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Chicago is obviously a big city so it can feel overwhelming knowing where a safe place to eat is if you’re vegetarian or vegan. Most neighborhoods have restaurants with decent vegetarian options, but what about neighborhoods with restaurants that are 100% vegetarian or vegan? As a vegetarian who has been roaming the streets of Logan Square/Bucktown/Wicker Park for years, I have compiled a list of the best vegetarian spots off the 606! While Lakeview/Uptown/Edgewater have wonderful plant-based spots, I like the vibes more of the 606 neighborhoods so I tend to stay around here.

1) No Bones Beach Club

• Neighborhood: Wicker Park
• 100% Vegan
• Counter service
• Okay for groups

This playful and ethical West coast import, No Bones Beach Club has brought its colorful and fabulous tiki drinks and innovative vegan plates to Chicago. They serve dinner and brunch with a wide array of options ranging from a New England-esque clam chowder to a Mexican-ish Crispy Stuffed Poblano Pepper. Standouts are: Amazeballs, cauliflower buffalo wings, and jackfruit flautas. And if you’re into tiki drinks – then indulge in their awesomeness while gorging your face on decadent food without the ethical guilt!

• See my full review here!

2) Chicago Diner

• Neighborhood: Logan Square (there’s also one in Lakeview)
• 100% Vegetarian with Vegan options
• Full table service
• Good for groups

The OG of Chicago vegetarian cuisine and culture is still one of the best places to grab some vegetarian grub. I’ve been coming to Chicago Diner for 13 years now and just can’t stop getting that radical reuben! It’s too good to pass up. Their vegan shakes are out of this world – I also repeatedly get the vegan chocolate chip cookie dough shake when I want to treat myself. Buffalo wings are also a must have – they are made with seitan and they’re so crispy! For brunch the Monte Cristo french toast sandwich is insanely good with their well-seasoned and crispy breakfast potatoes. I will never stop loving this place.

3) Handlebar

• Neighborhood: Wicker Park
• 100% Pescatarian with Vegan options
• Full table service
• Good for groups

Handlebar is also an OG of Chicago vegetarian cuisine. While they aren’t technically 100% vegetarian because they have a few pescatarian dishes, 97% of their menu is vegetarian. They have a lovely patio too in the summer for soaking up the sun while gorging on your favorite vegan biscuits and gravy plate. For dinner, I keep ordering their vegan buffalo chicken wrap because it’s just too good to pass up. And they sure know how to season their fries and make a decadent gouda mac n cheese. Their vegan/veggie chili cheese fries and fried pickles are just too perfect for when you want to eat some veggie junk food. I love how their veggie chili is so well-seasoned and their fried pickles are perfectly crispy. They also have innovative cocktails such as their vegan white Russian and their loaded Bloody Mary with their signature fried pickle! Where else can you get such drinks?

• See my full review here!

4) Ground Control

• Neighborhood: Logan Square
• 100% Vegetarian with vegan options
• Full table service
• Good for groups

As the name indicates, Ground Control is a funky-Bowie-esque vegetarian spot in the slightly less gentrified part of Logan Square. It’s a bit away from the busy Milwaukee strip with half a million-dollar condos so you don’t have to worry about seeing bros there on the weekends…yet. Ground control also has a lovely patio to drink those zesty Bloodies and Micheladas with your brunch peeps. Service here can fluctuate but their food is always good. For brunch I love their breakfast tacos with the flavorful and juicy chipotle seitan and tofu scramble. Their tofu wings are to die for (I love these as much as the Chicago Diner wings) and they come with an insanely good vegan avocado ranch. They do seitan so well here – a must-have is their Cheesy Italian with giardiniera – the seitan is juicy and finely cut adding the perfect balance to the spicier giardiniera. I am also a huge fan of their Tofu Parmesan sandwich – it’s similar to their Cheesy Italian but I love their marinara sauce and breaded tofu.

• • See my full review here!

5) Quesadilla La Reina del Sur

• • • Neighborhood: Bucktown
    • 100% Vegetarian with vegan options
    • Counter service
    • Not good for groups

It’s so exciting to be able to go to an authentic Mexican restaurant and not have to worry about finding hearty options. I am so happy that Quesadilla exists and it’s super affordable and BYOB. It is a little small in there so it’s not the best place for groups. They have chilaquiles for breakfast and juices/smoothies in case you want to feel healthy. I love getting their Quesadillas and Huaraches and it’s so exciting to see what it’s like to have something with “pastor” or “chicharron” since I can never try these flavors. You can also celebrate Taco Tuesday here without breaking the bank. It’s so nice that you can be vegetarian/vegan in a super affordable way while trying one of the best global cuisines ever.

6) Upton’s Breakroom

• • • Neighborhood: West Town
    • 100% Vegan
    • Counter service
    • Not good for groups

Upton’s has been a Chicago institution insofar as it’s not only a restaurant, but also a local business that provides Chicagoland and beyond with marinated jackfruit and seitan. It’s a smaller place with a very casual vibe but they do have a mini-patio in the summer. They are also a super affordable spot for tasty vegan food. Their vegan bacon mac n cheese is so hearty and one of the best vegan macs I have ever had. Their nachos are also fun with a flavorful chorizo seitan, melted vegan cheese and navy beans. And if you’re an ice-cream fanatic, don’t forget their vegan soft-serve for consuming on a balmy summer day!