No animal products? No problem: it’s easy to eat vegan while visiting or living in South St. Louis City. Check out these can’t miss vegan dishes from some of our favorite restaurants, in and around the Cherokee Street area. Vegan foodies, rejoice! 

Photo by RJ Hartbeck

Chow Down on Tacos at THE TACO & ICE CREAM JOINT

Go for: the vegan tacos

Located in the heart of historic Calle Cherokee, the Taco & Ice Cream Joint boasts a mouthwatering mix of classic Latin and inventive new dishes. The restaurant’s signature vegan tacos feature soy meat with pastor marinate, fried tofu bites, pico mix, and juicy mango chunks on a corn tortilla. After grabbing your tacos, visit the toppings bar to load your meal up with vegan fixings like fresh cilantro and house-made salsa. A bonus? Tacos are only $1.50 on Tuesdays. (Want more recs for Mexican cuisine on Cherokee? Look here >>)

Photo by Teatopia

TEA UP SOMETHING NEW AT TEATOPIA

Go for: the Cherokee Crunch Wrap; wash it down with the Green Dream smoothie

In addition to brewing mouthwatering teas, Teatopia—located at Cherokee Street and Jefferson Ave, steps from local favorite Saint Louis Hop Shop—offers up a menu of vegan smoothies, salads, and sandwiches. While you can add vegan protein and cheese to any salad, the Cherokee Crunch Wrap is a standout: a soy-based vegan patty, tomatoes, lettuce, house-made vegan queso cheese and vegan buffalo sauce, plus chips on the side for a satisfying crunch. 

Photo by Lona's Lil Eats

WRAP IT UP AT LONA’S LIL EATS

Go for: the Spicy Tofu Create Ur Own 

Just five minutes from Cherokee Street, Lona’s Lil Eats is known for its stuffed-to-the-seams wraps, plus summer seasonal noodle bowls and handmade dumplings.The menu boasts several standout vegan options: fresh veggie spring rolls, handmade mushroom dumplings, the veggie sampler, and the tofu noodle bowl. But the best way to experience the magic of Lona’s is to embark on the adventure of a Create Ur Own. Start with your choice of wrap, add the spicy tofu, and fill it with your favorite veggies (plus vegan sauces like the Spicy Sesame, Lona-Q, Smoked Vinaigrette, and Smoked Ginger Peanut). A pro tip? Let the staff advise you. They’ve got the structural integrity of the wraps really figured out.

Photo by The Mud HOuse

HEAD DOWN THE ROAD AT THE MUD HOUSE

Go for: the vegan slinger

Hungry from a morning of picking out St. Louis souvenirs at STL Style, or browsing the beautiful nursery at Flowers and Weeds? Head East on Cherokee Street, cross Jefferson Ave, and find yourself at Cherokee Antique Row. The Mud House, located at the intersection of Cherokee and Illinois, is a popular spot for breakfast and a housemade coffee. The vegan slinger hits the spot with sriracha turmeric tofu, black bean chili, roasted potatoes, and pickled red onion; it’s topped with cilantro and served with a grilled baguette. Enjoy the backyard courtyard, and head back up Cherokee Street for dessert at Botanas La Michoacana: frozen mango and Tajín. 

Photo by Mabel Suen

ENJOY  A BURGER AND BEER AT BURGER 809

Go for: Chipotle Black Bean Veggie Burger

Located inside the gorgeous Bluewood Brewery, this Black-owned burger joint is known for handcrafted patties, inventive creations, and premium sliders. Vegans can enjoy the Chipotle Black Bean Veggie Burger, made with a dairy-free Morningstar Farms patty and topped with a savory blend of black beans, whole kernel corn, red and green peppers, and smoky chipotle chilies. On the side, enjoy the tomato cucumber salad or a bowl of fresh seasonal fruit. Don’t leave without ordering a beverage from Bluewood. Might we recommend the Raspberry Hop Tart?

Photo by Yaquis

GRAB A SLICE OF VEGAN PIZZA AT YAQUIS

Go for: the Sweet and Spicy Vegan Pizza

Vegan eaters shouldn’t have to miss out on delicious pizza. Yaqui’s Pizza delivers with the Sweet and Spicy Vegan Pizza: tinto sauce, vegan mozzarella, vegan sausage, and green peppers. The pie is available as an 8 inch or 14 inch serving, and pairs excellently with one of Yaqui’s many featured wines (or a cold beer from Yaqui’s next-door neighbor, Earthbound Beer). Yaqui’s also has live, local music every night at 7 p.m., because there’s nothing better than a slice with a soundtrack.

Photo by Gooseberries

Satisfy Your Late Night Vegan Cravings at Gooseberries

Go for: Fried tofu basket with dipping sauces

When the bar is closing and all the kitchens are closed, Gooseberries at 2754 Chippewa is a oasis in the desert for vegans and meat & cheese lovers alike. Late nite service runs between 11PM and 2AM and offers a wide variety of magical food wonders. Go for the fried tofu basket paired with a variety of Kim and Ross's speciality hot sauces and dips, or any of their veggie forward dishes.

Treat Yourself to the Entire Menu at Station 3

Go for: The Spoiled Brat

It’s hard to select just one standout item from Station 3’s impressive menu. Why? Everything—but three “flex” dishes—is vegan. Located near Cherokee Street in the historic Benton Park neighborhood, Station 3 boasts a menu with meat alternatives for days. Craving a juicy vegan burger? They’ve got it. Crispy vegan chicken more your thing? They’ve got that too. If you can’t decide, take a chance on The Spoiled Brat: a Beyond brat topped with grilled peppers and onions, giardiniera, and mustard. Wash down your meal with a soft serve ice cream concoction, fresh juice margarita, or signature cocktail on Station 3’s impressive patio.