Dining, Minnesota

Vegan Guide For Duluth & The North Shore

Duluth, MN, and up the North Shore on Scenic Highway 61 have a fantastic selection of vegan food options. Don’t worry about being stuck with one choice (ahem Beyond Meat Burger). We’ve found some of our favorite vegan meals in Duluth and along the North Shore. We pulled together some options in our vegan guide for Duluth & The North Shore.Β 

Vegan Guide to Duluth, MN & The North Shore (4)

One thing that we really love about Duluth and the North Shore area is that the local restaurants that we like to hit tend to use local ingredients whenever possible. If you have a dairy-free, whole-food, plant-based, or vegan sitting with you at your table, you’ll be pleased to know Duluth, MN and the North Shore offer fantastic vegan options!

A Vegan Guide for Duluth, MN & The North Shore

We’re not playing favorites, so here is an alphabetical list of vegan restaurants to enjoy in Duluth, MN, and then by location as you drive up the North Shore.

At Sarah’s Table Chester Creek Cafe- Duluth, MN

Described as “locally influenced comfort food” and on-site vegetable gardens, this is a real gem. We were seated in an area that felt like we were at Sarah’s home, in her library. Very cute with shelves loaded with books that are available for purchase.Β If you’re looking for a place to eat that has more than one vegan option, this is your place!

Kelly ordered the Buddha Bowl with Kimchi and added tofu. There was also an option to add tempeh, which is kind of a rare opportunity in our experience. The bowl included kimchi, kale, edamame, broccoli, brown rice, tahini dressing, sesame seed, pepitas, and avocado.

Vegan Guide to Duluth & North Shore

Dusty ordered the vegan sliders. They were really good and were surprised to hear that they were Beyond Meat. We made a Beyond Meat at home and were unimpressed. We found out these vegan sliders were a mixture of Beyond Meat and other ingredients. It was a delicious surprise! House-cut fries were a special treat, too.Β 

Vegan Guide to Duluth & North Shore

Dining at Sarah’s Table Chester Creek Cafe

1902 E 8th St β€’ Duluth β€’ MN β€’ Β 55812
Website β€’ Facebook β€’ Menu

Duluth Grill

Each time we go to Duluth Grill they have new items on the menu and depending on what’s in season. Even if you can’t find the particular dishes we ordered, know that there will be some good, straight-up vegan options, Β with the ability to adapt other recipes as well. One cool thing we learned while talking to our waitress is that the owners of the restaurant grow a lot of their own vegetables on their own property. Β The employees also help harvest and tend to the garden. We also noticed herbs growing in raised gardens in the parking lot!

Dusty and I each find an item that we’d both like on the menu so that we can share our dishes with each other. Dusty definitely won this pick- he ordered the Thai-Ghetti. It was a peanut sauce over zucchini.

Vegan Guide to Duluth & North Shore

Kelly ordered the Buddha Bowl. It was good but not nearly as good as Dusty’s Thai-Ghetti. Pro Tip: request no oil. It was a little overpowering but that’s because we don’t eat oil at home. The oil may not bother everyone.Β 

Vegan Guide to Duluth & North Shore

 

Dining at Duluth Grill

I-35 & 27th Avenue West β€’ Duluth β€’ MN β€’ Β 55806
Website β€’ Facebook β€’ Menu

Juice Pharm

We found Juice Pharm thanks to our Instagram Account. According to their website, Juice Pharm is Duluth’s first juice bar & 100% plant-based bistro. They serve fresh-pressedΒ juices, super food smoothies, acai bowls & fresh food in a travel-inspired atmosphere.

Of course, we could not resist the avocado toast. It included a smashed avocado on Positively 3rd Street bakery toast and top it off with alfalfa sprouts, cracked lemon pepper, flax seeds, and olive oil.

Vegan Guide to Duluth & North Shore

The special for the week we visited was cauliflower ceviche tacos. We knew we’d be ordering those!

Of course, we could not resist the avocado toast. It included a smashed avocado on Positively 3rd Street bakery toast and top it off with alfalfa sprouts, cracked lemon pepper, flax seeds and olive oil.

Here is the curried chickpeas + cucumbers, purple cabbage slaw, thinly sliced radishes, cilantro, and creamy siracha on corn tortillas.

Dining at Juice Pharm

12 S 15th Ave East β€’ Duluth β€’ MN β€’ Β 55806
Website β€’ Facebook β€’ Menu

New Scenic Cafe

We have driven by many times but for whatever reason, we have never eaten here before. Our meal was so delectable that it makes us wonder what we missed out on by not eating here before. We totally loved our experience. We were greeted with toasted pistachios in the cutest little cups and water at a perfect drinking temperature. Our choices were simple to make because they were the only 2 vegan options on the menu. This was definitely a case of quality over quantity.

We ordered the Heirloom Tomato appetizer- Β melon cucumber arugula artichoke hearts Marcona almond sauce vierge tomato shrub

Vegan Guide to Duluth & North Shore

Our entree was the Marinated Tofu- wakame miso ginger & soy green tea soba noodles bok choy shiitake hon shimeji togarashi. It is an understatement to say that this tofu was likely the best we’ve ever tasted.Β 

Vegan Guide to Duluth & North Shore

As we mentioned before, the menu changes frequently because of what is available seasonally. If you plan to dine here, it might be best to call ahead or check an online menu to see if there are any vegan options during your visit.

To say this was a favorite meal is an understatement. There’s something about the North Shore that is magical to us. This meal just completely enhanced our North Shore experience.

Dining at New Scenic Cafe

5461 N Shore Drive β€’ Duluth β€’ MN β€’ Β 55804
Website β€’ Facebook β€’ Menu

Pizza Luce

To say we love Pizza Luce is an understatement. There are a few metro locations that we dine at when we’re jonesing for a pizza. There are so many vegan choices at Pizza Luce- it’s awesome!! You definitely don’t have to comb the menu for that one meal that you can kind of modify. There are plenty of appetizers, sandwiches, salads, and pizza options that are vegan.

They also have a brunch with plenty of vegan options that we’ve heard is amazing.

Vegan Guide to Duluth & North Shore

Pro Tip: Follow Pizza Luce` on social media. Last year we got in on a deal for a free $25 gift card when you purchase a $100 gift card.

Dining at Pizza Luce

11 E Superior Street #100 β€’ Duluth β€’ Β MNβ€’ Β 55802
Website β€’ Β Facebook β€’ Β Menu

Sala Thai Restaurant

Full disclosure: this was not the best Thai we’ve eaten but it is an option if you need to satisfy a craving!

We ordered our Pad Thai without egg but it arrived with egg. Also, the flavor was just average. We ate around it because it was close to closing time. Most of the lights were off. We didn’t want to bother with a re-order. Sometimes *stuff* happens, amiright?

Dining at Sala Thai

114 W 1st St β€’ Duluth β€’ Β MNβ€’ Β 55802
Website β€’ Β Facebook β€’ Β Menu

Toasty’s

Toasty’s is all about the grilled cheese! There are three vegan kinds of cheese to choose from so you can customize any of the sandwich options with the vegan cheese. We were especially impressed when they asked if we had allergies. This is because they have a completely separate grill for those with gluten or severe dairy allergies. They also have vegan butter, in case you’re wondering.

Since they had three kinds of cheese, we got the Double Decker so we could have all three kinds of cheese (Daiya Swiss, Cheddar, and JalapeΓ±o Havarti). We totally enjoyed it. Hit play on the video below to see the cheesy goodness!

 

Dining at Toasty’s

Hillside location β€’ 1032 E 9th Street β€’ Duluth Β β€’ Β MN 55805
Downtown location β€’ 220 W Superior Street β€’ Duluth Β β€’ Β MN 55802
Website β€’ Β Facebook β€’ Β Menu

Zeitgeist Art Cafe

Surprisingly, we’d not been to Zeitgeist Art Cafe before. It was a treat. So much to look at, it’ truly is an art cafe! We opted to share an appetizer and an entree. The Mediterranean Plate included roasted red pepper hummus with naan, Kalamata olives, sliced cucumbers, red peppers, and carrots. It was delicious and also a feast for the eyes.

For our entree, we chose the Thai Chili Bowl. It consisted of Thai chilies, pea pods, shiitake mushrooms, and carrots served in a mushroom broth over rice noodles, topped with roasted peanuts and cilantro. It was divine and the broth was perfect for a chilly Duluth day!

Vegan Guide to Duluth & North Shore

Vegan Guide to Duluth & North Shore

Dining at Zeitgeist Art Cafe

222 E Superior St. β€’ Duluth β€’ MN β€’ 55802
Website β€’ Facebook β€’ Menu

Cedar Coffee Company- Two Harbors, MN

We’ve stopped here a couple of times and it’s a great atmosphere. A bike shop is attached. If you’re so inclined, you can sit on the patio, tucked into the tall pine trees. It’s a delightful stop.

We asked during one of our visits and they’re happy to veganize most items upon request. We opted for fig toast (omitting the salted butter). It was a fun treat.

Grab a coffee or tea for your ride as you continue to enjoy what the North Shore has to offer!

Vegan Guide to Duluth & The North Shore

Dining at Cedar Coffee Company

1130 11th Street (just north of Shopko) β€’ Two Harbors β€’ MN β€’ 55616
Website β€’ Β Facebook β€’ Β Menu

Rustic Inn Cafe- Castle Danger, MN

There were a couple of options that were easily veganized for us. We opted for the Hummus/Flatbread Pizza. It was seriously amazing. One Or Two Grilled 8″ Flatbread, Roasted Hummus, Seasonal Vegetables and Balsamic Reduction. We omitted the feta cheese from this.

Can’t say enough about this- it was big enough that it could have been a meal.

Pro Tip: Share an appetizer and a meal for an opportunity to taste more of the menu!

Vegan Guide To Duluth & The North Shore

We also shared the Roasted Vegetable Melt which had grilled mushrooms, peppers, red onions and tomato with a roasted red pepper vinaigrette and topped with sprouts on top of a Focaccia Bread. To make this dis vegan, we omitted the Swiss cheese.

Dining at Rustic Inn Cafe

1130 11th Street (just north of Shopko) β€’ Two Harbors β€’ MN β€’ 55616
Website β€’ Β Facebook β€’ Β Menu

 

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Vegan Guide to Duluth & The North Shore 2
Tell us, do you have a favorite spot for vegan food in Duluth? We’d love to add it to our list.

13 Comments

  1. Guide to Vegan Food in Mankato Minnesota

    August 15, 2022 at 12:00 pm

    […] Visiting Duluth, MN? Check out our popular Duluth Vegan Guide […]

  2. Melissa

    August 20, 2018 at 5:22 pm

    You guyyyys! Thanks so much for sharing this! We’re leaving for our annual ‘Up North’ getaway next week and this collection of vegan restaurants is so helpful! XO

    1. Kelly & Dusty Ratcliff

      August 27, 2018 at 2:21 pm

      You’re welcome! Enjoy your annual “Up North” getaway- we love it up there so much!

  3. Vicki

    June 18, 2018 at 10:07 pm

    I didn’t know that Duluth had a grilled cheese place! On my list for next time! Your food from New Scenic Cafe looks so good…we’ve been meaning to go there too. Definitely bookmarking this for later. Thanks guys!

    1. Kelly & Dusty Ratcliff

      July 9, 2018 at 7:04 pm

      Grilled Cheese- yes! I’m sure your kids would love it. New Scenic Cafe is so good and such a beautiful atmosphere!

  4. Lindsay @ Let Me Give You Some Advice

    June 18, 2018 at 1:15 pm

    Yum! I’m not a vegan but all of these look amazing and I would happily eat my way through this itinerary πŸ™‚

    1. Kelly & Dusty Ratcliff

      July 9, 2018 at 7:05 pm

      We think you’d love the vegan options, Lindsay but for sure you’d find other options at these places too!

  5. Jeni

    June 17, 2018 at 3:55 pm

    I loved this post! Finding vegan options when traveling can be difficult sometimes but ur looks like Duluth has so many great options!

    1. Kelly & Dusty Ratcliff

      July 9, 2018 at 7:05 pm

      Duluth has a lot of great options! Just another reason to love Duluth. A handful of breweries, too!

  6. Kim (Oh My Omaha)

    June 14, 2018 at 10:20 am

    Your photos really make me want to visit each place, and I’m not even vegan. Everything sounds delicious!

    1. Kelly & Dusty Ratcliff

      June 14, 2018 at 11:13 am

      Thank you, Kim! It was all so delicious- we think meat eaters would enjoy these meals too, and we should know because we used to eat meat!

  7. Jen! / Jen!Eats (@JeniEats)

    June 10, 2018 at 9:42 am

    I loved following your trip posts. We’ll be checking this post when we go back later this summer. You included a lot of places we want to try.

    1. Kelly & Dusty Ratcliff

      June 13, 2018 at 3:17 pm

      Thank you, Jeni! So many great places to eat in the Duluth area!

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