Long gone are the days when vegans had to desperately scour menus searching for scarce plant-based options or settle for a sad salad. In Portland, there are vegan restaurants and chefs creatively catering to the plant-based and vegetable-friendly diet in innovative ways never thought possible just a few years ago.
Portland's diverse food scene has long been a point of pride for the city, offering something for everyone. Vegans can find some of the greatest grub in town by checking out these fine establishments.
Note: At the time of publication, not all the vegan restaurants in Portland on this list are offering dine-in service, but delivery or take out is available. Please check with each restaurant individually to see how they are operating.
Where: 1925 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214
Family-owned and operated, this quaint vegan restaurant in Portland serves fresh and authentic Indian food that can't be beat. The menu is fully vegetarian, but they have plenty of vegan and gluten-free dishes so flavorful that those who aren't vegan won't miss the meat.
Visit Maruti in Portland's Hawthorne District for tasty tikka, scrumptious samosas and don't forget the naan!
Where: 4121 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR
Sure, you could get a plant-based burger at a fast-food restaurant, but you would be seriously missing out on some delicious American vegan fare from Next Level Burger. This small chain with a focus on sustainable, ethical eats has a 100 percent plant-based menu using all organic and non-GMO ingredients.
From creamy milkshakes to crispy fries to their creative vegan takes on classic burgers, like an "animal" style Beyond burger, a chik'n bacon ranch burger and even a fried fish(less) sandwich, this place takes your favorite fast food and elevates it to the top of the vegan food pyramid.
Where: 5411 NE 30th Ave., Portland, OR 97211
Ichiza Kitchen brings vegan ingenuity to Portland's Concordia neighborhood with their impressive menu of pan-Asian comfort food that soothes the soul.
Their rice and noodle bowls are sure to leave you feeling full and the small dishes are the perfect portion to share a few as a meal. The selection of rare oolong teas and sake is a nice added bonus as well.
Where: 3207 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214
If there are two things that Portland loves, it's food carts and pizza. Thanks to the fine folks at Baby Blue, vegans can enjoy both. They fit a full-sized wood-fired pizza oven in a food cart at their location in the Sunnyside neighborhood and the results have been magical.
They've gotten a lot of praise in the food industry on their naturally leavened dough made from a sourdough starter and fermented for 48 hours, meaning every bite has the perfect balance between soft, chewy, pillowy goodness and crispy, crunchy delight. The menu is small and familiar, but you can't go wrong with any of their offerings.
Where: 1628 SW Jefferson St., Portland, OR 97201
Just because you go vegan doesn't mean you have to ditch cheese, and Vtopia is here to make sure of it. They are a fully vegan deli and cheese shop in Downtown Portland's Goose Hollow area.
Pick up some of their vegan cheese by the ounce to go, enjoy it on a sandwich or in a heaping bowl of their delicious mac and cheese, there's really no wrong way to enjoy cheese.
Where: 1403 SE Belmont St., Portland, Oregon
At the more upscale end of Portland's vegan restaurants, you'll find Farm Spirit. Nestled in the Belmont neighborhood, this place is more than your average restaurant. Self-described as a "plant-based tasting menu popup dinner party," the menu here is constantly evolving with the seasons to feature the freshest and finest ingredients that the region has to offer.
Where: 404 NE 28th Ave., Portland, OR 97232
The couple that owns and operates the Kerns neighborhood gem Epif took their love of the cuisine of South America's Andes region, which is typically very meat-centric, and put their own plant-based spin on it. Their bright dishes accentuate fresh vegetables and herbs in ways that transport you to a faraway land. The food pairs perfectly with their extensive menu of Pisco cocktails for a full cultural, vegan experience.
Where: 4110 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland, OR 97212
Another of Portland's great culinary loves is the donut and for vegans, there is no finer organically-made, locally-sourced, 100 percent plant-based fried dough than Doe Donuts in the South Tabor neighborhood.
Year-round artisanal favorites like the French toast donut, their tiramisu filled and the Portland fog, along with creative seasonal concoctions, keep a line out the door on weekends and they frequently sell out, so make sure to get there early! The donuts also pair perfectly with their vegan ice cream on a hot summer day.
Where: 3443 NE 57th Ave., Portland, OR 97213; 1708 E Burnside St., Portland, OR 97214; and 4225 N. Interstate Ave., Portland, OR 97217
Fire on the Mountain is, first and foremost, a chicken wing restaurant named after a Grateful Dead song. However, the stars of the show here are their award-winning sauces, most of which are vegan.
They also offer vegan drums and nuggets made from soy protein that has a perfect texture for soaking up all that glorious spicy peanut, Jamaican jerk and raspberry habanero sauce. There's even a vegan ranch to accommodate all of your dunking needs.
Where: 1125 SE Division St., Portland, OR 97202
Aviv puts a northwestern spin on authentic Middle Eastern cuisine with its exciting menu of plant-based creations. Israeli chef Tal Caspi brings the inspiration of his roots to life on his plates in ways that you won't find anywhere else in town. The soy curl shawarma fries are a work of art and mouthwatering dishes like the bourekas and falafel will leave you wanting to try the whole menu.
If this variety of vegan restaurants (and being a foodie haven in general) appeals to you, why not check out apartments for rent and homes for sale in Portland?
Jake Borower has written on behalf of an entertainment website, a renewable energy initiative and has spent the last four years as a social media content specialist working in the multi-family housing industry. A graduate of Appalachian State University's Public Relations program, during his free time he enjoys pairing a pint with the perfect vinyl record, going to concerts, traveling and trying new restaurants in his current home of Portland, Oregon.