Vegan pop-ups are ushering in a new era of trendy eats!
Pop-up restaurants thrive on thrill and excitement. For chefs, they’re a medium for channeling creativity, and for guests, the short-term appeal can stimulate newfound excitement in their city’s dining culture. Vegan pop-ups are at the forefront of this trend with imaginative menus that boast ube-themed pastries, slow-cooked jackfruit mac, and grilled chicken Alfredo. Without further ado—the 10 businesses you voted the best vegan pop-ups across the US!
1. Cena Vegan
Los Angeles, CA
LA is where authentic north-of-the-border Mexican food comes to stand the test, and Cena Vegan has passed with flying colors. Their hand-pressed tortillas hold al pastor grilled with onion and pineapple, barbacoa simmered in adobo, and pollo asado grilled over mesquite. Nacho boats are available with the same selection of proteins, and burrito bowls offer a low-carb way to gratify your burrito craving.
Cena Vegan
2. Vegan Street Food
Chicago, IL
In a place where deep-dish pizza and Chicago-style dogs reign supreme, a squeeze of lime, peppery cilantro, and creamy Mexican desserts are generating new demand at plant-based pop-ups like Vegan Street Food. If you haven’t before, give arroz con leche a try! It’s like sweeter, richer oatmeal with chewy bites of raisin hidden beneath a layer of cinnamon.
Vegan Street Food
3. Baked Vegan Vixen
Los Angeles, CA
When the sun has set on the final day of the county fair, but your sweet tooth still craves those candy-coated carnival creations, Baked Vegan Vixen has got you covered! We’re talking strawberry glazed-filled beignets, churro funnel cakes with dollops of house-made whipped cream, chocolate chip cupcakes with cookie dough frosting, and pumpkin pie cupcakes that graduated to full-sized cakes.
Baked Vegan Vixen
4. Herbivore
Chicago, IL
Chef Max at Herbivore has crafted a menu that reimagines American comfort food. Prepare yourself for oodles of grilled chicken-topped Alfredo noodles, soft yet crunchy cheezy gorditas, and parmesan garlic fries! As for next week? Perhaps Philly Cheezesteak or a Blueberry Compote & Lemon Zest Stuffed Hand Pie!
Herbivore
5. Avocadamama
Los Angeles, CA
Since 2017, Avocadamama has been helping its guests close the door on dairy and open their arms to all things plant-based mac ‘n’ cheese. In search of the classics? Look no further than the OG Rigatoni Mac sprinkled with bread crumbs. For something more unexpected, pivot towards their slow-cooked Jackfruit Mac which mingles all the tang and smoke we’ve come to love in BBQ.
Avocadamama
6. Veggietize Me
Los Angeles, CA
Vegan burgers and brats are the champions of catapulting the vegan food scene to a place of well-deserved recognition. What else is deserving of recognition? Veggietize Me’s V-Mac Burger with a double Impossible patty and Thousand Island cascading down a three-part sesame bun! Or their Deluxe V-Link with smoked tempeh, Beyond sausage, chopped onions, and condiments galore, all on a salted pretzel bun.
Veggietize Me
7. San & Wolves
Los Angeles, CA
Ube is a bright lavender-colored yam that is often boiled and mashed before serving as the base for many traditional Filipino desserts. Kym Estrada’s bakery captures this essence with ube-flavored cheez pandesals, cookies, chocolate cakes, and pop-tarts. The exclusive use of house-made ingredients like butter and sweetened condensed milk also allows San & Wolves to be completely soy-, palm-, and nut-free.
San & Wolves
8. Srey Vegan
Los Angeles, CA
Owner Surray Lor’s generous portions of glazy Pineapple Walnut Shrimp over Garlic Rice are spotlighting Southeast Asian cuisine. This vegan pop-up specializes in Cambodian fusion, so even if you opt for Caramelized Pork (sourced from OmniFoods) and a four-piece egg roll, you can still grab some chocolate chip cookies on your way out.
Srey Vegan
9. Om Sabor
San Francisco, CA
Om Sabor’s claim to fame is cosmic vegan cuisine, which by their definition looks like international-themed plates whose flavors are sifted through a Latin American lens. This means Potato Cheese Gratin with cashew bechamel & cilantro mint chimichurri assume their rightful place alongside Green Chile Bisque and Ceviche Michoacano Tostadas.
Om Sabor
10. Veggie Fam
Los Angeles, CA
Veggie Fam’s sandwiches come partially wrapped in paper like a gift! It helps you get the perfect bite out of items like the OG Fried Hot Chick’n Sandwich! It comes fully loaded with crispy chicken, pickles, and aioli-dressed cabbage slaw between two toasted sesame buns. Double down on the good eating with a side of waffle fries covered in cashew cheese!
Joel Alatorre
