In the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, the plant-based food scene has caught fire, with vegetarian and vegan restaurants thriving in every neighborhood. Some places feature a single meatless item that shines, while others offer lots of appetizing vegetarian options, and a few maintain a strictly plant-based menu. Whether you’re looking for excellent vegan tacos, dairy- and egg-free baked goods, or simply a veggie burger that isn’t boring, this list is a nice introduction to plant-based dining throughout the Metroplex.
Recipe Oak Cliff
From the moment you walk through the door into the bright, airy space, you’ll feel the sunny homage to natural food that is Recipe Oak Cliff. The chalkboard menu lists fresh juices and vegan lunches at reasonable prices. You won’t find meat, or even meat substitutes here. The homemade veggie burger is all oats and vegetables (no soy), and the chipotle tacos are filled with walnut “meat”. Check out Recipe Oak Cliff’s calendar of vegan cooking classes. 1831 S. Ewing St., Dallas, recipeoc.com
Le PasSage
If there’s one thing vegetarians are constantly asked to defend, it’s tofu. The truth is, anyone who dislikes tofu likely hasn’t had it prepared well. Le PasSage, the Asian-inspired restaurant in the Katy Trail Terminal, has a dish that could potentially turn any tofu-hating carnivore: the braised tofu. Tofu is presented in a rich brown sauce with a complex flavor, with bamboo shoots that add crunch and black shiitake mushrooms provide a little earthiness. Enjoy it with a crisp white and you’ll forget steak ever existed. 4205 Buena Vista St. Ste. 130, Dallas, lepassagedallas.com
Highland Noodles
Chinese takeout menus often have plenty of options to satisfy those on plant-based diets, but any vegetarian who craves hot and sour soup knows the struggle. Hot and sour soup, more often than not, is prepared with beef broth. But, not at Highland Noodles. Known for its hand-pulled noodles, this Chinese restaurant in Frisco offers a flavorful, satisfying hot and sour soup sans the beef broth. Spicy and tangy, it’s just as good as the real thing. Highland’s mapo tofu, a recipe that typically includes pork, is also tasty and vegetarian-friendly. 9188 Prestmont Pl., Frisco
Bánh Mí Station
Who says bánh mí, the delicious Vietnamese-French fusion sandwich on baguette, is only for meat-eaters? The vegan menu at this popular bánh mí shop offers buffalo un-chicken bánh mí, built with tender chunks of soy in homemade buffalo sauce and vegan aioli, blanketed in carrot, cilantro, cucumbers, and jalapeños. Other vegan options include a wide variety of salads, bao, and crispy spring rolls. 1818 Sylvan Ave. C100, Dallas, banhmistationdallas.com
Sanjh
While most Indian restaurants are vegetarian-friendly, not all feature a vegetarian menu alongside one of the top cocktail programs in the city. Enter Sanjh, where the meatless options include both vegetarian and vegan delicacies, like the bhindi do payaza, a spiced and smoky array of okra, shallots, and tomatoes. Pair with a sandalwood hi-ball, crafted with vodka, sandalwood syrup, ginger juice, ginger beer, and lime juice. 5250 N. O’Connor Blvd. Ste. 146, Irving, sanjhrestaurant.com
Sankofa Kitchen
The vegan menu at this cozy, comfort-food restaurant adorned with cool portraits of Black icons, includes several veggie burgers, whole-wheat spaghetti with homemade marinara, “chicken” tenders, and a burrito. Take time to peruse the little store inside the restaurant. The family that owns Sankofa previously owned a bookstore, and the shop is stocked with books, teas, essential oils, and plenty of merch. 4141 West Wheatland Rd., Dallas, sankofakitchen.com
Queen of Sheba
Vegetarian or not, those who have not tried Ethiopian food are missing out, in part because of injera, the spongy flat bread used in lieu of silverware for scooping saucy delicacies. Everything tastes better in injera. One of the top Ethiopian restaurants in the Metroplex, Queen of Sheba, offers plenty of injera with each entrée, and an extensive vegan menu that reimagines traditional East African dishes. Tibs, for instance, a meat stir-fry, appear on the vegan menu as tofu tibs with vegetables cooked in a garlic sauce and seasoned with berebere, a hot Ethiopian spice mix. 14875 Inwood Rd., Addison, thequeensheba.com
Swirled Peace
Switching to a plant-based diet inspired Sara Saginaw to develop an oat milk-based ice cream recipe and open this soft-serve shop in the Bishop Arts District. Now vegetarians and the lactose-intolerant alike, not to mention those on gluten-free diets, can enjoy creative flavors like frozen hot chocolate, dandy cotton candy, and peanut butter me up. Enjoy your plant-based ice cream on the charming outdoor patio when the weather permits. 309 W. Eighth St., Dallas, swirledpeace.com
The Dream Tacos by Chetra
With dozens of faux flower garlands hanging from the ceiling, jewel-toned banquettes, and a neon “Feed me tacos and I’m yours” sign on the wall, this fusion taco restaurant with locations in Plano and Lewisville was clearly designed with Instagram photos in mind. The menu offers two vegan sections: one with an array of “chicken” tacos, and the other with “beef”, with all “meat” made with Beyond brand meat alternative. Creative options include a beef Wellington taco, a bulgogi Korean taco, and a blackened jerk chicken taco. Multiple locations, thedreamtacos.com
Rodeo Goat
Veggie burgers are a dime a dozen, but a great veggie burger? That’s not so common. Enter the vegan patty at beloved burger joint Rodeo Goat, made in-house from lentils, carrots, black beans, rice, and oats. Guests can opt to swap out meat patties from any of the burgers on the extensive menu for the vegan patty. Those who like a little heat will enjoy the Hot Bastard, built with habañero cheddar, aioli (not vegan), marinated Fresno peppers, lettuce, tomato, and onion. Multiple locations, rodeogoat.com
Sweet Gilly’s Specialty Bakeshop
You would never know by tasting its cupcakes and cinnamon rolls that Sweet Gilly’s is a gluten-free bakery. Nor would you guess after tasting the quiche and elaborately frosted cakes that the bakery is dairy-free and egg-free too. With its pink furniture and a flower arch around the door, the space feels like a fairytale. The menu changes daily, so meals here are never boring. 3266 Parkwood Blvd. #100, Frisco, sweetgillysbakeshop.com
Casa Del Vegano
Every major city in Texas should have at least one solid vegan Tex-Mex joint, and in Dallas, Casa del Vegano Oak Cliff delivers. Situated in a modern space with slate-gray walls and exposed ceiling pipes, this counter-service spot offers hefty servings of Tex-Mex staples, including crispy chimichangas stuffed with plant-based “chicken” and smothered in plant-based queso and sour cream. Colorful cocktails made with heaping servings of fruit will tame the heat. 333 West Jefferson Blvd., Dallas, casadelvegano.com
