March 14, 2023
Looking for the best vegan and vegetarian food in Detroit? Let’s Detroit Campus Ambassadors Jason Philpot-Dixon and Makiyah Parham know all the best spots! Read on to learn more about their experiences with dietary restrictions, their favorite restaurants, and go-to orders.
Makiyah: It can be hard having dietary restrictions or a difference in lifestyle when compared to most people. I have been a vegetarian for a little over six years. It can become tiring grocery shopping, trying new recipes, and especially finding restaurants you can actually eat at. Contrary to popular belief, vegans and vegetarians do not like to eat garden salads every time they visit a restaurant. There’s been a spike in upcoming vegan and vegetarian restaurants nationwide in recent years. Detroit is no exception. I have compiled a list of MotorCity’s top vegan and vegetarian restaurants; even if you’re not on a plant-based diet, you should try them!
Jason: While I have a couple of favorite restaurants, with me being vegan, it can be hard to find good food spots. These places are top of the list without a doubt; you can’t even tell they are vegan. To be frank, I honestly don’t have a favorite because they are all so good.
Makiyah: Trap Vegan is a relatively new Black-owned vegan restaurant in Detroit on Livernois. Its doors opened in November 2021. The grand opening was a hot commodity in the area. I should know because I was one of the many who lived in the neighborhoods nearby and waited impatiently to try its menu. I also briefly worked there as a smoothie maker because I loved the food so much. I would recommend trying the “Killer Kale” smoothie. It includes pineapple, banana, spinach, mango, kale, and optional ginger.
The best veggie burger I’ve ever tasted – “What’s Beef” – also comes from this restaurant. It includes a plant-based patty, vegan American cheese, avocado, grilled peppers, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and a brioche bun. Trap Vegan does carry out, dine in, and uses popular food services such as Grubhub, Door Dash, and Uber Eats.
I would recommend going in person and sitting in their dining areas to experience it fully. There is an option between indoor dining and outdoor dining. Overall, the restaurant is decorated beautifully, and its aesthetic often draws in people from all dietary backgrounds.
Jason: My favorite item on their menu is the “D Boy” burger. It has a crispy onion ring in the middle, and boy, oh boy, is it good.
Makiyah: Seva is in the Midtown Detroit area. I discovered it after a quick Google search and have since eaten there three times. Seva has an all-American vegetarian menu and an indoor and outdoor patio and bar seating area. Besides the menu options and amazing scenery, the food is reasonably priced. Vegan restaurants can be hard to find and are often pricier once you find a good one.
I would suggest trying out their “Seva sodas.” They’re only $3.95 and made in-house. Additionally, the “TLT” sandwich is a great pick! It is chargrilled tempeh with cheddar (you can substitute this for vegan cheese), tomatoes, guacamole, shredded romaine, and a side of a pickle spear. Overall, their menu is considerably large, so chances are they have something for everyone. Friends of mine who aren’t vegetarians or vegans have also tried it and given it a thumbs-up!
Jason: Let me tell you, Unburger has the best burger that you can build yourself. It offers vegan bacon, and man, oh man. The bun and burger just melt in your mouth with their sauces which are all good. It’s like a dance party in your mouth.
Jason: Public House has a variety of items on its menu for breakfast and beyond, ranging from vegan French toast and biscuits to crispy chicken sandwiches and bang-bang shrimp. Everything on the menu is good, and you can’t get enough once you go.
Jason: Another of my favorites, while not all vegan, is Condado Tacos, where you can build your nachos, tacos, and bowls. Its Thai chili tofu is amazing with rice beans, red cabbage, Mexican chimichurri, and habanero-mango sauce.
Jason: This is my favorite dessert place. It has everything from cake and cookies to brownies and cinnamon rolls. It even has ice cream in all kinds of flavors.
