Hello, hello! This post is long overdue. There’s really no reason for it, but the important thing is that it’s happening now. Today I want to tell you about my favorite vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Louisville.
I often forget Louisville is technically in the south because Kentucky is technically in the south. And the south love their meat. But Louisville, being the golden child that it is, has steadily increased it’s vegetarian options over the years and I am thrilled.
You all gave me such good feedback on my Easy Vegetarian Basics for Beginners post a few months back so this post seemed like the natural next step. I’d love to simply just call it the ‘Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Louisville’ but that list wouldn’t be long enough, and it would exclude the restaurants that create great options as part of their menu.
THE BEST VEGETARIAN-FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS IN LOUISVILLE
BREAKFST/BRUNCH
Biscuit Belly
900 E. Main St.
If you love biscuits (and if you don’t what’s wrong with you), Biscuit Belly in NuLu is a great vegetarian-friendly option for breakfast or brunch. Biscuit Belly is the new kid on the NuLu block, but the weekend lines continuously wrap around the building. And for good reason.
Meaty biscuits dominate the menu, but there’s some great vegetarian gems sprinkled throughout. Like this Edgy Veggie biscuit: fried green tomato, local mushroom gravy, local cheddar, and an over easy egg. Trust me when I say it was the best mushroom gravy I’ve ever had. Perfectly creamy and savory. The biscuit itself was buttery and warm, but didn’t fall apart. It held it’s shape without being too stiff. Divine.
My top picks:
- The Love Shack: brie, smoked honey, berry jam, candied pecans
- Praline Bonuts: biscuit doughnut holes, cinnamon sugar, icing and candied pecans
- The Frenchie: biscuit style french toast with berry jam, whip, berries, and maple syrup
Naive
1001 E. Washington St.
I’ve talked about Naive before (see the full post here), but this time it’s about their brunch menu. I haven’t actually eaten any of it yet, but the options are the most vegetarian and vegan-friendly in the city. Plus they’ve got vegan pancake specials nearly every weekend.
My top picks:
- General Tso’s Cauliflower: fried cauliflower, green bean slaw, crisp kale, puffed rice
- Lemon Matcha Pancakes: Matchaful, fresh lemon, candied pecans, local maple syrup, coconut whip
- Kale Shroom Burger: house made vegan burger, honey dijon, field greens, tomato, pickled red onions, sweet potato fries
The Silver Dollar
1761 Frankfort Ave.
The Silver Dollar will never let you down. They do brunch, lunch, and dinner classics with a southern twist, and have even managed to make some of it vegetarian-friendly. They’re always busy for brunch, so grab a spot as soon your hangover allows on weekends.
My top picks:
- Huevos Rancheros
- Cornbread Pancakes
- Vegetarian Sloppy Joes
LUNCH
Flora Kitchenette
1004 Barrett Ave.
This cute little cafe and bakery in the Highlands is completely vegetarian and vegan. You can find their baked goods in coffee shops around town too, and served across the street at V-grits, another great vegan restaurant. Flora is on my list of restaurants to visit, and I can’t wait to try what they’re serving up for lunch.
My top picks:
- Hummus Wrap
- “Meatball” Sub
- Avocado Toast
Half-Peach Bakery
4121 Oechsli Ave.
Another completely vegan and vegetarian spot is Half-Peach Bakery in St. Matthews. Guests can choose from classics made vegan like Buffalo Chicken Pizza, the Chim-possible Burger (made with chimichurri sauce), or a nacho bowl. If you’re on-the-go, preorder a bento box or grab a mix from the hot bar in a comb bowl. Oh, and don’t forget one of their decadent desserts at the end. Thank you for satisfying the vegan Louisville community.
My top picks:
- Chim-Possible Burger
- Nacho Bowl
- Avo Maria Pizza
Heart & Soy/ Roots
1216 Bardstown Rd.
Heart & Soy and Roots restaurants, placed side by side on Bardstown Road, is near the top of the list for vegetarians and vegans in Louisville. They’re serving up reasonably priced Southeast Asian fare for lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday. If you miss comfort staples like greasy orange chicken, head to Heart & Soy for a healthy vegetarian version.
My top picks:
- BBQ Tofu Sandwich
- Yellow Curry Soup
- Pan-fried Rice Noodles
DINNER
Joy Luck
1285 Bardstown Rd.
Speaking of comfort foods, Joy Luck is another Asian restaurant that sits right down the street. It’s one my top five restaurants in Louisville, hands down. The portions are huge, prices are fair, and the vegetarian options are generous. I always say I’ll try something new, but I just can’t part with their Vegetable Pad Thai. No, it’s not adventurous, but it’s consistently delicious.
My top picks:
- Vegetable Pad Thai
- Vegetables with Garlic Sauce
- Vegetable Spring Roll
V-Grits
1025 Barrett Ave.
V-Grits could not have come sooner to the Louisville vegan/vegetarian community. I mean, how great is it to walk into a restaurant knowing you can eat whatever you want? It’s liberating. V-Grits also shares space with a brewery called False Idol so guests can eat house made, from scratch vegan meals and sip on home-brewed craft beer. Did I mention it’s all comfort food? That’s an important part.
My top picks:
- Mac & Cheese Flight
- Gyro
- V-Grits Hot Brown (a vegan version of a Louisville classic)
Louisville’s healthy food options still have a way to go compared to other major cities, but it’s encouraging to see the steps restaurant owners are taking. This list is only scratching the surface. For all my Louisville readers, I’d love to know your favorite vegetarian-friendly spots around town.
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