Vegetarian Journal's Guide to Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in the U.S. and Canada

Symbol Key:

Vegetarian restaurant
•• Vegan restaurant
§ Reviewer's choice

Kentucky

Lexington

Archa Nine Thai Kitchen

162 Old Todds Rd., Ste. 110, Lexington, KY 40509

(859) 309-2726

Thai. They have a vegan section on their menu with vegetable, tofu, and rice noodle dishes.

Open daily for lunch and dinner
Full service
vegan options
beer/wine, take-out
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $

Good Foods Market & Café

455-D Southland Dr., Lexington, KY 40503

(859) 278-1813

Natural foods store/café/organic. Good Foods Market & Café is a locally-owned and operated co-op where everyone is welcome to shop. They offer a full-service coffee bar featuring organic equal exchange coffee as well as espresso, chai, and hot chocolate; fruit smoothie and organic juice bar with made-to-order fresh juices, including carrot and wheat grass. They also have a self-serve salad bar with fresh, make-your-own green salads and a variety of homemade cold salads. The self-service hot bar features vegetarian and vegan soups, entrées, casseroles, and vegetables. Made-to-order sandwiches and fresh sushi (seafood or vegetarian) are made daily. Also available are combination boxes and miso soup. Vegetarian and vegan items are noted. The kitchen is trans-fat free and uses all organic beans, flours, grains, and sugars.

Open Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner. Open Saturday and Sunday for brunch and dinner
Cafeteria
vegan options
take-out, catering, fresh juices, smoothies, espresso/cappuccino, soymilk
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $-$$

··Moody Mike’s

802 N. Limestone, Lexington, KY 40505

859-433-7633

Vegan/food truck. A vegan soul food truck with a variety of options including vegan chicken and fish sandwiches, lattes, and desserts.

Hours vary
Take-out
vegan options
take-out
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$

locations

Louisville

··Cosmic Bird

619 Baxter Ave., Louisville, KY 40204

951-224-1609

Vegan. Cosmic Bird is THE restaurant to find crispy and delicious chicken sandwiches that are entirely plant-based. From a Hot Chick’n sandwich to a General Tso Chick’n sandwich, Cosmic Bird has a plethora of options for you to try and enjoy.

Oopen Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday
Full service
vegan options
take-out, delivery
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$

Grape Leaf

2217 Frankfort Ave., Louisville, KY 40206

(502) 897-1774

Mediterranean. When dining at Grape Leaf, enjoy your meal on the patio surrounded by growing grapes. Check out the Vegan Dolmas or Vegetarian Mousakah.

Open Wednesday through Monday for lunch and dinner. Closed Tuesday
Full service
vegan options
fresh juices, smoothies
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC/DC, $$

·Heart & Soy

1216 Bardstown Rd., Louisville, KY 40204

(502) 452-6678

Vegetarian/Asian. Heart & Soy is a casual eatery that is completely vegetarian. Many selections can be made vegan and are noted as such on the menu. Try foods like Fried Tofu Squares, Singapore Noodles, Yellow Curry Soup, and Pad Thai. They have their own tofu manufacturing machine and sell their tofu and soymilk products, along with vegan desserts and beverages, in their retail case. Heart & Soul is from the same owner as the upscale Roots next door.

Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday
Counter service
vegan options
take-out, catering, soymilk
VISA/MC, $

·Honest Restaurant

9008 Taylorsville Rd., Louisville, KY 40299

502-690-8355

Vegetarian/Indian. At Honest Restaurant you will find authentic Indian cuisine. They started as a family street cart based in Ahmedabad. You can now find them in Canada and various locations in the United States. All dishes are cooked to order, and you’ll never find frozen or processed foods here! Samosas, dosas, vegetable dal, and rice dishes are all great options to try! If you’re vegan, ask if the food is cooked with ghee, cheese, or yogurt, and if it can be prepared without them. You will also find interesting menu items such as pizza, sandwiches, and Indian Chinese dishes.

Open Thursday through Tuesday for lunch and dinner. Closed Wednesday
Full service
vegan options
take-out, catering
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $-$$

·I Love Juice Bar

13317 Shelbyville Rd., Ste. 102, Louisville, KY 40223

Vegetarian/juice bar. Enjoy a awide range of fresh juices and smoothies along with dishes such as Nori Bowl, Pad Thai Noodles, Hummus with Veggies, and Kale Quinoa Salad.

Open Monday through Saturday for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Closed Sunday
Counter service
vegan options
fresh juices, take-out
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $-$$

Naïve

1001 E. Washington St., Louisville, KY 40206

(502) 749-7856

American. Naive is a plant-based eatery that offers a wide selection of vegetarian and vegan options, as well as cocktails, coffee, and sweets. This innovative restaurant strives to be 75% local and organic. Not only do they offer brunch, lunch, and dinner, they also have a bar area and they deliver! Some vegan options include the Kale Shroom Burger, Seasonal Nachos, Vegan Cheese Board, Jackfruit lettuce wraps, Zucchini Noodle Pad-Thai, and Sun-Dried Tomato Gnocchi. This place is great for any type of eater. Reservations are accepted and delivery is free for orders over $20.

Open Tuesday through Sunday for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Closed Monday
Full service
vegan options
espresso, beer/wine/alcohol, take-out, delivery, catering
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$

Rainbow Blossom Natural Food Market

3608 Springhurst Blvd., Louisville, KY 40241

(502) 339-5090

3738 Lexington Rd., Louisville, KY 40241

(502) 896-0189

12232 Shelbyville Rd., Louisville, KY 40243

(502) 244-2022

3046 Bardstown Rd., Louisville, KY 40205

(502) 498-2470

Natural foods store/deli. Rainbow Blossom is a natural foods market dedicated to providing convenient gourmet foods. They guarantee their foods to be free of synthetic preservatives and artificial colors and flavors. They offer grab 'n go deli foods, groceries, natural products, personal care items, and much more! At Rainbow Blossom, service is integral; their staff is knowledgeable and helpful so feel free to ask questions.

Open daily
Deli-style
vegan options
take-out, fresh juices
VISA/MC, $

Ramsi's Café

1293 Bardstown Rd., Louisville, KY 40204

(502) 451-0700

International. Ramsi's offers many vegetarian options, including roasted vegetable sandwiches, Capellini Marinara, and Vegetarian Lasagna, just to name a few.

Open daily for dinner
Full service
vegan options
catering, beer/wine
VISA/MC/AMEX, $$

·Roots

1216 Bardstown Rd., Louisville, KY 40204

(502) 452-6688

Vegetarian/Asian. Roots is an upscale, vegetarian, Asian-style tapas restaurant. Many selections can be made vegan and are noted as such on the menu. Enjoy tasty foods like Green Curry Soup, Braised Beets, Steamed Banana Leaf, and Tofu Clay Pot. They also have an extensive menu of teas, including flavored, scented, and blended. In addition to the front dining room, they feature a floor-seating area where you sit on pillows while you dine. Roots is from the same owner as the more casual Heart & Soy next door. Reservations are accepted.

Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday
Full service
vegan options
take-out, catering
VISA/MC, $-$$

·Shreeji Indian Vegetarian Street Food

1987 S. Hurstbourne Pkwy., Louisville, KY 40299

(502) 890-4000

Vegetarian/Indian. Shreeji provides Indian street food in a proper store front, and with a few other options. There are all kinds of dosas and chaat, as well as punjab and indo-chinese favorites. There are even sandwiches, if a veggie burger is more to your liking. Plus the prices can't be beat!

Open daily for lunch and dinner
Counter service
vegan options
take-out
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $

··Soul Hi Vegan

Mellwood Art Center, 1860 Mellwood Ave., Studio 115, Louisville, KY 40206

Vegan/soul food. Enjoy items like mac n' vheez, greens, sweet-hot chik'n sandwich, burgers, “Steak” Tacos, and more.

Opn Monday through Friday for dinner. Open some Saturdays for brunch. Closed Sunday
Counter service
vegan options
take-out
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $-$$

·Sweet Surrender Dessert Café

1804 Frankfort Ave., Louisville, KY 40206

(502) 899-2008

Vegetarian/bakery/café. Indulge your sweet tooth at Sweet Surrender. This dessert café & coffee shop offers cakes, pies, tortes, cookies, cupcakes, and more. While the offerings change daily, you can be sure to find at least one vegan sweet. For weddings (or any special occasion), call on Sweet Surrender to create the vegan cake of your dreams. Their afternoon lunch service is all-vegetarian with vegan options. Try the Vegan Chili, Orange Pecan Salad, or Black Bean Pita (a veggie burger chopped with red peppers, salad greens, sundried tomato & their own chipotle mayonnaise - all vegan!). Oh, and don't forget dessert!

Open Wednesday and Thursday for dinner. Open Friday and Saturday for lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday through Tuesday
Full service
vegan options
take-out, catering, soymilk, espresso/cappuccino
VISA/MC, $$

··V-Grits

1025 Barret Ave., Louisville, KY 40204

(502) 742-1714

Vegan. V-Grits is an all-vegan brewpub with eclectic offerings, from chicken-fried oyster mushrooms, to lasagna and stir-fry. Try one of their hot sandwiches! If you can't decide between their numerous mac and cheese varieties, try the mac and cheese flight, and wash it all down with a beer that's brewed on-site.

Open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Open Sunday for lunch. Closed Monday
Counter service
vegan options
beer, take-out
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $-$$

locations

Paducah

··Branch Out Foods

713 Kentucky Ave., Paducah, KY 42001

270-443-7028

Vegan/eclectic. In some communities, it's challenging to eat out plant-based alone, but with gluten allergies on top of that, it can easily turn into a disaster. However, Branch Out Foods - founded by a couple who faced the same challenges when dining out - offers an array of dishes and sweets from all over the world to satisfy everyone's needs. Craving something new? Try the Asian Jackfruit Nachos: tortilla chips, Asian jackfruit, cashew gochujang sauce, pickled daikon and carrots, kimchi, and green onions, or Poutine: Fries, topped with brown gravy, cheese, and parsley. And for those who know a good meal isn't complete without a delicious dessert - choose from the various donuts, cupcakes, and cookies - there's something for everyone!

Open Tuesday through Saturday for late breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Closed Sunday and Monday
Full service
vegan options
take-out, delivery
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$

locations