Finding plant-based Mexican food is not as hard as it may appear. Though many traditional restaurants may use lard in their beans or chicken broth in their rice, many also make a point to note that their beans and rice are prepared in a vegan-friendly way.
Here, we’re telling you exactly where to find vegan Mexican food across the US.
Table of Contents
Chains with vegan Mexican food options
Throughout the US, Mexican and Mexican-inspired restaurants are bringing their signature vegan cuisine to hungry patrons—and that includes nationwide chains.
Chipotle has long been providing the US with Mexican-inspired fare, and it’s super easy to veganize. Nearly all of its menu items, from tacos to burritos to burrito bowls, can be veganized quite easily by omitting cheese, meat, and sour cream, and opting for options like plant-based sofritas, beans, and veggies. Even better? If you order the veggie bowl, the guac comes free.
Mas Veggies
Taco Bell, another Mexican-inspired chain, is also a longtime staple for vegans on the go. Swap the meat for ingredients like black or refried beans and omit the cheese when ordering. Most taco shells are vegan but avoid the Doritos Locos option. The chain has also experimented with vegan meat and vegan Crunchwraps in the past.
Veggie Grill, too, is serving up Mexican-inspired eats. The vegan chain incorporated its Mexican-inspired spin-off Mas Veggies and now offers its options on its nationwide Veggie Grill menus. Try the Two Taco Plate, which consists of vegan Baja fish tacos with pico de gallo and jalapeño slaw. Or if you prefer the taste of chicken, swap in the chain’s Chick’n for no extra charge.
Vegan-friendly Mexican restaurants to try
If you’re looking to satisfy your cravings for Mexican food, these 23 eateries go above and beyond bean and rice burritos, supplying hungry eaters with food that is comforting, familiar, and ultimately delicious.
Jajaja
1 Jajaja
New York, NY
This 100-percent vegan eatery has quickly become a go-to favorite for New Yorkers. The menu features everything from Azteca Chile Rellenos with dairy-free queso and wild mushrooms to Chimichurri Eggplant Tortas with fermented black beans, pickled jalapeño, and buttery avocado.
FIND IT HERE
@sarahmclaughlin/Instagram
2 El Papagayo Restaurant
Carmichael, CA
This family-owned and operated restaurant has been serving up an extensive vegan menu for nearly 10 years. Locals love its vegan Super Bowl buffet, so much that it sells out every year, and we can’t resist its huge salsa bar (stock up on that avocado salsa)!
FIND IT HERE
Pancho’s Vegan Tacos
3
Pancho’s Vegan Tacos
Las Vegas, NV
A fully vegan Mexican food restaurant with an expansive menu in the middle of Sin City? Yes, it’s a reality! Breakfast, desserts, tacos, tortas, tostadas, enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas, chiles rellenos, and so much more can be devoured at this Vegas spot!
FIND IT HERE
@cilantrodreams/Instagram
4
El Cantaro Vegan
Monterey, CA
Tucked along the Central California coast, this hidden gem is an absolute treasure and overflows with Oaxacan-influenced fare. It’s a family-run, casual subway shop-turned-taqueria and serves up tacos on handmade tortillas, housemade vegan meat taco fillings, and a variety of fresh juices.
FIND IT HERE
El Palote Panadería
5 El Palote Panadería
Pleasant Grove, TX
Within the first year of opening its doors, this family-run panadería and taqueria made the leap and went 100-percent vegan after one of the owners suffered a health scare. Now it attracts plant-based eaters from all over the states with its authentic Mexican food.
FIND IT HERE
Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria
6
Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria
Chicago, IL
Family-owned and operated, Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria serves up a wide variety of vegan tacos (think soy al pastor, crispy soy chorizo and potato, and mushroom chimichurri) made using different plant-based proteins. Don’t miss the carnitas made using marinated pulled oats, fried beer-battered avocado baja tacos, and cauliflower al pastor marinated in the restaurant’s signature guajillo sauce.
FIND IT HERE
Flacos
7 Flacos
Berkeley, CA
Ask any veg-eater from California’s Bay Area for vegan Mexican food recommendations, and chances are they’ll suggest you head to Flacos. With nearly two decades of service under its belt, the food stand has become a local mainstay. Its crispy taquitos, savory and well-spiced tacos, and tender tamales make us want to plan a road trip right this minute.
FIND IT HERE
@inthewanderyears/Instagram
8 El Nutri-Taco
Portland, OR
The vegan options are plentiful (and clearly labeled) at this omnivorous restaurant, earning it a spot on our list. They carry vegan cheese, mayo, butter, and sour cream, so no need to go without! Simply ask for the vegan options. We can’t stop dreaming of this spot’s crispy chimichanga and gloriously huge plates of vegan nachos.
FIND IT HERE
Chi Chi Vegan
9 Chi Chi Vegan
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta’s first brick-and-mortar vegan taqueria is serving up Mexican-inspired fare with a southern twist. Enjoy crispy, fried green tomato tacos as you sip on a mangonada, a frozen mango slush with swirls of slightly spicy, lemony chamoy. But if you’re in the mood for more traditional eats, Chi Chi Vegan’s asada and fish tacos can’t be missed.
FIND IT HERE
@phoenixvegancita/Instagram
10Tumerico
Tucson, AZ
This vegan-friendly eatery in sunny Arizona puts a focus on healthy, new-age Mexican cuisine with dishes such as squash blossom tacos, quinoa tamales, and Azteca enchiladas. The wide variety of drinks on the menu (including a CBD latte) also have local customers flocking in.
FIND IT HERE
The Vegan Nom
11The Vegan Nom
Austin, TX
While this vegan taco truck ventures more into Tex-Mex style eats, its offerings are too delicious too miss. Known for its late night menu and “liquid gold” vegan queso, this Austin eatery draws a hungry, taco-craving crowd.
FIND IT HERE
@soyvanillatte/Instagram
12Quesadilla La Reina del Sur
Chicago, IL
Whether you opt for impossibly meaty soy-based taco fillings or more plant-forward options such as mushrooms, peppers, pumpkin flowers, and earthy huitlacoche, this family-owned restaurant is for you. Not only is the food super affordable, but the free chips and salsa are an extra bonus, as well.
FIND IT HERE
El Barracho
13El Borracho
Seattle, WA
Nestled in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, this hotspot features a fully vegan menu including vegan cheese and soy-based sausage, as well as deliciously refreshing margaritas. Plus, you can score some soyrizo and potato tacos for just $2.10, which makes it the perfect place to for a good lunchtime deal.
FIND IT HERE
Gracias Madre
14Gracias Madre
West Hollywood and Newport Beach, CA
This longtime Los Angeles favorite is a verified celeb hotspot with everyone from Anya Taylor-Joy and Willow Smith to Selena Gomez and Meghan Markle stopping in to dine. The expansive bar features independent producers and small batch distillers’ spirits from Mexico, and the eats include gorditas de chicharron, cotija-topped salads, and wild mushroom enchiladas.
FIND IT HERE
Tacotarian
15 Tacotarian
Las Vegas, NV and San Diego, CA
With its mission of turning Las Vegas vegan one taco at a time, we already knew we’d be a fan! The expansive menu with 15 different taco fillings—ranging from plantains to hibiscus flowers—has given us major taco cravings, but it also offers a full range of other eats, including a brunch menu.
FIND IT HERE
@vegancruzes/Instagram
16 Luna Verde Vegan Mexican
Bradley Beach, NJ
Popular with the locals, this hole-in-the-wall restaurant is owned by the vegan Hidalgo family who wanted to share their love of plant-based Mexican food. The community-focused eatery also offers a community taco bowl, allowing customers to pay what they can afford, or pay more to feed future customers who may be under more financial strain.
FIND IT HERE
Vegan by El Zamorano
17Vegan by El Zamorano
Costa Mesa, CA
Initially a pop-up restaurant, Vegan by El Zamarano is the first vegan taqueria in Orange County. The menu features breakfast burritos, tacos, tortas, classic burritos, and plates. Check out its 2 for $6 Taco Tuesday special, and Torta Thursday which includes a free small agua fresca with the purchase of any torta.
FIND IT HERE
@aveganandher/Instagram
18El Cocinero Restaurant
Van Nuys, CA
We might be biased, but the jackfruit torta from this pop-up turned restaurant is one of our favorite meals of all time. From creamy, custardy vegan flan to loaded up nacho boats and gigantic burritos, this restaurant is a dream come true. Come hungry!
FIND IT HERE
Sugar Taco
19Sugar Taco
Multiple locations, Southern California
This women-owned restaurant has partnered with eco-friendly organizations, such as Food for Life Global, to provide plant-based meals to hungry children around the world, and 100-percent of the proceeds of their Dog Menu (yes, they have a menu for dogs!) go to a different animal welfare charity each month.
FIND IT HERE
@thebakingfairy/Instagram
20Nuno’s Tacos
Dallas, TX
This restaurant, with a menu the size of Texas, takes its commitment to sustainability seriously, using no straws, no plastic bottles, and all materials used in the restaurant are 95-percent biodegradable. The food also speaks for itself, and if their pineapple upside down cake is on the menu, order yourself a slice!
FIND IT HERE
Nissi Vegmex
21Nissi Vegmex
Austin, TX
This vegan food truck offers a variety of soy-based vegan meats, from chicken to chicharron to carne asada. Choose your taco protein, and buy a pound of the restaurant’s delectable vegan meat to bring home. Plus, the homemade organic hot pepper sauce is great on everything!
FIND IT HERE
Cena Vegan
22Cena Vegan
Multiple locations, Southern California
This absolute staple of the Los Angeles food scene is splashed all over Instagram thanks to their loaded nacho boats, perfect scoops of guac on top of flavorful tacos, and giant burritos. They now have three locations across Los Angeles: Long Beach, Lincoln Heights, and Whittier, plus you can often catch them popping up across Southern California. You can’t go wrong with anything you order, but always, always add guac.
FIND IT HERE
@twoveganslater/Instagram
23Taco Party Truck
Somerville, MA
With taco fillings ranging from cornmeal-crusted mushrooms, shredded jackfruit, and spicy ground seitan; this food truck is a must-try in Massachusetts. Don’t miss the crispy fried tofu torta and fresh horchata.
FIND IT HERE
For more vegan restaurant guides, read:
Sarah McLaughlin (@sarahmclaughlin) is the New Products Editor at VegNews and is always on the search for the newest innovations in plant-based food.
