6 Spots for Vegan Eats in Tallahassee
Photos by Hannah Sentenac
In a state where the governor refuses to acknowledge the term “climate change” — you might not expect anything progressive to be happening in the capital city. But when it comes to plant-forward eating, Tallahassee, Florida, is a pleasant surprise.
Home to Florida State University, the city is awash with college students … presumably a market ripe for vegan eats. From hot dog stands to pizza joints to fancier ethnic eateries, Tallahassee’s lineup of herbivorous options doesn’t disappoint.
So should you take a tour of this tree-lined metropolis, here are fsix of the city’s most veg-friendly spots:
1. Sweet Pea Cafe
This all-vegan eatery is just as adorable as its name implies. The cozy interior, complete with chalkboard menus and minty green accents, is comfortable and shabby chic.
The fixed menu is big on sammies like the tempeh reuben, the spicy BLT and the falafelawesome, plus sides, quesadillas and coffee — but they’re also known for their daily specials (often with wildly creative nicknames).
The Kraby Patty, a homemade “krab” cake with tempeh and lion’s mane mushroom; the Eggplant Emoji, a wrap filled with baba ganoush, veggies, and homemade tzatziki sauce; and the Positive Lentil Attitude, a homemade chipotle lentil burger with local okra. They serve weekend brunch, too with offerings like the Tofuevos Rancheros and the Heil Seitan Tacos.
Don’t leave without putting a homemade cookie in your mouth. Green tea sugar cookies are a creative win.
2. Voodoo Dog
The walls at this purple, pop culture-obsessed spot are lined with framed photos of iconic characters. Feast your eyes on Bill and Ted, Captain Picard, The Lost Boys and a gazillion other famous and forgettable weirdos and iconoclasts.
Voodoo is all about burgers, beer and dogs, but as the name implies, the dogs are the real attraction. Anything on the menu can be made with a vegan hot dog, so you can go insane with the topping options. While some are off limits (BACON), most aren’t, from jalapenos to sauerkraut to grilled pineapple. House dogs are all kinds of creative. Try a veganized Abe Froman, topped with fresh tomato, onions, pickles, relish and celery salt. Or, an Atomic Veggie dog, topped with onions, tomatoes, cucumber and jalapeño.
And if you’re short on cash, they even have a hot dog happy hour.
3. Decent PizzaPhoto by Hannah Sentenac
Despite the charmingly modest name, Decent Pizza is more impressive than its moniker implies. A local favorite, the spot is an expert in whipping up plant-based versions of its more traditional options.