Bethesda is a thriving urban center with rich history and culture, excellent art events, stunning galleries and great shopping. And if you’re looking for an excellent way to end the night with some joyful Blues or harmonic Jazz then check out the incredible Bethesda Blues and Jazz Club!
In our opinion, no evening is complete without some delicious food though. And luckily Bethesda has a fantastic dining scene which includes some exclusively vegan restaurants, as well as some great vegan-friendly restaurants too.
Unlike other sites, we ensure that all restaurants featured on our list are open and properly cater to vegans. So you can sit back and enjoy food that’s clearly labelled vegan and doesn’t have any animal-derived ingredients.
Let’s get started then and discover the 5 best vegan restaurants in Bethesda for exceptional food!
Five Exceptional Vegan Restaurants In Bethesda: Food Worth Waiting For!
1. Planta
How does a trendy vegan restaurant serving some of the most epic sushi rolls, pizzas, raw vegan dishes and even weekend brunch sound to you?
Of course Planta made it to the top of our list of vegan restaurants in Bethesda because not only do they serve exceptional food, but they also have great deals, photogenic dishes and beverages, and a really upbeat and vibrant atmosphere.
Whether you’re catching up with friends or spending time with your family, grab a seat in their spacious restaurant with beautiful contemporary decor, dim lighting and comfy booth seating, and get ready to have a good time!
But if you love a less formal setup, we think you’ll like grabbing a bar stools and watching the bartenders do what they do best!
When it comes to the food, you won’t have to compromise on choices here, as even their tasty sushi rolls are 100% plant-based. One of the popular ones is the Dragon Roll which consists of tempura broccoli, spinach, avocado and a spicy unagi sauce. Another favorite sushi is Mushroom Bacon Inari packed full of great flavors.
For a more upscale dish, we recommend going for their Udon Noodles which is prepared with truffled mushroom cream and delicious shaved black truffle. And we can’t not mention their pizzas, especially the fancier Truffle Pizza which consists of mushroom cream, cashew mozzarella, mushroom bacon and red onion – this dish never fails to impress!
Planta also does excellent weekly deals such as the ‘Maki Mondays’ where you can enjoy unlimited Maki Rolls after 5pm; ‘Pour Decisions Wednesdays’ where you can have a fun midweek break without breaking the bank with their (all day) half priced bottles of wine; and lastly their ‘Weekend Brunch’ for some endless mimosas & sake sangria!
Planta is open Monday to Thursday from 11:30am to 9:30, Friday from 11:30am to 10pm, Saturday from 11am to 10pm and Sunday from 11am to 9:30pm.
Address: 4910 Elm St, Bethesda, MD 20814
2. Chaia
Another superb pick on our list of vegan restaurants in Bethesda has to be Chaia. This vegan and vegetarian restaurant serves up fantastic Mexican cuisine and is driven to reinvent everything you know about tacos.
You’ll find a very charming restaurant with rugs when visiting, and although there aren’t many seats, this place is perfect for a quick lunch, grab-and-go food or even casual dining with friends.
The added bonus is that all the dishes here are delicious and nutritious, full of freshness and flavor from well-seasoned vegetables. You’ll find a menu clearly detailing which dishes can be tweaked for a vegan version, so you don’t have to worry about working out what you can eat and what you can’t.
One of the popular dishes here is the Chipotle Sweet Potato Hash consisting of arugula pepita salsa and cilantro. However, if you don’t want to settle for only one flavor, we highly recommend their diverse Taco Tray where you’ll have a choice of 12 tacos to share with your friends (or just have it all to yourself!).
You also have other great options like Quesadillas, Tostadas & Nachos. Their Mushroom Quesadilla, in particular, which consists of braised mushrooms, olio picante and salsa asada is always a good choice as far as we’re concerned.
The staff are friendly and happy to accommodate most dietary requirements. Just make sure to specify that you want the vegan option as the team will swap any cheese for vegan-friendly options.
Chaia is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 9pm and Sunday 11am to 3pm, but is closed on Mondays.
Address: 7237 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
3. True Food Kitchen
Want to try some dishes prepared with some of the freshest farm-to-table produce? Well this famous restaurant chain serving globally-inspired food will be right up your street.
Although not solely vegan, we had to include True Food Kitchen on our list of vegan-friendly and vegan restaurants in Bethesda for how spacious, welcoming and lively this place is, as well as for the tasty seasonal food they dish out.
True Food Kitchen’s indoor area has a sleek wooden décor, warm lighting, and stunning snake plant (also known as mother-in-law’s tongue) surrounding the booths, which all adds to its overall charm. But if you want to enjoy some fresh air while digging into your food, they’ve also got plenty of outdoor seating ideal for people-watching.
As for the food, the fresh and vibrant vegan options won’t disappoint. You’ll find plenty of vegan choices ranging from salads, pizzas, burgers and sandwiches. So if you’re on the search for some comfort food, why not grab their Vegan Pizza or Vegan Double Cheeseburger.
Or if you happen to be visiting during the weekend, then drop in for some delicious brunch. They even do excellent brunch cocktails to be paired with your food.
This restaurant is open Monday to Thursday from 11:30am to 9pm, Friday from 11:30am to 9:30, Saturday from 10:30am to 9:30pm and Sunday from 10:30am to 9pm.
Address: 7100 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
4. Flower Child
What better way to refuel during your shopping trip than with some of the best delicious globally inspired vegan dishes that Bethesda has to offer!
That’s what Flower Child serves up. Situated in Wildwood Shopping Center, this restaurant is a super bright, cheery and colorful place with a hippie vibe and excellent food. So whether you’re on the search for vegetarian or vegan food in Bethesda, or struggling to find a gluten-free, keto and paleo friendly spot, Flower Child is a great choice thanks to their large selection of plant-based food, as well as their ability to accommodate most dietary needs.
One of the dishes worth trying here is their Glow Bowl which is prepared with spicy sweet potato noodle, bok choy, zucchini, onion, jalapeño, shiitake mushroom, coconut milk and sunflower butter.
Another great pick is the ‘Forbidden Rice’ which consists of black pearl, red japonica, snap pea, bok choy, broccoli, carrot, onion, toasted sesame and red chili hoisin.
Or try the Thai Dye Wrap consisting of spicy tofu, thai basil, avocado, carrot, daikon radish, cilantro and snap pea. Yum!
Flower Child is open everyday from 11am to 8:30pm.
Address: 10205 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD 20814
5. ZAO Stamina Ramen
We’ve got the perfect spot for those of you looking for a more intimate setup for a romantic date. That is if you don’t mind slurping on some ramen in front of your loved one of course!
Although not solely vegan, we just had to include ZAO Stamina Ramen on our list of vegan-friendly and vegan restaurants in Bethesda for the few, yet fantastic vegan choices, they have. As well as the cosy atmosphere they have, although it does liven up (in a good way) as the evening draws on!
As mentioned above, although this family-run eatery doesn’t have many vegan options, the few on offer are fantastic, mainly down to the combination of their rich flavored broth and tasty vegetables.
So what do we recommend? Well you can never go wrong with trying their Vegan Shio which is made up of a creamy vegan based broth, umami salt, yellow noodle, bean sprouts, bok choy, bamboo shoots, aroma oil, scallions and nori.
Another great pick is the Vegan Tan Tan Men which is prepared with a thick and nutty vegan based miso and sesame broth, yellow noodle, ground soy ‘meat’, bok choy and scallions.
ZAO Stamina Ramen is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 11am to 9pm, on weekends from 12pm to 9pm, but is closed on Tuesdays.
Address: 7345 Wisconsin Ave unit B, Bethesda, MD 20814
