21 Best Vegan Fast Food Options To Try in 2024
Finding the best vegan fast food can be challenging, but gone are the days of settling for salad or fries. Due to increasing demand for plant-based options with more consumers concerned about animal welfare and protecting the planet, vegan fast food options are popping up on menus everywhere. There are even fully vegan fast food chains opening in cities across the globe.
Whether you still eat animal products on occasion or avoid them altogether, enjoying a burger and fries, slice of pizza or ice cream sundae that’s fully vegan is easier than ever. But which vegan restaurants are actually tasty and even healthy? And what mainstream restaurants have the best vegan fast food options?
To end the hunt for the best vegan fast food, we’ve gathered up several restaurants and given each one a one to three-star rating based on their range of vegan options. So keep reading to discover where you can find the best vegan fast food options, from burgers to tacos, desserts and more, that even omnivores won’t be able to resist.
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21 Best Vegan Fast Food Restaurants
1. Veggie Grill
Acquired by the owners of Next Level Burger, Veggie Grill is a 100% plant-based restaurant where everything on the menu is vegan — yes, everything! This health-conscious chain is one of the best vegan fast food restaurants, serving up diner classics like burgers, wraps, fries, mac and cheese and more.
If you want your fast food a little healthier, you can also get grilled broccoli instead of fries as a side. Veggie Grill has restaurant locations in Washington, Oregon, California and Massachusetts, so if you’re in one of those states, be sure to give it a try.
Vegan Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
2. Mr. Charlie’s
Even vegans crave a classic burger now and then, and Mr. Charlie's might remind some people of a McDonald’s restaurant — except the menu is completely vegan and free of trans fats. This quirky burger joint serves up funny fast food options like the Frowny Meal, the Big Chuck and even breakfast Mr.Muffins, all guaranteed to turn your frown upside down with their delicious flavor. Mr. Charlie's has three locations in California and one location in Sydney, Australia, all serving up the best vegan fast food.
Vegan Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
3. Hart House
Did you know that comedian Kevin Hart is a fan of the plant-based diet? Another restaurant with some of the best vegan fast food, Hart House was recently founded by Kevin Hart and others who dreamed of tasty plant-based burgers, sandwiches, shakes and more. Hart House currently has four locations, all within California, but their tasty offerings may be well worth the road trip for those outside the Golden State.
Vegan Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
4. Loving Hut
Loving Hut is arguably one of the best vegan fast food restaurants in terms of variety. This chain has several locations throughout the United States and offers everything, from Vietnamese pho to Mexican seitan wraps, barbecue burgers and pizza. Loving Hut also has gluten-free and soy-free options for those with special dietary needs.
Vegan Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
5. Neat Burger
With big-name supporters like Leonardo DiCaprio and Lewis Hamilton, Neat Burger is one of the best vegan fast food restaurants for delightfully crave-worthy classics. Some tasty menu options include tater tots, hot dogs, cheeseburgers and milkshakes — all 100% vegan and served with eco-conscious wrappings and utensils. Neat Burger has a few locations throughout the U.K. and one in New York City.
Vegan Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
6. White Castle
An icon among American fast food businesses, many White Castle menu options are surprisingly vegan-friendly. Ask about the Impossible Sliders or Dr. Praeger’s Veggie Slider without ranch, mayonnaise or cheese. Select locations may also have vegan cheese available. Other plant-based options include French fries, hash brown nibblers, wheat toast and most sauces, jams and condiments.
Vegan Rating: ⭐⭐
7. Burger King
You may be surprised to see Burger King on the list of best vegan fast food options. However, while the chain clearly isn’t entirely vegan, it can be a good place for vegans to stop in a pinch. The Impossible Whopper is available at select locations, and some other vegan options at Burger King include French fries, French toast dippers, hash browns, garden salad and a build-your-own sandwich option (like burger without the patty and with extra toppings).
In the U.K. and some other European countries, you can also get a plant-based Chicken Royale Sandwich and bean burgers. Do note that some of the plant-based food is cooked on the same grill as meat, so check with your server before ordering if you want to avoid cross-contamination.
Vegan Rating: ⭐⭐
8. Taco Bell
Interestingly, Taco Bell is surprisingly welcoming to plant-based folks. Of course, not everything on the menu is vegan, but you can easily create your own vegan-friendly choices by customizing official menu options and even choosing some things from the Taco Bell secret menu. For example, try the black bean Crunchwrap Supreme without beef, cheese or sour cream or a bean burrito but “make it fresco” to remove animal products like cheese and sour cream.
Vegan Rating: ⭐
9. Mellow Mushroom
With several locations in most U.S. states, Mellow Mushroom offers a fairly generous (and clearly labeled) plant-based menu that makes it one of the best vegan fast food restaurants. Dig into a vegan soft pretzel, greek salad, avocado hoagie, tempeh hoagie or build-your-own pizza that comes with vegan cheese. Best of all, this funky restaurant is sure to please your vegetarian and omnivore companions as well.
Vegan Rating: ⭐⭐
10. Qdoba
Qdoba Mexican Eats is another widespread restaurant chain that may not have the best of the best vegan fast food variety, but they do offer a handful of tasty vegan-friendly choices. Try a grilled fajita vegan bowl, Impossible fajita burrito or build-your-own tacos with vegetables and toppings like pico de gallo, fresh cilantro, guacamole, pickled red onions and spicy salsa.
Vegan Rating: ⭐⭐
11. Next Level Burger
If you’re lucky enough to have one nearby, Next Level Burger is a must-try for the best vegan fast food. Look forward to choices like the Spicy Ghost Pepper Popper Burger or the Crispy Chik’n Burger. You can accompany your meal with a delicious vegan milkshake as well. Next Level Burger is completely plant-based and offers house-made veggie patties as well as Beyond Meat patties, so you can chow down on all the classics without having to limit your options.
Vegan Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
12. Chipotle Mexican Grill
Opened in 1993, Chipotle Mexican Grill has always been slightly ahead of the curve when it comes to vegan options. Chipotle’s build-your-own format makes it easy to get everything you want and nothing you don’t. Chipotle’s tortillas, white and brown rice, black and pinto beans, tofu sofritas, vegetables, guacamole, pico de gallo, chips and salsa are all vegan. Combine them any way you like in a bowl or burrito to get a tasty plant-based meal.
Vegan Rating: ⭐⭐
13. Slutty Vegan
Slutty Vegan is a Black and woman-owned small business that started out in Atlanta and quickly rose to foodie fame with some of the best vegan fast food in the nation. This highly-rated vegan restaurant serves plant-based staples with an indulgent twist, like the Dancehall Queen, a burger with sweet jerk plantains or the Project Chik sandwich with bacon, ranch and jalapeños. Today, Slutty Vegan has locations in Georgia, Alabama, New York and Texas.
Vegan Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
14. MOD Pizza
MOD Pizza is a crowd-pleasing restaurant chain for omnivores, vegetarians and vegans alike because it’s hard to go wrong with their build-your-own format. Choose from classic or gluten-free dough, a handful of plant-based sauces and dozens of fresh vegetables and herb toppings. Some locations have vegan Italian sausage too. A cheese-free pizza is always an option for vegans, but MOD also offers Daiya vegan cheese for those who prefer the extra creamy edge.
Vegan Rating: ⭐⭐
15. Einstein Bros. Bagels
Craving the best vegan fast food for breakfast? Einstein Bros. isn’t entirely vegan, but this widespread chain restaurant has quite a few vegan options like avocado toast, a fresh vegetable sandwich and almond milk for coffee. Many bagels are also vegan, including the plain, everything, poppyseed, pumpernickel, sesame, cinnamon raisin and blueberry varieties.
Vegan Rating: ⭐⭐
16. Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
If you’ve had enough with the salads and sandwiches, head to Menchie’s for the best vegan fast food to satisfy your sweet tooth. This popular frozen yogurt chain offers rotating vegan yogurt and sorbet flavors like salted caramel, chocolate fudge, cake batter, mixed berry, cherry cola, blueberry lemonade and more. Fresh fruit, popping boba and a few candy toppings are vegan as well.
Vegan Rating: ⭐⭐
17. PLNT Burger
When it comes to the best quick burger bite, PLNT Burger brings some fierce competition to the vegan fast food game. Fans rave about their classic menu options like the Mushroom Barbecue Bacon Burger or “Save the Bay” fish-style sandwich. PLNT Burger has locations in several states along the Northeast Coast, so you’re in luck if you’re craving the best vegan fast food in New England.
Vegan Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
18. Ike’s Love & Sandwiches
Ike’s Love & Sandwiches is your stop for the best vegan fast food subs and sandwiches. Not everything on the menu is vegan, but they provide a few scrumptious options like the Fall’ing for Ike’s with vegan turkey, cranberry, sriracha and vegan cheddar or the Handsome Owl with vegan chicken, teriyaki, wasabi plant-based mayo and vegan Swiss. Ike’s Love & Sandwiches restaurant locations can be found in Arizona, California, Colorado, Texas, Utah and Nevada.
Vegan Rating: ⭐⭐
19. Plant Power Fast Food
Three words: vegan soft serve. Plant Power Fast Food is the perfect place to enjoy classic vegan burgers, tenders, chicken and waffles and more, but they stand out with their vanilla oat milk soft serve, milkshakes, sundaes and even cheesecake slices. If you’re feeling extra nostalgic, you can even dip your fries in the soft serve.
Vegan Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
20. Blaze Pizza
If you’re looking for the best vegan fast food pizza chain to grab a slice on a Friday night, Blaze Pizza can be another brilliant build-your-own option. Blaze’s classic dough, high-rise dough, classic red sauce and spicy red sauce are vegan. For toppings, you can enjoy plant-based cheese, spicy vegan chorizo and all the usual fresh vegetables and herbs.
Vegan Rating: ⭐⭐
21. Más Veggies
An offshoot of Veggie Grill, Más Veggies brings all your favorite dishes from south of the border and makes them plant-based and grab-and-go friendly. The 100% vegan menu features options like carne asada tacos, crispy Baja fish tacos and smokey asada mushroom burritos, plus beans, rice, chips, queso and all the other Mexican food must-haves.
Vegan Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Learn To Cook Vegan Food
Dining out is a great way to explore the best vegan fast food near you, but learning to make delicious and healthy vegan meals at home can be even more rewarding. If you’re not sure where to start or you’re looking to take your culinary skills to the next level, sign up for online cooking classes or in-person cooking classes near you to learn techniques for making vegan fast food favorites and more.
Join 200,000+ Culinary Enthusiasts
Finding vegan fast food while you’re out on the go can be a challenge, but luckily, more vegan options and vegan-friendly restaurants are emerging every day thanks to increasing demand and support. Whether you’re vegan for the animals or plant-based for your health, the planet or any other reason, you can depend on the best vegan fast food options near you to deliver an all-around awesome and delicious experience.
For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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