It's lunch time/hour on a work day. You need to grab a convenient meal to bring back to the office. Maybe you're in a group and are looking for a simple salad or rice bowl to fuel up productivity for the day.
Perhaps it's the weekend and you're thinking of going out to splurge or fetch some takeout for a picnic lunch.
Here's our guide on where to find the best vegan lunch spots in Salem, OR!
1. Cafe Yumm!
AvoCrunch Salad
With their customizable bowl style and wraps format, Cafe Yumm! is a vegan-friendly restaurant that offers unparalleled convenience on your busy work day lunch. Their numerous #naturallyvegan sauces and thoughtful tofu protein option makes it a handy regular choice for #omnivegandining with colleagues.
Edamame Yumm! Bowl with Strawberry Lemonade
Their picnic-friendly meal styles also make packing up an AvoCrunch Salad or Yumm! bowl-turned wrap straightforward and fuss-free – all in #compostable takeout packaging too! You can even get creative by getting yourself one of their Yumm! Sauces for home or office snacking.
2. Thai Cuisine Of Salem
Vegan Tom Kha
Known for their excellent customer service, Thai Cuisine Of Salem makes searching for vegan lunch options organized as they offer an entirely separate vegan menu. Plus, they have gluten-free options as well. Just ask your server when you dine in!
A simple classic Salad Roll is always refreshing. However, you #spicelovers out there will be pleased to know that fiery offerings like their Gaeng Ga Ree (Yellow Curry) have a choose-your-spice-level option.
3. Venti’s Cafe & Beer Vault
Spicy Tots
Venti's Cafe & Beer Vault is among the top vegan-friendly spots for group lunches in Salem. Their well-rounded vegan menu makes it so no one ever feels left out. Their various selection of craft beers makes happy hour on weekends that much more enjoyable when you're out lunching with friends.
It all pairs best with their famous House Tots, because it's the only option to justify sampling their incredible range of dipping sauces. Order the Spicy Tots too for a bit more kick! We'd recommend the Screaming Rooster Burger as your entrée, especially if you're a fan of mushroom lentil patties.
4. The Governor's Cup Coffee Roasters
Rosemary Sandwich
The Governor's Cup Coffee Roasters is Salem's longest running coffee house and small batch coffee roasters since 1991. They ensure all their coffee beans are only of the best quality, certified Fair-Trade and organic too. Now serving baked goods from Dough Hook Bake Shop, it's the perfect quaint little spot for a work lunch meeting.
It's all sandwiches and bagels here because there's really no better choice to go with a nice cup of joe. Their Rosemary Sandwich is the uncontested popular vegan pick. Otherwise, you could always try their Visions of Johanna Sandwich. Just beware of the supposedly vegan-labeled Wasabi & Avocado Sandwich which contains honey.
5. Ritter’s Housemade Foods
Vegan Burger by Carly Diaz Photography
Ritter's Housemade Foods is a charming #familyowned restaurant that takes pride in serving food made with love and passion. Community is also of the utmost importance as they've partnered with some of Oregon's top class local vendors. Their commitment as foodies is only thrown into full throttle with the showcase of their seasonal, fresh, and organic vegan options.
Enjoy the delectable taste of #locallysourced ingredients through brick oven pizza options like their Vegan Pepperoni Pizza. Their Greek Pizza can also be easily #veganized by omitting the feta and substituting some vegan cheese! You can also chomp down on their Vegan Burger that uses Beyond Meat.
6. Taproot Lounge & Cafe
Cauliflower Steak Special
Not to be confused with the Old Mill Cafe branch, Taproot Lounge & Cafe is the lunch spot for those searching for a chill weekend afternoon. Offering dishes that satisfy the likes of omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans alike, Taproot is among the top group lunch spots in Salem. The decor. The bountiful range of beverage options. What more could you for?
Among their popular choices is their enticing already vegan Chipotle Ranch Tacos. However, it's always nice to try signatures like their Taproot Tacos or The O.G. Burger too. For a more pleasant and light lunch experience, you could opt for rice dishes like their Desert Bowl.
7. Marco Polo Global Restaurant
Broccoli Tofu
Marco Polo Global Restaurant is an eclectic restaurant that serves up dishes from all kinds of cuisines. You name it: Chinese, Italian, American. The dining area is spacious and never too rowdy, making it great for anything from large parties to close intimate lunch dates. Locals often praise the quality of the cooking to be as lavish as the portion sizes.
It's always an accommodating lunch experience with their separate vegetarian/vegan menu. The Vegan Appetizer Combination works best for lunch gatherings. There's no failing with the #highlyrecommended Vegan General Tso Entrée but for a more unique pick, the Vegan Raspberry Pistachio "Chicken" is worth considering.
8. Archive Coffee & Bar
Mediterranean Wrap with Kombucha
With Archive Coffee & Bar, it's all about craftsmanship. Their care and respect for culinary history and culture fosters a perfect lunch scene for coffee lovers. Every concoction starts with fresh scratch-made ingredients and creativity, always thoughtfully honoring their inspirations.
For more casual eats, you might want to sample their Cauliflower Tacos (also gluten-free!) or Harissa Hummus. Their Butternut Squash Risotto is also an excellent choice for a more elevated and/or formal lunch meeting for working professionals. A great meal closer would be Chia Pudding made with chocolate and coconut milk.
9. Happy Bibimbop House
Jap Chae
Looking to find a taste of some authentic Korean flavors? Then, Happy Bibimbop House is the lunch spot for you and your omni dining companions. Offering all the Korean cuisine classics and more, it's an easy plug-and-play menu for many of their dishes. Just pick the vegetable option and you're good to go!
This is a place that understands what vegan means so you can be confident when ordering their #veganizable choices. A popular bowl worth trying is the Dol Sot BiBim Bop. Some other great picks for the #noodlelover are the Korean Ramen and Yakisoba.
10. Mina’s
Thai Red Curry Noodle Soup
Hailing from Laos, a country nestled among Southeast Asian neighbors like Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam, Mina brings authentic regional expertise to Salem. Her culinary passion drives her innovative fusion of beautifully blend American ingredients with traditional Asian spices.
As it often goes with hospitably vegetarian/vegan restaurants, all you need to do is #asktoveganize and it’s a simple protein switch to tofu. You’ll find this as you choose among their Red, Yellow, and Green Curry dishes, and stir fries like their Pad Phet. There’s also the option to pick your spice level too.
What are you looking for in your go-to vegan lunch spots? Whether you're passing through Salem on a road trip or just going about your afternoon, we hope this list has helped you.
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Always lunching,
The abillion team <3
