Think Memphis is just a meat-centric BBQ hub? Think again! You can get your fill of vegan grub in Memphis, Tennessee. Here are 4 Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Memphis.
(Clockwise: Sun Studios, Elvis’s private plane at Graceland, and Isaac Hayes’s Cadillac at Stax Records)
It may be a certifiable barbecue (BBQ) haven, but Memphis is so much more than just BBQ! In 2022, Memphis was the fourth stop in our six-week, 10-state road trip searching for the best vegan eats across the southern United States. And no cap, it was one of our favorite culinary destinations. From soul food to bistro fare to West African cuisine (and of course BBQ!), Memphis offers a little bit of everything for us herbivores.
Likewise, there is no shortage of things to do in Memphis. Are you a music lover? Then look no further, because Memphis transformed genres like soul and rock & roll. Are you a history buff? Then you need to visit the National Civil Rights Museum, built on the site that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was was assassinated in 1968. Are you into nightlife? Then you need to to take a night stroll down Beale Street and take in the live music. Scroll to the bottom of this post for our recommendations on activities for your Memphis getaway.
Make sure to check out our other vegan travel guides: 4 Vegan Restaurants in Kansas City, 6 Great Vegan Restaurants in NYC, 6 Best Places to Eat Vegan in Honolulu, and Vegan Afternoon Tea in London.
Without further ado, here are 4 vegan-friendly restaurants in Memphis, Tennessee:
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โฎ๏ธ IMAGINE VEGAN CAFร
- Address: 2158 Young Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
- Hours: Monday-Friday 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday-Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Notes: This restaurant is 100% vegan.
Imagine Vegan Cafรฉ prides itself on being a place where “comfort and compassion meet.” The menu at this cozy, family-run cafรฉ is chock full of rib-sticking Southern comfort food. So bring a big appetite! We loved that they exclusively package leftovers in eco-friendly boxesโthe cost of which is offset by a $.25 takeout charge, a small price we would gladly pay.
The Vegan Memphis Sandwich Platter was seriously one of the BEST plates of vegan BBQ we had during our entire six-week road trip! This wheat-and-soy based chopped BBQ sandwich was meaty and protein packed. A number of the vegan BBQ options we tried at different establishments across the country used jackfruit as a meat substitute, so we appreciated Imagine Cafรฉ’s protein-rich version. We also loved the sandwich’s fresh coleslaw topping, which added awesome texture. The BBQ sauce was a nice balance of sweetness and tang, and the platter came with crisp french fries and BBQ beans. No wonder this platter was named as one of USA Today’s best BBQ plates!
Who says no to fried “shrimp?” No us. The Shrimp Dinner came with eight breaded-and-fried shrimp made from konjac root. For our two sides, we chose the garlicky greens and savory hushpuppies. Everything was perfectly friedโnothing too greasy. And we were ECSTATIC to see hushpuppies on the menu of a vegan restaurant for the first time. They were seasoned to beautifully. Southern comfort on a plate.
๐ชBALA’S BISTRO
- Address: 4571 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116
- Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. every day.
- Notes:ย This restaurant is Black-owned but not fully vegan.
Mali-born Bala Tounkaraโchef and owner of Bala’s Bistroโhopes to introduce the flavors of his native Africa to the mainstream. His menu is steeped in West African tradition. And lucky for us, there’s an entire section reserved for vegan eats! The vegan offerings were wholesome, plentiful, very reasonably priced, and crazy delicious.
As you can see from our photos, we couldn’t help but try a little bit of everything. The jollof rice was savory and tomatoey.ย The collard greens were fresh, while the peanut stew was rich and hearty.
Our favorites were the okra stew and black-eyed peasโboth of which were new dishes to us. If you aren’t a fan of okra, this dish will make you a believer. It was loaded with spices and not at all slimy. The black-eyed peas had a nice meatiness. Chopped bell peppers, carrots and corn studded the mixture. The plantains were sweet and wonderfully caramelized.ย
๐ CAFร ELECTIC
- Address: 603 N McLean Blvd, Memphis, TN 38107
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Notes:ย This restaurant is not fully vegan.
Cafรฉ Eclectic is a cozy, family-run spot where you can get your fix of freshly brewed coffee and scratch-made vegan breakfast. There are a handful of delicious menu items that are vegan or that can be made vegan. The vegan pancakes were definitely tempting, but we found ourselves craving some savory goodness.
It’s awesome to note that Cafรฉ Eclectic participates in Project Green Fork, as they are passionate about recycling and composting food waste!
We had The Garden tofu scramble with tomato, spinach, bell pepper, red onion, and mushrooms. We also ordered the veganized version of the Sunny Tater Hash, consisting of fried russet potatoes with bell peppers, onions and spinach. Both dishes were hearty, tasty, and budget friendly. Each plate cost $10.00!
๐ฅ PLANT BASED HEAT
- Address: 669 S Highland St, Memphis, TN 38111
- Hours: Monday-Friday 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Closed on Sunday.
- Notes:ย This restaurant is 100% vegan and Black-owned. Get there early on weekends or prepare to stand in a long line!
No joke, y’all. Plant Based Heat brings the ๐ฅ This fully plant-based eatery slings mouthwatering, cruelty-free comfort food. We were greeted by a long, snaking queue of hungry patrons at the door, which told us one thing: We were in for some good eating.
We have an unabashed addiction to wings and had to give the lemon-pepper vings (i.e. vegan wings) a go. The soy protein-based “wings” were meaty AF, crisp, and not at all greasy. If you get the seasoned fries, make sure to dunk them in Plant Based Heat’s creamy vegan ranch dressing. Thank us later.
Last, but certainly not least, we loved the Vegan Smoked Sausage Dog drenched in a Memphis-style BBQ sauce and topped with crunchy, vinegar-based coleslaw made of cabbage, carrots, and a sweet relish. The slaw provided much-needed textural crunch. And when in the South, do as Southerners do; order the sweet potato tots. We still dream about those dang tots!
Thanks for joining us on our virtual vegan food crawl in Memphis, Tennessee! Scroll down below for activity recommendations to round out your trip.
๐ถ ACTIVITY RECOMMENDATIONS
- The National Civil Rights Museum (at the Lorraine Motel): Built on the site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in 1968, this museum was one of the most powerful multi-sensory experiences of our lives. The interactive multimedia exhibits chronicle the Civil Rights Movement from its inception. Your journey through time ends with a viewing of the very room Dr. King stayed in at the Lorraine Motel before he was tragically shot.
- Stax Museum of American Soul Music: There is no doubt that Memphis, Tennessee is a capital the US. Stax Records defined the sound of Southern soul and launched the careers of legendary artists like Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Sam & Dave, and Wilson Pickett. You’ll learn about the history of soul music and can feast your eyes on the original instruments, costumes, recording gear and other pieces of memorabilia belonging to Stax Records stars.
- Graceland: No trip to Memphis is complete without visiting the home of The King himselfโnone other than Elvis Presley.
- Beale Street: Treat yourself to a night on the town, strolling down three blocks packed with music venues, restaurants, and shopsโall smack dab in downtown Memphis. Soak in the sounds of live delta blues, jazz, rock & roll, R&B, and everything in between. And don’t forget to grab and ice-cold beer in while you’re at it.
- Sun Studio: Chuck Berry may have invented rock & roll, but Sun Studio transformed the genre. Book a tour at the famed Sun Studio and walk in the footsteps of greats like B.B. King, Elvis Presley, Howlin’ Wolf, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Tours are first come, first serve, so get there well in advance of your desired slot.
- Shelby Farms Park: This 4,500-acre park is one of the largest urban parks in the country. It boasts over 40 miles of trails, 20 bodies of water, and family-friendly activities like treetop adventures, paintball, and laser tag. There’s even a herd of buffalo that roams the grounds!
Memphis folks agree Lulu’s Cafรฉ and Bakery is the #1 ALL VEGAN option. They make EVERYTHING from scratch with locally and ethically sourced ingredients, offering breakfast and lunch along with THE BEST baked goods in town (vegan or otherwise). I found out about them at a wedding where they insisted the most beautiful and delicious cake I ever had was all vegan as well as allergen free and baked and decorated a few miles away at Lulu’s.