ATLGuide
Where To Eat Vegan Food In The West End
photo credit: Local Green
When we think about the rise of vegan restaurants in Atlanta, we’d be wrong not to point to the West End, where going vegetarian or vegan was a major movement back when Dominique Wilkins was still a human highlight reel for the Hawks. Now that living the meat-free life, or even just dabbling in it occasionally, is more popular than ever, it only makes sense that the West End still stands as the plant-based nucleus of Atlanta. Here you can find delicious rapper-themed wraps that made us kale converts, creative pizzas with meat alternatives, a legendary soul food cafe, and other great spots that've kept us going back for years.
THE SPOTS
photo credit: Amy Sinclair
An OG in the vegan community, Tassili's helped popularize the rawist diet in Atlanta. The house-turned-eatery pioneered adding a fun, edgy twist to veganism with cleverly named, customizable kale wraps like the Punany, spiced to your liking, or Dat Ish, featuring vegan mayo, avocado, and mushrooms. And it's all completely raw—no matter what your very full tummy will tell you after you eat just half a wrap. Tassili's consistently delivers great-tasting, quality food, so you’ll be met with a line at the counter. Just know the wait is worth it.
photo credit: Tabia Lisenbee-Parker
Remember Peppermint Music at The Mall West End, back when record stores were still a thing? Sadly, Peppermint went on to glory years ago, but now, just across from the mall, you'll find Bakaris Pizza and Kava Lounge, a new hangout for music lovers. It's a spot with karaoke nights, speakeasy energy, and lots of vegan pizza options like their Hawaiian with plant-based sausage and pineapples. A standout is the Ultra Vegan Deluxe half pizza, which presents more like an actual pie with a buttery, crumbly crust stacked with onions, mushrooms, spinach, and other vegetables.
photo credit: Amy Sinclair
When we think about Atlanta classics, Soul Vegetarian is right up there with J.R. Crickets and the time Big Boi shouted “ATL, ho!” during his halftime performance with Maroon 5. Soul Veg has been a go-to for delicious, hearty vegan options since the 80s. The daily selection of sides like the vegan mac and cheese and greens keeps folks coming back for these flavorful meat-free soul staples.
Local Green is technically in Vine City, but it does hug the edge of West End (so don’t yell at us). When it arrived, it reignited a movement toward healthy eating in a food desert. A stop at the busy eatery is an easy choice for us when we need something quick and filling that won’t leave us feeling sluggish. We love showing our appreciation for early 2000s Georgia rappers with dishes like the Bubba Sparxxx, packed with tangy BBQ jackfruit that pulls off the consistency of pulled pork. And for pescatarian friends, there’s non-vegan options on the menu, like the salmon sliders enhanced by a slightly sweet bun and citrusy herbal sauce.
photo credit: Madelynne Boykin
This fast-casual vegan chain changed the plant-based game forever, at least, made it go viral with their crowd-pleasing takes on comfort food classics like burgers, hot dogs, and chili. Since opening its 13th location on Spelman’s campus, just across the way from where its founder graduated from Clark Atlanta University, it’s continued “sluttifying” regulars with respectable vegan chicken sandwiches like the Chik’N Head tossed with pickles and creamy ranch.
photo credit: Tabia S. Lisenbee-Parker
Snoop Lion gave up his short lived Rastafarian life and returned to being plain ol’ Snoop Dogg a while back. But there’s still a vegan slice named for his classic song with Dr. Dre at hip-hop themed pizzeria Slim & Husky’s. It’s called Nuthin But a V’Thang, and it comes with vegan cheese, sausage, and pepperoni—so Rasta Snoop’s spirit lives on. With a catalogue of other vegan and non-vegan toppings, Slim & Husky’s menu and always-animated atmosphere attracts everyone from after-work crowds to AUC students who keep this place on rotation for a quick bite and boozy slushie.
Get the Healthy Rice Choice topped with seasoned grilled onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, broccoli, spinach, and diced tomatoes minus the cheese and you have a vegan winner. For meat eaters and vegans, Mr. Everything has been an AUC lifesaver that’s been around since buses shuffled wide-eyed students from campus to the Warehouse for Friday night clubbing. And you might even strike the leftover lottery since the Atlanta classic overstuffs your plate to give you bang for your less-than-$20 bucks.
