Originally Published: August 2017  |  Updated: January 2021

Vegetarians, vegans, and plant-based peeps, you’ve all been there. You go to a restaurant, excited to try it out, only to find out the few things you can eat are salad…salad…and another salad.
Though going meatless can be hard, there has never been a better time to dive in. With options popping up left and right, and more restaurants adapting to your dietary needs, here is a list of restaurants and cafes that will not only accommodate you but leave you feeling oh-so-satisfied.
Did we miss a vegan, vegetarian, or plant-based restaurant? Email us at editorial@stepoutbuffalo.com!

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The City

1. Amy’s Place

3234 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14214
Website // Menu
Update: Amy’s Place is closed indefinitely, reopening only if the business is purchased.
Amy’s Place is one of the go-to vegan restaurants in the city. Located in University Heights, Amy’s offers a menu full of healthy breakfast options, sandwiches, soups and salads. Amy’s is a Lebanese and American restaurant so they have classic options as well as unique dishes such as falafel and shwarma. They even have a whole section of their menu called “Buffalo classics gone vegan.”

2. Grindhaus Cafe

160 Allen St, Buffalo, NY 14201
Grindhaus, located on Allen St., boasts an all-vegan menu full of tofu, vegetables, mock-tuna and specially made vegan condiments. They take new flavor spins on regular items such as a slaw with dried cranberries, edemame, “haus-made” vegan mayo and BBQ sauce. They also have interesting desserts like a chocolate avocado mousse made with avocados, dark cocoa powder, almond milk and maple syrup.

 

3. Big Mood

423 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222
Website
Big Mood’s menu is plant-based and features crafted salads and bowls, handhelds and burgers, starters and sides, including Root & Bloom’s famous jack-fruit wings and vegan mac ‘n cheese alongside sour cream and chive waffle fries, fried pickles and ranch, a Nacho Bowl, and more.

4. The Healthy Scratch

75 Main St #4, Buffalo, NY 14203 
1716 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14209
Roswell Park: Carlton Street at Michigan Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14263
Website // Menu
This centrally located cafe is the perfect spot for healthy grab-and-go, but if you’re specifically looking for vegan or vegetarian eats, their menus is stocked with options. Pretty much the entire menu is either already vegetarian or can easily be made vegetarian including several toast options, bowls, smoothies, sandwiches, etc. When it comes to vegan choices, Healthy Scratch has a variety of fresh juices, smoothies, and make-your-own bowl options that fit the bill. Plus you can make any of their salads vegan. Did we mention they have a food truck too?

5. Betty’s

 370 Virginia St, Buffalo, NY 14201
Website // Menu
Betty’s is another go-to dinner spot for vegetarians, but they also offer dishes with meat too, which makes this the perfect restaurant to bring your meat eating friend or family member to, if they can’t sacrifice meat for a meal.

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6. Taste of Siam

810 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222
Website // Menu
The Taste of Siam is as beautiful as it is delicious. Located on Elmwood, this authentic Thai restaurant has floor to ceiling windows with an adorable view of the heart of the Elmwood Village. Oh yeah, and the food, the Pad Thai is incredible. You can choose your meat, and vegetarians can opt for tofu or veggies in their noodles, along with other Thai dishes.
Vegetarian pro tip: order a Thai iced tea or iced coffee, you won’t regret it.

8. Dosa Place

3500 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14226
Website // Menu
Dosa Place serves up authentic Indian cuisine prepared fresh daily. Their menu is mostly vegetarian and vegan with dishes that are bursting with flavor. They serve brunch, lunch and dinner and are open every day.

9. Ashker’s Juice Bar and Cafe

414 Amherst St. Buffalo, NY, 14207
Website // Menu
Ashker’s (and their summer pop-up in Delaware Park) is a go-to spot for vegetarians. While they don’t offer quite as many vegan options, Ashker’s is perfect vegetarians since their menu is full of delicious veggie options. Plus they have a full smoothie and juice bar!

10. Fry Baby Donut Co.

336 S Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14201
Facebook
This donut shop is completely devoted to making vegan donuts. And not just any donuts either, hardcore donuts with flavors you can only dream of. We’re talking Chai Tiger , Strawberry Shortcake🍓, and mojitooo. They opened in June 2017 and have been selling out product what seems like regularly. They have funky hours so make sure to check if they’re open before you go.

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11. India Gate

1116 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222
Website // Menu
India Gate describes themselves as “exotic healthy Indian cuisine” and while they have meat options, they offer many vegan/vegetarian alternatives and dishes that wouldn’t have meat in them anyway. (The mango chutney and veggie curry sound amazing).

12. Sunshine Vegan Eats

893 Jefferson Ave, Buffalo, NY 14204-1102 / (716) 725-0284
Website // Facebook
Sunshine Vegan Eats is located in Buffalo’s Medical Corridor and offers healthy options and fresh juices – everything is plant based. The space is brightly decorated and offers dine in, take out, and outdoor seating.

Northtowns

13. CoreLife Eatery

5175 Transit Rd, Buffalo, NY 14221
1595 Niagara Falls Blvd, Buffalo, NY 14226
Website // Menu
CoreLife recently opened on Transit Road in Clarence, and since opening has gained quite a bit of popularity with healthy eaters on the go. They’re a great lunch option, with reasonable prices, a large dining area, and an assembly line full of workers who make your salad or grain bowl in record speed. Though not entirely vegetarian, they offer lots of options and have a lot of protein-packed healthy food.

14. Squeeze Juicery

5419 Main St, Williamsville, NY 14221
Menu
Squeeze Juicery, home of the smoothie bowl. With two locations, one on Elmwood and one in Williamsville, Squeeze is a great choice for anyone looking for something super healthy on the go. They have an extensive menu of juices, smoothies, and salads but their bowls steal the show (try the pink cadillac).

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Southtowns:

15. Rachel’s Mediterranean

Website
Rachel’s offers a great alternative to fast food, they have fast, healthy and vegetarian bowls and wraps. They’re a little Chipotle-like in style, but they’re local and have many locations around WNY, in Williamsville, Downtown, Cheektowaga, Hamburg, and University Heights.

16. Green Eats Kitchen and Juice Bar

6445 W Quaker St, Orchard Park, NY 14127
Website
Not only does Green Eats have many tasty smoothies on their menu, but they offer meal plan packages, something that has been catching on lately. If you have a busy life, trying to make your own healthy food from scratch can be hard, so pick up one of their meal plan packages and have food for up to three days. They also have juice cleanses, for when you need to get back on track.

17. Elm Street Bakery

72 Elm St, East Aurora, NY 14052
Website // Menu
Elm Street’s menu will make your mouth water instantly, everything sounds so good. From interesting variations of toast to wood-fired pizzas, Elm Street offers more upscale fare for decent prices and have many meatless choices.

18. Poppyseed

Website // Menu
Poppyseed serves up healthy but innovative entrees that you’ll love. This restaurant has interesting flavor combinations, some with meat, but quite a few vegetarian options and they have vegetarian/vegan specials. Pictured above: the One Eyed Jack, handmade jalapeno lentil burgers paired with a sweet pineapple pico, guacamole and quinoa salad.

Did we miss a vegan, vegetarian, or plant-based restaurant? Email us at editorial@stepoutbuffalo.com!