Colorado has become one of the most exciting states in the U.S. for plant-based dining.
Cities like Denver and Boulder, in particular, have built strong vegan food scenes, with everything from comfort-food diners to creative cafés.
We were very impressed by the variety of vegan cuisine available while we were exploring Colorado.
Many restaurants also operate fully vegan kitchens, which makes ordering easy and stress-free.
We found that a lot of the vegetarian restaurants offer clearly labeled vegan menus, which means there are far more options than many visitors expect.
From hearty vegan comfort food to fresh café-style meals and creative international dishes, these restaurants make it easy to enjoy satisfying plant-based food while exploring Colorado.
Quick Overview
Our top picks for vegan restaurants in Colorado include:
- Watercourse Foods (Denver): one of Denver’s longest-running vegan restaurants, known for comfort food and brunch.
- Bang Up to the Elephant (Denver): creative Caribbean-inspired vegan cuisine.
- Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant (Boulder): a refined plant-forward restaurant with many vegan dishes.
- The Burrowing Owl (Colorado Springs): a popular, fully vegan comfort-food restaurant.
These restaurants stand out for creative menus, reliable plant-based dishes, and meals that make vegan dining across Colorado easy and enjoyable.
What to Look for When Choosing Vegan Restaurants in Colorado
Here are a few practical things to keep in mind that helped us when we were eating vegan across Colorado:
- Denver has the largest concentration of fully vegan restaurants in the state.
- Boulder’s health-focused culture means many restaurants offer plant-forward menus.
- Vegan comfort food and brunch dishes appear frequently across Colorado restaurants.
- Vegetarian restaurants often offer extensive vegan options alongside their main menus.
Best Vegan Restaurants in Colorado (By Area)
Below are some of the most reliable places for plant-based meals across the state.
Vegan Restaurants in Denver
Denver has the strongest vegan dining scene in Colorado, with several fully vegan restaurants alongside vegetarian cafés offering extensive plant-based menus.
1. Watercourse Foods – Vegan Comfort Food Restaurant – 4.6*
Watercourse Foods is one of Denver’s most established vegan restaurants and has been a cornerstone of the city’s plant-based dining scene for many years.
The restaurant has developed a loyal following thanks to its approachable menu and relaxed diner-style atmosphere.
The menu focuses heavily on classic comfort dishes recreated entirely with plant-based ingredients. You’ll find wraps, sandwiches, salads, and comforting mains.
Many diners visit specifically for the restaurant’s brunch menu, which includes plant-based versions of traditional breakfast favorites.
When we visited, we ordered one of their ‘meatball’ subs, a loaded grilled ‘cheese’, and some sides.
The flavors were rich and satisfying, and the portions were generous enough to make it a filling meal after exploring Denver.
Because the menu is so broad, it works equally well for brunch, lunch, or dinner.
It’s also a great introduction for people trying vegan food for the first time because the dishes feel familiar and comforting.
Tip: A great place for vegan brunch or classic comfort food in Denver.
2. Somebody People – Modern Vegan Restaurant – 4.7*
Somebody People is one of Denver’s most celebrated vegan restaurants and has developed a strong reputation for creative plant-based cooking and a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere.
The restaurant focuses on seasonal ingredients and thoughtfully prepared dishes that highlight vegetables rather than relying heavily on processed plant-based meats.
The menu changes regularly depending on what ingredients are in season, but you’ll typically find dishes such as house-made pastas, roasted vegetable plates, grain dishes, and creative small plates designed for sharing.
The kitchen puts a lot of emphasis on flavor and presentation, which gives the food a more refined feel than typical vegan comfort food restaurants.
We ordered a couple of pastas and one of their salads to share. Everything tasted so fresh and vibrant, and the flavors felt balanced without being overly complicated.
It was the kind of meal where each dish felt carefully prepared and thoughtfully composed.
Tip: A great choice if you want creative vegan dishes made with seasonal ingredients.
3. City O’ City – Vegetarian Restaurant With Vegan Menu – 4.5*
City O’ City is a lively vegetarian restaurant in Denver that offers an extensive vegan menu alongside its vegetarian dishes.
The restaurant is well known locally for its creative approach to plant-based cooking and its energetic dining atmosphere.
The menu includes pizzas, pasta dishes, sandwiches, bowls, and vegetable-forward plates inspired by cuisines from around the world.
Many dishes can be ordered vegan, and the menu is easy to navigate, which makes ordering straightforward.
We chose their vegetable pizza with vegan mozzarella, some fries, and seitan wings, which we all enjoyed.
The variety made it easy to try several different flavors, and everything felt thoughtfully prepared.
Tip: A great place to try creative vegetarian and vegan dishes in Denver.
Take a look at what’s on offer here.
4. Bang Up to the Elephant – Vegan Caribbean Restaurant – 4.3*
Bang Up to the Elephant offers one of the most unique vegan dining experiences in Denver. It’s well worth stopping by if you’re visiting the area.
The restaurant focuses on Caribbean-inspired plant-based cuisine, bringing bold spices and vibrant flavors to its creative menu.
The menu includes rice bowls, sandwiches, plantain dishes, and shareable small plates inspired by Caribbean cooking traditions.
Many dishes feature tropical ingredients and flavorful spice blends that give the food a distinctive character.
Our family had the cassareep rice bowl and the coconut curry, as well as a couple of sides to share. Everything tasted fantastic!
We found that the flavors were vibrant and refreshing, offering a nice change from more traditional vegan comfort food.
The restaurant also has a lively atmosphere that makes it a fun destination for dinner, especially if you’re looking for something different from typical vegan fare.
Tip: A great choice for flavorful Caribbean-inspired vegan dishes.
5. Native Foods – Vegan Comfort Food Restaurant – 4.5*
Native Foods is a fully vegan restaurant chain known for recreating classic fast-food dishes using plant-based ingredients.
The Denver location offers a broad menu that focuses on satisfying comfort food. The menu includes burgers, sandwiches, salads, bowls, and crispy plant-based chicken dishes.
Many items are designed to mimic traditional fast-food meals while remaining entirely plant-based.
We enjoyed their ‘Almost Famous Bowl’, the ‘Munchwrap Supreme’, and some sides.
The food felt indulgent and familiar, which makes it a great option for diners who want classic comfort dishes.
The casual fast-casual format also makes it a convenient stop when you’re looking for a quick meal while exploring Denver.
Tip: A reliable place for vegan comfort food and casual meals.
Vegan Restaurants in Boulder
Boulder’s health-focused food culture has helped create a strong plant-based dining scene with several vegetarian and vegan restaurants.
6. Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant – Vegetarian Restaurant With Vegan Options – 4.5*
Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant is one of Boulder’s most well-known plant-forward restaurants and offers a creative menu with many vegan dishes.
The restaurant focuses on fresh seasonal ingredients and globally inspired cooking.
The menu includes grain bowls, vegetable plates, pasta dishes, and thoughtfully prepared entrées built around seasonal produce.
Many items can be ordered vegan, and the kitchen clearly labels plant-based options. Their menu varies depending on the seasonal produce on offer.
We stopped by for lunch and enjoyed a Caesar wrap, a salad, and some small plates.
The dishes felt balanced and flavorful, and the presentation made the meal feel slightly more refined than a typical casual restaurant.
The restaurant’s relaxed but polished atmosphere also makes it a great option for dinner after exploring Boulder.
Tip: A good choice for creative plant-forward dining.
They have a variety of menus you can view on their website here.
7. Flower Child – Healthy Restaurant With Vegan Options – 4.5*
Flower Child is a bright, modern restaurant in Boulder that focuses on fresh, healthy meals made with whole ingredients.
While it is not a fully vegan restaurant, it offers a strong selection of clearly labeled vegan dishes, which makes it an easy place for plant-based diners to find satisfying meals.
The menu centers around vegetable-forward bowls, salads, wraps, and seasonal plates built around fresh ingredients and bold flavors.
Vegan diners can choose from dishes such as grain bowls, roasted vegetable plates, and salads with plant-based proteins.
We found that many of the meals here are naturally vegan or require only simple adjustments.
We opted for a chopped vegetable salad and a rice bowl, as well as some hummus and vegetables.
The ingredients tasted fresh and well-balanced, and the portions were filling without feeling heavy.
Because the menu includes options for many different dietary preferences, it works particularly well when dining with mixed groups.
Tip: A great choice for fresh, plant-forward meals with clearly labeled vegan options.
Vegan Restaurants in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs has a smaller vegan scene than Denver, but it still offers a few reliable plant-based restaurants.
8. The Burrowing Owl – Fully Vegan Comfort Food Restaurant – 4.7*
The Burrowing Owl is one of the most popular vegan restaurants in Colorado Springs and has built a strong reputation for creative comfort food dishes.
The menu includes tacos, burritos, burgers, sandwiches, and hearty plant-based plates built around flavorful sauces and seasonal ingredients.
The dishes feel indulgent without being overly heavy, and the staff are very welcoming.
We visited for dinner and had one of their rice and bean bowls, some nachos to share, and the soup of the day. We also tried some of their desserts, which we would recommend.
The flavors were bold and satisfying, and the portions made it a filling dinner.
The restaurant’s relaxed atmosphere also makes it a great place to sit and enjoy a slower meal rather than grabbing food on the go.
Tip: A great stop for creative vegan comfort food in Colorado Springs.
9. Santana’s Vegan Grill – Vegan Fast Food Restaurant – 4.6*
Santana’s Vegan Grill focuses on recreating classic fast-food dishes in a fully vegan format.
The restaurant has become popular with diners looking for indulgent comfort food.
The menu includes burgers, sandwiches, fries, and hearty plates built around plant-based meats and flavorful sauces.
Most of the dishes mimic traditional fast-food meals while remaining completely vegan.
We tried their deluxe burgers and fries, as well as one of their delicious milkshakes. The meal felt satisfying and indulgent, making it a great quick dinner option.
The restaurant’s casual atmosphere and quick service also make it a convenient stop when you want a filling meal without a long wait.
Tip: A great option for vegan fast food in Colorado Springs.
Vegan Restaurants in Fort Collins
Fort Collins has a smaller vegan scene than Denver, but it still offers dependable plant-forward dining options.
10. Tasty Harmony – Vegetarian Restaurant With Vegan Options – 4.6*
Tasty Harmony is a vegetarian restaurant that offers a wide range of vegan dishes alongside its main menu.
The restaurant has been a staple of the Fort Collins dining scene for years and is well-loved.
The menu includes burgers, wraps, bowls, salads, and globally inspired vegetable dishes.
Everything is plant-based, and the menu is clearly labelled so you can find a dish that works for you.
We tried their ‘Big Boy Burger’, some BBQ wings, and some fries to share. The dishes felt balanced and satisfying, making it a great option for a relaxed lunch.
Tip: A dependable vegetarian restaurant with strong vegan options.
Final Thoughts
Colorado offers one of the strongest vegan dining scenes in the western United States, particularly in Denver and Boulder.
From indulgent vegan comfort food and burgers to creative vegetable-forward dishes and lighter café meals, the state offers plenty of reliable options once you know where to look.
Whether you’re exploring Denver’s thriving vegan scene, visiting Boulder’s health-focused restaurants, or traveling through Colorado Springs and Fort Collins, these restaurants make it easy to enjoy satisfying plant-based meals while discovering the state.
