In anticipation of World Vegan Day (November 1), crowd-sourced review platform Yelp has released its list of the Top 100 Vegan Restaurants in the United States, its second-ever round-up of the buzziest and most popular plant-based eateries around the country. And while fast-food burger restaurants and trendy cafes focused on meat-and-dairy dupes made the list, Yelp notes that many of the vegan restaurants in its Top 100 are focusing on fresh fruits, vegetables, and other whole or minimally processed ingredients.
Yelp’s in-house trend expert Tara Lewis suggests that plant-based restaurants’ shift toward whole foods is motivated by consumers’ two-fold desire to improve personal health and be kinder to the environment. “Sustainability and plant-based foods go hand-in-hand,” says Lewis, “and choosing to eat unprocessed foods is a mindful way for consumers to play their part.”
Top honors went to Lil’ Vegerie, in Redondo Beach, California. In addition to being vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free, the takeout restaurant has a strong whole-food focus. “We avoid processed ingredients every chance we get,” they state on their website.
The Mushroom Carne Asada Bowl at ‘Lil Vegerie
Just 15 miles north, in Culver City, is Yelp’s No. 4–ranked vegan restaurant, Hey, Sunshine Kitchen, which also boasts a menu where vegetables, grains, and minimally processed ingredients are the focal point.
“Our bowls are the most popular menu item, specifically our Mediterranean Chickpea Bowl with Sunshine Rice,” says Heather Golden Ray, who co-founded the fast-casual restaurant with her sister, Jenny Engel, in 2023. Reviewers call the top-selling dish “delicious,” “flavorful,” and even “perfection.”
At smoothie bowl destination Boomchia in Montclair, New Jersey—No. 5 on the list—diners rave not just about the naturally sweetened acai and chia pudding bowls piled high with fresh fruit, ancient grains, and hemp seeds, but about the friendliness of the staff and the bright, clean atmosphere.
“Boomchia is a whole vibe,” says the cafe’s owner Josh Baek. “We’ve created a space where people can eat healthy without missing out on the fun or flavor. Our customers come in for the same excitement you’d expect from eating dessert, but they walk out feeling great, knowing they’ve had a meal packed with nutrients.”
A smoothie bowl from Boomchia
Interest in Vegan Dining on the Rise
The rise in popularity of healthy plant-based foods tracks with Yelp’s annual food trend forecast, which suggested that foods prepared without animal ingredients would find a growing fan base in 2024.
To pinpoint dining trends, the Yelp team analyzes searches on their website and compares them to the previous year’s data. The latest analysis revealed a 12% increase in searches for “vegan food” in 2023 compared with 2022. “This data-driven approach allows us to uncover what users are loving and helps us predict what will continue to shape dining choices,” says Lewis.
