Among cities, Orlando is a diamond in the rough when it comes to serving up vegan friendly food. There are almost too many options to choose from! This list is for everyone looking to get their hands on some good grub, vegan or not.
1. Ethos Vegan Kitchen
Ethos is the gem of envy for vegans all throughout Florida. This restaurant is entirely vegan, featuring delicious homestyle foods such as cheesy lasagna, creamy tortellini, and a selection of delicious sandwiches and appetizers--get the garlic knots! They also have a selection of homemade cookies, and even brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
2. Dixie Dharma
Located at Market on South, Dixie Dharma is dishing up mouth watering southern food including BBQ jack fruit and fried green tomato sandwiches served with to-die-for sides like mac 'n cheese, crispy brussels sprouts and cheesy homies. It's an excellent spot for lunch, especially with the addition of kombucha on tap and lovely outdoor seating. A must try for certain!
3. Valhalla Bakery
Have a sweet tooth? Rejoice! Valhalla is the other half of Market on South, focusing on delicious desserts that are almost impossible to find vegan. Think fruity pebble doughnuts, key lime pies, incredible cakes, and delicious lemon bars!
The list is endless, and everything is made fresh daily. The most popular aspect of this bakery is probably the doughnuts, whose crazy flavors change daily. In fact, Valhalla recently opened a shop exclusively for these doughnuts called Valkyrie Doughnuts which features an ever vaster selection than Valhalla!
4. Dandelion Communitea Cafe
Built inside of old 1920's house complete with homey hardwood floors, Dandelion is a great choice for anyone looking for fresh, local, and organic ingredients with a nice up of tea. They have a delicious assortment of menu items--like award winning hummus--that can be made into your choice of a bowl or a wrap, and most options are highly customizable. Pair your lunch with one of their delicious homemade teas, and stay for one of the weekly events such as Diverse Word or perhaps the monthly Moon Circle.
5. The Vegan Hot Dog Cart
This one is for all the vegans getting their drink on downtown. Located at 65 N Orange, this hot dog cart is an excellent choice for the late night munchies as this cart slings dogs until 3 AM. And yes, they are amazing. You'll want two. Or three. They've always got a couple different options, but feel free to dress your dog however you want.
6. The Sanctum
The best choice for anyone looking for fresh, raw ingredients. This place is great for any time of day, featuring an extensive menu of breakfast dishes like loaded toast and museli, and an assortment of unique bowls and pastas for dinner.
Some great options include the sushi bowl with their house made tempeh or the cashew-tahini alfredo. Marry any of these meals with a delicious fresh juice or smoothie (or a mimosa if you're there early) and you're all set for a happy tummy for the day.
7. Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar
Tucked away in the Milk District, this little coffee bar is an excellent place to grab a quick coffee or to stay awhile and study. They offer delicious vegan milk options for all of their house roasted coffees, as well as vegan baked goods and cold sandwiches for lunch. While not entirely vegan, there are definitely enough options to keep you indecisive on what to get, especially so if you're a coffee lover.
8. Loving Hut
This is your best bet for Asian inspired dishes. They've got spring rolls and dumplings, soups and salads and let's not forget the rice and noodle entrees with faux meats like chicken and beef. Combos give you the best of both worlds, letting you sample bits of everything. And don't forget the cheesecake dessert!
9. Viet Noms
For anyone looking for Vietnamese food, this is your stop. Relatively new, Viet Noms offers vegan banh mi and bao with tofu, pho, and noodle salads as well. They even have special vegan sauces to replace the classic fish sauce in many Vietnamese dishes, just ask. They do serve non-vegan food as well, so this is a great choice for meeting up with friends who want other options.
