Herbivore Havens: Vegan Restaurants in Wichita
"I have someone coming to visit who's vegan. Where can we go to eat?"
This is one of the top questions I get asked as a vegan in Wichita. And the answer is: "tons of places!"
Wichita dishes up plenty of fabulous plant-based eats for vegans, omnivores, and the veggie-curious alike. Not only are there all-vegan dining options in ICT, but there are several restaurants that offer designated vegan dishes.
Here are some of the best vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants in Wichita (as chosen by my vegan friends and me in a totally unofficial manner).
Wheat Street Dogs
Vegan
The Wheat Street Dogs hot dog cart has earned a dedicated following of herbivores and omnivores alike with their handcrafted, gourmet meat-free hot dogs and sausages. The owners created their own recipe to recreate the taste of an old-fashioned ballpark hot dog, and boy did they knock it out of the park. You get tons of fresh, flavorful topping options, too, from basic to unique specialty dogs. (The Banh Mi Dog ohmygosh The Banh Mi Dog.)
Get Wheat Street Dogs' weekly schedule and specials on their Facebook page.
Shea's Sol Kitchen
Vegan
Craving comfort food? Shea's Sol Kitchen dishes up plant-based favorites that change each week, including "chicken" sandwiches, burgers and brunch bowls. You can find Shea's at pop-up events or get heat-and-eat meals at Sunflour Cafe & Collective. Facebook is the easiest way to find out where to go and what's on the menu.
Sunflour Cafe & Collective
Vegan Options
Eat, drink and shop local! Sunflour Cafe has an all-vegetarian menu that can be made vegan by request, including pizza, sandwiches, baked goods, desserts, coffee, smoothies, kombucha and Italian soda. The space also hosts a collective where you buy products from local artists, creators and small businesses.
NiceBites Vegan Bakery
Vegan
Once upon a time, Wichita vegans were rather limited in the types of baked goodies we could buy. No more! NiceBites, Wichita's first vegan bakery, opened in 2016. NiceBites specializes in transforming traditionally non-vegan favorites, like brownies and gooey cinnamon rolls, into vegan-friendly treats. Muffins, breads, cupcakes, sheet cakes, truffles, candies...they've got it all. They do birthday cakes and even wedding cakes, too.
How can you get your hands on these vegan delights? You can order select items online or call to order. You can also find NiceBites goodies at Poppie's Cafe, Jane's Landing, and other local shops and markets.
Poppie's Cafe
Vegan Options
Poppie's Cafe shares an owner (and yummy baked goods) with NiceBites! Poppie's serves weekday breakfast and lunch, plus frequent scrumptious Saturday brunches. While not everything on the menu is vegan, most is, including smoothies, sandwiches, soups and bowls.
Poppie's also offers heat-and-eat vegan meals you can order ahead and pick up, plus complete holiday meals! We got Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners last year and 10/10 would recommend.
Lotus Leaf Cafe
Vegan Options
Lotus Leaf offers delicious, nutritious vegan sandwiches, salads, smoothies and entrees, all helpfully marked on the menu. Don't miss the Cauli-Power appetizer—it's unbelievably delicious.
Lotus Leaf also promotes sustainable and fair trade foods, giving you options that are good for people and the planet.
Oh Yeah! China Bistro
Vegan Options
This Chinese restaurant offers a wide array of traditional Asian favorites, available with plant-based protein options. Several of the appetizers are also vegan—you'll never lack for choices! For former omnis missing old favorites like Sweet n' Sour Pork or General Tso's Chicken, Oh Yeah! has plant-protein alternatives that recreate those flavors. I love the sweet n' sour Love & Compassion dish.
Passage to India
Vegan Options
Passage to India has long been a favorite of local plant eaters for its many meat-free rice, veggie and curry dishes. They also have an all-vegan menu you can get on request. TWO PAGES OF HERBIVOROUS GOODNESS: apps, entrees, breads, desserts, even wines. This place is a go-to for the Wichita Veg Meetup Group, so you know it's good.
Pho KC
Vegan Options
This authentic Vietnamese restaurant is a serious contender for the title "best pho in Wichita." They're now also one of the best places for vegans since adding an entire vegan section to their menu! Selections include vegan "beef" pho, noodle dishes, bahn mi and more.
Rice & Roll by Xing Xing
Vegan Options
For vegans craving Chinese takeout classics like egg rolls, fried rice and lo mein, Rice & Roll is the place to go! They have several helpfully labeled vegan options on the menu, including vegan versions of sweet-and-sour, sesame, lemon and General Tso's "chicken."
N&J Cafe
Vegan Options
A long-time Wichita favorite, N&J Cafe offers authentic Middle Eastern cuisine with several vegan options or vegetarian options that can be made vegan. Enjoy freshly made pita bread, fattoush, hummus, falafel and more. N&J recently added a vegan "chicken" that they can substitute into some of the meat dishes, too. This is one of my favorite Wichita restaurants, hands down.
Lemongrass: Taste of Vietnam
Vegan Options
This is one of my favorite restaurants, located in Old Town Square. While they don't have a huge number of vegan dishes, the ones they have are spoken about in pure rapture by Wichita herbivores. Seriously, we have stories about the first time we tried their tofu.
(Author here stops writing to go order Shaky Tofu…)
Thai Tradition
Vegan Options
Another favorite dinner spot for the Wichita Veg Meetup group, this restaurant (nestled back in Carriage Parkway) has lovely ambiance, helpful and friendly service, and several vegan options. I've never tried something here that wasn't absolutely delicious. (Even eggplant, which is hard to prepare and I don't usually like, is one of my faves at Thai Tradition.)
Tanya's Soup Kitchen
Vegan Options
This beloved Wichita favorite, located in the Douglas Design District, has at least one vegan soup daily. Tanya's also offers unique, fresh, handcrafted sandwiches and salads. Vegan options are clearly marked on the menu.
Yokohama Ramen
Vegan Options
Noodles NOM. Wichita's first ramen joint is heaven for herbivores. We get an entire menu section, filled to the brim with vegan ramen, yakisoba, fried rice, tempura, and teriyaki tofu. Everything I've tried has been great, and the portions are generous. Plus, it's just a fun place to eat. Yokohama Ramen has two locations in Wichita.
Meddys
Vegan Options
Meddys is a local chain offering tasty Mediterranean dishes in a fast-casual setting. There are several vegan options—all helpfully labeled on the menu—including falafel wraps, fattoush salad, hummus and baba ganoush. Don't miss the garlicky potatoes!
Piatto Neapolitan Pizzeria
Vegan Options
Piatto's pizzas are baked in a special wood-fired oven for the distinctive Neapolitan style crust (soft, light and charred at the edges). They offer eight vegan pizzas, ranging from classic marinara and margherita to heartier combinations. Some feature Follow Your Heart brand vegan mozzarella (the good stuff).
Prost
Vegan Options
Wichita's urban bier garten ("beer garden"), has two vegan options on its menu of German/Bavarian favorites, including a vegan bratwurst and currywurst. There are plenty of vegan beers on tap, too.
If you're hosting an out-of-town vegan, Prost is also a great pick because of its location in Revolutsia. With its shipping container buildings, local shops and communal outdoor space, it's a cool place to take Wichita newbies.
Vegan Wednesdays at the Donut Whole
Vegan Options
A vegan does not live on granola alone. Every now and then (or more often than that, let’s be real here) we enjoy the sweet, starchy goodness of a donut. The Donut Whole offers a wide selection of vegan donuts every Wednesday, from old school cake donuts to their signature colorful creations. Homer J, anyone?
Milkfloat
Vegan Options
Located in Delano, Milkfloat has a great vibe along with tasty vegan delights. You can get your coffee made with almond or coconut milk, and there’s usually at least one vegan pastry or dessert option on offer. Treat yourself.
But wait, there's more.
I've focused on unique-to-Wichita restaurants for this list, but there are also several chains with vegan options, such as Chipotle, Blaze Pizza, Planet Sub and Red Robin.
Many other Wichita restaurants have menu items that are vegan or can be made vegan, even if they aren't specifically labeled. I've rarely had difficulty finding something to eat when dining out as a vegan in Wichita.
Happy dining!
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