IN PITTSBURGH, elevated Eastern European comfort cuisine is warming stomachs and earning James Beard nominations. In San Francisco, a completely vegan, TikTok-famous McDonald’s dupe has opened up directly across from an actual McDonald’s. And all around the country, new and exciting plant-based restaurants are cropping up (pan-Latin American in Atlanta! High-end sushi in Austin! West African in Los Angeles!). It’s been an unbelievably challenging time for restaurants—and too many of our favorites have gone under. That’s why we say it’s time to celebrate, cherish, and uplift our eateries now more than ever. We turned to VegNews readers to determine which restaurants are the absolute best of the best. So open up your reservation app, call up your hungriest friends, and get ready to eat.
BEST FAST FOOD RESTAURANT
Plant Power Fast Food
California & Las Vegas
The world of fast food is rapidly changing, and this budding vegan empire of 11 restaurants is leading the industry’s plant-based revolution. With a menu spanning from bacon-egg-and-cheese croissants to crispy chicken nuggets to dairy-free Blizzards, it’s no wonder vegans are flocking to Plant Power Fast Food.
2nd Place: Slutty Vegan (Nationwide)
3rd Place: Monty’s Good Burger (Southern California)
Best Fine-Dining Restaurant
Crossroads Kitchen
Southern California & Las Vegas
From Los Angeles to Las Vegas, Crossroads Kitchen boasts a star-studded reservation list with some of Hollywood’s elite. Even more impressive? Chef Tal Ronnen’s delectable menu of artichoke oysters, stuffed zucchini blossoms, and spaghetti carbonara complete with a runny, vegan egg yolk.
Vedge (Philadelphia,
