25 Queer-Owned Vegan Spots In The US You Need To Try

Pride Month may be designated for June, but for a growing number of queer-owned vegan enterprises across the U.S., it's a 365-day affair. Far from the hollow "rainbow capitalism" of larger corporations, these small local ventures are authentically rooted in creating inclusive spaces, serving delectable plant-based fare, and supporting local LGBTQ+ charities throughout the year. These businesses, ranging from pop-up eateries to bars, cafes, and bakeries, are gradually reshaping America's culinary landscape.

Being both vegan and queer inherently places one outside of the conventional norms of an omnivorous, heteronormative society, which is why these identities often intertwine. They exist at the intersection of queer culture and veganism, championing animal and human rights with equal fervor. Despite the challenges the owners face as women, people of color, and queer/trans individuals, the resilience of their businesses is a testament to the power of their communities. The communal support keeps them afloat and fuels their growth and success, and you're always welcome to be a part of this transformative journey.

Founded by Lagusta Yearwood, a long-term anarchist and vegan, Lagusta's Luscious has blossomed since its establishment as a gourmet chocolate brand in 2003. Today, this queer-owned artisanal chocolate shop and café in upstate New York embodies a strong sense of community, evident in the warm exchanges between staff and patrons on Instagram. 

With an array of mouthwatering pastries, sandwiches, chocolates, and drinks, Lagusta's Cafe is more than just a plant-based brand. Yearwood and her team do everything in their power to keep business transparent, sustainable, and ethical while actively supporting its local New Paltz community and LGBTQ+ organizations like Gender Justice LA and Transgender Law Center. A haven for queer, trans, and gender-nonconforming individuals, Lagusta's Luscious is a true embodiment of social justice and inclusivity.

Discovering plant-based eating as a teenager, Brennah Lambert overcame health issues and turned her newly-found passion for vegan food into a thriving catering business. In 2021, she opened LesbiVeggies — a fitting name for a black queer woman-led establishment. With this space, Lambert aims to help her community identify with the vegan lifestyle by fostering a welcoming environment centered around sharing healthy yet comforting plant-based meals and leading by example.

Savor the Vegan Hungry Man, a brunch lover's dream with pancakes, tofu scramble, and potatoes, or indulge in dinner favorites like Eggplant Parm, Smoked Maple Dijon Brussels, and a mouthwatering Brown Butter Cobbler for dessert. With a rotating weekly menu and catering options, LesbiVeggies guarantees a fresh, irresistible experience every time.

Portland's fiercest Chicanx-owned vegan taqueria has been the place where six-inch heels and mouth-watering tacos collide since its inception in 2016 (hence the name). Born from the visionary minds of Carlos Reynoso and Polo Abram Bañuelos, this joint turned heads as a pop-up at weekend markets and queer parties. Fast forward to 2022, and these culinary rebels have opened a permanent spot, with the passionate support of their community united on a mission of making the vegan scene more accessible for brown queer folks.

This ain't your average taqueria. Mis Tacones serves up inclusivity with a side of nostalgia-induced street food. They invite you to come for the seitan tacos and chimichangas and stay for the love and community. And, as a nod to their roots, they serve trans people of color for free.

Chef Cyrus Ichiza, ex-drag queen and body-piercer turned zen culinary mastermind, first brought a refreshing twist to Portland's food scene in 2017 with Ichiza Kitchen. Over the course of the coronavirus pandemic, it underwent several changes, and today, Jade Rabbit is a testament to Ichiza's commitment to fighting toxic restaurant standards and embracing traditional Asian cooking techniques while keeping it vegan and environmentally friendly. 

Nestled in Aimsir Distilling's Emerald Room, this Pan-Asian vegan haven serves up an unmatched dim sum selection. Must-tries include the signature bawan bunny dumplings, vegan cream cheese rangoons, tapioca roe-topped siu mai, and mouthwatering BBQ pork buns.

At The Wild Chive, chef Soozee Nguyen is revolutionizing the vegan brunch scene. With her vision rooted in her parents' home cooking and her skills honed in NYC's restaurant kitchens, Nguyen launched her pop-up in 2017, taking Long Beach by storm. Now a full-scale restaurant, The Wild Chive has become one of California's highest-rated brunch spots, outshining most non-vegan competitors. 

As a proud member of the Safe Spaces Alliance, this joint celebrates its queer community and cultural heritage while serving soulful plant-based brunch staples. Chow down on the Stuffed French Toast, Grilled Burrizo, or pillowy soft French Quarter Beignets — and wash them down with a vegan Vietnamese iced coffee or Rose Prosecco Mimosa for the ultimate brunch experience.

Founded by Alexi Mandolini and Taylor Herbert, The Easy Vegan is a beloved pop-up plant-based startup that rose from the ashes of the coronavirus pandemic. When these two hospitality industry pros found themselves jobless, they turned to making vegan takeout, becoming the saviors of Denverites desperate for some non-quarantine grub. Now, they're rocking farmer's markets and hosting monthly dine-ins at the local gastropub, Asbury Provisions.

The Easy Vegan is not about the toxic "healthfulness" often associated with vegan eats; they're here to celebrate veggies and make good food, evident in their artfully plated carrot osso bucco, savory cannoli, and panko-crusted arancini. We recommend you stalk their socials for event updates, order personal catering via their website, and catch them on The Great Food Truck Race on Food Network.

After serving as a chef and counselor at a homeless youth center, Marino Benedetto discovered the transformative power of plant-based comfort food, and in 2013, Yeah Dawg was born. It soon blossomed into a nationwide hot dog brand with the crowdfunding efforts of its loyal community. Fast forward a decade, and despite halting its wholesale operations, this rebel pop-up is still slinging gluten-free, soy-free dawgs with mouthwatering toppings like homemade kraut and coconut bacon.

As a nonbinary vegan chef, Benedetto's mission has always been to topple the patriarchy in the kitchen, heal souls through vegan delicacies, and create inclusive opportunities for queer and gender nonconforming chefs. Follow Yeah Dawg's Instagram for the hottest pop-up intel, and never miss a chance to chow down on these elusive dawgs.

Meet Desiree Flores, the badass ethical vegan transforming traditional Mexican cuisine with Dear Mama, her plant-based pop-up and catering powerhouse. Flores ditched meat and dairy as a teen, only to find her native cuisine lacking in vegan options. Undeterred, she first dazzled an underground supper club with her vegan jackfruit tamales and set out on a mission to bring healthy, nostalgia-inducing vegan eats to her Boyle Heights community.

With a backstory steeped in her grandmother's immigrant hustle and culinary prowess, Dear Mama's drool-worthy offerings, like birria tacos and overstuffed torta de chilaquiles, pack a flavorful punch while supporting single parents and immigrant families. So next time you're in LA, get ready to chow down on some vegan Mexican delights with a side of social impact.

Maggie Lea and Tamara Hoover's long-term partnership spawned one of Austin's most enduring all-welcoming hotspots. Cheer Up Charlies, a lesbian-owned oasis, boasts an outdoor music venue, an on-site vegan food truck, and a welcoming atmosphere for Texans and visitors alike. With nightly happenings ranging from pride karaoke to drag pageants and queer two-step nights, their Instagram feed is a must-follow.

Born in 2009 as a humble food truck, Cheer Up Charlies morphed into a Moby-approved vegan BBQ spot before settling into its current spacious location in 2014. Once inside, sip on-tap kombucha, fresh juice cocktails, local beers, and organic wines before hitting up Arlo's, the comfort food truck serving mouth-watering burgers, tacos, and Frito pies. Relax beneath the enormous pink parachute draped over the back patio and soak in the vibrant, authentically Austin queer vegan scene.

Any Denver-based vegan already knows Lisa Wong and Natalie Gilbert, the queer best friends behind WongWayVeg, and now founders of VegFest Colorado. Born out of Lisa's culinary dreams and fueled by their shared love for vegan street food, the food truck was launched in 2015.

Lisa, of Chinese heritage, draws inspiration from her grandparents' recipes, while Natalie finds joy in veganizing her Jewish childhood favorites. This fusion of cultures results in a rotating feast of croissant waffle pops, cone-shaped wraps, brisket sammies, and a risotto burger. Stay updated with their weekly offerings through their website and Instagram pop-up announcements, and get ready to chase this gastronomic adventure around Denver.

For the past two years, Speed-o Cappuccino, a sex worker-owned vegan coffee cart, has been energizing the streets of Portland. Dahlia Hanson and Joseph Miller, Portland natives who've been in the local sex and hospitality industries for a decade, are driving this caffeine-fueled queer take on the "bikini barista."

Their offbeat venture serves a mouthwatering selection of vegan drinks and employs sex workers and LGBTQ+ community members, creating a safe haven for all. Despite a house fire setback, the duo stayed afloat with their community's help, instilling gratitude into their business ethos: Each daily special purchase kickbacks a dollar to local non-profits. Drop by for their tantalizingly good eats and pink-clad barista squad of "thembos and flirts".

Forage & Flame has ignited the Californian fine dining scene with their revolutionary Vegan Supper Club, a monthly pop-up dining experience taking plant-based eating to the next level. Helmed by trans vegan chef Kujo Kumro, the club caters to a discerning palate, serving up creatively crafted and artfully plated vegan dishes. From seared vegan scallops to handcrafted charcuterie boards, the menu is as diverse as it is delectable.

Its first dinner, held in Spring 2022, set the stage for a gastronomic revolution, and by May 2023, Forage & Flame started offering membership options for three or six events, making indulgence more affordable. Check their Insta bio to order a private dining experience, snag tickets for upcoming events, or subscribe to their Vegan Supper Club Membership.