10 Vegetarian Restaurants In Chicago, Illinois

vegetarian restaurants in chicago
Melanie
Melanie 
Updated
| 3 min read

Chicago has no shortage of signature dishes. From the hearty deep-dish pizza and Chicago-style hot dogs to Italian beef sandwiches, the city definitely has become an institution in its own right, in coming up with iconic food. Its famous offerings, however, may turn off people who prefer healthier or simply vegetable-based meals. If you’re one of them, fear not, because there are a number of vegetarian restaurants in Chicago, Illinois, where you can enjoy tasty and healthy food during your stay in the city. Check out this list of 10 vegetarian restaurants in Chicago, Illinois, and take your pick from these options.

1. Lucy's Cafe


Don’t let its small size dissuade you from entering Lucy’s Cafe, because the restaurant serves great food that vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike will enjoy (even those with the most discerning palates may find it hard to identify that meat substitutes were used in the dishes). Lucy’s Cafe is not just a vegetarian restaurant. It also offers gluten-free and vegan options for those who follow these diets. Healthy dessert options are served here as well.

Lucy's Cafe

Address: 2100 W Roscoe St, Chicago, IL 60618

Website: Lucy’s Cafe

Opening Hours: 8 am - 3 pm

Price Range: 2-15 USD

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2. Handlebar


Vegans and vegetarians who love clubbing and rock music will dig Handlebar, an establishment that leans more toward being a bar than a restaurant, complete with loud music playing in the background. While it does serve dishes with fish, many of its offerings are plant-based, even its bar food. You can grab beers and mixed drinks from here as well.

Handlebar

Address: 2311 W North Avenue, Chicago, IL

Website: Handlebar

Opening Hours: 10 am - 1230 am Monday to Friday, 9 am - 1230 am Saturday and Sunday

Price Range: 11-30 USD

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3. Veggie Grill

Posted by Veggie Grill on Wednesday, 21 March 2018

For many vegans and vegetarians, it can be very frustrating to enter a restaurant only to find that there’s only a handful of items on the menu that they can eat. This is not the case with Veggie Grill, where customers are spoiled for choice on what food to order. The offerings that use a chicken substitute, particularly, get good reviews from diners. The restaurant offers food delivery for those who don’t have the time to go there to get a bite to eat.

Veggie Grill

Address: 614 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL

Website: Veggie Grill

Opening Hours: 11 am - 10 pm

Price Range: 11-30 USD

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4. Native Foods Cafe

Cauliflower Power - Native Foods Café, Chicago
Source: Photo by user Tony Webster used under CC BY 2.0

Native Foods Cafe is practically an institution in its own right in Chicago, having become a favorite restaurant of diners, both vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. In fact, it now has three branches around the city, silent proof that the business is still continuing to grow. Customers who love a variety in their meals will love the broad menu here, which includes fusion dishes.

Native Foods Cafe

Address: 218 S Clark Street, Chicago, IL

Website: Native Foods Cafe

Opening Hours: 11 am to 10 pm

Price Range: 11-30 USD

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5. Soul Vegetarian East


Judging by the fact that it’s been in business for about 30 years, Soul Vegetarian East seems to continue to deliver its promise of serving soul vegetarian offerings. From the appetizers to the desserts, the food is flavorful, belying the belief that vegetarian and vegan food is tasteless. The service can take some time, so make sure you drop by here when you aren’t rushing to meet a certain schedule.

Soul Vegetarian East

Address: 205 E 75th St, Chicago, IL

Website: Soul Vegetarian East

Opening Hours: 11 am - 8 pm Monday to Thursday, 11 am - 10 pm Friday, 8:30 am - 10 pm Saturday, 8:30 am - 8 pm

Price Range: 11 - 30 USD

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6. Ground Control


Ground Control is a great place to grab a bite if you’re looking for a vegetarian or vegan take on classic American food, as well as some food options unique to the restaurant. While waiting for your food, you can try your hand at one of the pinball machines in the resto, or simply enjoy the fun art displayed around the establishment.

Ground Control

Address: 3315 W Armitage Avenue, Chicago, IL

Website: Ground Control

Opening Hours: 5 pm - 10 pm Monday to Thursday, 5 pm - 11 pm Friday, 11 am - 11 pm Saturday, 11 am - 9 pm Sunday

Price Range: 11-30 USD

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7. Quesadilla La Reina del Sur


Quesadilla La Reina del Sur offers a meatless take on favorite Mexican food such as chorizo (or soyrizo, as they called their version) quesadilla and Xochimilco tacos, as well as a variety of juices and smoothies. Make sure to get the salsa level that you’re comfortable with, or you’ll end up with your mouth on fire!

Quesadilla La Reina del Sur

Address: 2235 N Western Avenue, Chicago, IL

Website: Quesadilla La Reina del Sur

Opening Hours: 10 am - 11 pm

Price Range: Under 10 USD

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8. Loving Heart Vegan Cafe


This restaurant is a casual cafe that serves vegetarian- and vegan-friendly sandwiches, wraps, and smoothies. While the food is simple, it is filling and tasty thanks to the fresh ingredients used to make each dish. Loving Heart Vegan Cafe is only open for specific hours on specific days, so make sure to head there while it’s open.

Loving Heart Vegan Cafe

Address: 838 W Montrose Avenue, Chicago, IL

Website: Loving Heart Vegan Cafe

Opening Hours: 12 pm - 6 pm, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday; 2 pm - 8 pm, Wednesday and Friday

Price Range: Under 10 USD

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9. The Chicago Diner

The Chicago Diner, Meat Free since '83
Source: Photo by Flickr user Eric Fischer used under CC BY 2.0

The Chicago Diner is also another dining institution in the city, both for vegans/vegetarians and meat eaters. The reason for its popularity? Tasty food that tastes as good as, if not better than the real thing. If you plan on heading there during mealtime, do make sure to get there as early as possible because this place is often packed.

The Chicago Diner

Address: 3411 N Halsted Street, Chicago, IL

Website: The Chicago Diner

Opening Hours: 11 am - 10 pm Monday to Thursday, 11 am - 11 pm Friday, 10 am - 11 pm Saturday, 10 am - 10 pm Sunday

Price Range: 11-30 USD

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10. Clever Rabbit


While this restaurant offers a handful of dishes with seafood and meat, its main focus remains its vegetarian cuisine. This place is a good option for those who want to kick back and relax, as cocktails are served here. Music is played here, but not loud enough that it would make it difficult for customers to talk to each other.

Clever Rabbit

Address: 2015 W Division Street, Chicago, IL

Website: Clever Rabbit

Opening Hours: 4:30 pm - 10 pm, Monday to Thursday, 4:30 pm - 11 pm Friday, 10 am - 11 pm Saturday, 10 am - 10 pm Sunday

Price Range: 11-30 USD

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A healthier food trip

Chicago has come to be known as a good foodie destination thanks to its iconic dishes. However, there is more to the city’s cuisine than its meaty offerings, as proven by the vegetarian restaurants featured on this list. Check out the options here if you’re a foodie raring to explore what Chicago can offer beyond the usual fare.

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Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Melanie is a freelance travel writer. She considers freelancing for Trip 101 to be a combination of two of the things she loves: writing and traveling. She has gone sightseeing with family,...Read more

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