Calling all upstate vegans! If you are looking for great vegan restaurants in Greenville SC, you are in luck. In 2019, VegNews called Greenville a “Vegan Wonderland,” listing an itinerary of vegan restaurants in the area. The statement rings truer with each passing year as the city grows.
As a vegan who just moved to the area, I can confirm that there are multitudes of options for those who prefer not to eat meat. Below are 10 of the best vegan restaurants in Greenville SC.
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Vegan / Vegetarian Restaurants in Greenville SC
Sun Belly Cafe
1409 W Blue Ridge Dr.
Sun Belly Cafe founder and chef Deborah Bouts created her restaurant with the mission of improving peoples’ connection with both food and the earth itself. Her earliest iteration of the cafe began in the lobby of the yoga studio she taught at, as an alternative to the fast food her clients would usually pick up on the way home. Now in year six of owning a full building, business continues to boom.
Sun Belly partners exclusively with local farmers to offer fresh ingredients with every dish.
“We take whatever the farmers are growing,” said Bouts over the phone. “We don’t tell them what to grow.” Therefore, the menu changes monthly due to the seasonal nature of the ingredients. However, you can count on the summer rolls (tofu and basil wrapped in crispy rice paper) and Wild Mushroom Pho being available year-round.
In addition to being vegan, Sun Belly is also gluten free.
Swad Restaurant and Store
1421 Laurens Rd
Swad is a Greenville staple thanks to its dedication to authentic, meatless Indian food. Their founder, a lifelong vegetarian, has since retired and the new owners strive to carry the torch by remaining true to his original recipes. Try their mouth-watering Idli Sambar: a bowl of steam-cooked rice and lentil cakes soaking in sambar. You can’t go wrong with the daily special thali either, which comes with 2 veggie curries of the day, lentil soup, rice and naan.
Naked Vegan
311A McAlister Rd.
If southern food is more your jam, make sure to check out Naked Vegan. According to the Greenville Journal, owner Quentin Thompson spent most of his life on the “steak-and-potatoes” diet and switched to plant-based shortly after his 40th birthday. He has been a vegan evangelist ever since, recreating fried chicken sandwiches, bbq, mac and cheese and other southern staples with plant-based ingredients. If you’re concerned about missing out on your favorite comfort foods on a plant-based diet or are just curious about vegan alternatives, don’t skip out on Naked Vegan.
Herbal Farmercy
3795 E North St.
If you need some extra help in transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle, The Herbal Farmercy might be the place for you. They are primarily a meal prep service with the goal of providing “healthy, delicious and sustainable herb-filled meals.” They release their weekly menu on Monday, and those interested can pick out the meals they want in their plan and choose either a 5-day, 6-day or 7-day meal option. As I write this, they are serving a vegan Burrito Super Bowl with Quinoa, Corn plant crumbles, black beans, and salsa.
We Got the Beets
Food truck (location varies)
We Got the Beets prides themselves on being Greenville’s first cruelty-free food truck. They aim to disprove the misconception that all vegan food is bland by serving up a collection of flavorful, nutritious, homemade meals. Try their homemade veggie burger first, then move on to their plant-based sushi sandwich, nacho burger or BLT. They were finalists for the best food truck in Best of the Upstate’s Community’s Choice Awards in 2021 and 2022 and nominated in 2023, with results coming soon!
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Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Greenville SC
Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery
205 Cedar Lane Rd
The Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery is one of the coolest places to hang out in the Upstate. Not only do they offer a variety of vegan meals sourced by local, sustainable farmers, but they also have a stellar cafe and organic grocery store. The best part? They are right off of mile 28 of Greenville’s famous Swamp Rabbit Trail, making them the perfect stop for a quick lunch in the middle of a long bike ride. Do not leave without trying their Stecca Bread!
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The 05
3016 Augusta St
The 05 strives to be a key neighborhood gathering place. On top of a robust alcohol selection, they have a deep vegan and vegetarian menu with unique options like tofu nachos, beet & arugula salad, vegan paella, and much more.
The Southern Growl
155 N Buncombe Rd
The Southern Growl is a brewery with great vegan options. Tofu Bahn Mi Tacos are one of the centerpieces of their menu, with fried tofu covered in sweet chili sauce, carrot-cucumber-cabbage slaw, gochujang sauce, sliced jalapeno and cilantro. They also offer vegan burgers and falafel. Like the Swamp Rabbit Cafe, they have a huge yard with lots of outdoor seating, making them the perfect place to hang out with family or friends in the evening.
Pita House
495 S. Pleasantburg Drive
The Pita House’s motto is to be “A House of Nutritional Healthy Food.” They offer a variety of authentic Middle Eastern dishes and have many vegan and vegetarian options, including homemade hummus, baba ganoush and falafel. They also make homemade pita bread daily. Make sure to check out their grocery store while you wait for your food.
Wholy Smoke
447 W Butler Rd.
You’d think there’s no way that a barbecue restaurant deserves to be on their list. However, Mauldin’s Wholy Smoke has an entire “Amazingly Meatless” menu with Vegan Pulled BBQ, Meatless Wings and even Vegan Pasta. They are perfect for those who miss southern-cooked BBQ or want to introduce a BBQ lover to a plant-based alternative.
