We’re putting these donuts on the vegan map, but they deserve to be named among the city’s best, even without that qualifier. What started as a food truck now includes storefronts in Capitol Hill and West Seattle as their wild and colorful concoctions have taken Seattle by storm. Sure, one can still get a glazed old-fashioned, but this is a donut shop for adventurous palates. The menu changes constantly, but don’t be surprised to find flavors like birthday cake, everything bagel, mango con chile, or strawberry milkshake. The Pride donut is a year-round mainstay topped with edible rainbow glitter. 

One of the best things about Frankie & Jo’s is that every time you stop by, they’ve got a new seasonal special to try out, like Guava Cake or Cranberry Gingersnap Oatnog. The plant-based ice cream shop (with locations in Ballard, Capitol Hill, and University Village) is always pushing the envelope on flavors, but fans of vanilla and chocolate will be very happy, too.

Vegan sushi skeptics are sure to come away from this Fremont sushi spot pleasantly surprised, thanks to a menu full of vegan options that are as visually delightful as they are delicious. Start with the Crunch Inari (fried tofu stuffed with rice and crunch crumble) and vegetable tempura. Then either keep it simple with the vegan spicy California roll with tofu crab meat or go deluxe with the Seattle vegan roll or Death by Crunch roll (deep-fried vegan California roll topped with fried onion). 

Fine dining for vegans often means trying to find the one item on the menu that might work. Harvest Beat is the opposite of that, offering an elevated, five-course vegan dining experience that features ingredients sourced from local farms and foragers. The menus at this gourmet vegan restaurant are seasonal, and every gorgeous presentation comes with a presentation by the chefs who prepare it. Each meal includes wine or non-alcoholic drink pairings, the latter of which is as unique and vibrant as the dishes. 

If your Dough Zone and Din Tai Fung trips have fallen short in the vegan option department, Wallingford’s (and Kirkland’s) Dumpling the Noodle will do the trick. Bringing together flavors and recipes from Sichuan, Beijing, and Shanghai, this place lives up to its name with a menu full of vegan dumplings and noodle delights. Standouts include vegan dumplings, chili garlic tofu lamen, and veggie rice noodle soup.

Seattle has a few vegan Mexican food options but Rojo’s might be the one to perfect the plant-based menu. The hole-in-the-wall shop in Il Corvo’s old Pioneer Square spot showcases an entirely vegan menu with all the classics. Fill your burritos, tacos, and tortas with plant-based versions of al pastor, asada, chicken, and carnitas. The “al pastor” soy curls are particular standouts and could fool the most ardent meat-eater. The house-made aguas frescas add a refreshing kick to the entire meal. 

The pandemic almost claimed this Georgetown vegan and vegetarian bar, but former Highline co-owner Alan Threewit revived it with an all-vegan menu. Separating them from other vegan spots is that all of their faux meats, cheeses, and sauces are made in-house. Diners rave about the Reuben and French dip but don’t sleep on the cauliflower wings, which not every place can get right.

This no-frills International District standby serves Vietnamese dishes such as pho and tofu banh mi and lets diners design their own rice bowl from dozens of options, including luffa, jackfruit, and curries. 

Tucked away in an unassuming corner of the ever-evolving Roosevelt neighborhood is this Seattle vegetarian institution that has been going strong for over 45 years. Long-timers swear by the Vegan Highlander (tofu and tempeh on top of a bed of spinach, served with home fries and an English muffin). Don’t sleep on the Huevos Picante burrito with actual tofu chunks instead of crumbles, which makes all the difference.

There is a lot of good Thai in Seattle, but dare we say that it would be hard-pressed to find more flavorful Thai food in town than at Araya’s Place. The massaman banana curry is a must-try, but the menu is full of delightful vegetable-forward dishes. 

For decades, this Madison Valley staple has been a go-to brunch spot for vegetarians and vegans. Beyond the breakfast basics, there’s a plethora of interesting menu items to explore. Starters like yam fries, coconut tofu lettuce wraps, and warm kale artichoke dip steal the show but leave room for those vegan cinnamon rolls.