Best Foodie Road Trips for Vegans

People go on road trips for lots of different reasons. Thrill seekers go to find the highest cliffs. Nature lovers go to find new camping spots and hidden natural secrets. Anthropology hobbyists go to discover the cultural heritage of America. And foodies…we go for the food. From coast to coast, this country is packed with diverse cuisine.
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When it comes to vegan foodies, we’re in luck. Some of the best vegan restaurants in the world are right here in the US of A. Whether you own an RV or rent one from a site like RVshare, finding a renowned vegan restaurant is just another part of the adventure. So, if you’re planning a road trip soon and you love to eat clean, why not make a point to stop at some (or all) of these famous vegan eateries?
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​US-1: Good Eats in the East

US-1 is a nearly 2,400-mile long highway that stretches all the way from Maine to Florida. Along the way, it passes through all the major cities on the eastern seaboard, like New York, Boston, Miami, and so on. And major cities mean major culinary attractions:
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• Start your trip in North Carolina at Plant, one of the area’s most flavorful vegan restaurants. With a cozy, modern setting and dishes overflowing with savory, mouth-watering flavors, you won’t believe that you’re eating completely meat-free food in what looks (from the outside) to be an out of the way diner.

 

• Next, head up the coast to Vedge in Philadelphia, PA. Vedge is a high-end restaurant that serves up your typical Philly deliciousness, sans meat, of course. They’ve painstakingly reinvented classic Philly flavors using locally-sourced vegetables and a little progressive thinking. Consistently receiving top marks from foodie authorities across the country, Vedge is definitely a must-see while you’re traversing the East Coast.

 

• Your next stop is in the Big Apple, where you can get some seriously good vegan sushi. “Vegan sushi” sounds a bit odd, right? You would think sushi without fish is just…seaweed and rice, I guess. But the chefs at Beyond Sushi have managed to replace the lack of fish with an abundance of flavor and color. Check out their new location on W 37th Street for both signature dishes and new menu options.

 

• Veggie Galaxy in Cambridge, Massachusetts is your final destination on this East Coast tour. If you’re a fan of retro diners, you’ll love this place. It’s a 1950’s style diner that doesn’t take itself too seriously - a fun place to go and enjoy New England diner food that’s vegan, like a shaved seitan sandwich with baked mustard beans, or a black bean burger with mashed sweet potatoes.​​

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West Coast Food Envy Along the PCH

You can’t say “road trip” without thinking of the Pacific Coast Highway. This 1,650-mile stretch runs between the Northwestern tip of the United States all the way to the Mexican border. The PCH winds along the west coast, cuts through majestic forests, and even meanders through desert-like climate. If the sights aren’t enough to pique your interest, the food will be:
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• Start your trip in Seattle, Washington, where Plum Bistro takes the cake for flavorful comfort food without meat. Traditional American dishes like mac and cheese and buffalo burgers get a vegan reimagining, so you can still enjoy the flavors of the classic American backyard barbecue.

 

• Next, head to the city that keeps it weird, Portland, Oregon. Here, you’ll find Natural Selection (NOT the Darwinist theory), known for its twist on European-style cuisine. The nifty thing about this restaurant is that they cut out the meat substitutes and only use plants in their dishes. Since their menu is locally sourced and seasonal, it changes depending on what time of year you stop in for a bite.

 

• A little further south down the PCH, you’ll find Greens Restaurant in San Francisco, California. They’re a vegan veteran – in service since 1979. This award-winning eatery started the farm-to-table movement and is still wowing patrons with its creative menu to this day. Bring your wallet though; Greens is a high-end restaurant with high-end pricing. You’ll enjoy views of the San Francisco Bay while you dine on classic vegan dishes that influenced some of the best restaurants in the world.

 

• Finally, stop by Los Angeles and check out Crossroads Kitchen on Melrose Ave. It may be another expensive option (it’s Melrose Ave, after all), but the food will make you forget about your money woes, and all your other worries, for that matter. Crossroads Kitchen specializes in Mediterranean tapas, like artichoke oysters and “crab cakes” made solely from plant-based ingredients. ​

​US-34: Mouthwatering Meals in the Midwest

You may need to take a few extra roads, but US-34 is a 1,122-mile highway that will take you from suburban Chicago to Northern Colorado. Stop into a few of these locations for vegan dining with a Midwestern flair:
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• Chicago is known for its exquisite dining, and vegan food is no different. Ground Control is a fixture in the Chicago vegan scene, with everything from Buffalo Tofu Wings to southern fried food and Puerto Rican dishes. In fact, you could stay here and get a taste of vegan culture from around the country without ever having to go anywhere else. But that’s no fun, is it?

 

• Another must-see on the Chicago list (hint, hint: spend more than one day in Chicago) is Mana Food Bar in Wicker Park. Specializing in small, shareable dishes, like their infamous Mana sliders, it’s the perfect place to go with a few friends. Their dishes are inspired by everything from Greek Mediterranean cuisine, to Indian and Korean flavor profiles.

 

• You could spend your whole food trip in Chicago, but if you ever make it to Colorado, check out Leaf in Boulder. Boulder is a great place to hang out and shop, and thanks to Leaf, is now on the map as a vegan-friendly destination. Their menu features plates that are bursting with flavor, like the Jackfruit-Carnitas Enchiladas and Jamaican Jerk Tempeh.​

​Where Will Your Tour de Flavor Take You?

Whether grabbing vegan comfort food in Seattle or getting a taste of New England’s classic dishes reimagined, there’s no shortage of delicious vegan eats in the United States. If you rented an RV from a site like RVshare, you’ll have the freedom to go anywhere and try foods from across the country. Who knows? Maybe you can hit all the spots on this list!