The Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge takes place each August. The dishes below are available August 1-31, 2024. This August, visit restaurants, enjoy the food, and then rate your experience online to determine the best vegan dish in the Twin Cities! When you vote, or when you post and tag us, you’re entered into prize drawings for restaurant gift cards and merch.
ALTBuRGEr
337 13th Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Challenge Dish:
Poblano Tamale
Lime crema, candied tomato, garlic oil, spiced pepita, cilantro, corn rib, Tajin
Contains*: soy, pepitas
Available Hours: All open hours, except for weekend brunch (Sat/Sun until 3)
Barbette
1600 W Lake St
Minneapolis, MN 55408
Challenge Dish:
Vegan Terrine
Summer vegetables, marinated tofu, fresh herbs, heirloom tomato consommé
Contains*: soy
Available Hours: 3pm-10pm
Book Club
5411 Penn Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55419
Challenge Dish:
Pan Fried Rice Noodles
Rice noodles, tofu, sautéed red peppers, broccoli, and onions with a curry sauce
Contains*: soy, tree nuts
Available Hours: 3pm-10pm
Duke’S on 7
15600 MN-7
Minnetonka, MN 55345
Challenge Dish:
Mango Spring Roll with Thai Chili Sauce
Juicy mango, fresh vegetables; Thai chili dipping sauce
Contains*: No common allergens
Available Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-close; Sat and Sun 2pm-close
Gigi’s Cafe
824 W 36th St
Minneapolis, MN 55408
Challenge Dish:
Ratatouille Flatbread Pizza
Flatbread pizza; roasted red pepper, zucchini, and eggplant; tomato vinaigrette, vegan yogurt
Contains*: wheat
Available Hours: 3pm-8pm
Hard Times Cafe
1821 Riverside Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Challenge Dish:
Okonomiyaki (“As you like it”)
Pancake of cabbage, onions, mushrooms, corn and sweet potatoes in a tapioca and wheat batter; green onions, housemade veganaise, pickled ginger, and special ‘bulldog’ sauce
Contains*: wheat, tree nuts
Available Hours: All open hours
Heal Mpls
4171 N Lyndale Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55412
Challenge Dish:
Kingdom Gyro Plate
Grilled pita, soy-free house-made brown lentil tofu strips, fresh tomatoes, red onion, greek salad; garlic hemp french fries with hummus & cool as a cucumber sauce
Contains*: Wheat
Available Hours: All open hours
Herbie Butcher’s Fried Chicken
735 E 48th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55417
Challenge Dish:
Fried Mondo Mac Sando
Two pieces of Texas Toast deep fried and then filled with mac & cheese
Contains*: wheat, soy, coconut
Available Hours: 11 am-7pm
Himalayan Restaurant
2910 E Lake St
Minneapolis, MN 55406
Challenge Dish:
Vegan Jackfruit Tikka Masala
Tikka masala made with jackfruit in a creamy coconut based sauce served with cumin rice
Contains*: coconut
Available Hours: All day
Lulu EthioVegan
12 E Franklin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Challenge Dish:
Dinich Wot
Potatoes simmered in a spiced and savory sauce
Contains*: No common allergens
Available Hours: All open hours
Nala’s Kitchen
16605 County Rd 24 Suite 205
Plymouth, MN 55447
Challenge Dish:
Green Gram Dosa
Crepe-like dish of mung bean batter; coconut chutney, tomato chutneys; sambar lentil soup
Contains*: Coconut
Available Hours: Lunch and Dinner
Namaste Cafe
2512 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis MN 55405
Challenge Dish:
Crispy Cauli Wings
Spicy cauliflower, housemade buffalo glaze, fresh celery, creamy cashew ranch
Contains*: cashew
Available Hours: All open hours
Pat’s Tap
3510 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55408
Challenge Dish:
Tofu Fried Rice
Korean BBQ tofu, sauteed broccoli, mushrooms, peanuts, cilantro, sriracha, hoisin, soy sauce, tamari
Contains*: soy, peanuts
Available Hours: 3pm-10pm
Pinoli
1601 W Lake St
Minneapolis, MN 55408
Challenge Dish:
Roasted Garlic and Squash Linguini
Roasted garlic and squash sauce, linguini, seasonal vegetables
Contains*: wheat
Available Hours: 4pm-10pm
Pub 819
819 Mainstreet
Hopkins, MN 55343
Challenge Dish:
The Vegan Islands
Scratch-made pineapple teriyaki bbq, vegan bacon, turmeric coconut rice, seared tofu, kale power veggie mix, onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, watermelon pineapple salsa, pickled red onion, cilantro and scallion.
Contains*: soy, wheat
Available Hours: Lunch and Dinner
Reverie Cafe + Bar
1517 E 35th St
Minneapolis, MN 55407
Challenge Dish:
Hot Chicken Sammie
Spicy housemade fried chicken, spicy dill pickles, lemon + herb aioli, iceberg lettuce, brioche bun
Contains*: wheat, soy
Available Hours: Lunch & dinner
Sawatdee
607 Washington Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55415
486 Robert St N
St. Paul, MN 55101
7885 Main St N
Maple Grove, MN 55369
Challenge Dish:
Karee Curry
Fresh firm tofu, curry paste, coconut milk, peppers, carrot, peapods, white rice
Contains*: soy, coconut
Available Hours: 11am-9pm
Stanley’s NE Bar Room
2500 University Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418
Challenge Dish:
Teriyaki Mushroom Sandwich
Herb focaccia bun, seared teriyaki portobello cap, pickled onion, tomato jam, arugula, and kimchi
Contains*: soy, wheat, sesame
Available Hours:
Mon-Fri 11am-close; Sat and Sun 2pm-close
Thai Garden
432 University Ave W
St Paul, MN 55103
Challenge Dish:
Thai Sweet Chili Tofu
Stir-fried tofu, mixed vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, bell pepper, onion, carrot and green beans), sesame seed topping
Contains*: soy, sesame
Available Hours: Tues-Sat 11am-9pm; Sun 11am -8pm
The Block Food + Drink
7007 Walker Street
Saint Louis Park, MN, 55426
Challenge Dish:
Vegan Power Bowl
Quinoa, avocado, corn, red pepper, black beans, red onions, edamame, green onions, vegan steak, lime vinaigrette
Contains*: soy and gluten
Available Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-close; Sat and Sun 2pm-close
The Howe Daily Kitchen & Bar
3675 Minnehaha Ave South
Minneapolis, MN 55406
Challenge Dish:
Vegan Salmon Bowl
Marinated & deep-fried vegan salmon, coconut rice, roasted zucchini, cauliflower, red peppers, roasted corn, vegan ranch, sesame seeds, parsley
Contains*: soy, sesame
Available Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-close; Sat and Sun 2pm-close
Tori Ramen
603 7th W
St Paul, MN 55102
Challenge Dish:
Kimchi Mac
Mac, caramelized kimchi, & panko bread crumbs
Contains*: wheat
Available Hours: Dinner 5-9pm
Umbra Minneapolis
708 3rd Street South
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Challenge Dish:
Ackee Coconut Pappardelle
Pappardelle pasta, fragrant coconut milk, ackee (an earthy fruit), Scotch Bonnet, piquillo peppers, all-spice, toasted pine nuts, edible baby flowers
Contains*: wheat, coconut, pine nuts
Available Hours: 5-9pm
VITALIST by Sarah H
4016 Shoreline Drive
Spring Park, MN 55384
Challenge Dish:
Raw Pad Thai
Mango, red pepper, pea shoots, almond butter orange sauce
Contains*: almond
Available Hours: All open hours
***We asked restaurants to provide information on whether their dish contains wheat, soy, peanuts, or tree nuts; some also provided additional information (like sesame). All allergen information indicates what ingredients the dish contains; we cannot guarantee that no cross-contamination will occur. Please double-check with individual restaurants on their allergy protection protocols. Cross contamination with animal products is also possible; for instance, some restaurants may use the same equipment for both animal and plant products.***