Vegan Restaurants in Philadelphia

Vegan Dining in Philly

By Tom Boutell

Philadelphia has a reputation as a carnivore's paradise, and there are good reasons for that. Not merely the home of the famous Philly Cheese Steak, Philly is also a foodie haven; gourmet dining is probably Philadelphia's most popular form of entertainment, thanks to diverse "destination" restaurants like Morimoto's, Jones, El Vez and Striped Bass.

But where can a starving vegan or vegetarian get a decent meal amid all this plenty? Well, quite a few places, as it turns out.

Not every vegetarian or vegan restaurant in Philly is mentioned on this page; only places I have actually eaten in myself.

(Most gastropubs and trendy restos in Philly that don't have "Steak" in their names have at least one good vegan entree these days. There are too many to mention these here.)

Restaurant Blackbird Pizzeria

Location 507 S. 6th Street, between Lombard and South

Phone (215) 625-6660

Website www.blackbirdpizzeria.com

Price $ ($$ with dessert)

Specialties Seitan "cheese" steaks (all vegan), vegan pizza, vegan cubanos, desserts from Vegan Treats

Ambiance Casual

Description

Blackbird Pizzeria is a 100% vegan cheese steak shop. They embody this contradiction without the slightest strain. The place has cheese steak shop ambience, but as soon as you taste the food you realize you're dealing with quality cuisine. Their vegan "cheese steaks" are great, but the vegan cuban sandwiches are better. Desserts by Vegan Treats round out the picture nicely. The chocolate chip cheesecake is a standout— rich and satisfying and not overloaded with sugar like so many desperate-tasting vegan desserts.

Restaurant Govinda's to Go

Location 1408 South Street

Phone (215) 985-9303

Price $$

Specialties Veggie "cheese steaks"

Ambiance Casual

Description

Just a few steps from South and Broad, Govinda's offers two main things: vegetarian and vegan versions of classic Philly cheese steaks and hoagies from 11:30 until late.. and fine dining upstairs, Thursday through Sunday nights.

Restaurant Basic Four

Location Reading Terminal Market, 11th & Arch

Phone (215) 440-0991

Price $

Specialties "Cheese Steak"

Ambiance See Location!

Description

The Reading Terminal Market is a great place to grab lunch, people-watch, and camp out on the wireless Internet for a couple of hours... or as long as your battery lasts anyway. And vegans get to play too, thanks to the Basic Four Vegetarian Snack Bar. Located near the center of the indoor Market, the Basic Four offers its own vegan and vegetarian "cheese steaks" and hoagies. The quality of these is a bit uneven. I recommend skipping the cold cuts; they are nothing you can't make at home, if you shop at the Whole Foods Market. The chopped chicken salad hoagie is excellent, spicy and tangy and filling. Desserts include sweet potato pie (tasty), sweet potato "cheesecake" (I found this underwhelming), and tasty chocolate chip cookies at a refreshingly reasonable price.
Open Mon-Sat 8am-6pm.

Restaurant Horizons

Location 611 S. 7th St, just south of South

Phone (215) 923-6117

Price $$$

Specialties Ancho Chocolate Tart

Ambiance Classy (but not too formal)

Description

Horizons is something Philadelphia has never had before: a true gourmet vegan restaurant. In quality and atmosphere Horizons is at least as good as Cafe Flora in Seattle, or The Greens in San Francisco. Soups, starters, entrees and desserts are all stunning, particularly the ancho chocolate torte. The ancho pepper imparts a spice that's a novelty to most American palates. These are dishes to linger over! The downstairs is a bar and lounge, featuring a tasting menu. The upstairs is a full restaurant, also with a small bar. Reservations recommended! However, lone-wolf diners can often steal a seat at the upstairs bar for a full dinner without a reservation. You won't be lonely with food like this.
Open Tuesday through Saturday for dinner. 6pm-10pm Tuesday & Thursday, 6pm-11pm Friday & Saturday. The lounge stays open later. Expect to pay $30+ per person, especially if you order drinks. It's absolutely worth it. No dress code per se, but clean up nice.

Description
Restaurant	Blackbird Pizzeria
Location	507 S. 6th Street, between Lombard and South
Phone	(215) 625-6660
Website	www.blackbirdpizzeria.com
Price	$ ($$ with dessert)
Specialties	Seitan "cheese" steaks (all vegan), vegan pizza, vegan cubanos, desserts from Vegan Treats
Ambiance	Casual
Blackbird Pizzeria is a 100% vegan cheese steak shop. They embody this contradiction without the slightest strain. The place has cheese steak shop ambience, but as soon as you taste the food you realize you're dealing with quality cuisine. Their vegan "cheese steaks" are great, but the vegan cuban sandwiches are better. Desserts by Vegan Treats round out the picture nicely. The chocolate chip cheesecake is a standout— rich and satisfying and not overloaded with sugar like so many desperate-tasting vegan desserts.
Restaurant	Govinda's to Go
Location	1408 South Street
Phone	(215) 985-9303
Price	$$
Specialties	Veggie "cheese steaks"
Ambiance	Casual
Description
Just a few steps from South and Broad, Govinda's offers two main things: vegetarian and vegan versions of classic Philly cheese steaks and hoagies from 11:30 until late.. and fine dining upstairs, Thursday through Sunday nights.
Restaurant	Basic Four
Location	Reading Terminal Market, 11th & Arch
Phone	(215) 440-0991
Price	$
Specialties	"Cheese Steak"
Ambiance	See Location!
Description
The Reading Terminal Market is a great place to grab lunch, people-watch, and camp out on the wireless Internet for a couple of hours... or as long as your battery lasts anyway. And vegans get to play too, thanks to the Basic Four Vegetarian Snack Bar. Located near the center of the indoor Market, the Basic Four offers its own vegan and vegetarian "cheese steaks" and hoagies. The quality of these is a bit uneven. I recommend skipping the cold cuts; they are nothing you can't make at home, if you shop at the Whole Foods Market. The chopped chicken salad hoagie is excellent, spicy and tangy and filling. Desserts include sweet potato pie (tasty), sweet potato "cheesecake" (I found this underwhelming), and tasty chocolate chip cookies at a refreshingly reasonable price. Open Mon-Sat 8am-6pm.
Restaurant	Horizons
Location	611 S. 7th St, just south of South
Phone	(215) 923-6117
Price	$$$
Specialties	Ancho Chocolate Tart
Ambiance	Classy (but not too formal)
Description
Horizons is something Philadelphia has never had before: a true gourmet vegan restaurant. In quality and atmosphere Horizons is at least as good as Cafe Flora in Seattle, or The Greens in San Francisco. Soups, starters, entrees and desserts are all stunning, particularly the ancho chocolate torte. The ancho pepper imparts a spice that's a novelty to most American palates. These are dishes to linger over! The downstairs is a bar and lounge, featuring a tasting menu. The upstairs is a full restaurant, also with a small bar. Reservations recommended! However, lone-wolf diners can often steal a seat at the upstairs bar for a full dinner without a reservation. You won't be lonely with food like this. Open Tuesday through Saturday for dinner. 6pm-10pm Tuesday & Thursday, 6pm-11pm Friday & Saturday. The lounge stays open later. Expect to pay $30+ per person, especially if you order drinks. It's absolutely worth it. No dress code per se, but clean up nice.