In the land of fancy steakhouses and seafood buffets, vegans and vegetarians can sometimes feel overlooked among the world-class restaurants in Sin City. But never fear, even in Las Vegas, skipping the meat isn’t always the worst thing – especially when you pick one of these delicious alternative eateries.
1. Go Vegan Cafe
Photo credit: Go Vegan Cafe
As the name suggests, Go Vegan Cafe is a completely dairy-free and meat-free establishment that aims to make comfort food as clean as possible. Classic favorites like burgers, burritos, and pastas are transformed into vegan-friendly delicacies that substitute things like jackfruit for pulled pork. Traditional entrees are served alongside a raw foods menu (featuring dishes like Mexicali Pizza and raw tostadas) and a juice and smoothie bar.
2. Panevino
Photo credit: Panevino
Great Italian food doesn’t have to mean prosciutto and meatballs the size of your head. Panevino proves it with its 100-percent plant-based menu and a sophisticated ambiance that is classically Las Vegas. Sit in the plush red-leather booths and enjoy creative dishes that don’t sacrifice flavor, like Vincenzo’s Organic “Ricotta” & Spinach Ravioli which is dairy-free and sits in a creamy vodka-tomato sauce.
If you want to pretend you’re eating carnivorously, try a vegetable burger made with mashed potatoes, eggplant, portobello mushrooms, roasted bell peppers, and breadcrumbs drizzled with white truffle oil, or an organic “Meatloaf” made with mixed legume, wild mushrooms, and herbs. Your taste buds will be none the wise.
3. Cheffini’s
Photo credit: Cheffini’s
While hot dogs are something most vegan and vegetarians won’t touch with a ten-foot pole (and for good reason), this award-winning joint offers all of their mouth-watering dogs vegan-style. The faux-franks are made with grains, vegetables, and herbs, and can be topped with an unbelievable number of options. The most popular vegan option is the Moshi-Moshi dog, topped with seaweed, onions, and jalapenos. Other creative meals include the El Mexicano (avocado, onions, tomatoes, green sauce, chipotle guava, garlic aioli, and cherry pepper relish) and the Classic Cheffinis (onions, tomatoes, jalapeños, mozzarella, crushed potato chips, pineapple sauce, mustard, mayo and ketchup).
Cheffinis was dubbed “amazing” and “gourmet” in reviews that brought it the 2016 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence.
4. Komol
Photo credit: Komol
If there is one thing vegetarians can usually find, it’s Thai food, but Komol goes beyond the usual offerings and stands out with its extensive menu of vegetarian Asian cuisine. Locals and tourists alike have flocked to this off-the-strip location since 1986 for signature dishes like Papaya Pad Thai (pan-fried sliced papaya mixed with tofu, bean sprouts, green onions and ground peanuts) and Pumpkin Stir Fry with Basil Leaves. Pair your dish with a Thai iced tea (made with coconut milk, of course) and enjoy the traditional decor and serene ambience.
5. Simply Pure
Photo credit: Simply Pure
Expert gourmet vegan chef and nutritionist Stacey Dougan plans to inspire the world to eat an all-plant diet, but for now she is focused on her Las Vegas project: Simply Pure. Most options are also allergy-friendly and gluten-free. This small restaurant boasts just 11 seats, and with the likes of Bill Clinton among its fans, it can be hard to get a spot. But it’s worth the time and effort, and long waits can be avoided by ordering takeout ahead of time.
Menu items include a vegan lasagna and zucchini pasta with cashew alfredo sauce (rumored to be Bill’s favorite), a coconut kale salad, and Asian tacos with vegan protein “beef” and avocado.
6. Violette’s Vegan
Photo credit: Violette’s Vegan
Violette’s Vegan personifies the modern-day dining experience: everything’s organic; fresh juice abounds’ and there’s a USB charging station at every table. The millennial audience has inspired a number of fun and healthy dishes like the Hippie Chick Burger, which combines hemp pesto, alfalfa sprouts, and avocado on a homemade black bean-quinoa-sunflower seed bun.
Any taste at any time can be satisfied at Violette’s – the menu features entrees, wraps, sandwiches, soups, salads ,and ingredient-heavy appys (the Red Rock nachos include oven baked blue and yellow corn tortilla chips layered with black beans and pico de gallo, topped with melted “cheddar cheese,” guacamole, vegan sour cream, and salsa). The organic juice menu features concoctions like The Beet Goes On and Cool as a Cucumber; the restaurant also makes its own organic ice tea du jour and coffee is served with almond or coconut milk.
7. Nacho Daddy
Photo credit: Nacho Daddy, Facebook
Do you often find yourself in mixed dietary company? This establishment is far from meat-free but it ranks no. 1 as “best place for vegans to bring non-vegan friends.” Even the carnivore-friendly options are fresh and locally-sourced when possible. The vegan substitutes let alternative eaters create personalized dishes with tofu and “chick’n” options. (A vegan “steak” is rumored to be coming soon.) The Skinny Dip (a vegan queso) makes sure your dish doesn’t miss the cheesy goodness that comes with nachos. Other fixins include black beans, lime salsita, salsa fresco, guacamole, jalapeños, pico de gallo, bell peppers, and vegan sour cream. If nachos aren’t your cup of tea, try the fajitas, burgers, or taco bowls.
Featured photo credit: Simply Pure.
