All Soul’s Lounge
282 Derby Street
A retro cocktail bar with a small but vegan friendly menu. All Souls is an excellent place to go for drinks, but it also works as a good vegan dinner spot with your choice of variously adorned vegan hot dogs, corn dogs and grilled cheese as well as some small plates and specials. They also have gluten free options and can help you veganize on the fly.
Flying Saucer Pizza
118 Washington Street
A fun sci-fi themed pizza joint with something for everyone. They have a full vegan menu as well as one for omnivores. Their vegan garlic knots are over-the-top and their vegan pizzas are lush and decadent. Try one with vegan mac and cheese or pickles as toppings! Good for lunch, dinner or take out. Has outdoor seating seasonally.
Gulu Gulu Cafe
247 Essex Street
Next door to Flying Saucer, Gulu Gulu is another good choice for mixed parties of vegans and non-vegans. With simple dishes like vegan mac and cheese, grilled cheese, a burger, and a hummus plate you’re sure to find something for a light meal no matter the hour. They also have extensive coffee and beer menus and oftentimes entertainment in the evenings. Has outdoor seating.
Koto
90 Washington Street
A Japanese restaurant which also hosts the monthly Salem goth club Darque, Koto is a great choice if you’re looking for something other than American fare in Salem. They have lots of yummy varieties of vegan sushi and a number of vegan entrees on the menu. Their bar boasts a roster of creative cocktails and interesting Japanese whiskies. Has outdoor seating seasonally.
Life Alive
281 Essex Street
A vegetarian spot that’s great for lunch or dinner. Their specialty is grain and vegetable bowls with their famously yummy sauces. Order a bowl that’s vegan by default or ask to customize one with tofu or nuts instead of egg or cheese. They also have lots of smoothies, coffee, tea, and fresh squeezed juices. One of the healthiest vegan choices in town.
Paprika Grill
2 Liberty Street
Since the pandemic, this place has literally become a walk up window where you order, with a few outdoor seats. That said, it’s good falafel and other vegan Middle Eastern you can get in a hurry when you’re downtown or visiting PEM.
Ray Adea’s Mediterranean Kitchen
90 Lafayette Street
Everything here is either vegan or able to be made vegan easily. And everything is very delicious. A selection of Israeli casual food and the best fries in town, without a doubt. An excellent choice to take out for lunch or early dinner.
Spitfire Tacos
105 Lafayette Street
Can you say vegan quesadilla? It’s really something. Also vegan tacos and very good rice and beans as well as the usual chips and salsa or guac. A great choice for lunch or dinner. It’s tiny so plan to take your food to go.
The Juicery
83 Washington Street
A smoothie and açai bowl joint, this is a good place for a light breakfast or lunch. They also have a handful of vegan takeaway foods in their cold case including some raw vegan “energy balls” that are good snack to have on hand.
Wolf Next Door Coffee
142 Derby Street
If you like excellent, strong, locally-roasted coffee, Wolf Next Door is for you. This tiny shop brews Jim’s coffee and offers the usual complement of fake mylks and even a vegan coffee special. They serve simple breakfast sandwiches to go, and these include some unfussy vegan options like hummus, avocado and/or Beyond sausage on a bagel. This spot is take out only — although if you go when the lunch and dinner place next door isn’t open yet, you can use their outside seating. Also a quick walk to a big grassy field and some spots to sit by the ocean. (Salem Maritime National Historic Site).