(Source: Jason Kolenda / Shutterstock.com)

Vegan In Nashville? A Must-Read Guide

Ahh, Nashville. Home to country music, southern charm, and…veganism? It’s true! The vegan scene is alive and thriving in Music City, and the movement is only gaining momentum.

Nashville is the capital of the great state of Tennessee, and this city is getting more popular by the minute — welcoming an abundance of tourists and transplants from around the globe.

As its reputation has grown, the city has remained as serious as ever about its food. In fact, Nashville is quickly becoming one of the biggest foodie destinations of the south. And the vegan scene is no exception.

So if the capital of country music is calling you, keep reading for the best vegan delights that Nashville has to offer!

The Southern V

If you are looking for traditional southern comfort food — not to mention a meat-free take on the famous Nashville hot chicken — The Southern V is the place for you.

From mac n’ cheese to donuts to classic fried chick’n sandwiches, the menu features copycat dinners from your granny’s kitchen.

The Southern V has a great kids menu that both vegan and non-vegan children will love. The Chick’n Strips and Grilled Cheeze will taste familiar, even for the pickiest of little eaters.

Visit during the week if possible as the line can go out of the door during the weekends!

The Southern V has a menu just for the kids (Source: Kravtzov / Shutterstock.com)

Sunflower Cafe

The Sunflower Cafe provides healthy vegan options that don’t skimp on the southern charm. Located just ten minutes from world-famous Music Row, this local favorite is owned by a registered dietitian.

The Sunflower Cafe offers gluten-free, soy-free, and oil-free menus, making it a great choice for picky eaters and for those with allergies.

The Southern BBQ Burger is a popular choice and omnivore approved. Also, be sure to sample the homemade cookie dough and try not to eat it all at once!

Bonus points if you visit the Sunflower Cafe’s sister location — Sunflower Bakehouse — a completely vegan and gluten-free bakery and restaurant. Healthy vegan cupcakes? Yes please!

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VegeLicious

VegeLicious is a restaurant known for its hearty homestyle meals and comfort food, with favorites like BBQ Chick’n and Tofu, the “Not” Bacon Cheeseburger, and Hot Fried Chick’n.

This plant-based eatery is undeniably the brunch hotspot of the area. On Saturdays you can look forward to piles of pancakes, vegan eggs with bacon, tofu scramble and more.

You absolutely can’t leave without trying one of the five flavors of cheesecake. Or, you know, all of them. No judgement here…

Vegelicious has a variety of vegan cheesecakes available (Source: Vladislav Noseek / Shutterstock.com)

The Wild Cow

Found in the heart of the hip East Nashville district, The Wild Cow is one of the best known vegan restaurants in town. Nearly all of the food is locally grown and organic, and 2.5% of the restaurant’s revenue is donated to charity each week.

The Wild Cow has a nutritious kids menu, making it a great choice if you are looking for healthier options for your little ones. The menu features family favorites such as Beans and Rice, and Elvis Toast.

This restaurant has an extensive range of main meals for the adults of the group, including salads, sandwiches, bowls, tacos, wraps and more! Also, vegan beer and wine is available, so be sure to catch Happy Hour from 4-6pm on weekdays.

As a bonus, everybody at The Wild Cow is incredibly helpful and kind. This is a friendly local hangout spot, and the perfect place to go to meet fellow vegans of Nashville!

Graze

Graze is less than a two minute walk from The Wild Cow, cementing East Nashville’s claim as the vegan hub of the city.

With totally plant-based salads, sandwiches, wraps, entrees, brunch options and smoothies (not to mention appetizers like loaded potatoes that are to die for) you can find food for every taste at Graze.

This is a sit-down restaurant, and the perfect place to go after a long day of exploring in the Tennessee heat — thanks in no small part to the bar being stocked with locally crafted beers!

Grab yourself a salad at Graze in the vegan heart of the city (Source: Timolina / Shutterstock.com)

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Nashville Vegan Extras

If you are visiting town with a meat-eating group, it can feel overwhelming trying to find a restaurant that caters to everyone. But fear not! There are plenty of omnivorous restaurants that are vegan-friendly.

Two Boots Pizza is a local joint with delicious options for vegan pizza. If you’re in the mood for something sweeter, then Jeni’s Ice Cream is a local favorite with both dairy and non-dairy flavors. Also, if you’re dancing your way down Broadway, Ole Red has clearly-marked plant-based items on the menu.

If in doubt, this is a city known for its hospitality! Don’t be shy and ask your waiter, your friend, or even a stranger on the street. Nashville locals won’t let you down!

Gentle Barn Animal Sanctuary

Finally, if you’re heading out of town because the surrounding countryside is calling you, then venture out to the Gentle Barn. This sanctuary is a forever home to abused animals, mostly rescued from the animal agriculture industry.

The Gentle Barn is open on Sundays to anyone willing to pet pigs, cuddle cows, or give the turkeys some love. This is a very family-friendly sanctuary, and can be a wonderful learning opportunity for the little ones. Visit in your rain boots and be prepared to get dirty!

The bottom line is, if you’re visiting the south, Nashville should be top of your list of places to check out. Whether you’re craving deep-fried southern cooking or a more health-conscious fare, Music City is the direction to go in!