Whether you’re working in the loop or exploring the city of there are plenty of places in the Chicago Loop to find a vegan lunch. After working in the loop for 2 years I have hit up most of these places for lunch and thought I should compile a list to share with others as I it would have helped me out when I first moved to Chicago. (list is in no particular order)
Native Foods
Native Foods is a fully vegan fast casual restaurant. Native Foods offers burgers, salads, a variety of entrees and sweet treats. You will always find something different as the monthly special. My favorites to order are the Buddha Bowl and Twister Wrap with sweet potato fries.
Buddha Bowl from Native Foods
Veggie Grill
Veggie Grill is a newer fully vegan fast casual restaurant. There is always something new to try as they rotate seasonal items. VG offers great salads, bowls and the beyond burger. I enjoy the buffalo mini wrap and seasonal salads.
B-Wing Salad from Veggie Grill
Freshii
Freshii is a fast casual restaurant serving burritos, wraps, salads, and juice. Building your own is easy with vegan protein options of tofu, falafel and edamame; sauce options include teriyaki, spicy peanut, and ginger miso. Vegan menu items include umami wrap, Baja & Khao San burrito, and superfood soup. I like to build my own bowl with teriyaki sauce and get a fresh juice.
Salad from Freshii
Just Salad
Just Salad offers salads, wraps, smoothies and more. The salad portions are large and on the website the dressings are clearly marked if vegan. My favorite is the Tokyo supergreens with organic sesame tofu and the avocado dreamsicle smoothie.
Roti
Roti is a modern Mediterranean fast casual restaurant where you can build your own plate, wrap, pita sandwich or salad. For your protein get the falafel, most of the sides including hummus & couscous are vegan. For sauces the S’hug, tahinni and Green S’hug are vegan. The pita, quinoa cauliflower tabbouleh and vinaigrette do contain honey. I usually order a falafel salad with hummus, couscous, red cabbage slaw, veggies, pickled onions and tahini.
Falafel Salad from Roti
IDOF
IDOF which stands for I Dream Of Falafel is a fast casual Mediterranean restaurant. Order the Vegan Dream bowl or create your own falafel salad or wrap. All bases and toppings are vegan (minus the feta); choose the spicy tomato or tahini sauce. You can even get a side of lentil soup, stuffed grape leaves or baklava. My go to is the Vegan Dream.
Vegan Dreams from IDOF
Benjyehuda
Benjyehuda is a fast casual restaurant with what they call urban street food. You can get a pita wrap or a box (salad or rice base); choose falafel as your protein then load with hummus and veggies and top off with tahini or hot sauce. I have yet to try Benjyehuda – If you have been comment below and let us know how you like it.
Naansense
Naansense is a Indian inspired fast casual restaurant. Create your own taco, bowl or salad with vegan options of roasted veggies or chickpeas; top if off with cashew ginger or red chili sauce. The menu here is marked with V for vegan. I like getting a brown rice bowl with chickpea, lots of veggies and the cashew ginger sauce.
Rice bowl with chickpeas, veggies, cashew ginger & mint sauce from Naansense
BIBIBOP Asian Grill
BIBIBOP is a fast casual restaurant with Korean inspired rice bowls. Your vegan protein option is organic tofu. Build a bowl with a base of purple or white rice, salad or japchae then load up on toppings like black beans, bean sprouts, cabbage, kale, kimchi or daikon. Vegan dressing options include korean red, teriyaki, spicy sriracha and sesame ginger. The website clearly marks all vegan options.
Brightwok Kitchen
Brightwok Kitchen is a veggie focused, Asian inspired fast casual restaurant offering stir-fries and salad. The website states “Our menu is gluten-free, dairy-free, peanut-free, and all of our homemade sauces are vegan.” Choose one of the favorites like the Kick’n Panang or build your own bowl with one sauce, one base, one protein & four veggies.
kick’n panaag bowl from Brightwok
Protein Bar & Kitchen
Protein Bar is a fast casual restaurant serving protein packed shakes, breakfast, salads, wraps and more. The menu has many items that are vegan or can be made vegan. Get a peanut butter & acai bowl, baja guac wrap, southwest salad or better yet the superfood vegan wrap/ salad. My favorite item is the Wrigley Peeled Shake made with peanut butter, banana, agave syrup and request vegan protein powder & coconut milk, so good!
Superfood vegan wrap from Protein Bar
Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen is the place to get a healthy salad. Order the Spicy Thai or Shroomami salad off the menu or create your own salad. Some of the vegan dressing options include lime cilantro jalapeno vinaigrette, miso sesame ginger, pesto vinaigrette, and spicy cashew dressing. My favorite is the Shroomami, it has organic wild rice, shredded kale, raw beets, cucumbers, basil, spicy sunflower seeds, warm portobello mix, roasted sesame tofu, miso sesame ginger dressing – and I devour it every time.
Left Coast
Left Coast is a healthy fast casual restaurant with juice and smoothies. They have a great selection of vegan options such as my favorite the Easy Street Wrap which features tofu, brown rice and this amazing madras curry sauce. For a breakdown of all their vegan options check out my post on Left Coast.
Easy Street wrap from Left Coast
Dos Toros Taqueria
Dos Toros Taqueria is pretty much a chipotle (which also has vegan options) with San Fran roots. Create a great vegan burrito bowl with farro, beans, market vegetables. onions & peppers, corn, guacamole and hot sauce.
Pret A Manger
Pret A Manger is a sandwich shop chain. Some of their vegan options include moracann lentil soup, falaffel & beet hummus wrap, Mediterranean mezze salad, oatmeal and everything bagel.
Be Leaf
Be Leaf is the place to go in the loop if you want to build your own salad. The website clearly marks the vegan ingredients, all basics & the goods are vegan friendly.
Chicago Raw
Located in the west loop’s French Market, Chicago Raw is worth a mention. They offer fully raw vegan entrees, smoothies & desserts.
Raw sushi from Chicago Raw
More
Chipotle
Noodles & Co.
Be Leaf
Le Pain Quotidien
Hannah’s Bretzel
Amazon Go
Flat Top Grill (good dinner option)
Leave a comment with your favorite place in the Chicago Loop to get a vegan friendly lunch!
For more where to find vegan in Chicago see my other guides:
Vegan Pizza in Chicago
Vegan Donuts in Chicago
Vegan Ice Cream in Chicago
I have done my best research to find that each location offers vegan options however, it is possible not all options listed are 100% vegan, please check with location for exact nutritional and allergy information.