The Reuben is a classic American sandwich that has five distinct features: Corned “beef,” cheese, sauerkraut, 1,000 Island or Russian dressing, and is served on toasted rye bread. We’ve traveled high and low in search of the best vegan Reuben in the United States and here are the Top 7!

The Gentle Grill- Temecula, CA

The Gentle Grill absolutely nails all five features of the Reuben and it is hands down the best one we’ve found in the U.S. Tucked away in a small wine country in Southern California, the restaurant is very unassuming. Don’t let their small space dissuade you, they have some of the best food we’ve tried in a long time. They make their own shredded seitan in-house and it’s the absolute best seitan we’ve ever had. That is why it tops the list! It has the perfect texture and flavor of corned beef and is paired with hot melted cheese, globs of 1,000 island dressing, tangy sauerkraut, and is complete perfection on toasted rye bread. Order some onion rings for the perfect crunchy side dish.

The Chicago Diner- Chicago, IL

Not only is The Chicago Diner an iconic vegetarian restaurant that is proud of their “Meat-free since 83” motto, but the “Radical Reuben” here is hard to beat. It comes with corned beef seitan, grilled onions and peppers which is a fun twist on a traditional ‘ben, sauerkraut, thousand island dressing, cheese, on marbled rye. Their seitan is perfectly seasoned with amazing texture and the dark marbled rye bread make this sandwich outta this world. Save room for dessert and order one of their milkshakes, you won’t be disappointed!

Bean Vegan Cuisine- Charlotte, NC

The Reuben at Bean Vegan Cuisine near Asheville, NC is one for the books. The house-made Seitan is sliced and sautéed with Daiya Mozzarella, sauerkraut, and 1000 Island dressing on grilled rye. Pair your Reuben with an order of the fried pickles and ranch for a truly amazing food experience.

The Butcher’s Son- Berkeley, CA

The Roast Beef Reuben from The Butcher’s Son is a totally stacked sandwich. This monstrosity was piled high with their house-made seitan and sauerkraut onto rye bread that was spread with delicious Russian dressing and cashew mozzarella. (It also came with grilled onions, which definitely shouldn’t be on there- remember only 5 distinct features of a Reuben- so order it without those.) This thing was so big that it was difficult to finish! They offer many different amazing sandwich options, so leave room to try a few different ones.

The Bye & Bye- Portland, OR

The Bye & Bye in Portland has a juicy Reuben you won’t forget. This sandwich features tempeh as the corned beef, which alters the texture of what a traditional ‘ben should be, but when combined with mustard, Daiya cheese, sauerkraut, and remoulade on rye bread, you’ll forget all about tradition. The remoulade is the star of the show, it’s a zippy version of thousand island and has a kick to it. Try one of their signature drinks, like a “Bye and Bye,” for a meal you’ll come back for time and time again.

Ocala Downtown Diner- Ocala, FL

The Ocala Downtown Diner in Ocala, FL has one of the most unique Reubens on the list. The “Gotta Love Kraut Burger” features a Beyond Burger as the main ingredient and is topped with grilled sauerkraut, pickles, 1000 island dressing, & Teese cheddar cheese. It’s served on a regular burger bun, not on rye, but it’s a fun combination of a Reuben sandwich and a regular burger! They have a whole vegan menu that boasts delicious diner food and even has a vegan breakfast menu.

Sanctuary Vegan Cafe- Knoxville, TN

Another fun twist on the classic Reuben sandwich uses roasted beets at Sanctuary Vegan Cafe. These tiny little Reuben sliders are the perfect finger food or the perfect small plate so you can try many different dishes. These little cuties come topped with sauerkraut, white Chao cheese, Russian dressing, on rye buns. If you can get past how adorable these are, your mouth is in for a real treat! The beets are a great substitute for meat if you’re looking for a healthier option.

Love Food Central- St Petersburg, FL

The Tempeh Reuben sandwich at Love Food Central offers a unique take on the traditional ingredients and as an added bonus, everything in the restaurant is completely gluten-free. It’s a very light sandwich overall with grilled tempeh, sauerkraut, avocado, arugula, and spicy “awesome sauce” on toasted sourdough. Don’t leave without trying their cashew butter soft-serve ice cream, it’s the perfect end to your meal, especially on a hot Florida day.

Did your favorite vegan Reuben make the list? If not, comment down below where we can find YOUR favorite Reuben.