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10 Tastiest Vegan Restaurants in Milwaukee

By Author Paulina

Posted on  - Last updated:

Guide to the best vegan restaurants Milwaukee, WI, has to offer, including the best vegan brunch, and vegan cupcakes in Milwaukee

There are several vegan restaurants in Milwaukee; some exclusively serve plant-based menus, while others have several vegan and vegetarian options on top of the regular animal-based dishes.

While Milwaukee is not particularly known for its vegetarian or vegan dining scene, there are several plant-based restaurants in Milwaukee where you can find a variety of vegan cuisines to enjoy in the city.

In this post, I will share some of my favorite places to enjoy vegan food in Milwaukee.

That way you can still enjoy some of the plant-based meal options while you travel Wisconsin, a place that’s known best for its meat and cheese!

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Overview: Top 3 Vegan Restaurants in Milwaukee

  • Beans & Barley
  • Blooming Lotus Gourmet Bakery
  • Bombay Sweets

1. Beans & Barley

delicious vegan food in Milwaukee, Close up shot of a pile of several tortilla wraps containing tofu and lettuce as well as diced carrot and cucumber

For a hearty vegan breakfast, Milwaukee has Beans & Barley which has served various breakfast and brunch menus since 1973 and is one of the top cafes in Milwaukee.

Situated on the East Side of Milwaukee, Beans & Barley also has a market where you can get various fresh ingredients.

From local produce to imported wines, Beans & Barley is the best place to go for groceries in Milwaukee!

In addition to the market, Beans & Barley has two of the best vegetarian restaurants in Milwaukee.

Their cafe and deli serve everything from vegetarian and vegan to non-vegetarian options for their customers.

The deli has everything from soup, and salad to assorted fresh pastries you can enjoy daily.

Meanwhile, Beans & Barley Cafe has some of the best Milwaukee vegan food options for brunch and breakfast, such as their tofu burrito or almond French toast.

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2. On The Bus

find vegan options in Milwaukee, best best vegan restaurants Milwaukee has to offer, Overhead shot of a breakfast bowl containing sliced bananas, strawberries, kiwi fruit, blueberries and toasted nuts all on a bed of berry yoghurt

Are you on the hunt for some of the best vegan restaurants downtown Milwaukee offers?

Located inside Milwaukee Public Market in the Third Ward neighborhood, On The Bus is one of the best vegan restaurants Milwaukee, WI, has to offer.

If you’re looking for vegan food, Milwaukee Public Market has several cafes and restaurants that you can go to.

However, I’d recommend On The Bus as you can enjoy various Milwaukee vegan meals served from their signature ’71 Volkswagen bus.

From plant-based burgers and sandwiches to acai bowls, On The Bus will give you endless options for some hearty plant-based meals!

Thanks to its central location, you’ll also find some of my favorite unique things to do in Milwaukee nearby to check out after your meal.

3. Dead Bird Brewing

how to eat vegan in Milwaukee, Close up shot of some freshly baked pretzels covered in a light sprinkle of sesame seeds all sitting in a wicker basket

When looking for some of the best beer and vegan options, Milwaukee also has Dead Bird Brewing which specializes in craft beer with various plant-based menus with locally sourced vegan ingredients.

Dead Bird Brewing is the best place to go to eat vegan in Milwaukee, whether you want to throw a party or just arrange a get-together with your loved ones.

The beer choices are top-notch, and it’s one of the best vegan restaurants in Milwaukee!

Located at 1726 N 5th Street, Dead Bird Brewing has several plant-based pizza options on top of other vegan options like pretzels to tacos.

Book the best food tours in Milwaukee

4. Blue’s Egg

vegan brunch in Milwaukee, Overhead shot of a plate of vibrant yellow tofu scramble with chopped cherry tomatoes and green herb seasoning with three slices of fried bread on the side

Although Blue’s Egg doesn’t specialize in vegan food, the restaurant in Wauwatosa has several plant-based options if you plan a vegan brunch.

Downtown Milwaukee is only a 15-minute drive from the restaurant, so Blue’s Egg can be an alternative option to enjoy the best brunch Milwaukee offers.

One of the signature menus at Blue’s Egg is hash browns, and they have several plant-based options you must try when visiting one of the best vegan restaurants in Milwaukee.

If you prefer vegetarian food, Milwaukee’s best brunch spot also has its signature bowl of rejuvenation with a mix of mushrooms, tomatoes, and avocado, combined with poached eggs with sofrito sauce.

You can also opt for the vegan option and replace poached eggs with tofu scramble instead!

5. Strange Town

best Milwaukee vegan food, Overhead shot of a pair of hands holding a large ceramic bowl containing a vegan vegetable mix with large slices of carrot and a nourishing thick sauce all sprinkled with sesame seeds and topped with cilantro

Strange Town is one of the best vegan restaurants in Milwaukee that offers farm-to-table ingredients for some of their best meals.

It serves some of the best Milwaukee vegan food in the cozy setting, and it also caters to nut or gluten-free options that can be adjusted to your diet.

When looking for vegan restaurants, Milwaukee has several establishments.

However, Strange Town stands out for its natural wine, making it a great place to go for dinner if you need fun date ideas in Milwaukee.

Situated in the Lower East Side, you can enjoy various vegan dishes at this 100% plant-based restaurant in Milwaukee.

Try their Zucchini and cherry tomato Polenta for the best meals at Strange Town Milwaukee!

Book the best food tours in Milwaukee

6. Bombay Sweets

where to get vegan food in Milwaukee, Overhead shot of some ras malai with a creamy yellow sauce with green herb seasoning as well as some small strands of saffron sitting in a blue ceramic bowl

If you’re looking for an Indian restaurant, Bombay Sweets is one of the best Milwaukee vegetarian restaurants.

They serve various Indian dishes, from snacks and sweets to hearty meals, with several vegan options available for you to enjoy.

Situated on South 13th Street in Milwaukee, Bombay Sweets has various northern and southern Indian cuisines.

However, sweets and desserts are the best-selling items at Bombay Sweets, with Ras Malai as the most popular one.

They have a range of customers coming to Milwaukee from neighboring cities like Kenosha or Mequon, as Bombay Sweets is one of the best stops for weekend trips in Wisconsin.

Bombay Sweets’ warm and hearty Indian food makes for a perfect on a cold day during winter in Milwaukee.

7. Twisted Plants

best vegan Milwaukee restaurants, Small metal bucket containing fried onion rings with a small white ceramic bowl of dipping sauce to the side

For a vegan, Milwaukee may not be the first that comes to mind when you want to enjoy some delicious plant-based food.

Twisted Plants goes against all odds, making it one of the must-visit vegan restaurants in Milwaukee.

They now have two branches in Wisconsin after opening the first store in Cudahy.

Founded by a local couple, Brandon and Arielle Hawthorne, Twisted Plants has gained popularity as one of the best vegan restaurants in Milwaukee.

All the menu there is 100% plant-based, and they also serve some kid’s menu which makes it a great place to add for things to do in Milwaukee with kids.

For the main course, I’d recommend their Up In Smoke menu with its generous filling and side dishes like plant-based patty and bacon, pickles, and onion rings.

Don’t forget to try their carrot cake for dessert, and enjoy your vegan meals in Milwaukee!

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8. Beerline Cafe

where to eat vegan in Milwaukee, Black cooking pot full to the brim with cooked pasta covered in grated cheese and herbs

Although there isn’t [yet] a dedicated vegan cafe Milwaukee has to offer, the next best thing is Beerline Cafe.

While most menus are vegetarian, they also have vegan options worth trying if you’re craving some delicious, plant-based meals in Milwaukee.

Located on the ground floor of the Union Point Condo Building in Milwaukee, the variety of meals on the menu at Beerline Cafe is like no other.

You can order anything from chips and salsa to Ethiopian lentil wrap here, which makes it one of the must-visit vegan restaurants in Milwaukee!

9. Cafe Corazon

best vegetarian restaurants in Milwaukee, Close up shot of a pair of tacos filled with beans and cilantro with a couple of small dips to one side all sitting on a blue ceramic plate

Cafe Corazon serves fresh Mexican food with farm-to-table ingredients in Milwaukee.

They have three stores in different neighborhoods near downtown Milwaukee, including one in Riverwest, Brown Deer, and Bay View.

Although they mainly serve authentic Latin cuisines with animal-based ingredients, Cafe Corazon also adds some plant-based options to their menu.

This makes them one of the vegan-friendly restaurants in Milwaukee if you want some Latin flavors on your tongue.

From Vegan Taco Plate to Vegan Chilaquiles, Cafe Corazon is definitely one of the best cafes to enjoy vegan food in Milwaukee!

Book the best food tours in Milwaukee

10. Blooming Lotus Gourmet Bakery

where to get the best vegan cupcakes in Milwaukee, Close up shot of two light brown muffins covered in sliced nuts with a small piece of a third muffin to one side all sitting on a white ceramic place

Are you craving the best vegan cupcakes Milwaukee has to offer?

Then try out the Blooming Lotus Gourmet Bakery which uses the finest recipes with no dairy and soy-free ingredients in their pastries and cupcakes.

If you’re looking for a vegan bakery in Milwaukee, Blooming Lotus is where to go!

They have a variety of vegan cupcakes in Milwaukee, from Chocolate Brownie and Carrot Cake to bite-sized mini cupcakes that you can enjoy to start the day.

For savory options, their Foccacia Bread and Pizza Crust are must-try!

In a place that’s known best for its farm and dairy like Wisconsin, finding vegan restaurants in Milwaukee may not be easy.

However, there are some plant-based restaurants Milwaukee offers like On The Bus or Twisted Plants where you can enjoy 100% vegan meals.

Some restaurants also offer vegan options in Milwaukee in addition to meat-based meals like Corazon Cafe or Beerline Cafe.

So, which one of these vegan restaurants in Milwaukee is your favorite?

Short FAQs About Vegan Restaurants in Milwaukee

Does Milwaukee have good vegan food?

Yes, the vegan food Milwaukee has to offer is both delicious and varied. You will find a wide range of options, including baked goods, Indian food, brunch options, and more.

Is Milwaukee a good place for vegans?

Despite Wisconsin being known for its meat and cheese diet, Milwaukee is a great city for vegans as there are many vegan options in Milwaukee available.

What are the best vegan restaurants in Milwaukee?

There are many great vegan restaurants in Milwaukee, a few of my favorites are Beans & Barley, Blooming Lotus Gourmet Bakery, and Bombay Sweets.

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