Vegan Brunch

by Athena Abdien

Photography by Athena Abdien

Going out for Sunday brunch in Boston is just as common as having a cup of coffee on the way to an 8 a.m. In other words, it is a must. Luckily for those who are vegan, finding brunch options is now easier than ever.

Brunch tends to range in flavor from sweet to savory, and Boston offers a wide array of options for any craving along this spectrum.

Restaurants such as Whole Heart Provisions in the center of Allston are great when in the mood for a healthier alternative to Chipotle. This location is constantly packed with vegans and non-vegans alike, so anyone who is skeptical of vegan food can put their worries aside.

Their menu offers both sweet and savory options. Be sure to check the specialty menu to see if their famous, fresh stack of pancakes is available—no customer can pass those up. Other meals offered at Whole Heart include energizing salads, hearty rice bowls and crispy fried sides like falafel dogs.

“We are inspired by taking the freshest produce possible, and introducing it to bold flavors from all over the world,” said Rebecca Arnold and James DiSabatino, the co-owners of Whole Heart.

Another place to go when craving vegan diner food is Veggie Galaxy, which is located right outside of MIT. On Sundays, it is best to make a reservation because the line tends to be out the door by 1 p.m. People from all over the Boston area love Veggie Galaxy’s rich French toast, savory tofu scrambles and flavorful omelets.

Veggie Galaxy does not only offer vegan food, making it well-liked by those who are not vegan. In addition to its regular menu items, Veggie Galaxy also offers a number of vegan and non-vegan pastries and desserts to take home.

For anyone in need of a burger and milkshake, by CHLOE., a vegan food chain that is extremely popular in New York City and Los Angeles, is a great option. Now open in Boston’s Seaport district and set to open soon in Fenway, by CHLOE. is spreading all over this city.

In an interview with The Huffington Post, Chef Chloe Coscarelli discusses how her love for vegan food grew over the years.

“After winning Cupcake Wars, I published three successful cookbooks, and felt it was time to throw on my chef hat again,” said Coscarelli. “So, I put together ideas for a vegan restaurant menu.”

Not only is by CHLOE. great for a sit-down brunch, it also offers meals that are perfect for those on the go. From fruit smoothies and almond butter toast, to quinoa hash browns and cinnamon rolls, vegan foodies cannot go wrong when choosing from by CHLOE.’s menu.

Other brunch options that are on the healthier side are from places such as Sweetgreen and Dig Inn. Although the two may seem very similar, they are actually quite different in what they offer.

Salad may not seem like a classic choice for brunch, but the salads from Sweetgreen are just as large, filling and delicious as typical brunch items. The menu offers both warm and cold bowls, and even allows customers to make their own salad if they would prefer. It may not be the quintessential brunch adventure, but the food is equally satisfying.

Dig Inn is another solid place to visit with friends and family. Like Whole Heart Provisions, this restaurant not only offers bowls of food, but also a pleasing aesthetic. If one searches “Dig Inn” on Instagram, hundreds of pictures of food on a white marble table will appear.

For anyone in the mood for brunch at a café, head to Flour Bakery + Café in either Back Bay or Cambridge. Even though the line can be long and the place can be packed, the food is so enjoyable that it is worth waiting for a table. Although their famous sticky buns are not vegan, they serve many other vegan pastry options, as well as vegan sandwiches, salads and homemade hummus.

Another spot student-vegans recommend to any Bostonian is Tavern in the Square in Allston.

“This was by far the best brunch experience I’ve had in Boston because they have an unlimited fresh fruit spread and offer a number of vegan salads,” said Meg Murphy (CAS ’19). “Vegan options in the city are growing quickly and food chains are definitely more aware than ever of the lifestyle we follow.”

Overall, Boston offers such a wide variety of options for vegans that it is tough to choose which one to try next. On the next Sunday that rolls around, be sure to head toward any one of these great locations for a plant-based brunch.