PETA has just named its Most Vegan-Friendly Cities in the U.S., and the Queen City has crushed the competition, nabbing a spot on the list with an ever growing list of plant-based options.
Charlotte mainstay Bean Vegan Cuisine specializes in delicious American comfort food, including its Quesadilla, which is filled with dairy-free cheese and veggies and drizzled with sour cream sauce, and its spicy Jalapeno Cheddar Burger, which is topped with dairy-free cheddar, fried jalapenÞo chips, and Vegenaise. The eatery also serves delicious sweet treats, including cheesecake in seasonal flavors and Raspberry Zinger Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.
Charlotte’s vegan scene also features fine dining at Sanctuary Bistro, which offers animal-friendly fare including Biscuits and Gravy, Cashew Cheesecake with a pecan and almond crust, Crème Brûlée made with vanilla coconut custard, and a fully loaded banana split. NoDa’s first vegan restaurant, Oh My Soul, serves South African–inspired cuisine like Macho Nachos, stacked with housemade seitan “bacon,” chakalaka, dairy-free queso, and all the fixings. Other vibrant foods that earned Charlotte a top spot include the Romeo BBQ Bacon Burger at Romeo’s Vegan Burgers; the Pua Roll, a sushi roll with deep-fried sweet potatoes, asparagus, cucumbers, and dairy-free cream cheese at Bachi; and the Beijing Veg. Duck at Ma Ma Wok, which went vegan in 2017.
The city also hosts the annual Charlotte VegFest with over 100 vendors and thousands of attendees, and the Vegan Vibe Music Series, featuring live music, DJs, and an array of delicious vegan food.
