Vegetarian Friendly Restaurants in Chattanooga

If you’re looking for the best vegetarian friendly restaurants in Chattanooga, you’re in luck! Known as the Scenic City, Chattanooga has evolved into a true foodie destination with a vibrant, plant-based dining scene that rivals much larger cities. We feel incredibly lucky to call this place home, largely because the community is so supportive of diverse lifestyles and sustainable eating. Whether you are a lifelong vegan or just looking to try something new, you’ll find that local chefs work hard to offer menus that go far beyond basic salads. From dedicated vegan cafes to upscale eateries with creative veggie entrees, the city is packed with flavor waiting to be explored.

Here are some top picks worth exploring:

Vegan & Vegetarian Spots in Chattanooga

Cashew

• Location: 149 River Street, Chattanooga, TN 37405

Located in North Chattanooga, Cashew is a 100% vegan café and bakery. Renowned for its imaginative Southern-inspired plant-based fare and mouthwatering desserts. From jackfruit BBQ nachos to inventive daily specials like Cajun tofu po boy sandwiches, it’s a standout for both flavor and variety. They also make fresh desserts daily so make sure you check out the bake case on your way out.

Insiders Tip: the owners of Cashew also own a bar in town. Check out Broads Lounge for fun cocktails and a vegan friendly food menu.

Sluggo’s North Vegetarian Café

• Location: 505 Cherokee Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37405

An offbeat favorite, Sluggo’s serves up all vegan cuisine with an abundance of yummy plant based options. With hearty dishes like vegan nachos, seitan sandwiches, and inventive Sunday brunch fare, paired with a punky ambiance, it’s a must-visit.

Southern Squeeze

• Location: 1301 Dorchester Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37405

This organic, vegetarian café prides itself on an anti-inflammatory menu featuring smoothies, grain bowls, toasted sandwiches, and more. Southern Squeeze is great for health conscious diners.

Real Roots Café

• Location: 607 N Market St, Chattanooga, TN 37405

This vegan restaurant in North Chattanooga offers everything from Buddha Bowls, Jackfruit sandwiches, burritos and quesadillas along with a huge selection of smoothies. They also change their menu frequently to offer seasonal plant based specials like Butternut Squash Soup and Spicy Mexican Pizza

The Bohemian Village

• Location: 2511 N Chamberlain Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37406

Bohemian Village is a juice bar and cafe with a cool vibe. Totally worthy checking out!

The Local Juicery + Kitchen

• Location: 48 E Main St, Chattanooga, TN 37408

Nutrition takes center stage at the Local Juicery. Known for its fresh, flavorful juices, smoothies, acai bowls, wraps, and salads. It’s a solid choice for clean eating.

Plant Power Cafe

• Location: 6215 Lee Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37421

Another healthy option, the Plant Power Cafe & Juice Bar, has an extensive vegan menu offering sandwiches, burgers, salads, and more.

High Su (Collegedale)

• Location: 9408 Apison Pike, Collegedale, TN 37363

If you’re okay with a short drive and want a dedicated vegetarian menu then you need to visit High Su. Just 30 minutes from downtown Chattanooga, High Su specializes in vegetarian and vegan Asian cuisine. Highlights include pan-fried dumplings, vegan fried chicken bowls, and hearty ramen. The sweet and spicy vegan chicken bites are my favorite item on their menu!

Insiders Tip: The city of Collegedale is very vegetarian friendly because it is home to Southern Adventist University which is a religious school. The Seventh-day Adventists church promotes a wholesome plant based lifestyle so many people who live in this community are vegetarians. For that reason there are many veggie friendly shops and restaurants in Collegedale. Also be aware that many businesses in the area are closed on Saturdays due to religious observances. If you visit this area make sure to check out the Village Market it is a small grocery store that is owned by the university but across the street from campus. They stock an incredible amount of vegan products!

Vegetarian Friendly Restaurants in Chattanooga

These vegetarian friendly restaurants in Chattanooga are not exclusively vegetarian or vegan but they offer a lot of great vegetarian items on their menus.

Chattanooga Pizza Co.

• Two Locations: 2000 E 23rd St, Chattanooga & new location in Middle Valley at 6849 Prestige Ln, Hixson, TN.

Not strictly vegetarian but highly accommodating. This pizzeria lets you build your own pizzas with vegetarian and vegan ingredients, including vegan meats and cheese. Great casual spot if you’re craving pizza. They also have really good cauliflower wings.

Insiders Tip: In Chattanooga we are lucky to have several good pizza restaurants with vegan options. Chattanooga Pizza has the most options and it’s really good. I would also recommend the vegan pizza options at Lupi’s Pizza, Tailgate Brewery (add on the Nashville based BeHive vegan meat), and Pizza Bros.

Attack of the Tatsu

• Location: 818 Georgia Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37402

Attack of the Tatsu is a fun Japanese ramen restaurant that is vegan and gluten free friendly. There are two separate dining areas with very different vibes. The front of the restaurant is more casual for families and take out orders. The real ramen experience is in the back dining area. This is a great dinner option and they also offer a late night menu.

Bento Ya

• Location: 111 Frazier Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37405

This Japanese bento restaurant in North Chattanooga offers vegan bento boxes and poke bowls. If you are shopping on Frazier this is a fun lunch option. My favorite thing on the menu is the Inari which are little tofu skin pouches filled with seasoned sushi rice.

Hi-Fi Clyde’s

• Location: 122 W Main St, Chattanooga, TN 37408

This is more of a bar than a restaurant so It’s not kid friendly. They offer several vegan items on their food menu. The Fried Cauliflower Po Boy Sandwich is super yummy.

The Hummus Bowl 

• Location: 3931 Saint Elmo Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37409

The Hummus Bowl is a casual Middle Eastern restaurant in the Saint Elmo neighborhood offers a ton of veggie and vegan options so you can create and customize your own bowls and wraps. This is a great spot for lunch at the base of Lookout Mountain.

2nd American

• Location: 1601 Cowart St, Chattanooga, TN 37408

2nd American is a newer fine dining restaurant in Chattanooga. The food here is amazing! This might be my favorite restaurant in Chattanooga. They change their menu seasonally and they usually keep three or four different vegetarian entrees on the menu. Reservations are recommended especially for weekends.

Insiders Tip: Chef Daniel Lindley also own an Italian restaurant in town called, Alleia.

Spice Trail

• Location: 850 Market St, Chattanooga, TN 37402

Spice Trail is located Downtown in Miller Plaza. It is fancier than most Indian restaurants I have been to before and the menu is a little different but it’s really good. They offer several vegan and vegetarian items.

Insiders Tip: Chattanooga has a few other good Indian restaurants. I would also recommend Naan House Street Bites and Dosa Hut.

Calliope

• Location: 422 E Martin Luther King Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Calliope is a modern Levantine restaurant, think Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes. They offer several vegetarian items on their menu. This is a popular spot in town so reservations are recommended.

Public House

• Location: 1110 Market St, Chattanooga, TN 37402

Public House is a more traditional southern restaurant. They offers a veggie plate where you get to pick the four sides you want. They make an effort to mark the side items that are not vegetarian. Make sure you try the BBQ Carrots appetizer because it’s amazing.

Bluegrass Grill

• Location: 55 E Main St, Chattanooga, TN 37408

This is one of the more popular breakfast options in town so it can get crowded fast! They offer many vegan options.

Oddstory Brewing

• Location: 1604 Central Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37408

Good vibes and a fun atmosphere. They offer several items on the menu that can be made vegetarian. Try the KFC Sando with the breaded cauliflower in place of the chicken.

Tropical Cuisine

• Location: 5035 Ooltewah Ringgold Road, Collegedale, TN

Another local favorite in the Collegedale area is, Tropical Cuisine, offering authentic Caribbean cooking. The menu is not completely plant based but they have many vegan and vegetarian options that are well marked on the menu.

Why These Places Stand Out

Chattanooga’s vegetarian and vegan dining scene is both diverse and delicious. We are lucky to have several vegan restaurants and many other business in the area that work hard to offer vegetarian menus. Whether you’re craving comfort food, clean-eating bowls, global flavors, or crave-worthy pizzas, there’s an option here to suit your mood.

If you are looking for other things to do in the city please check out my guide to the Best Hikes In Chattanooga.

Did I miss any of your favorite vegetarian friendly restaurants in Chattanooga? Let me know in the comments if there are other restaurants I need to check out!