Get access to everything we publish when you
.
Sometimes, we eat nothing but kale and tomatoes picked right off the vine. Other times, we just want a burger. Itâs called balance. And, when weâre ready to indulge, the choices available now are better than ever. Picking the best veggie burger is highly personal, of course, but weâve assembled a list of some of our favorite places to get them across the U.S.
The establishments weâve chosen here are all fully-vegetarian or vegan. We know there are plenty of places that cater to both plant- and animal-based diets with great veggie burgers but, for a number of reasons, weâve limited our scope of consideration to veg-only, fast-casual-style spots.
We could have kept going on (and on) but we stopped here for now. Expect this list to continue to evolve.
Be sure to also check out our lists of best new restaurants and best classic restaurants for 2021.
Vegetarian Times 2021 Best Veggie Burger Joints
Note: Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order
Burgerlords, Los Angeles
Brothers Fred and Max Guerrero grew up around burgers; their father founded L.A. burger cafe The Oinkster. The younger Guerreros started a Tumblr about burgers that took off, and re-used its title, Burgerlords, when they opened an In-n-Out-inspired spot of their own in 2015. A veggie burger was on the menu from the outset, but initially they sold meat, too. That changed in 2020, when Burgerlords transitioned to an entirely vegan operation. Now theyâre turning out multiple variations of all-house-made burgers (they have both a more âmeatyâ patty and a more veggie-ish option), nuggets, burritos, shakes, and more. burgerlords.com
Lekka Burger, New York City
Lekkaâs burger starts with a a soy-free, gluten-free, whole-food-based patty made fresh daily, so thereâs pretty much no reason not to let yourself indulge â and Lekka is the work of acclaimed Dirt Candy chef Amanda Cohen, so you know youâre in good hands. Where many of the best veggie burgers hue towards the thin or smashed patty style, Lekka takes what might be termed a âpub burgerâ approach. A thicc boi, one might say. The base patty is available with a myriad of toppings, from guacamole to fried pickles to coconut chutney slaw, and can be accompanied by shakes, soft serve, perfectly crinkly fries â or even a salad, if thatâs what youâre into. lekkaburger.com
Montyâs Good Burger, Los Angeles
Restauranteur Nic Adler has served as the culinary director of taste-making events like the Coachella Music & Arts Festival, managed bands, and run iconic music venues â so itâs no surprise that the burger brand he co-founded quickly found a devoted fan base. The five Montyâs locations have energetic rock nâ roll diner-type vibes and the menu keeps it classic and simple. Burgers are âImpossible 2.0â patties (with optional Follow Your Heart cheese) and fantastically satisfying (just ask vegan movie star Joaquin Phoenix, who famously celebrated his 2020 Best Actor Oscar with a post-ceremony Montyâs moment). montysgoodburger.com
PLNT Burger, Washington, D.C.
Chef Spike Mendelsohn first gained national attention as a contestant on Top Chef way back in 2008. After his reality TV turn, Mendelsohn â part of a long family line of chefs and restaurant workers â opened his own restaurants, including Good Stuff Eatery, an animal-based burger concept near the White House which gained national attention of its own as a favorite of President Obama and his team. But in 2019, he launched the first PLNT Burger, putting his burger expertise to work on something a little more animal-friendly. Between the buns at PLNT is patty made using Beyond meat products, and aims to be âmeat-likeâ enough to win over customers who donât normally gravitate to plant-based options. It seems to be working; the chain has already opened nine locations and plans for more. plntburger.com (pictured at top)
Pretty Good Advice, Soquel
Matt McNamara, a James Beard Rising Star Award-winning chef, was co-chef and partner at San Franciscoâs Sons & Daughters â an elegant, Michelin-starred spot with a $225 tasting menu â but in 2019 he decided he was ready for a change. McNamara and a small team of colleagues moved about an hour down the California coast, started an 83-acre organic farm, and opened Pretty Good Advice, a walk-up daytime cafe with seasonal, farm-driven dishes. The core offering remains year round: burgers made with âthe PGA Patty,â a house-recipe vegan burger made from beans and quinoa, and topped with options like roasted jalapeños, smashed avocado, and frizzled onions. prettygoodadvicesoquel.com
Slutty Vegan, Atlanta
At this point, Slutty Vegan needs no introduction. For those curious about the name, founder Pinky Cole once told a Forbes reporter that âa Slutty Vegan, to my mind, is someone who eats vegan but enjoys junk food â as long as itâs not dead.â The rapidly-expanding chain has been called âAtlantaâs hottest restaurantâ and can command hours-long lines when thereâs a big event in town. Whatâs bringing them in? Sloppy, maximalist vegan burgers that take Impossible patties to their most decadent extremes. Currently three locations, a food truck, and a spin-off bar concept, Cole and her Slutty Vegan crew are just getting started. sluttyveganatl.com
READ ALL RESTAURANT STORIES FROM VEGETARIAN TIMES
Get more of what you love from VT. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter and sign up for our email newsletters.
Source: Vegetariantimes.com