6 Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants in Downtown Knoxville
Downtown Knoxville restaurants bring big flavor to vegetarian and vegan dishes! Check out the list below for yummy plant‑based options that both vegans and carnivores will love.
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KoPita Authentic Mediterranean
Chef Avi Zenatti brings bold Mediterranean flavors to Gay Street sharing his Moroccan/Israeli family recipes with Knoxvillians and visitors! KoPita serves their vegan-friendly fare on the mezzanine level of Embassy Suites, including our favorite: the vegan shwarma pita with seitan, tahini, harissa, and arabic salad. Make your meatless Mondays memorable!
The Tomato Head
The Tomato Head has been serving up fresh dishes for vegetarians, vegans, and carnivores alike, on Market Square for years. Veggie options include vegan pepperoni and vegan cheese pizza, vegan cookies, vegan/gluten-free bread, vibrant salads, sauces and more. It’s a win‑win at The Tomato Head! Order up the "Vegan" with marinated tofu, thick-cut tomatoes, and pesto spread.
Kaizen
Kaizen’s menu specifies whether each dish is vegetarian, vegan, and/or gluten‑free! Order up some steam tofu buns, crispy fried eggplant, and delicious Shoyu noodles. Not to mention specials that are always super unique, and since they have all dietary preferences in mind, you’ll often find vegetarian friendly proteins like seitan, tofu, and tempeh. Pictured here is a pumpkin & coconut yellow curry with fried tofu!
Good Golly Tamale
Mmmm, a Knoxville favorite! The Old City is home to Good Golly Tamale, one of the most interesting places on our list. It's comfort food that's fast, delicious, and nutritious! Vegan options include Vegan Soul with blue corn, black eyed peas, sweet potatoes, and collards, and seasonal specials like the Calabacitas with squash and zucchini and the Veggie Pot Pie with mushrooms, potatoes, and carrots. @knoxvegan calls the Vegan Soul, "hands down one of the best things in Knoxville."
Yassin's Falafel House
Love falafel? Love baba ganoush? Love hummus? Yassin’s makes all of it daily from super fresh ingredients and offers many vegan and gluten‑free options too. The authentic Mediterranean casual fare is in a bright and cheery atmosphere that was even named “Nicest Place in America” by GMA! It’s kind of a big deal around here. Try the plant-based shawarma sandwich or the falafel sampler plate topped with galicky white sauce!
Bistro at the Bijou
Bistro at the Bijou is another restaurant with a convenient menu to let you know what’s vegan, vegetarian, and gluten‑free. The delicious and healthy quinoa bowl is filled with local veggies and marinated cucumbers; the hummus wrap is loaded with sprouts, avocado, and veggies for a light lunch; and the Three Sisters Succotash with tomatoes, corn, beans and zucchini and tofu is the bomb! Plus black bean burgers with the option to add signature toppings like tomato jam and goat cheese.
Eating vegan never tasted so good!
Wherever your food journey takes you, we're sure it will be full of yummy in one of these Downtown Knoxville restaurants.