The environment and climate change are literally “hot topics” today. Did you know that the #4 solution to REVERSING climate change (#3 is reducing food waste) is adopting a plant-based diet? Decomposing plants and vegetables contribute minimal greenhouse gases compared to raising livestock for meat, eggs and dairy, and their decomposing excess contributes over 14% of the methane gas. Methane is 86X more harmful to the environment than CO2.

Thankfully, Miami is a center of creative chefs offering colorful and flavorful vegan and vegetarian dishes even your carnivore-loving friend will love. Here are some of our plant-based favorites.

Full Bloom

Tucked inside the Crest boutique hotel a block from Lincoln Rd is the first vegan restaurant in Miami established in 2015 and offers 100% animal free dining with all locally sourced products and ingredients.

1670 James Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Love Life Cafe

Veronica and Diego are partners in love and in life. Just a few months after they got together, they began creating Love Life Cafe where they get to provide delicious and conscious food to the Miami community. Boasting the BEST Veggie Burger named at Seed Food and Wine Festival, their extensive menu is packed with fresh ingredients in salads, soups, arepas, pizzas, pastas, wraps and bowls.

545 NW 26th St Miami, FL 33127

Manna Life Food

Superfoods as burger patties, arepas, fresh juices, wraps and more in this fast casual spot in the Alfred Dupont Building.

80 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33132

Planta South Beach

Buzzy South of Fifth plant based spot that offers delicious food that promotes environmental sustainability with creative vegan dishes including an amazing selection of vegan sushi, udon noodles with truffle, pizzas and items that will even fool the carnivore in your life.

Planta South Beach- 850 Commerce St, Miami Beach, FL 33139

PLANTA Queen | Coconut Grove

Modern and chic, this Coconut Grove upstairs on the corner of Cocoa Walk focuses on Asian-inspired dishes typically laden with protein replaced by flavorful vegan renditions. Sushi fans will love rolls like baked crab roll dragon roll and unagi eggplant nigiri with truffle miso. Dumplings like sweet corn and spinach shitake do not disappoint. Dan Dan noodles are two of the many options offered as bowls.

3015 Grand Ave Suite 201, Coconut Grove, FL 33133

Shido Wynwood (a pop up by Love Life Cafe)

Miso Udon and Kimchi Udon soups, and creative vegan sushi rolls in this pop up inside Love Life Cafe. Smoked carrot, cashew cream cheese, avocado and sweet plantains make up the Caribbean Queen roll, Truffled Oyster and Porcini Mushrooms S’room roll, and the Hangry Tomato Roll of spicy tomato tartare, avocado, jalapeños.

545 NW 26th . Miami, FL

Vegan Cuban Cuisine

Vegan is not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Cuban food. Yet, there’s a gem dishing out traditional favorites that are all vegan. Whether craving a papa rellena, ham croqueta, or the iconic “cubano” sandwich, husband and wife team Steven Rodriguez and Lismeilyn Machado deliver on flavor in their tiny restaurant.

9640 SW 72nd St, Miami, FL 33173

Minty Z (Multiple locations)

Go for the Dim Sum, stay for plant-based Pan Asian cuisine. This popular spot offers wok-seared mushrooms, cauliflower kimchi, buckwheat scallion pancakes, and truffle fried rice, among their top vegan dishes.

3206 Grand Ave, Miami, FL 33133

L’Artisane Vegan Cafe

With beautiful new digs, vegan French bakery, L’Artisane now located in Coral Gables offers all day vegan pastries, cakes, salads, soups and breakfast and lunch options. Le Cordon Bleu trained Chef Carolina Molea crafts some of the most beautiful and tasty treats around.

2526 Ponce De Leon Blvd. Coral Gables