As a bustling university town and culinary hotspot, Ann Arbor is an absolute must-visit. But when you are a vegetarian, visiting new towns and cities can be difficult when you don’t know which restaurants and cafes can cater to you and your dietary requirements.
But don’t worry – that’s where we come in! In a city that is bursting with all different types of vegetarian food from different cultures around the world, whether that be Mexican, Japanese, Middle Eastern and more, you’ll be sure to find the perfect place to eat at one of our favorite vegetarian-friendly and exclusively vegetarian restaurants in Ann Arbor. Let’s dig in!
The Best Vegetarian Restaurants In Ann Arbor: Food Worth Waiting For!
1. Fresh Forage
A casual eatery that prides itself on serving vegan, vegetarian and gluten friendly food made with local farm fresh ingredients.
With an expansive menu that caters to vegans, vegetarians and those who are gluten free, no one has to get left out at Fresh Forage!
Combining a casual setting with delicious and healthy food, Fresh Forage is easily one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Ann Arbor, and the perfect setting for a get together with friends or a quick bite to eat before exploring everything else that Ann Arbor has to offer.
One of the popular dishes here is the (vegan and gluten free!) Sweet Potato Nachos. Made from sweet potato chips, vegan cheese black beans, roasted corn, pickled onion, green onion and guacamole salsa, this is a great dish to share with friends – or eat all to yourself…. And if you find that there’s nothing on the menu that particularly grabs your attention, don’t worry. You can create your own bowl by choosing a base (carbs or greens), vegetables and sauces.
As well as a delicious food menu, Fresh Forage also has a mouthwatering drinks menu. We recommend trying one of their smoothies. A popular choice is the Fresh and Green Smoothie, which consists of kale, banana, avocado, cashew, agave, chia seeds and your choice of milk. They also have a range of coffee and tea, as well as draft kombucha.
Fresh Forage is closed on Sunday but otherwise open every other day of the week from 11am – 8pm.
Address: 5060 Jackson Rd Suite A, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
2. Seva
Ann Arbor’s longest running vegetarian restaurant that features dishes from around the world.
After serving the community for 45 years, Seva is an absolute must visit whether you’re a lifelong vegetarian or you’re just looking to try out an iconic Ann Arbor landmark.
Set in a beautiful restaurant with stained glass windows, Seva is an incredible place to enjoy a romantic date night. And with dishes from everywhere from Mexico to Thailand, it will no doubt have something for everyone.
A popular dish here is the mouthwatering Tempeh Caesar Salad that consists of char grilled tempeh on romaine & herbed croutons with garlic dressing and vegan parmesan. But many are also partial to The Beyond Burger, which is a plant protein patty that can be served with vegan cheese if you want. But if all-day breakfast is more of your vibe, then Seva also offers that.
Seva also has weekly deals that you would be silly not to take advantage of! Tuesday is Wine Tuesday where you can get half off all dine-in wine by both the glass and the bottle, and Wednesday is Draft Wednesday where all dine-in beer and kombucha is half off.
As well as an extensive food menu, Seva also has many different drinks, including soft and hot drinks.
Seva is closed on Sunday, but otherwise open every other day of the week from 11am – 9pm.
Address: 2541 Jackson Ave
3. Shalimar
An award winning Indian restaurant that specializes in North Indian, Tandoori and Mughlai dishes.
Located in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor, Shalimar is the place to go when you want to treat yourself to some incredible Indian food. Set in a warm and welcoming restaurant with incredible staff who are dedicated to making your visit an enjoyable one, Shalimar is the perfect setting for a family meal and easily one of the best vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Ann Arbor!
Shalimar’s vibrant menu consists of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, so no matter what your dietary requirements, you’ll be able to enjoy a delicious meal.
We recommend starting with the Vegetable Samosas, and then trying out the popular Vegetable Biryani. Though the Kesari Paneer Tikka – which is paneer cubes marinated in yogurt, lentil flour and spices – is also well worth trying. We think you’ll be wanting to go back for more as soon as you dig in!
Between Mondays and Thursdays, Shalimar’s also offers a lunch menu where they serve Thalis. Literally meaning ‘plate’, Thalis are the traditional way to eat Indian food and they’re made up of all five tastes – sour, sweet, bitter, salty and spicy!
And if you find that you love Shalimar that much that you want to celebrate a special event there, you can. It boasts a private party room for up to 70 people. Check out their website to find out more.
Shalimar is open at various times throughout the week, so make sure to check their website to plan your visit!
Address: 307 S Main St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
4. Avalon
A quirky artisan cafe that offers a wide range of vegetarian and vegan dishes.
Beginning in 1997 with the first store opening in Detroit, Avalon has since grown to four different stores, including one in Ann Arbor! With its bright orange storefront, it’s a difficult building to miss – and you really don’t want to miss out on it.
Set in a simple wood-paneled room, Avalon is the perfect place to start your day or enjoy a nice catch up with friends. The menu that Avalon offers is a diverse one, with simple dishes such as toast and jam, and heartier dishes like salads and burgers.
A popular dish here is the Quinoa and Farro Bowl (that can be customized with either tofu or chicken if you’re with a meat-eating friend), but we also recommend the Mushroom Burger. And if you have a sweet tooth, Avalon has you covered there too.
Many regulars love the Affogato, which is vanilla ice cream with an espresso shot poured over the top. But for something quirky, why not try the Chocolate Toast.
As well as serving food, Avalon also serves a variety of drinks including beer, cocktails, wines, soft drinks and coffees.
Avalon is open every single day of the week from 8am – 3pm!
Address: 120 E. Liberty in Ann Arbor, Michigan
5. Jerusalem Garden
A family owned restaurant with outdoor dining bringing authentic Middle Eastern food to Ann Arbor.
Looking for a taste of Palestine in Ann Arbor? Look no further than Jerusalem Garden! Beginning in 1987 by founder Ribhi Ramlawi, Jerusalem Garden is now run by his three children who are dedicated to preserving the legacy of their father.
With a warm ambiance, Jerusalem Garden is the perfect spot to enjoy a family meal. There’s also an outdoor dining area so if you visit in the summer you can enjoy warm weather and incredible food.
Jerusalem Garden’s menu is an extensive one with a nice selection of vegetarian food, so there is something for everyone to enjoy. In particular they have a great selection of vegetarian sandwiches and you can’t really go wrong with any of them, but a popular choice is the Veggie Grape Leaves which is three veggie grape leaves wrapped in pita with romaine, tomato and hummus.
If sandwiches aren’t what you’re in the mood for, then why not try one of their most popular dishes: the Falafel Patty Sampler. This is two falafel patties served with pita, turnips and a choice of sampler – most choose the hummus of course.
And if you find that you’ve still got room to eat more, why not try a desert? We recommend the Baklava which is filo dough layered with butter and syrup with a choice of walnut or pistachio (go for the pistachio!).
And if you’re hosting an event and are looking for some delicious food to serve your guests, Jerusalem Garden can cater for your event. Go to their website to find out more.
Jerusalem Garden is closed on Sunday but otherwise open between 11am – 8.30pm the rest of the week! When it comes to vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Ann Arbor, this place is one of the best.
Address: 314 E. Liberty Street Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
6. Slurping Turtle
A Japanese restaurant that offers a twist on traditional Japanese food.
Slurping Turtle originally opened in Chicago in 2011 before expanding to Ann Arbor in 2014 where it serves customers incredible Sushi and Ramen, as well as Bao Buns and Stir Frys. Set in a stylish brightly lit restaurant, Slurping Turtle is the perfect setting for a catch up with friends over some mouthwatering food.
When it comes to vegetarian food, Slurping Turtle has a lot to offer. One of the popular veggie dishes is the vegetable Bao Buns that come with Shiitake, Mushroom Tempura, Eggplant, Miso Mustard and Pickled Jalapeno.
They even have vegetarian sushi, so why not try the Cucumber and Avocado Maki Roll or the Vegetable Roll. And don’t worry if none of the vegetarian options seem appealing to you – some of the other dishes can be altered so you can enjoy them meat free! Just ask your server.
Slurping Turtle also has the option to takeout, so if you want to enjoy great food whilst also exploring everything that Ann Arbor has to offer, you can.
With the exception of Monday and Tuesday, Slurping Turtle is open every day of the week, so check their website for opening times and pay them a well deserved visit.
Address: 608 E Liberty ST, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
7. Juicy Kitchen
A vegetarian friendly restaurant that is dedicated to serving customers with locally sourced and healthy dishes.
A hidden gem of Ann Arbor, Juicy Kitchen is an independent restaurant with a warm and homely vibe that will have you wanting to go back for more even after you’ve finished your meal. With an extensive menu that consists of both vegan and vegetarian dishes, as well as some gluten free dishes, it will surely be able to cater to the tastes of everyone in your party.
If you’re in the mood for breakfast, then Juicy Kitchen has more than enough options for you to choose from. Favorites include the French Toast which is organic cinnamon raisin bread served with almond butter, bananas, toasted walnuts and sprinkled with cinnamon! Though many also love the delicious Classic Breakfast which is housemade potato hash, egg and wholegrain toast.
And if you’re visiting around lunch time, then try out the Fruit and Quinoa Salad. Or if you’re looking for something a touch more hearty, then you can’t go wrong with their veggie burger!
And for those of us with a sweet tooth, Juicy Kitchen also has a range of baked goods. We don’t think you can ever go wrong with some Banana Bread, but we also recommend their Maca Bites, which are made from gluten free oats, almond butter, shredded coconut, dates, dried cranberries, dark chocolate chips, and maca.
Juicy Kitchen is only available for takeout, but they do have some outdoor seating with heaters for the crispy Fall months! With the exception of Monday and Tuesday, Juicy Kitchen is open every day of the week from 8am – 2pm.
Address: 1506 N. Maple, Ann Arbor, 48103
8. Earthen Jar
A casual buffet-style restaurant that specializes in vegan Indian food.
Sometimes when you go out for dinner, you want a nice meal without all the faff of fancy restaurants. And that’s where Earthen Jar comes in.
Served as a buffet, Earthen Jar has a great range of dishes to choose from, all of which are as delicious as the last, with incredible flavors that will have you dreaming about the food in the days after your visit!
Some of the most popular dishes include the Alu Bhaji (spicy masala potatoes), Masala Tofu (tofu in a coriander and tomato sauce), and onion naan. But we also recommend the ChickPea Salad.
What makes Earthen Jar so unique, however, is the way you pay; each pound of food costs $9.99 so you can really load up on the food you like, while bypassing your least favorites.
Earthen Jar is closed between Sundays and Wednesdays, but otherwise open 12pm until 4pm for the rest of the week!
Address: 311 S Fifth Ave Ann Arbor MI 48104
The Best Vegetarian Restaurants In Ann Arbor: Our Final Thoughts
Now that you have this guide to help you on your way, go and sample as much incredible vegetarian food in Ann Arbor that you can!
With such a diverse list of recommendations, you will no doubt find the perfect restaurant or cafe for you and your culinary needs on our list of the best vegetarian restaurants in Ann Arbor. Enjoy!