Going plant-based for 2022? Here are 6 meals to try at Charlotte restaurants.

Maddie Ellis
·2 min read

So, your New Year’s resolution is to eat less meat, or maybe go meatless in 2022? You’re not alone. Many people across the world — including those in Charlotte — are choosing to ditch all animal food products and follow a vegan diet. But going vegan doesn’t mean giving up your favorite savory dishes for all-vegetable meals.

Meat alternatives are everywhere — and they go beyond tofu. Seitan, a protein-packed food made from gluten, has been used as a vegan meat alternative for centuries in China and Japan. Plant-based alternatives include jackfruit, a tropical tree fruit grown in Asia, Africa and South America. It has fiber and protein and some say tastes like pulled pork when cooked.

Restaurants in the Charlotte area use these ingredients every day to cater to plant-based diets. Whether you are a lifelong vegan or you are switching to the diet for the new year, here are six dishes to try in Charlotte:

Alchemy

Location: 2517 Distribution St, Charlotte, NC 28203

Neighborhood: South End

Cuisine: Plant-based dining with a neighboring art display space, Gallery C3

Dish to try: Lion’s Mane Pot Pie, made up of vegetables including broccolini, corn, peppers, potatoes and the titular lion’s mane mushroom, which has a meaty taste when cooked, in a house-made pie crust.

The Lion’s Mane Pot Pie at Alchemy.
The Lion’s Mane Pot Pie at Alchemy.

Fern, Flavors from the Garden

Location: 1419 East Blvd. Suite A, Charlotte, NC 28203

Neighborhood: Dilworth

Cuisine: Plant-based Southern

Dish to try: Buddha Bowl (shown above), made with a daily marinated vegetable, carrots, red cabbage, avocado, tomatoes, cucumber, fried oyster mushrooms, togarashi rice, scallions, gojuchang aioli, ponzu dashi and black sesame seeds.

Loving Hut Charlotte

Location: 3024 E Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28205

Neighborhood: Coliseum Drive

Cuisine: Plant-based American

Dish to try: Miss the taste of creamy pasta? Try this vegan version of classic alfredo penne, made with cashew alfredo sauce, capers, garlic, crushed red peppers, spinach, choice of vegan chicken or chicken shrimp and topped with vegan Parmesan cheese and basil.

Read more about the takeout-only spot from CharlotteFive’s Philip Freeman.

Maharani Indian Cuisine

Location: 901 S Kings Dr, Charlotte, NC 28204

Neighborhood: Myers Park

Cuisine: Indian

Dish to try: Chana masala, which is chickpeas cooked in a blend of North Indian spices.

Romeo’s Vegan Burgers

Location: 5518 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28217

Neighborhood: Starmount

Cuisine: Vegan burgers

Dish to try: Veggie burgers provide the perfect opportunity to get your burger fix. Try the Where Art Thou Romeo burger, a vegan take on a classic, served with lettuce, tomatoes, grilled onions, cheese and house pickles. Or, make it a double.

The Where Art Thou Romeo Burger is one that can be enjoyed by all — even non-vegans.
The Where Art Thou Romeo Burger is one that can be enjoyed by all — even non-vegans.

Sanctuary Bistro

Location: 6414 Rea Road Suite C2, Charlotte, NC 28277

Neighborhood: Piper Glen

Cuisine: French

Dish to try: Sweet potato gnocchi, gnocchi and spinach topped with a cashew, mushroom and thyme sauce with crispy tofu and chili oil drizzle.

The sweet potato gnocchi from Sanctuary Bistro.
The sweet potato gnocchi from Sanctuary Bistro.

Want more? Check out our complete guide to Charlotte’s vegan restaurants.