Best Vegan & Vegetarian FOOD in Boulder

When searching for the best breakfast spots in Boulder you will likely stumble upon Snooze Eatery, Foolish Craig’s Cafe or Doug’s Diner. But how about for a fresh and fabulous start - something vibrant, light, and delish to set you up for an energized day exploring the beautiful bustling Boulder? Let’s start there… When we drive into this buzzing mountain town, our first stop is undoubtedly Wonder Press Juicery. Let’s start with Breakfast and then we will dine on from there… thanks for joining us!

Best Vegan & Vegetarian Breakfast Restaurant in Boulder
Wonder Juice

Overview: Wonder Press Juicery now boasts three beautiful locations: Pearl Street (the original) East Boulder, and the third in Denver. Wonder is a 100% organic, cold-pressed juice and wellness cafe. They believe that food has the power to transform life’s (yes! So do we!).

More than just a juice shop, their aim is community focused - both by elevating the health of the people fo the boulder community and supporting them in living their most vital lives, and also to support local, organic farmers and provide an enlivening social space for the community.

This healing force lives in the raw, carefully pressed and unadulterated juice coming from vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and herbs. Our juice is never pasteurized, never pressure-processed (HPP) and always served to you in a glass bottle. Each bottle consists of several pounds of produce and is packed with live enzymes, vitamins, minerals and other important nutrients.

Vegan Tip: for breakfast we start with a dirty gold - a golden latte with a shot of espresso. Next comes the Left Toast with avocado, radish and micro greens. and we never walk out the door with out The Brite, our favorite green juice with cucumber, apple, collards, kale, parsley and lemon. We guarantee after a meal like this you will be buzzing with life force.

Vegetarian Tip: try one of their “Butter Bevvies” with grass fed ghee or the Maca Pecan Smoothie with collagen. With fresh nut milk pressed in house - this one delights the taste buds and satisfies the soul.

Price: $$

Best Vegan & Vegetarian Lunch Restaurant in Boulder

Fresh Thymes

Overview : Fresh Thymes Eatery opened in August 2013 and quickly blew up the Boulder food scene, earning a People’s Choice 2014 Best New Restaurant by Boulder’s Daily Camera. They are a gluten free restaurant with a serious local dedication.

They are dedicated to their customers, to the planet and to the beautiful Boulder community, and they work with local non-profits to end food scarcity. Three cheers for that!

We love their dedication to good clean ingredients and that it is a 100% gluten-free restaurant with a variety of menu options for vegans, vegetarians, paleo people and ingredient-conscious foodies.

From Fresh Thymes Eatery:

"Fresh Thymes Eatery is a fast-paced casual restaurant in Boulder, Colorado specializing in farm to table, holistic, organic, ingredient conscious food. We craft fine food in a casual environment serving gluten free, paleo friendly and vegan friendly food. Our 100% scratch kitchen creates everything from kale salads, noodle dishes, pizza, tacos and wings to culturing our own kimchi, sriracha and baking house made desserts. Local beer on tap and curated natural wine. Local award winner; gluten free restaurant, organic restaurant.

Um, Yes please.

Vegan Tip: for lunch we just had to try the Pumpkin Falafel Burger House-made falafel patty, (every single thing is scratch made in house)) veggie slaw w/ sherry lime vinaigrette, tahini mayo (contains sesame)
Vegetarian Tip: You’ve got to try one of the grilled pizzas. Our pick is the Cheesy One which you can customize…Fresh marinara, whole milk mozzarella & your choice of add-on toppings
Price: $$

Best Vegan & Vegetarian Dinner Restaurant in Boulder
Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant

Overview: Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant is dedicated to creating an outstanding vegetarian dining experience, and we believe they do! “Their passion for fresh, local ingredients led them to create Three Leaf Farm in Lafayette, CO which allows them to seasonally provide organic, freshly harvested produce and herbs and free range eggs and strengthens our commitment to cultivating a more sustainably focused company.” -boulderdowntown.com

As a family owned eatery offering a true sustainable, farm-to-table experience, we feel like you can’t beat this ambiance paired with super tasty vegetarian & vegan meals for a night out on the town.

Vegan Tip: We love to make it to Happy Hour and start with the Leaf Board - it’s vegan and gluten free optional with toasted pita, sun-dried tomato hummus, sunflower vegan sausage, Three Leaf Farm pickles, and red pepper chutney.
Vegetarian Tip: If your looking for a main meal you must check out the Bibimbap with grilled tofu, shiitake mushrooms, cucumbers, carrots, soybean shoots, kimchi, spinach, brown rice, gochujang and a fried egg

Up for a sweet ending? You know we are suckers for a vegan Carrot Cake and this one is worth the splurge: with vegan buttercream icing and candied walnut, It’s truly the perfect end to a vegan day in Boulder.
Price: $$

Other top contenders for Vegan and Vegetarian Food in Boulder
Thrive

Health-focused, vibrantly colored eatery preparing organic vegan dishes, desserts & smoothies. This is Boulder's highest quality organic drive-thru. Also with a dine in option - they are raising the bar on vegan-fast-casual.

From the Thrive website:

“Craving light and healthy but also super-nourishing? Get to Thrive! You’ll find the most nutrient-dense bites under one roof. From superfood smoothies to colorful salads and kale chips, there’s something for every mood. And if you’re thirsty, try one of our superfood smoothies, house-made nut milks or locally-brewed kombucha. Eat in peace knowing that everything at Thrive is gluten-free. It’s also all raw, vegan, vegetarian, plant-based, organic and soy-free, but we promise you don’t need to be a follower of any diet to enjoy our food.

What to order? You had us at “Tacno Salad”

A magical raw food exposé! Our inner flame salad has been taken to the next level. Topped with fresh guacamole, ground pecan and walnut tacno meat, salsa, cashew-based sour cream and natcho cheeze.

Price: $$

Flower Child

Rarely would we mention a “chain” restaurant but this one has stolen out hearts, especially when we have the kids with us. Perfect for families with a something for everyone menu, we always leave here happy so have to give it a shout out.

At Flower Child, everything is scratch made, serving healthy food that takes you to a happy place. Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, or paleo - you will find something that suits and they can customize for sugar-free, dairy-free and gluten-free (but never ever flavor-free : )

From The Flower Child Site:

We’re on a simple, soul-satisfying mission to radiate positively delicious vibes. So whether you’re in the mood to relax and dine in, or just grabbing a quick healthy bite to go, join us and nourish your mind, body and soul.

We really love the THAI DYE (and maybe it’s just the name but…) its packed with spicy tofu, thai basil, avocado, carrot, daikon radish, cilantro, and snap peas and it seriously hits the spot.

Price: $$

Nude Foods Market

A zero waste grocery store with snack, treats, and yummy things to carry out. You can shop online or in store for delivery or pick up. “Pick from around 1000 hand-picked items, add them to your cart and checkout from the comfort of your home or come into the store and shop like a traditional grocery store (just without all the plastic packaging)!” Yes please, it’s about time!
Price: $

Screen Shot 2022-11-12 at 5.44.51 AM.png

Screen Shot 2022-11-12 at 5.58.04 AM.png

Screen Shot 2022-11-12 at 6.09.31 AM.png

Best Vegan Food Delivery in Boulder*

Don't Miss! (*we are biased of course, but…) if you are busy out playing around town and prefer to skip the hustle bustle of the Boulder restaurant scene, order Tuesday Foods to your home and feel super nourished all week long. Perfect for dining in or for packing a picnic when you are out adventuring. This boulder based kitchen will bring the freshest food to your doorstep (each and every Tuesday) so the you can pack your fridge full or ready-to-eat (vegan, organic, gluten free, refined sugar free) meals for a week of good, clean eating.

Link here for next weeks menu!