2025 Participating Restaurants

The Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge takes place each August. The dishes below will be available August 1-31, 2025. Each August, visit restaurants, enjoy the food, and then rate your experience online to determine the best vegan dish in the Twin Cities! When you vote, or when you post and tag us, you’re entered into prize drawings for restaurant gift cards and merch.


Barbette

 1600 W Lake St
Minneapolis, MN 55408

Challenge Dish:

Green Lentil Terrine

Layers of green lentils, with curry cauliflower, pickled watermelon radish, micro greens, chive oil

Contains*: No common allergens

Available Hours: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM daily

Restaurant Website


The Block – Rogers

 21400 John Milless Dr
Rogers, MN 55374

Challenge Dish:

Vegan Lumpia

Spring roll mix made with Impossible burger, tofu, celery, and cabbage; spring greens; tamari-pepper jelly

Contains*: Wheat, soy

Available Hours: Monday – Friday All open hours, Saturday – Sunday 2:00 PM – close

Restaurant Website


The Block Food + Drink – SLP

7007 Walker Street
Saint Louis Park, MN 55426

Challenge Dish:

Vegan Pesto Rosso

cavatappi pasta; sun-dried tomatoes, red onion sautéed and deglazed with white wine and lemon juice; basil pesto; vegan chicken breast

Contains*: Wheat, soy

Available Hours: Monday – Friday All open hours, Saturday – Sunday 2:00 PM – close

Restaurant Website


Book Club

5411 Penn Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55419

Challenge Dish:

Falafel Burger

House-made falafel with fresh lettuce, cucumber, tomato, dill pico de gallo, tahini aioli, and tzatziki; crispy sweet potato fries

Contains*: Please ask restaurant

Available Hours: 3:30 PM – 10:00 PM

Restaurant Website


The Chart House

11287 Klamath Trail, Lakeville, MN 55044

Challenge Dish:

Caribbean Vegan Bowl

Jerk-spiced black bean patty, jerk plant-based beef crumble, cilantro lime rice with Argentinian chimichurri, fire-roasted corn salsa, avocado chimi-mousse, and pepitas

Contains*: soy, wheat

Available Hours: 4:00 – 9:00 PM

Restaurant Website


Crasqui Restaurant

84 Wabasha St S # 3 St. Paul, MN 55107

Challenge Dish:

Bollitos Pelones Veggie Style

Cornmeal dumpling filled with zucchini, eggplant and onions with plantain and black bean sauces

Contains*: No common allergens

Available Hours: Tuesday – Thursday 5 – 8:30 PM, Friday-Saturday 5-9:30 PM, Sunday 11 AM – 7:30 PM

Restaurant Website


Duke’S on 7

15600 MN-7
Minnetonka, MN 55345

Challenge Dish:

Vegan Spaghetti & Meatballs

Spaghetti, vegan meatballs, tomato red sauce; garnished with basil, parsley, and vegan cheese

Contains*: Wheat

Available Hours: Monday – Friday All open hours, Saturday – Sunday 2:00 PM – close

Restaurant Website


Food on the Fly

900 2nd Ave S Unit 110 Minneapolis, MN 55402

Challenge Dish:

Crispy Chicken Rice Bowl

Crispy, house-made mock-chicken strips, citrus corn salsa, snow peas, fermented bean sprouts, watermelon radish, and asparagus kimchi. All on a bed of herb-infused jasmine rice and topped with a crunchy chili oil aioli and scallions.

Contains*: Gluten, soy, sesame.  Can be made without soy or sesame upon request

Available Hours: Monday – Friday 11:00 AM – 2: 00 PM

Restaurant Website


Gigi’s Cafe

824 W 36th St
Minneapolis, MN 55408

Challenge Dish:

Vegan Tacos

Sweet and savory jackfruit served in corn tortillas with onion, cilantro, lime, avocado, and choice of salsa verde, salsa rojo, or avo salsa.

Contains*: No common allergens

Available Hours: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM daily

Restaurant Website


Hard Times Cafe

1821 Riverside Ave Minneapolis, MN 55454

Challenge Dish:

Vegan Red Pork Taco

Red pork, curtido (pickled cabbage, jalapeno, onion), cheese, bacon, and crema on corn tortilla

Contains*: Soy

Available Hours: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM; Venue is cash-only

Restaurant Website


Himalayan Restaurant

 2910 E Lake St Minneapolis, MN 55406

Challenge Dish:

Chili Momo

Crispy Hemp and Shiitake momo with sautéed peppers and onion tossed in tangy and sweet chili sauce, topped with crunchy noodles

Contains*: Soy, wheat, sesame

Available Hours: All open hours

Restaurant Website


The Howe Daily Kitchen & Bar

3675 Minnehaha Ave South
Minneapolis, MN 55406

Challenge Dish:

Vegan Beef Wellington

A plant-based twist on the classic Wellington: savory Impossible meat and sautéed mushrooms wrapped in flaky puff pastry, served with mashed sweet potatoes, sautéed green onion and arugula, and finished with vegan au jus

Contains*: Wheat, soy

Available Hours: Monday – Friday All open hours, Saturday – Sunday 2:00 PM – close

Restaurant Website


Lulu EthioVegan

12 E Franklin Minneapolis, MN 55404

Challenge Dish:

Chili Fries

Potato fries with award-winning Ethiopian-spiced chili, topped with nondairy cheese and sour cream

Contains*: Soy

Available Hours: All open hours

Restaurant Website


Lutunji’s Palate

1400 Park Ave #1010 Minneapolis, MN 55404

Challenge Dish:

A Pot of Love

Vegan pot roast with jackfruit, potatoes, and carrots

Contains*: Served with a wheat croissant

Available Hours: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Restaurant Website


Namaste Café

2512 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN 55405

Challenge Dish:

Masala Fire Taco

Masala-spiced Tofu served on corn tortillas and topped with crunchy cabbage, pickled onions, avocado, cashew mayo, cilantro sauce and green chilies and a side of refreshing watermelon cucumber mint salad

Contains*: Soy, cashews. Can be served without tree nuts upon request

Available Hours: All open hours

Restaurant Website


Pat’s Tap

3510 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55408

Challenge Dish:

Vegan Flatbread

Vegan flatbread with seasonal roasted vegetables and a hummus base topped with arugula olive oil, and balsamic drizzle.

Contains*: Wheat

Available Hours: Every day 3pm-9pm

Restaurant Website


Reverie Cafe + Bar

1517 E 35th St Minneapolis, MN 55407

Challenge Dish:

Chili Crisp Burnt End Tacos w/ Smoked Corn Ribs 

Hard Shell Tacos w/ Shredded Burnt Ends, Lemongrass Slaw, Bourbon Aioli, Scallion. Served w/ Smoked Corn Ribs, Mojo Jalapeño Aioli, Tofu Queso Fresco, Cilantro.

Contains*: Soy, wheat

Available Hours: Monday – Friday 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Saturday – Sunday 4:00 – 9:00 PM

Restaurant Website


Sawatdee

607 Washington Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55415

486 Robert St N
St. Paul, MN 55101

7885 Main St N
Maple Grove, MN 55369

Challenge Dish:

Stir Fry Cabbage with Tofu

Stir fried cabbage, beans sprouts, and shiitake mushrooms with tofu in Thai black sauce

Contains*: Soy, coconut

Available Hours: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Restaurant Website


Stanley’s NE Bar Room

2500 University Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418

Challenge Dish:

Chimi Chickpea Cauli-Power

Roasted cauliflower dripping in corn-chimichurri on a smooth sofrito chickpea puree

Contains*: Soy

Available Hours: Monday – Friday All open hours, Saturday – Sunday 2:00 PM – close

Restaurant Website


Starling

4925 Eden Ave
Edina, MN 55424

Challenge Dish:

Sweet Potato & Chickpea Curry

Tomato, coconut milk, wild cumin, cilantro, pineapple chutney on a bed of jasmine rice

Contains*: coconut

Available Hours:

Lunch: Monday – Friday 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Dinner: Sunday – Thursday 4:00 – 9:00 PM, Friday – Saturday 4:00 – 10:00 PM

Restaurant Website


Stonegarden

5401 Chicago Ave Minneapolis, MN 55417

Challenge Dish:

Summer Sun

Blackened tempeh, luscious corn basil coconut reduction, white balsamic vinaigrette, micro fenugreek salad, pickled Fresno chilies, yellow pepper coulis “yolk”

Contains*: Soy

Available Hours: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM daily

Restaurant Website


Tiny Diner

1024 E 38th St Minneapolis, MN 55407

Challenge Dish:

Coconut Curry Tofu Wraps

Coconut tofu, crunchy corn strips, and fresh radish, wrapped in fresh green lettuce

Contains*: Soy

Available Hours: Wednesday – Sunday 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Restaurant Website


Tori Ramen

603 7th St W St Paul, MN 55102

Challenge Dish:

Hobak Buchim

Zucchini pancake made with baby Korean pumpkin, garnished with avocado and seaweed

Contains*: No common allergens

Available Hours: Wednesday – Sunday 5:00 – 8:30 PM

Restaurant Website


Umbra Minneapolis

708 South 3rd Street
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Challenge Dish:

Garlic Scape Cavatelli

Fresh cavatelli with garlic scape pistou, heirloom tomato, and pickled garlic scape

Contains*: Wheat

Available Hours: 4:00 – 10:00 PM

Restaurant Website


WELLS Roadside

3712 Quebec Ave S
St Louis Park, MN 55426

Challenge Dish:

Vegan Philly Cheesesteak


Soft hoagie roll, savory Impossible patty, grilled pepper mix, grilled onions, melted Chao vegan cheese, and house-made garlic mayo

Contains*: Wheat, sesame

Available Hours: Monday – Friday All open hours, Saturday – Sunday 2 PM – close

Restaurant Website


***Restaurants provided information on whether their dish contains wheat, soy, peanuts, or tree nuts; some also provided additional information (like sesame). All allergen information indicates what ingredients the dish contains; we cannot guarantee that no cross-contamination will occur. Please double-check with individual restaurants on their allergy protection protocols. Cross contamination with animal products is also possible; for instance, some restaurants may use the same equipment for both vegan and nonvegan products.***

Due to unforeseen circumstances, VITALIST Fresh and Pub 819 have withdrawn from the competition and are not participating. We apologize for any confusion.