Best Vegan And Vegetarian Restaurants In Charleston, SC | We Have the 17 Spots You Don’t Want To Miss
Charleston is known for its rich history, glorious architecture, dazzling beachfront, and spirited nightlife. Among all those selling points, Charleston’s renown can also be ascribed partly to its growing and award-winning culinary scene.
Although most of the city’s restaurants remain meat-, fish-, and butter-centric, the lively dining environment has also become a hub for plant-based eating with a wide array of vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants.
Whether you are a seasoned vegan or simply looking to try something new, here are the best vegan and vegetarian restaurants to check out in downtown Charleston, and from Mt. Pleasant all the way to West Ashley and Folly Beach.
So here are our current favorites in no particular order. Please note that no national chains are on our list. It only includes local spots that we personally recommend, they may have one or a few locations.
Huriyali
Image from: huriyali.com
Huriyali is a popular vegan and vegetarian café known for its fresh juices, smoothies, and bowls. Their menu features a variety of plant-based options, including acai bowls, quinoa salads, and avocado toast.
Our favorite menu items include the chickpea and tempeh breakfast sandwich, lentil nachos, and the Buddha Bowl (roasted sweet potatoes, sautéed kale, seasoned black beans, sesame seeds, cilantro).
Huriyali also offers a healthy selection of snacks to go and baked goods making it a great spot for a quick bite.
Huriyali
401 Huger Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 207-4436
https://www.huriyali.com
Harbinger Café & Bakery
Picture from: theharbingercafe.com
Harbinger Cafe is a perfect spot to get some work done, schedule a coffee date with friends, or grab a quick meal. They offer a medley of gluten free and vegan/vegetarian sweet treats and coffee drinks.
Around lunch time there are 5-6 salads you can choose from.
Our personal favorites on the menu are the Turmeric Chai Tea Latte with almond milk, and For The Birds (oats, rice krispies, peanuts, sunflower seeds, dark chocolate, honey, tahini, and peanut butter).
Harbinger Café & Bakery
1107 King Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 637-3410
https://www.theharbingercafe.com/
Jack of Cups Saloon
Photo credit: facebook.com
It’s never a complete trip to Charleston without driving to Folly Beach. The beautiful beach directly south of the city is one of Charleston’s biggest draws, and it is exactly what keeps people coming back. With sidewalk booths and a sunny back courtyard, Jack of Cups is proof that a world of exceptional flavors can be had in small places.
The majority of the menu comes vegetarian with a few exceptions. Even though some menu items feature dairy and egg products, ask your server to remove the animal based ingredients to make a fully plant-based dish.
The menu changes often so checkout the website for the newest additions. But some outstanding dishes we had include peanut ginger soup, a variety of curries, a white bean veggie burger, impossible beef sliders, and veggie spring rolls.
Jack of Cups Saloon
34 Center Street
Folly Beach, SC 29412
(843) 633-0042
https://www.jackofcupssaloon.net/
The Grocery
Ctto: thegrocerycharleston.com
The grocery is a farm-to-table restaurant featuring the best local produce. It’s super easy to be vegan here, and everything is delicious!
The menu changes seasonally but you can find roasted beets, heirloom tomatoes, green tomato carpaccio, corn agnolotti, summer squash, eggplant crudo, and more.
The Grocery
4 Cannon Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 302-8825
https://thegrocerycharleston.com/
Neon Tiger
Image from: neontiger.com
Neon Tiger is a 100% vegan restaurant. You will see things such as cheese and pepperoni on the menu, but know it is the vegan version of all those ingredients.
Neon Tiger is focused on local, natural, organic, fresh, beautifully curated plates and sophisticated libations.
Our favorites include trumpet mushroom calamari, philly cheesesteak, scallop scampi, and a delightful reuben sandwich
Neon Tiger
654 King Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 640-3902
https://neontiger.com/
The Junction Kitchen & Provisions
Picture from: thejunctionkitchen.com
This popular spot welcomes meat lovers, vegetarians, and vegans alike.
The Junction shiitake bacon is the ideal replacement for real bacon in a BLT, a breakfast sandwich, or simply by itself.
Vegan versions of egg dishes are available, and portobello mushrooms take the place of pork in the tacos and Mexican hash.
The menu also includes more traditional veggie dishes like avocado toast, the “Veg Out” wrap and the “energy” salad (quinoa, chickpeas, almonds, roasted red peppers, romaine, and citrus vinaigrette).
The Junction Kitchen & Provisions
4438 Spruill Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-9189
https://thejunctionkitchen.com/
Chasing Sage
Ctto: facebook.com
Chasing Sage is a vegetable-focused restaurant with seasonally-inspired small plates. They offer many creative veggie dishes and are accommodating to making things completely vegan upon request.
The menu is subject to regular changes, but dishes that we enjoyed included asparagus terrine, mustard green strawberry and crackers, and crispy spring onion dumplings with chili oil, white soy, and shiso. A sunchoke agnolotti, escarole, radicchio and preserved tangerine was a work of art.
A great dinner option in a welcoming space.
Chasing Sage
267 Rutledge Avenue
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 444-3402
https://www.chasingsagerestaurant.com/
Ali Baba
Image from: yelp.com
This vegetarian and vegan-friendly Mediterranean restaurant is a prime lunch spot for anyone looking for a filling and delicious plant-based meal. The staff works extra hard to make sure that you can order a plant-based item that will not be crossed with any of the dairy or animal-based products in the restaurant. The restaurant offers a wide variety of plant-based sandwich options and fully customizable vegetarian platters options.
Don’t miss the Tabouli Salad (parsley, green onions, tomatoes, fresh mint, bulgar, olive oil, lemon juice, and spices), the grilled veggie pita, and the Mama-eesh.
Ali Baba Deli
186 Seven Farms Drive #500
Charleston, SC 29492
(843) 377-8666
https://alibabacharleston.com/
Sorghum & Salt
Picture from: yelp.com
Vegan diners at Sorghum & Salt will discover many vegetable-focused small plates on the regular seasonal menu. If you want to up your game, the restaurant also offers a vegan tasting menu (entire table must order).
Dishes rotate regularly, but we have had outstanding creative dishes including zucchini and summer squash, butterbeans, sweet potatoes, watermelon, and a superb gnocchi (potato, fresh black truffle, oyster mushrooms).
Sorghum & Salt
186 Coming Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 872-6393
https://www.sorghumandsalt.com/
Verde
Source: facebook.com
Verde is a salad-focused eatery that offers plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. Their menu features a variety of fresh and healthy salads, with customized options to suit every dietary preference. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic Caesar or something a bit more creative, you’re sure to find something green and delicious to eat.
We can’t stop raving about their Unbelievable Burger. A tantalizing concoction of a black bean burger with vegan cheddar cheese, dill pickles, avocado, pickled onions, and grape tomatoes served on Romaine and mesclun with thousand island dressing.
They also have locations in Mount Pleasant and West Ashley
Verde
13 Magnolia Road
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 203-6192
https://www.eatatverde.com/
CO
Ctto: facebook.com
CO is located right on King Street in the shopping district, making it the perfect sport to pop in for lunch while you’re wandering the streets. Asian-inspired vegetarian standouts include crispy edamame spring rolls, mango summer rolls, and tofu buns.
Be sure to ask for the vegan menu!
CO
340 King Street
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 720-3631
https://www.eatatco.com/location/charleston/
Beech
Image from: yelp.com
Beech is a fun, casual place with wonderful acai bowls, smoothies, cold pressed juices, and build your own poke bowls (vegan options).
A go-to poke bowl that we recommend is a mix of brown rice and zucchini noodles with tofu mushrooms, edamame, cucumber, and mango, with ginger dressing. Beech also has locations on Daniel Island and James Island.
Beech
315 King Street
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 212-5414
https://www.beechrestaurants.com
Eucalyptus Wellness and Elixir Bar
Source: eucalyptuswellness.com
Inside Eucalyptus Wellness Company is a hip place they call the Elixir Bar. Here you can get everything: wellness shots, acai bowls, smoothies, avocado toast, and more. Many of their concoctions include superfoods or herbs such as spirulina, ashwagandha, and even CBD.
We would return just to bite into another Beet Reuben (roasted beets, vegan provolone, sauerkraut, special sauce)
Eucalyptus Wellness and Elixir Bar
920 Houston Northcutt Boulevard A1
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 388-4956
https://www.eucalyptuswellness.com
Mex 1 Coastal Cantina
Image from: yelp.com
Mexican restaurants are usually pretty easy places to find vegan options. This is one of our favorite spots because of their super-chill, beachy vibe.
Their cauliflower tacos are to die for, but don’t sleep on the veggie quesadilla and black bean bowl. They also make their own fresh margarita mix, so be sure to get one of those too.
They have additional locations in Charleston and Mount Pleasant.
Mex 1 Coastal Cantina
2205 Middle Street
Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
(843) 882 8172
https://mex1coastalcantina.com/
Blend
Ctto: yelp.com
Smoothies, juices, elixir shots, acai bowls, and oatmeal, Blend offers an assortment of healthy options for breakfast and lunch.
Blend
320 West Coleman Boulevard
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 864-6161
Xiao Bao Biscuit
Image from: yelp.com
Xiao Bao Biscuit, housed in a former gas station, has created a unique and trendy space serving creative Asia cuisine and specialty cocktails.
Most dishes have a vegan option including such satisfying dishes like okonomiyaki, maple tofu, spicy papaya salad, and fried rice.
Xiao Bao Biscuit
224 Rutledge Avenue
Charleston, SC 29403
https://www.xiaobaobiscuit.com
Basic Kitchen
Source: yelp.com
Basic Kitchen has become quite the place for conscious eaters in Charleston. Though primarily plant-dominant, it has something for everyone in a beautiful setting.
They are known for their Cauli Wings (tempura cauliflower, buffalo sauce, vegan ranch), Corn Ribs (local corn, dry rub, vegan Alabama BBQ sauce), and vegan Caesar. If you want a special dish, try the Yellow Coconut Curry, a sublime mixture of market veggies, tofu, Carolina Gold rice, and toasted coconut.
While you’re there, try the beet margarita!
Basic Kitchen
82 Wentworth Street
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 789-4568
https://www.basickitchen.com
Source: archello.com
Wrapping Up
While finding places to eat well as a vegan or vegetarian in Charleston requires some creativity, you now have a list to help you on your culinary adventures. There are plenty of delicious options to choose from. Whether you’re in the mood for a cozy café, salad-focused eatery, or an atmospheric spot for dinner, you’re sure to find something on our list (day or night) that fits your dietary lifestyle.
