This guide shares the best places to get vegan food in Columbia, SC. From 100% plant-based menus to vegan specials at local favorites, we share all.
What You’ll Find In This Article
There are so many great eateries in the area worth trying, so be sure to check out our list of over 20 awesome restaurants in Columbia. But if you’re specifically looking for vegan restaurants in Columbia, read on!
Where To Get Vegan Food in Columbia, SC
Before we jump to the list of Columbia’s vegan restaurants, let’s first check out a map!
Awesome Vegan Restaurants in Columbia
We are kicking this list off with restaurants in Columbia with vegan-only menus. Everything you’ll find at these restaurants will be plant-based and full of flavor.
2338 Main Street | the North Main area
Vegan soul food in Columbia’s NOMA
A Peace Of Soul is an excellent vegan restaurant on North Main. They are only open a few days a week but that hasn’t stopped them from building a cult following.
You’ll find classic dishes like a fried chicken sandwich and chili cheeseburger reimagined with vegan ingredients. They also have excellent collard greens.
For breakfast, try a vegan chicken biscuit or a pancake platter.
A Peace of Soul has a great 3-day meal prep option. Their meal prep menu changes often but you can always plan on a few delicious options.
A Peace of Soul is a Black-owned takeout-only Vegan restaurant in Columbia. It’s actually by the same family behind the former Lamb’s Bread– the current owner bought the restaurant from her dad and did a bit of rebranding and updating of the old menu. For the quickest service, order online!
The Hoot opened in June 2023
2910 Rosewood Drive | Rosewood
Neighborhood vegan restaurant in Rosewood
The Hoot is a casual vegan restaurant in Columbia with a delicious and approachable menu. Think: boiled peanuts, gluten-free cheez tots, and their take on a vegan Philly cheesesteak – all made with plant-based ingredients.
They also have a fantastic selection of house-crafted cocktails, spritzes, and non-alcoholic options.
Check out their weekly trivia night on Tuesdays! Themes change each week, so you can test your knowledge on something new.
The Hoot offers a vegan brunch on Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm.
9300 Two Notch Road | Northeast Columbia
Mind-blowing vegan food in NE Columbia
Craving delicious vegan food that’ll impress your meat-loving friends? Head to Reizod Vegan Experience!
This Black-owned restaurant in Northeast Columbia is passionate about providing the area with the best vegan food in town.
Their innovative dishes made with fresh and 100% plant-based ingredients, will have everyone raving about vegan cuisine.
Reizod offers creative options that mimic familiar favorites, like “broccoli and beef,” wings, and Philly cheesesteaks. They even have vegan spins on classics like mac & cheese and hibachi!
Grab & go vegan bites near Devine Street
Located on Millwood Ave near Devine Street, Tasty as Fit is a plant-based, gluten-free grab-and-go spot. Their food is fresh and, as the name suggests, very tasty indeed!
Tasty As Fit makes their food fresh daily and keeps it in a grab-and-go fridge. It’s a great way to eat healthy food in Columbia.
You’ll find everything from grain bowls to salads and even their famous vegan Snickers!
Restaurants With Vegan Options in Columbia
And now onto the next part of our vegan food in Columbia, SC list: local restaurants with great vegan options. These are restaurants that either have a dedicated menu of vegan options or have a few on their regular menu worth trying.
Perfect spot for healthy eats in downtown Columbia
Known as Columbia’s original vegan restaurant, Good Life Cafe is a great destination for healthy, delicious plant-based food. They moved locations in 2023 and added a few non-vegan items to the menu.
Their menu includes shareables like nachos, spring rolls and a trio of dips. You’ll also find larger dishes like quesadillas, burgers, wraps, salads, soups and more.
Their chili is excellent, especially when paired with their grilled cheese. And their buffalo cauliflower bites are amazing!
They have a ton of vegan smoothies on their menu that are packed with fruit, veggies and oat milk. You can opt for house-made almond milk for $1 extra. Good Life Cafe also has vegan smoothie bowls that will leave you full and feeling great.
And, of course, we can’t forget Good Life is the perfect spot in Columbia for vegan ice cream and desserts! Their coconut cream base ice cream is great (flavors change weekly), especially when you upgrade to a milkshake. Milkshakes come topped with coconut whipped cream.
Good Life Cafe has a barista bar with a section of ‘healthy coffee’ options. Their Golden Latte with turmeric, vanilla, ginger, cayenne pepper, and maple syrup is such a treat!
Cozy Thai restaurant near Five Points with vegan options
Baan Sawan is a Thai restaurant on Devine Street just by Five Points. They are only Friday and Saturday evenings and do not take reservations.
The menu at Baan Sawan changes weekly, but they typically always have at least one vegan option. They also offer a 100% vegan menu every few months.
Baan Sawan a gem of a spot and we recommend dining there for a unique Columbia experience. There’s a used bookshop and record lounge open during the kitchen’s hours.
Mexican restaurant with a dedicated vegan menu
Coa Agaveria is an upscale Mexican restaurant in Columbia with a dedicated vegan menu. You’ll find taquitos with cashew queso, a Beyond Meat chorizo lettuce wrap and a great salad with roasted beets.
Try the ‘Tasty As Fit bowl’ with lettuce, rice, black beans wild mushrooms, corn, pico and guacamole.
Mediterranean restaurant with a few vegan entrees
Arabesque is a great Mediterranean restaurant in Columbia with several vegan options. Their hummus is vegan, as well as the zaatar dip, falafel appetizer, stuffed grape leaves, fattoush, and tabbouleh.
You’ll also find vegan entrees on the menu like their amazing grilled vegetable skewer dinner with a choice of two sides (rice, pesto, pita and green beans.)
Arabesque also has vegan cheese available, so you can substitute it for regular cheese on pizza.
Sandwich shop with vegan options in downtown Columbia
If you are looking for a great vegan lunch in Columbia, head to Sound Bites!
It’s located downtown and has an excellent vegan wrap made with a black bean vegan burger. The burger is topped with hummus, avocado, red pepper spread, rosemary dijon and spinach.
Apart from the wrap, you’ll also find a great build-your-own salad menu. The black bean vegan burger is one of the salad protein options.
Thai restaurant with vegan options
Kao Thai is one of the best Thai restaurants in Columbia. It’s located on Main Street is known for great food and service.
Several of their menu items are vegan or can be made vegan upon request. These include their Kao Fried Chicken, Thai Fried Rice, Drunken Noodles and Eggplant Tofu Basil.
They also have veggie spring rolls and crispy Brussels sprouts that can be made vegan.
4840 Forest Drive | Forest Acres
Salad shop with a great vegan lunch in Forest Acres
Verde in Trenholm Plaza is the perfect place for a vegan lunch in Columbia. Their menu includes several signature dishes, all of which can be ordered as a tossed salad, chopped salad or as a wrap.
A top vegan item on their menu is the ‘Unbeanlievable Burger.’ It’s a Black Bean Burger with Vegan cheddar cheese, dill pickles, avocado, pickled onion and tomatoes.
Their Bowled Buddha is also a great vegan option. It comes with roasted broccoli, chickpeas, pickled onion, roasted sweet potatoes, avocado, pickled ginger and power seeds with turmeric vinaigrette.
2803 Rosewood Drive | Rosewood
Local market with produce, packaged goods and a deli with vegan options
The deli at Rosewood Market is a great place for a vegan lunch in Columbia.
They have several gluten-free and vegan bowls, like their black bean and roasted sweet potato bowl and a tempeh bowl. They also have salads, soups and a grab & go section with vegan options.
Apart from the deli section at Rosewood Market, you’ll also find fresh produce, teas, supplements and a ton of healthy grocery options.
Eatery in Five Points with vegan breakfast
If you are looking for vegan breakfast in Columbia, SC, head to Flying Biscuit in Five Points! They have a tofu wrap and tofu scramble on the menu, as well as avocado toast and oatmeal.
For a great vegan lunch, check out their Beyond Burger.
Flying Biscuit is located in Five Points and has a casual, relaxed atmosphere.
Pizza place in the vista with a vegan pizza
Mellow Mushroom is a pizza place in the Vista with a dedicated plant-based menu. It includes vegan pizza, appetizers and sandwiches.
You can either opt to build your own vegan pizza or try the Vegan Veg Out Pizza. They use Follow Your Heart Dairy Free cheese and remove the butter + parm finish on their regular pizzas.
Mellow Mushroom also has a vegan pretzel appetizer, a tempeh hoagie and a few salads.
