Kids will enjoy customizing their own bowls at Beefsteak. Photo courtesy of Beefsteak, Facebook

10 Family-Friendly DC Vegan Restaurants

1. Beefsteak — Washington, DC

This fast-casual Foggy Bottom restaurant, owned by local celebrity chef José Andres, celebrates the power and versatility of vegetables. Its menu offers a variety of customizable salads, grain bowls, and plant-based burgers that you can top with cooked-to-order fresh veggies, delicious sauces, and some meat and protein options if you want.

2. CherCher — Washington, DC; Bethesda, MD

DC has had a thriving Ethiopian food scene for years that offers many delicious options for vegans and vegetarians. CherCher, located in Bethesda and Shaw, has been open for more than 50 years. Its menu includes a vegan special where diners can select from 10 different vegetable dishes, as well as a wide range of other main-course vegetarian and vegan options such as spicy split lentils and chickpeas. There is no kids' menu, so this restaurant is best for kids who don’t mind a little spice and adventurous eating.

Related: 10 Great Breakfast Restaurants Near DC for Kids and Families

Enjoy a taste of classic soul food at Everlasting Life Restaurant and Lounge. Photo courtesy of the restaurant

3. Everlasting Life Restaurant and Lounge — Washington, DC; Capitol Heights, MD

Everlasting Life serves up delicious, 100%-vegan soul food classics at its two DC locations in Takoma Park and Anacostia and at its Capitol Heights, Maryland restaurant. The menu includes a Sunday brunch with pancakes, waffles and vegan sausage, vegan pot roast, ribs, BBQ tofu, and more. Everlasting Life also offers vegan smoothies and cakes. Every Thursday night, the restaurant hosts children’s night with fun, free educational activities for kids ages 12 and under.

4. HipCityVeg — Washington, DC

This plant-based burger joint recently opened two locations in downtown DC. The menu is perfect for kids—it offers vegan burgers, chicken nuggets, and fries. Treat your kids (and yourself) to one of HipCityVeg's soy-based milkshakes.

5. NuVegan Café — Washington, DC; Baltimore and College Park, MD; Woodbridge, VA

This fast-casual restaurant offers vegan versions of classic diner food like fried fish, chicken drumsticks, lasagna, burgers, and quesadillas. NuVegan also offers catered vegan holiday meals if you’d like to make the holidays less stressful. The cafe's DC location is located in the Columbia Heights neighborhood.

Related:10 Restaurants Near DC Where Kids Can Play

 
Crispy little dippers at PLNT Burger are a hit with kids. Photo courtesy of @une petite fraise

6. PLNT Burger — Alexandria and McLean, VA; Columbia, Rockville, and Silver Spring, MD; Washington, DC

This chain restaurant owned by celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn is basically vegan fast food. Its menu includes a mushroom bacon cheeseburger, bloomie petals (fried onions), spicy chick’n sandwich, and fries. Order your kids a sprout meal with a burger and fries. PLNT Burger has locations inside Whole Foods supermarkets across the DMV.

7. Shouk — Bethesda and Rockville, MD; Washington, DC

Shouk serves plant-based Middle Eastern street food, including a plant-based burger, mushroom shawarma, BBQ jackfruit, falafel, and fries. DC celebrity chef Carla Hall declared the Shouk veggie burger the best burger she has ever tasted. Shouk also sells its burgers online to prepare at home.

8. Sticky Fingers Diner — Washington, DC

This 100% plant-based diner and bakery on H Street offers a menu of kid-pleasing favorites and mouthwatering treats. Its decadent brunch menu includes goodies like carrot cake waffles with cream cheese frosting and biscuits and gravy. At lunch and dinnertime, kids will be happy with vegan cheesy mac, a classic burger, or a meatball sub. If you’re looking for a vegan birthday cake, the Sticky Fingers Bakery is a great option with all kinds of favorite flavors, from Funfetti to cookies n’ crème.

Related: 12 Afternoon and Holiday Tea Spots Near DC for Families

 
True Food Kitchen includes both vegan and non-vegan options. Photo courtesy of True Food Kitchen

9. True Food Kitchen — Bethesda and Gaithersburg, MD; Arlington, Fairfax, and Reston, VA

This popular restaurant chain offers a healthy menu that can accommodate many special diets, including vegan, gluten-free, keto, and paleo options. Its menu includes vegan spinach and mushroom pizza, a vegan cheeseburger, and a vegan Korean noodle bowl. There's also a kids' menu that includes a vegetarian pizza and some meat options like a chicken teriyaki bowl.

Related: 12 Must-Try Ice Cream Shops Near DC

 
Donut Run's vegan donuts are a delicious, plant-based treat. Photo courtesy of Donut Run

10. Donut Run — Washington, DC

No list of DC vegan restaurants would be complete without a dessert spot! This vegan donut shop in Takoma Park is open daily from 7am to 2pm or until they run out—which happens a lot, so get there early and expect to stand in line. Flavors include dulce de leche, mint chocolate chip, tiramisu, coconut, and lots of seasonal flavors, like the cherry blossom fritter.