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 Passage to India
157 Washington Street
Salem’s only Indian restaurant. They’re happy to make any of their vegetarian items (check menu) vegan on request if possible.
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.
All Soul’s Lounge
282 Derby Street
A retro cocktail bar with a small but vegan friendly menu. All Souls is an excellent place to go for drinks, but it also works as a good vegan dinner spot with your choice of variously adorned vegan hot dogs, corn dogs and grilled cheese as well as some small plates and specials. They also have gluten free options and can help you veganize on the fly.
American Flatbread
311 Derby Street
Pizza with bowling anyone? Whether you want to bowl or not, you can find wood-fired pizzas here, including a vegan one on the menu and the ability to make your own. They also have customizable salads with lots of fresh produce.
Barrio Taco
41 Lafayette Street
This place is all about make-your-own tacos (and tequila and whiskey). You can easily construct quite a few pleasing vegan combos with their tofu, portabellos, veggies, and sundry sauces. They have an el Vegano on the menu as well. A fun place to eat outside during the season, munching on chips and guac and watching the people and dogs go by.
Bit Bar
278 Derby Street
Bit Bar is an arcade restaurant/bar with vintage video games and a retro feel. They only have a few vegan items on their menu, but it’s a fun place to go and their vegan nachos appetizer is huge and quite good. Other than that, you’ll find a Beyond Burger, an odd pakora sandwich, the occasional vegan special and lots for your omni friends to gobble. Wakka wakka.
Boston Burger Company
133 Washington Street
This is a meaty place, but they do offer a vegan veggie burger and sundry toppings.
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.
Dire Wolf Tavern
97 Washington Street
An atmospheric mid-priced sit-down place in the center of downtown. While certainly not geared towards vegans, Dire Wolf has several offerings on their menu that are vegan or can be veganized. They only demarcate “vegetarian” items, so do ask for details. They also have fancy cocktails and a bit of a speakeasy in the basement.
Flying Saucer Pizza
118 Washington Street
A fun sci-fi themed pizza joint with something for everyone. They have a full vegan menu as well as one for omnivores. Their vegan garlic knots are over-the-top and their vegan pizzas are lush and decadent. Try one with vegan mac and cheese or pickles as toppings! Good for lunch, dinner or take out. Has outdoor seating seasonally.
Super Taco
177 Fort Avenue
If you’re at Salem Willows and need food-food, Super Taco can offer you a veggie burrito or tacos.
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.
Howling Wolf Taqueria
76 Lafayette Street
Not a ton of variety for vegans but they have a couple vegan burritos which make for a satisfying lunch or dinner.
Koto
90 Washington Street
A Japanese restaurant which also hosts the monthly Salem goth club Darque, Koto is a great choice if you’re looking for something other than American fare in Salem. They have lots of yummy varieties of vegan sushi and a number of vegan entrees on the menu. Their bar boasts a roster of creative cocktails and interesting Japanese whiskies. Has outdoor seating seasonally.
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.
Longboards Restaurant and Bar
72 Wharf Street in Pickering Wharf
Great outdoor seating for people watching in Pickering Wharf and a bit of water view, but not a ton of variety for vegans. You’ll find a hummus plate and a veggie burger. As well as a full menu for doggies!