The Friendly Toast
50 Independence Way, Danvers MA
Once a mom and pop late night breakfast joint in Portsmouth NH, The Friendly Toast now has several locations in MA as well. You can count on them for a veggie burger and fries, but they also often have some interesting Asian and/or pasta vegan entrées.
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.
Goodnight Fatty’s
1 Washington Square (behind a brick wall at the corner of Brown and Washington)
This is a high-concept dessert and breakfast spot open only on the weekends (Fri-Sun). On the first weekend of each month, they have special vegan cookie, and their cookies are MADNESS. Always different, always decadent. If you don’t happen to hit it on that first weekend of the month, they always serve up vegan chocolate ice cream. It’s extremely rich chocolate. You’ve been warned. Eat in their nice little courtyard or in Salem Common across the street.
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.
Jaho Artisan Coffee
197 Derby Street, 130 Canal Street, and 57 Loring Avenue
You might think with three shops in Salem, Jaho is a huge chain — but it’s not. There are only a few other locations, in Boston and Tokyo. The Salem ones, especially the original downtown location on Derby Street, by the harbor, are good spots or all manner of fancy coffees, teas and alcoholic beverages. They’ve added a vegan Hokkaido Bubble tea which, if you want something sweet once in a while, is quite a treat. Their regular coffee, which they roast themselves, is also good. They rarely have any vegan food options, though there’s a small selection for pastries for the not veganly inclined.
Kakawa Chocolate House
173 Essex Street
Kakawa has a surprising number of vegan hot drinks and chocolates. Check out their chocolate seltzer, various elixirs and hand dipped fruits. If you like chocolate, you’ll be in heaven here. They also offer a roomy double dining room to sit in and enjoy your treats.
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!
Lulu’s Bakery and Pantry
285 Derby Street
Lulu’s space is lovely, airy, bright and home to some thriving plants. They serve a range of regular and fancy coffees and usually have at least some vegan treats. In the warmer weather, they open the big door windows and also have some tables outside.
Mercy Tavern
148 Derby Street
Mercy Tavern is a fine place to drink, but for vegan food you are going to be getting an Impossible Burger without the cheese. That’s about it.
New England Soup Company
140 Washington Street
The soup factory always has a signboard outside saying it has vegan options, so although the menu changes, it seems like that stays the same. What are those options? Soup of course!
Notch Brewing
283r Derby Street
Notch doesn’t have any vegan food (except pickles) but it’s great fun to bring your own to their outdoor biergarten, have a brew or a lemonade and enjoy a view of the South River, once a major shipping area in Salem (now often a patch of mud with ducks in it).
O’Neill’s Irish Pub
120 Washington Street
Traditional Irish pubs are not exactly hotbeds of vegan food, but if you happen into this one for a Guinness (now vegan!), a music session or pub trivia, you will find a veggie burger and garden salad to help absorb your stout.
Odd Meter
60 Washington Street
A small shop with a bunch of places to sit. The decor in Odd meter, albeit simple, is just so calming and attractive. Such a lovely place to sit for a spell. They have absolutely fabulous coffee specials, tea and matcha lattes, and robust everyday coffee and espresso. Everyone who works there is exceptionally nice but also very nerdy about coffee and its preparation. They stock some vegan treats in the pastry case but they go very early in the morning.
On the Grind
Not a big stop for vegan food (save a bagel with PB&J), On the Grind does offer coffee (with oat or almond mylk) in all its fancy permutations in a part of town somewhat devoid of coffee shops. They use locally roasted Atomic beans and have a very pleasant interior in which to sip your brew.