2024 Participating Restaurants

Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge

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)

Restaurant Website


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

Restaurant Website


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

Restaurant Website


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

Restaurant Website


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

Restaurant Website


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

Restaurant Website


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

Restaurant Website


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

Restaurant Website


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

Restaurant Website


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

Restaurant Website


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

Restaurant Website


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

Restaurant Website


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

Restaurant Website


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

Restaurant Website


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

Restaurant Website


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

Restaurant Website


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

Restaurant Website


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

Restaurant Website


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

Restaurant Website


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

Restaurant Website


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

Restaurant Website


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

Restaurant Website


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

Restaurant Website


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

Restaurant Website

***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.***

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