Way more than just salads.
Carnivores, hear us out. This list is for you, too! There’s been a surge in restaurants of all styles offering vegan dishes that are satisfying, nutritious and just downright tasty. No matter your reason for following (or dabbling in) a vegan diet, we’re going to run through some of the best spots in OKC to find flavorful and creative vegan cuisine good enough to make even the most committed of skeptics reconsider. We hope you’re hungry!
Elemental Coffee Roasters
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You know this is the place to go for one of the purest cups of coffee in OKC, but have you tried Elemental’s fantastic made-t0-order café items? Most everything on the weekday breakfast/lunch and weekend brunch menus can be made vegan and/or gluten-free, like this BBQ Sandwich made with jackfruit! Two more winners are the B’Fast Tacos and Biz-Kits & Gravy (house-made, vegan biscuits topped with scrambled tofu and veggie sausage with tamari garlic gravy). You never have to compromise flavor or decadence with Elemental’s vegan menu.
Mama Roja’s Mexican Kitchen
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Impossible meat has hit Mama Roja! You can now sub this on a variety of menu items from quesadillas to chimichangas and more for an additional $3. If you’ve yet to try the plant-based meat alternative, it has a flavor and texture similar to the real thing. Super tasty whether or not you’re strictly vegan! Vegan sides include the black beans, fruit, guacamole and grilled veggies. Come enjoy the view of Lake Hefner with a margarita during happy hour Monday-Friday from 3-6 p.m.
Capitals Ice Cream
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Vegans and lactose-sensitive ice cream lovers, rejoice! You can create a dairy-free concoction as crazy as you like at Capitals in Midtown. Mix in your favorite fruit, cereal, candy and cookies and they’ll blend it up for you to enjoy on hot day in OKC. Or, try one of the unique monthly specials! Just ask them to make it dairy-free. Capitals Ice Cream is open from 12-10 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.
Neighborhood JAM
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Neighborhood JAM
Enjoy something cool, light and refreshing for brunch like the Acai Bowl from Neighborhood JAM. Acai berries are blended with bananas and soy milk before being topped with scratch-made seasonal granola, fresh fruit and toasted coconut. For something heartier, try something off of the “Creatures of Habit” section of the menu and ask your server to sub tofu or soyrizo in place of meat. Don’t forget to add a cup of Tulsa’s Topeca Coffee or mimosa flight. Neighborhood JAM (OKC and Norman) is open seven days a week from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Vast
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If you’re looking to treat yourself to delicious, nutritious food and the best view in OKC, look no further! The locally sourced fare at Vast now includes a monthly vegan menu continued throughout the year. Vast chefs have access to the freshest ingredients, which allow them to get creative while serving up all the flavors and nutrients you need. Plates are $55 per person with wine pairings available upon request. Make your dinner reservation for any day except Sunday! Its Instagram bio says it all: “What’s better than social distancing 726 feet above OKC?”
Plaza District
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The Plaza District is home to many OKC staples with vegan options. To get your fix of southwestern southern comfort food, head to The Press, where vegan biscuits and gravy, Indian Tacos, chilaquiles, colorful salads and incredible loaded nachos await. We also recommend the vegan dumpling soup loaded with kale, potato, mushrooms, carrots, broccoli, and caramelized onions (we like soup year-round; just us?). Dishes here give you a big bang for your buck, so come hungry! There’s also kombucha on tap and fantastic cocktails to sample. More vegan-friendly restaurants in the Plaza District worth checking out include: The Mule, Gorō Ramen, Mexican Radio and Roxy’s Ice Cream Social.
Paseo Arts District
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One of the Paseo’s latest residents is FRIDA Southwest, which is serving up new American southwest-inspired cuisine. Specials for July include vegan masa empanadas filled with eggplant, heirloom tomato succotash, red chili sauce, chipotle black bean purée, cashew crema and pickled onion. Palm Heart Ceviche and vegan tamales also make an appearance on the flavorful menu. You’ll find more mouth-watering vegan dishes like chicken-fried cauliflower and avocado mac at Scratch Kitchen & Cocktails, enchiladas and tacos at OSO Paseo and Tikka Masala at Picasso Café.
More in Midtown
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Midtown is quickly proving to be a go-to spot for plant-based dining. No restaurant encapsulates the lifestyle more than the area’s newcomer, Plant, which is serving 100% gluten- , dairy-, soy-, corn- and peanut-free items that are locally sourced and seasonally driven. Enjoy something light like the Naked Summer Roll Salad: local greens, cabbage, carrot, basil, cilantro and shaved almonds with almond-amino dressing. Or go for something more filling like the Sesame Noodle Bowl filled with raw kelp noodles, carrot, zucchini, red cabbage, cilantro, basil, green onion and sesame seeds, topped with cashew sesame sauce. More crowd pleasers can be found right around the corner at The Hall’s Pizza Kitchen, Packard’s New American Kitchen and Café Do Brazil.
We’re excited to see vegan options continue to pop up throughout Oklahoma City and the innovative ways restaurants are tempting us! Are there any we missed? Let us know where you like to go for a tasty, plant-based meal.
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