Big city, big culture -- Indianapolis is a growing center of diversity with some of the greatest and tastiest restaurants. Plant-based eaters, like vegetarians and vegans, can also take advantage of the city’s foodie lifestyle. You can grab a friend, head downtown and enjoy a full meal cruelty-free (don't worry about only eating a salad). Plant-based dishes and restaurants are tasty options for any diet, whether you eat meat for every meal or live full vegan. These Indy restaurants thrive in the vegan lifestyle or offer vegan options for your veggie-loving stomachs.
1. Ezra’s Enlightened Cafe
Ezra's is a local, green cafe that serves only 100 percent vegan, plant-based food (also GMO-free, gluten-free and processed sugar-free). Their green mission is to recycle and compost as often as possible, and the cafe composted over 5,000 gallons of scrap food per year.
Local favorite to try: Buddha Bowl
2. Three Carrots
Three Carrots, a large food market located downtown, serves many vegetarian and vegan options. The market has two locations: City Market and Fountain Square. They sell breakfast foods, salads, sandwiches and soups.
Local favorite to try: Vegan Biscuits and Gravy
3. SoBro Cafe
SoBro Cafe combines international dishes with a touch of art. The cafe serves vegetarian and vegan options, as well as dishes for meat-eaters. Their food is made from scratch with organic ingredients, and many local Indiana farmers supply the cafe with produce.
Local favorite to try: Bhota Chai
4. The Sinking Ship
The Sinking Ship combines tasty vegan options in a bar-like setting with an edge. The restaurant has renditions of classic bar foods, like chili cheese fries, pickle fries and beer "brats" -- all vegan. The food includes "Service with a Smirk" with vegan and meat-eater options.
Local favorite to try: Seitan Wings
5. Three Sisters Cafe
Ready for brunch? Three Sisters Cafe serves classic American breakfast all day. The cafe was featured on an episode of "Diners Drive-ins and Dives." Some of the dishes, like Lemon CornCakes with Fresh Seasonal Berries, are marked with the episode's seal. The cafe includes various vegan options conveniently marked for ease when ordering.
Local favorite to try: Tofu Scramble
6. Cafe Patachou
Cafe Patachou, "A Student Union for Adults," serves breakfast and lunch foods. The cafe is associated with The Patachou Foundation, a non-profit organization geared to helping children-in-need in the Indianapolis area. The cafe has various vegan options, and the customer can request to "veganize" a dish.
Local favorite to try: Avocado Multi-Grain Toast
7. Public Greens
Similar to Cafe Patachou, Public Greens is associated with The Patachou Foundation. One-hundred percent of the proceeds made at the restaurant go towards the foundation's cause. The restaurant has a connected micro-farm where the restaurant sustainably grows their produce.
Local favorite to try: Cool Ranch Taters
8. Nicey Treat
This popsicle shop can bring you back to your childhood days with their home-made treats. Nicey sells individual popsicles, vegan and dairy, for around $3 per popsicle. Their vegan popsicles are cheaper than the dairy types, and you may see the Nicey popsicle truck around Indy!
Local favorite to try: Avocado
9. Hubbard and Cravens Coffee Co.
Need a little coffee in your life? Hubbard and Cravens is a chain coffee shop in the local Indy area. Their drinks can always swap regular milk for dairy-free milk to make many drinks vegan. They offer whole-bean arabica coffee drinks.
Local favorite to try: Healthy Elephant
10. BRICS
Another sweet-treat stop is BRICS, an ice cream store located right on the Monon Trail. BRICS sells dairy and vegan ice cream/gelato that can be put in cones, cups and milkshakes.
Local Favorite to try: Pumpkin Spice
Happy eating, vegans!
