Tahoe Vegan
These are some favorite vegan-friendly restaurants around Lake Tahoe.
If you have other suggestions, let us know!
And to encourage kind options, always remember to give positive online reviews to restaurants that offer good vegan options.
Jump to:
Top Picks
Stateline
Midtown
The Y
Meyers
Incline
Kings Beach
Tahoe City
Resources:
Fast Food
Happy Cow
Top Picks
Our current top picks for vegan-friendly Tahoe restaurants are
Frescana in Meyers,
Maria's and
Freshies in South Lake,
Mtn High Sandwich in Incline, and
Uncommon Kitchen in Tahoe City.
Stateline
★My Thai Noodle
Much of My Thai's menu can be made vegan by replacing meat with tofu or extra broccoli, and
asking for vegan sauce. Their brown rice is vegan, white is not; yellow curry is vegan, others aren't.
Popular noodle dishes include Pad Thai and Pad See Ew (just ask for no fish sauce and no egg).
★Sushi Pier
You'll find some vegan sushi here, such as the Garden Hand Roll, Tempura Veggie Long Roll,
and of course the edamame appetizer.
★Azul Latin Kitchen
Vegan options aren't marked, but servers can point them out.
Some favorites include the Veggie Fajitas ($20 but splitable), the Azul Bowl ($18), vegan chili ($9), and sweet potato tacos/burrito (substitute guacamole for dairy).
★Driftwood Cafe
Serves breakfast and lunch. Vegan favorites include the Vegan Burrito ($9) and Vegan Scram ($9).
Black Cabin Coffee
Offers a vegan soyrizo breakfast burrito ($9) with avocado, black beans, roasted peppers/onions, and hash brown.
Near Heavenly Village:
Blue Dog Pizza (near Raley's) offers pizzas with vegan cheese.
Nearby Baja Fresh has a few
vegan options, such as the Baja Veggie Taco Combo for $9 (hold the parmesan).
Fatburger
inside of Harrah's
now sells the Impossible Burger. Maya's
Mexican Grill (across the street from Heavenly Village) has a veggie burrito ($9). And the Naked Fish (just west of Raley's Center)
has vegan sushi options. If you looking for a quick bite,
add avocado (or double avocado) to a Veggie Delight at Subway
(near Raley's),
or check Raley's sushi counter for veggie rolls.
Midtown
★Freshies
This is one of our top three picks for vegan options in SLT.
Vegan dishes are marked on the menu. The only downside is that Freshies is small and can be super busy on weekends/holidays.
★Maria's Mexican
This Mexican restaurant has six awesome vegan options. Visit their website and
click Menu→"Lo Vegano" (The Vegan) for descriptions. Burrito with vegan beef or potato+soychorizo ($10),
Taco plate with same options ($13), Vegan mozzarella quesadilla ($14), Super nachos ($14).
★Sprouts
Highly recommended. Several vegan choices including the Mexican Volcano (substitute the honey-mustard dressing with Annie's Goddess dressing),
the Veggie Crunch Sandwich, and Tempeh Burger. Whatever you order, be sure to specify vegan so you get options for
guacamole, hummus, vegan cheese, etc. You can also get food to go, and walk a block east to the Lakeview Commons Beach.
Alternatively, Regan Beach has picnic tables, but is a short drive.
★Artemis Lakefront Cafe
Greek food. Vegan favorites include the Super Veggie Pita, the Falafel Pita, the
Mediterranean Power Bowl, and the Mezze Platter (a plate of appetizers that makes a great main dish).
Always specify vegan so they hold feta/etc. For breakfast there's a tofu breakfast scramble.
★Shangrila Himalayan
Indian restaurant offering at least 10 veggie dishes. Ask them which ones are vegan,
and which naan/rice are vegan.
★Chipotle
Yes, it's a chain, but a good one for vegans. Try the Veggie Bowl with a mix of black+pinto beans, brown rice,
fajita veggies, tomato salsa, corn salsa, and guacamole (guac is included with the Veggie Bowl at no extra charge).
Add a bag of chips, and head over to the beach (the inside seating at this Chipotle is kinda cramped).
★Panda Express
Now offers Beyond Orange Chicken (Beyond Meat). The chow mein, chow fun, super greens, and steamed rices are also vegan.
Whole Foods
They have vegan pizza slices and a salad bar (not currently self-serve due to pandemic).
Also vegan sushi and vegan donuts — plus everything you'd need to make a healthy plant-based picnic!
Los Mexicanos
If you appreciate unpretentious places, you'll find one (very filling) vegan choice here:
the Super Veggie Burrito (ask for no dairy). Help yourself to chips/salsa.
★Nikki's Indian
Their new online menu specifies which dishes are vegan — nice!
★Aloha Ice Cream
Located in the same building as Freshies, they offer coconut-milk-based ice creams,
mud pie, frozen chocolate-dipped bananas, ice cream cake by the slice, and more. Be sure to mention vegan when ordering.
★Lotus Pho 2
Located in the same building as Freshies. Until their other location reopens at Raley's Center,
this is the only Vietnamese restaurant in SLT. Lucky for us, their Veggie Pho is great. Be sure to ask for vegan broth.
★Tahoe Bagel Co
Offers a Veggie breakfast sandwich, vegan cream cheese for their bagels,
and oat/almond/soy/coconut milks for their hot drinks.
The Free Bird (Cafe)
Small cafe. Along with the usual dairy alternatives, you'll usually find vegan baked goods.
BTW, does anyone know a cafe that doesn't charge extra for plant-based milks? If so, please let us know.
Off The Hook Sushi
Japanese restaurant with some veggie sushi options (be sure to specify vegan), and a vegetable udon.
★Bare Roots Coffee
Small cafe with excellent vegan apple and peach turnovers daily.
The "Y"
★AleWorX
With self-pour beef/wine/kombucha, outdoor seating, a firepit, and pizzas that now offer vegan cheese
and Impossible meat, AleWorX has become pretty awesome.
★Artemis Mediterranean Grill
Excellent Greek/Mediterranean restaurant — just wish they'd offer vegan sauces other than ketchup.
Vegan favorites include the Super Veggie Pita, the Falafel Pita, the Mediterranean Power Bowl, and the Mezze Platter
(a plate of appetizers that makes a great main dish). Always specify vegan so they leave off feta/etc.
★Orchids Thai Cuisine
Comfortable Thai restaurant, popular with both visitors and locals. Many dishes can be made vegan
by asking for tofu or extra veggies rather than meat, and asking for vegan sauce. Some favorites include
Spicy Basil Vegetable (the rice version).
★Beach Hut Deli
Offers the Vegan Vibes sandwich, which is avocado, vegan mayo, vegan smoked gouda, tomatoes, onions,
bell peppers, cucumbers & spinach on toasted sliced wheat.
★My Thai Cuisine
Authentic Thai restaurant, definitely recommended. Much of their menu can be made vegan by replacing meat with
tofu or extra broccoli/veggies, and asking for vegan sauce. Their brown rice is vegan (white is not). The only vegan curry is yellow.
Some popular noodle dishes include Pad Thai and Pad See Ew (just ask for no fish sauce and no egg).
Alpina Coffee Cafe
Offers a vegan breakfast burrito with plant-based sausage.
Burger Lounge
Offers six veggie burgers, including the Santa Fe (with avocado and jalapenos), the Sweetness (with fresh grilled pineapple),
and the Desert Delight (with grilled cactus). The veggie patties are a bit on the small side unfortunately, but a side of shoestring fries
and/or fried mushrooms can make up for it.
★Verde Mexican
Mexican with a modern feel and casual vibe.
Vegan favorites include the Verde Burrito (say "no dairy" and they'll offer cashew cheese for $2),
and the Cauliflower Rice Bowl. Unfortunately, with a $2 charge for cashew cheese when meat and dairy are being omitted
(as opposed to somewhere like Chipotle where guac is included for veggie dishes), we can't call Verde "vegan friendly"
and would opt for nearby Maria's, or Frescana in Meyers. Both those Mexican restaurants have dedicated vegan menus.
★Lake Tahoe Pizza
Traditional pizza parlor offering daiya (vegan cheese) and a salad bar. This
was the only pizza place near the Y before AleWorX came along, but many people still prefer their thicker crust.
Open for dinner only. They also offer pizzas to cook at home ("take and bake").
★Ernie's
Traditional coffee shop feel. Open for breakfast and lunch only. Vegan options include Vegan French Toast and
Garden Burger ($12). Ernie's is also listed on the
Oatly Finder,
so they may have vegan hot drinks.
"Fast" food
Some ideas if you're just looking for a quick bite: Add avocado (or double avocado) to a Veggie Delight at Subway
(across the street from Raley's), or check Raley's
sushi counter for veggie rolls. Taco Bell (in Raley's parking lot) has a Bean Burrito that's vegan —
order it fresco style, add guacamole, jalapenos and extra onions! Kitty-corner from Raley's you'll find
Grass Roots Grocery
which often has homemade tempeh sandwiches with Vegenaise (more recently they've had pre-made avocado sandwiches).
Meyers
★Frescana
One of our top three picks for vegan options in Tahoe. Dedicated plant-based menu!
Some favorites include the Beyond Crispy Taco and K's Vegan Veggie Taco ($6 each — one of each makes a great combo),
the Burrito Morado ($15 but huge), the Beyond Guac Burger (ditto), the Vegan Sunrise Veggie Bowl, Vegan Avocado Toast,
and the WFPB Bowl. Indoor or outdoor seating, or get takeout and head to Tahoe Paradise Park.
Freel Perk Cafe
In the same building as Frescana, Freel Perk often offers vegan cake by the slice,
Alternative Baking Company vegan cookies, and breakfast bowls you can veganize by swapping dairy for oat/soy/etc milk.
Divided Sky
Cool Meyers spot best known for evening music, but also good for lunch (open 2pm to 2am).
Currently just "okay" for vegan — see their menu on Yelp for what you can expect.
The Reuben can be made into a Veggie Reuben with Portobello mushroom, or the Taco Salad can be made vegan by holding the cheese.
Incline Village
★Mountain High Sandwich Co.
Our top pick for Incline Village. Some recent highlights include the House Smoked BBQ Tofu,
Chickpea Salad Sandwich, All Good Veggie Sandwich, Veggie Ruben, Harmony Wrap, and for breakfast the Avocado Toast or
Dreamy Coconut Chia Seed Pudding.
Tunnel Creek Cafe
Offers a whole grain vegan burger with spicy brown mustard, lettuce,
and tomato on a toasted vegan whole grain bun.
Lone Eagle Grille
Upscale restaurant with separate vegetarian/vegan menu available upon request.
Carrot Risotto, fancy Beyond Burger, Tomato & Roasted Pepper Bisque, and Vegetable Linguini
are some current offerings. Nicey but pricey.
Chopsticks
Asian fusion restaurant.
Tell them you're vegan and they can adjust many of their menu items to accomodate.
Fumo
Offers an excellent vegan pizza.
Inclined Burgers and Brews
Offers a Beyond Meat burger (hold the cheese).
Thai Recipe
As with most Thai restaurants, many of the menu items here can be made vegan.
Just substitute tofu or extra broccoli for meat, and ask for vegan sauce.
Sage Leaf
Offers a vegan tofu scramble for breakfast. No lunch options yet.
Thania's Juice Bar
Vegan tamales and smoothie bowls.
Kings Beach
Soule Domain
Rather upscale yet casual restaurant with a Vegan Udon Noodle Bowl and another noodle bowl that you can add tofu to.
Caliente
Southwestern (non-traditional Mexican) restaurant with a Veggie Fajita. It's an upscale restaurant (the fajita is $23).
La Mexicana
Traditional Mexican restaurant with vegetarian options that can be made vegan by holding the dairy.
Tahoe Central Market
Market with a deli and juice bar. Didn't see any vegan menu items at the deli,
but you could put together a picnic with grocery items, and there's the juice bar.
Tahoe City
★Uncommon Kitchen
New Moon Natural Foods is a health market (great place to buy vegan groceries when visiting Tahoe City),
but in the back corner you'll find the Uncommon Kitchen, which is our favorite place in Tahoe City for vegan to-go.
Sugar Pine Cakery
Bakery with some vegan options.
Thai Kitchen
Vegan friendly Thai restaurant. As with most Thai restaurants,
just tell them you're vegan and most of their menu items can be adjusted.
Jake's On The Lake
A few vegan options including Vegan Buddha Bowl and Veggie Udon.
Hacienda Del Lago
Mexican restaurant with vegetarian options that can be made vegan by holding the dairy.
Tahoe City Sushi
Offers vegan sushi with a dedicated vegan menu - be sure to ask for it!
Fat Cat Bar & Grill
Offers the Beyond Burger and a tofu lettude wrap.
Syd's Bagelry and Espresso
Cafe with non-dairy milks and some vegan food options.
The Pioneer Cocktail Club & Kitchen
Veggie (cauliflower/mushroom) tacos are the only vegan menu item, but you can also do a no-cheese veggie pizza.
The Blue Agave
Traditional Mexican restaurant with vegetarian options that can be made vegan by holding the dairy.
The Dam Cafe
A few vegan options, but the Vegan-Rito (vegan burrito) is the winner here.
West Shore Market
Deli with a veggie sandwich option.
Fire Sign Cafe
Breakfast and lunch, with vegan options including a Vegan Tofu Scramble and Black Bean Burger.
For inexpensive, healthy, and consistently delicious plant-based meals,
nothing beats learning to prepare your own!
Recommended Recipes
Well, recipes from the movies we recommend ☺
ForksOverKnives.com
GameChangersMovie.com
PlantPureNation.com
PlantStrong.com
VeganEasy.com
WhatTheHealthFilm.com
Adaptt.org
More Recipes
You're about to see that you're not giving up anything by going plant-based!
Remember to bookmark recipes you'd like to try.
BadManners.com
BakeAndDestroy.com
BlissfulBasil.com
BrandNewVegan.com
Brownble.com
ChooseVeg.com
CrazyVeganKitchen.com
CupfulOfKale.com
DelightfulVegans.com
EatFigsNotPigs.com
EatPlant-Based.com
FoodForTheSoul.me
FromMyBowl.com
GreenEvi.com
HealthyHappyLife.com
GoHerbie.com
HolyCowVegan.net
HotForFoodBlog.com
iLoveVegan.com
KeepInItKind.com
KindEarth.net
LazyCatKitchen.com
LikeAVegan.com.au
LivVeganStrong.com
LoveVeg.com
LovingItVegan.com
MamaSezz.com
MississippiVegan.com
MyDarlingVegan.com
MyGoodnessKitchen.com
NAVS-Online.org
NoraCooks.com
Nutriciously.com
OlivesForDinner.com
OneIngredientChef.com
PeacefulCuisine.com
PlantBasedCooking.com
RunningOnRealFood.com
SeitanIsMyMotor.com
Simple-Veganista.com
SimpleVeganBlog.com
SweetSimpleVegan.com
TheColorfulKitchen.com
TheCompassionateRoad.com
TheCuriousChickpea.com
TheFullHelping.com
TheHungryHerbivores.com
TheKoreanVegan.com
TheMinimalistVegan.com
ThePlantBasedSchool.com
Veganosity.com
VeganSociety.com
Veganuary.com
VeganYackAttack.com
VeggieJam.com
VeggiesDontBite.com
VeggieSoulFood.com
VegWeb.com
VelvetAndVinegar.com
YourDailyVegan.com
Health Focused(ish)
These are sites mentioned by Tahoe's
Plant-Based Cooking Club,
so you may be more likely to find WFPB (whole foods, plant based) recipes on them.
CleanFoodDirtyGirl.com
DreenaBurton.com
DrMcDougall.com
ElephantasticVegan.com
FatFreeVegan.com
ForksOverKnives.com
GameChangersMovie.com
HappyHerbivore.com
HummuSapien.com
ItDoesntTasteLikeChicken.com
LoveAndLemons.com
NutritionStudies.org
OhSheGlows.com
OneGreenPlanet.org
Plants-Rule.com
PlantStrong.com
StraightUpFood.com
TheVegan8.com
ThisRawsomeVeganLife.com
UCDIntegrativeMedicine.com
VegAngela.com
VeganHeaven.org
VeganLovlie.com
VeganRicha.com
Wholly-Plants.com
Ethnic Focused
25 Vegan Greek Recipes
50 Vegan Italian Recipes
25 Vegan Japanese Recipes
70 Vegan Mexican Recipes 35 Vegan Thai Recipes
70 Vegan Mexican Recipes 35 Vegan Thai Recipes
Dessert Focused
YouTube Channels
AvantgardeVegan
Brown Vegan
Cheap Lazy Vegan
Chef Ani
Deliciously Ella
Easy Vegan
Eco-Vegan Gal
Edgy Veg
Fully Raw Kristina
Hot for Food
Jason Wrobel
Madeleine Olivia
Mary's Test Kitchen
Oh She Glows
Peaceful Cuisine
Sarah's Vegan Kitchen
Sweet Potato Soul
The Happy Pear
The Sexy Vegan
The Sweetest Vegan
The Vegan Corner
Vegan Cooking with Love
Vegan Richa
Vegan Zombie
VeganBlackMetalChef
Veggie Rose
Resources
Not a specifically vegan recipe site, but search for "vegan + your desired dish" and
you can find just about any recipe veganized. For example:
vegan chocolate cake
Great Reddit channel for cooking inspiration.
Popular website and app to find vegan-friendly restaurants.
Could you use some guidance from a real person? Challenge22 can help.
Hate cooking?
Experimenting with easy recipes is the surest way to find vegan meals you love. However, if you have zero interest in cooking, these services deliver
boxes of ready-to-heat, plant-based meals:
Daily-Harvest.com — Add your own rice/quinoa to bowls.
MamaSezz.com — WFPB, no added oil, non-gmo.
PlantPureNation.com — WFPB, no added oil.
PurpleCarrot.com — They send ingredients, you learn to cook.
Veestro.com — POPULAR, prioritizes taste.
VeginOut.com — No added oil, low sodium/sugar.
MamaSezz.com — WFPB, no added oil, non-gmo.
PlantPureNation.com — WFPB, no added oil.
PurpleCarrot.com — They send ingredients, you learn to cook.
Veestro.com — POPULAR, prioritizes taste.
VeginOut.com — No added oil, low sodium/sugar.
The best plant-based products on Earth grow directly out of the earth,
and can be found in the produce area and bulk bins of any decent supermarket.
But here are some favorite processed foods you might also want to try ☺
3rd Party Favorites
Useful 3rd party lists. Keep scrolling down for our favorites.
Everywhere: VegNews Top 100 VegNews 2020 VegNews 2021 VegNews 2022 Good Housekeeping's Best of 2022 TheManual.com's Top 8 CleanPlate.com's Top 17 BuzzFeed.com's top 20 of 2022 Top Accidentally Vegan More Accidentally Vegan Recommended Youtube
Everywhere: VegNews Top 100 VegNews 2020 VegNews 2021 VegNews 2022 Good Housekeeping's Best of 2022 TheManual.com's Top 8 CleanPlate.com's Top 17 BuzzFeed.com's top 20 of 2022 Top Accidentally Vegan More Accidentally Vegan Recommended Youtube
Costco:
by VegNews
StaceyHomeMaker
VegetarianZen
Target: by LiveKindly PETA VegNews
Trader Joe's: by LiveKindly TastingTable.com VegNews 1 VegNews 2 WomensHealth PETA
Walmart: by ImHungryForThat.com PETA VegNews
Amazon: Vegan.com's Favorites
Whole Foods: VegFaqs.com
Target: by LiveKindly PETA VegNews
Trader Joe's: by LiveKindly TastingTable.com VegNews 1 VegNews 2 WomensHealth PETA
Walmart: by ImHungryForThat.com PETA VegNews
Amazon: Vegan.com's Favorites
Whole Foods: VegFaqs.com
Our Favorites

It's not exactly healthy (lots of coconut oil), but hopefully you're not eating cheese for your health. At least this one's made with plants, not pus.

Miyoko's is expensive (~$10) because it's made with nuts, but it's amazing for special occassions. UPDATE 2022: Miyoko's liquid mozzarella is a game changer for pizzas!

Oat doesn't just make one of the best-tasting vegan milks, it's also one of the best choices for the environment. We recommend Oatly's medium-thick version in the bluish container (not "whole", not "skinny", but "semi"). Find your nearest retailer with the Oatly Finder. Bonus: it's fortified with calcium and B12!

One big difference you'll notice among plant-based milks is the amount of sugar. Some are as sweet as soft drinks, others are similar to cow secretion, and others (like this pea-protein-based Ripple, which also contains calcium+B12) go sugar free. It may take a little experimentation to find your sweet spot.

If you're a coffee drinker, you'll have no trouble finding soy/almond/coconut/oat and other vegan creamers. Here's one we like.

Egg from plants (rather than the backside of a chicken) with zero cholesterol. Great for scrambles, omelettes, pancakes, etc.

Ugh, I can't believe I ever ate butter — the solidified secretion of a cow's nipple, gross. Try this.

Violife gets our vote for best plant-based parmesan cheese. Note that it requires a grater. Follow Your Heart is a good pre-grated alternative.
Vegan Meats

Tofurkey's Italian sausage makes an excellent addition to any pasta dish. But don't be surprised if you find yourself eating them straight out of the package.

No, they don't taste like hot dogs — it's difficult to simulate the taste of pig faces, butts and guts with plants. But think of Field Roasts as something new, and they taste great!

If you were ever a chicken nugget addict, you'll love gardein.

We like to cut these up and add 'em to quinoa/avocado/veggie bowls, salads, etc. They have a spicy taste, and a crunchy/fried texture.

Tired of tofu? Pumfu may sound strange, but it's an amazing product. 100% organic pumpkin seeds and filtered water, no other ingredients. And it doesn't taste like pumpkin or tofu – we can't describe it, just try it!

Wow, we just said it's difficult to simulate the taste of dead animals with plants, but the scientists at Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods have done it — without the hormones, antibiotics, blood, cholesterol or cruelty!
Vegan Snacks

The main ingredient in hummus is protein-packed garbanzo beans (aka chickpeas). Most brands are vegan.

An amazing, special occasion spread. The only drawback is that it's too good to eat in moderation.

If making a plant-based pizza, Daiya cheese comes pre-shredded. Or you can just buy one of their pre-made frozen pizzas, add some fresh veggies on top — and maybe some more Daiya on top of that! UPDATE: We also recommend the Sweet Earth Veggie Lover from Whole Foods (add your own Tofurkey Italian Sausage).

We love the tough/chewiness of Primal Spirit's jerky. Depending on the flavor, they're made of seitan, soy, and/or shiitake mushrooms. For something a bit softer, Louisville Vegan Jerky comes in smoked black pepper, maple bacon, buffalo dill, and smoky Carolina BBQ flavors.
Vegan Desserts

The best chocolate cake ever is vegan! Although Just Desserts products are sold many places, we seem to find this vegan gem most consistently at Safeway/Albertsons.

Alternative Baking's cookies can be found in numerous supermarkets these days. We also love Uncle Eddies, found at Whole Foods. Both are "sweeter" than their cruel counterparts!

The Cowboy Creamies from Sugar Plum Bakery are amazing. Actually, everything they sell is amazing! In addition to delivery, some local markets sell their stuff.

It's called Coconut Bliss because it's made with coconut milk, but it comes in several flavors, including this decadent dark chocolate.
Vegan Staples

This brown rice ramen from Costco is a cheap, lazy, healthy vegan's dream. Just add some vegetables (e.g. brocolli, mushrooms, bean sprouts, bok choy), maybe a meat alternative (e.g. Pumfu or tofu) and you've got a gourmet meal in 5-10 minutes. Drain for stir-fry style. Add soy sauce or bouillon for quick and easy seasoning. Note: we haven't found a cheaper source than Costco, and IN-STORE IS CHEAPER than online. Costco is also the place for quinoa and more.
Alcohol

If you're into beans for protein (or anything that takes long to cook), an Instant Pot could be a worthwhile purchase. If you're a 1-2 person household, go with the mini version.

Last, but certainly not least for many of us, be aware that not all alcohols are vegan. For vegan wine, you're typically safe with organic brands. Most beers are vegan, but some contain ingredients like gelatin. You can confirm that your drink is worthy of your affection at Barnivore.com, or try something new from Food52's list.
Corrections/suggestions? Tell us