have always loved Purple Patch and will certainly return soon. Thank you PP team for being awesome!“

“Food was wonderful along with the drinks and service, very attentive.“

“I know I take terrible pictures but this DC restaurant lived up to the hype…excellent food and drinks, delivered hot and timely and the wait staff was on point. I have to thank my Facebook group and work friends for the recommendation….bonus points, it’s 6 blocks down the street.“

“Perfect comfort food on a cold day“

“I went to the restaurant Monday night, even for a Monday night the place was packed. My wife and I ordered the special 1 and the special 3. The food was very delicious but the service was even extra ordinary! After our server realized my wife has a hearing problem, she tired to help us order by the few sign language she knows. She told my wife “Going out for dinner experience includes ordering food for yourself so I wanted you to part of it” which made my wife so emotional. By the end of our night we taught her some new sign languages which might help her for other customers. She was so friendly and patient even though the house was so packed. I’m so happy my wife had the experience she did. I didn’t know it met so much to my wife until I saw how happy her face was. I will definitely recommend it for people who have hard of hearing or family member. It will definitely make them happy they are part of the EXPERIENCE rather than sit there while other people order the food for them.“

“This was my second time at Menya with the first being back in 2022. Even though it was constantly on my mind getting a seat can be difficult with the limited hours and crowds that this resturant commands. Seems obvious to all but a few the place is doing well if they don’t feel the need to open more than a few hours a day and closed on the weekends. I am glad they got rid of the online waitlist system as this has made it slightly easier to get a spot which is what allowed me to come back. Tuesday is the only day they open for lunch and I made sure to get there right before 11 even though I knew there would already be a line. I only had to wait 30 minutes for my spot at the counter. I then remember that Tuesday’s turns into a Tsukemen-only shop, offering “tsukemen of the day” for lunch. Tsukemen is a style of ramen where the noodles are served separately from the broth for dipping. For me this was a lucky surprise because it’s very hard to get this style in the area and has a nice change from traditional ramen. I have been craving an anchovy based broth so it was a treat. I can understand why some have a hard time with the rigidity of this shop, but if you’re willing to play by the rules, be gracious and go with the flow then I don’t think you can find anything better the Washington DC area.“

“Came here for the 5 year anniversary. Everyone was having a great time including us. We had their turkey burgers, Cesar’s fries, and watermelon old fashioned. Everything was good. The old fashioned was interesting but not bad. Will be coming back.“