Chicago has it all: a beautiful skyline, a vibrant downtown, entertainment, and, most importantly, a top foodie destination for visitors. Beyond its deep-dish pizza, popcorn, Chicago-style hot dogs, and nearly two dozen Michelin-starred restaurants, Chicago ranks as a top city that’s vegan-friendly. According to data from WalletHub, Chicago is among the top 20 vegan-friendly cities in the U.S. It’s affordable and offers many diverse options, including Black-owned vegan options.
Here are the best Black-owned vegan restaurants to try while visiting the Windy City.
Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat
Laricia Chandler Baker, AKA Chef Fab, is a Chicago-native and self-taught chef. Chef Fab opened her vegan restaurant Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat in Chicago’s Hyde Park in 2019. It’s been a hit from the start, as she has garnered more than 30,000 followers on Instagram within her first year of opening.
Chef Fab now shares her knowledge of vegan, vegetarian, and flexitarian cuisine items. Her items also appeal to meat-eaters.
The menu includes a tasty and creative twist on the iconic Philly Cheesesteak made with “beef-less” protein, a drizzled “Who Betta” Double Vegan Cheese Burger, vegan smoothies, and vegan shakes with flavors like “The Cookie Monster,” made with Oreos.
- Location: Various
- Owner: Laricia Chandler Baker, AKA Chef Fab
- Type of Cuisine: Vegan American
- Menu Spotlight: Iconic Philly Cheesesteak, Double Vegan Cheese Burger, The Cookie Monster Vegan Milk Shake
- Before you go: There are three locations, so check the restaurant’s website to confirm opening hours.
Conscious Plates
Inspired by Dr. Sebi’s teachings, the owner of Conscious Plates describes the restaurant and market as an alkaline haven. Founded by Latrell Garnett, the restaurant is a testament to the power of conscious eating and its profound impact on well-being. Garnett has a background deeply rooted in holistic healing and a personal journey he’s now sharing with the world through plant-based cuisine.
- Location: Woodlawn
- Owner: Latrell Garnett
- Type of Cuisine: Vegan
- Menu Spotlight: Chick’P Egg Sandwich, Waffle Supreme, Quinoa Cakes, Fajita Fries
- Before you go: Conscious Plates also serves as a hub for education. Garnett hosts workshops, talks, and wellness events to create a space for customers to deepen their understanding of alkaline living and embark on their own journeys toward optimal health.
Native Foods
There are a few Native Foods destinations nationwide, but the Chicago location is Black-owned as of January 2024. Dame Dia was the general manager of this location before purchasing it. Located in the heart of the Windy City, Native Foods is a fast-casual vegan restaurant chain. It’s been plant-based since 1994, where customers can sink their teeth into what the chain calls “wholesome comfort food,” which vegans and meat-eaters love.
- Location: Downtown
- Owner: Dame Dia
- Type of Cuisine: California-style vegan fare
- Menu Spotlight: Twister wrap, chicken tenders, double cheeseburger
- Before you go: Located on the first floor of the Clark Adams Building. The Chicago location is the only one that is Black-owned.
Majani
Nasya and Tsadakeeyah Emmanuel, a husband-and-wife team, own the South Side gem Majani. The duo describes it as a fast-casual vegan restaurant serving plant-based Southern cuisine. The restaurant also pays homage to the chefs’ African heritage and rural upbringing. The chefs develop every recipe with fresh local ingredients and mouth-watering spices.
What’s great about Majani is that the chefs serve comfort food with a vegan twist, including mac and cheese and its iconic Jerk Chick’n Sandwich.
- Location: South Shore
- Owners: Husband and wife duo Nasya and Tsadakeeyah Emmanuel
- Type of Cuisine: Vegan Comfort, Southern
- Menu Spotlight: Soul Bowls, Fried Grits, Jerk Tofu, Sweet Potato Rolls
- Before you go: The restaurant is closed on Mondays.
Soul Veg City
Soul Veg City was known as Original Soul Vegetarian for years. It has been a major destination on Chicago’s South Side for over 40 years, bringing a healthier diet and lifestyle to Chicagoans and the world.
Soul Veg City, or Soul Veg, as it is affectionately known, is a cornerstone of Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood. Since the 1980s, it has served heart-healthy, plant-based foods at a time when little awareness was being raised about the connection between food and disease.
- Location: Greater Grand Crossing
- Owners: The original co-owners children, Arel Brown and Lori Seay
- Type of Cuisine: Southern and Soul food plus a Juice Bar
- Menu Spotlight: Mac and Cheese, Kale Greens, Chicken Drums, Combo Baskets, Jerk Nachos
- Before you go: Now open on Friday and Saturday evenings with a series of events called Soul Vibes that features a full bar, karaoke with a DJ, live music, and a special late-night menu.
Sweet Vegan Bakes
Chef Cheryl Nelson found herself more than 100 pounds overweight and unable to obtain life insurance as she faced several health conditions. She began living a vegan lifestyle, losing more than 100 pounds. Subsequentially, her health issues vanished.
Now, she is sharing her passion for vegan food with the world. The most delicious vegan recipes curate the menu. Chef Cheryl’s baked goods are made freshly every day with the finest, most delicious local ingredients.
- Location: Old Town
- Owner: Chef Cheryl Nelson
- Type of Cuisine: Vegan Desserts
- Menu Spotlight: Coconut Cake, Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies, Love Cake Chocolate
- Before you go: Closed on Mondays.
Vegan World Café
Chef Elihu has over two decades of experience cooking vegan food in restaurants. He’s now using his expertise for a venture of his own through Vegan World Café. Chef Elihu and his team present their vision of vegan cooking to everyone through the restaurant. Chef Elihu and his wife, Latricia, are committed to ensuring guests have a fantastic experience at Vegan World Cafe Catering.
- Location: Austin
- Owner: Chef Elihu
- Type of Cuisine: Vegan American
- Menu Spotlight: Soul Plate, Mock Tuna Sandwich, Steak-It Sandwich, Vegan Gyro
- Before you go: The restaurant is only open from Tuesday through Friday at a temporary location.
Vegan T’ease
Vegan T’ease has been a premier restaurant in Orland Park since 2019. The staff’s philosophy is simple: provide delicious vegan food executed with the highest standards in quality, freshness, and service. Chefs are committed to creating healthful and flavorful dishes that satisfy their customers. The menu features appetizers like nachos, chili, and fried chicken, as well as sandwiches, including a Philly cheesesteak sandwich and Sloppy Joe’s.
- Location: Orland Park
- Owner: Chef Tee Scott
- Type of Cuisine: Vegan American
- Menu Spotlight: Nachos, Chili, Fried Chicken, Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich
- Before you go: Closed on Sundays and Mondays.
According to WalletHub, less than 10% of U.S. adults are vegan or vegetarian, which is just shy of 16 million people. It’s not easy to adopt a vegan lifestyle as restaurants and grocery stores continue to evolve to accommodate vegans and vegetarians. Luckily, for vegans visiting Chicago, Black-owned restaurants offer dining options that don’t compromise taste, flavor, or quality.
