TEMPLATE
281 Essex Street
A vegetarian spot that’s great for lunch or dinner. Their specialty is grain and vegetable bowls with their famously yummy sauces. Order a bowl that’s vegan by default or ask to customize one with tofu or nuts instead of egg or cheese. They also have lots of smoothies, coffee, tea, and fresh squeezed juices. One of the healthiest vegan choices in town.
A&J King’s Artisan Bakery
48 Central Street & 139 Boston Street
The Central Street location is in the heart of downtown, and is a nice spot to stop early in the day for a coffee and avocado on fresh bread or a bagel. Not too much else for vegans, but they have lots of sandwich selections for carnivores.
Brew Box
131 Essex Street
A tiny but cute take-out only coffee shop near the PEM museum and the Armory Park (which is a good place to sit on a neolithic-esque stone bench and sip your brew). They have fun coffee specials with homemade syrups in weird combinations and always a couple vegan items on their food menu. If you get there early, you may find vegan pop tarts or other treats in their bakery case.
Deacon Giles Distillery
75 Canal Street
A stylish bar where they magically create many spirits from scratch. They don’t serve food outside the occasional pop-up event, but this is the place for a unique cocktail experience.
Front Street Coffee
20 Front Street
A pleasant dine-in coffee shop downtown with a mild punk rock vibe. Coffee from Atomic, another local roaster and all the usual fancy coffee drinks made by knowledgeable baristas. Front Street always has one or two simple vegan sandwiches or bagels on the menu.
Gulu Gulu Cafe
247 Essex Street
Next door to Flying Saucer, Gulu Gulu is another good choice for mixed parties of vegans and non-vegans. With simple dishes like vegan mac and cheese, grilled cheese, a burger, and a hummus plate you’re sure to find something for a light meal no matter the hour. They also have extensive coffee and beer menus and oftentimes entertainment in the evenings. Has outdoor seating.
Life Alive
281 Essex Street
A vegetarian spot that’s great for lunch or dinner. Their specialty is grain and vegetable bowls with their famously yummy sauces. Order a bowl that’s vegan by default or ask to customize one with tofu or nuts instead of egg or cheese. They also have lots of smoothies, coffee, tea, and fresh squeezed juices. One of the healthiest vegan choices in town.
Sweet Java
539 Loring Avenue
Definitely not in downtown Salem, but if you happen to heading to Vinnin Square for shopping or are on your way to Lynn, Swampscott, or Marblehead, Sweet Java is a sweet coffee spot. They brew Jim’s coffee (an awesome local roast) and serve these yummy vegan “energy balls” in a variety of flavors. They also have bagels and sometimes other vegan treats.
The Juicery
83 Washington Street
A smoothie and açai bowl joint, this is a good place for a light breakfast or lunch. They also have a handful of vegan takeaway foods in their cold case including some raw vegan “energy balls” that are good snack to have on hand.
Wolf Next Door Coffee
142 Derby Street
If you like excellent, strong, locally-roasted coffee, Wolf Next Door is for you. This tiny shop brews Jim’s coffee and offers the usual complement of fake mylks and even a vegan coffee special. They serve simple breakfast sandwiches to go, and these include some unfussy vegan options like hummus, avocado and/or Beyond sausage on a bagel. This spot is take out only — although if you go when the lunch and dinner place next door isn’t open yet, you can use their outside seating. Also a quick walk to a big grassy field and some spots to sit by the ocean. (Salem Maritime National Historic Site).