The Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge takes place each August. The dishes below will be available August 1-31, 2026.
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.
2026 Participating Restaurants
Barbette
Challenge Dish: Roasted Garlic Linguine
Dish Description: Homemade Spinach Linguine, Caramelized onions, White Wine Vegan Butter Sauce, Herbs
Contains*: Wheat, Gluten
Available Hours: 4pm-10pm
Address: 1600 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Black Duck
Challenge Dish: Silesian Dumplings with Coconut Milk and Summer vegetables
Dish Description: Potato Dumplings tossed in a coconut milk sauce with seasonal summer vegetables
Contains*: Coconut
Available Hours: 4pm-10pm
Address: 2900 Johnson St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Book Club
Challenge Dish: Tofu Chow Mei Fun
Dish Description: Rice Vermicelli, Tofu, Napa Cabbage, Sauce, Mixed Peppers, Carrots, Bean Sprouts
Contains*: Soy
Available Hours: 4pm-10pm
Address: 5411 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419
The Block Food + Drink SLP
Challenge Dish: Seitan Birria Tacos
Dish Description: Three consomé-dipped corn tortillas filled with slow-simmered seitan, marinated in a rich guajillo & ancho chili birria, topped with fresh onion, cilantro, and melted vegan mozzarella. Served with savory consomé for dipping and lime wedges.
Contains*: Wheat, Gluten
Available Hours: TBD
Address: 7007 Walker St, St Louis Park, MN 55426
The Block Food + Drink Rogers
Challenge Dish: Vietnamese Lemongrass Bahn Mi
Dish Description: Shaved Seitan marinated in fresh lemongrass, tamari, garlic and five spice, pickled daikon radish, pickled carrot, cucumber spears, jalapenos, fresh cilantro, Vietnamese vegan mayo. May be grilled next to nonvegan items.
Contains*: Wheat, Gluten
Available Hours: 11 am – close Monday – Friday, 2p – Close Saturday & Sunday
Address: 21400 John Milless Dr, Rogers, MN 55374
Channa Trinidadian Kitchen
Challenge Dish: Doubles
Dish Description: Trinidad’s iconic street food featuring two soft, turmeric-infused fried breads filled with savory curried chickpeas (channa), topped with our house-made tamarind, cucumber, and culantro chutneys and pepper sauce for the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors.
Contains*: Wheat, Gluten
Available Hours: Dinner 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Address: 2940 Harriet Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408
The Copper Hen
Challenge Dish: Jamaican Curried Lentil Pierogis
Dish Description: Jamaican curried lentil pierogis, with salsa amarillo, spanish rice
Contains*: TBD
Available Hours: All open hours
Address: 2515 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Crasqui Restaurant
Challenge Dish: TBD
Dish Description: TBD
Contains*: TBD
Available Hours: TBD
Address: 84 Wabasha St S #3, St Paul, MN 55107
Duke'S on 7
Challenge Dish: Korean BBQ Bowl
Dish Description: Charred broccolini, roasted red pepper, bulgogi marinated Seitan, coconut rice, ssamjang agave sauce, kimchi, purple cabbage, pickled carrots, cucumber, fresh cilantro and scallion, crispy tofu topping.
Contains*: Wheat, Gluten, Soy, Coconut
Available Hours: 11 am – close Monday – Friday, 2p – Close Saturday & Sunday
Address: 15600 MN-7, Minnetonka, MN 55345
Food on the Fly
Challenge Dish: Bulgogi Plate
Dish Description: Seared house-made vegan bulgogi with fried onions and a soy mirin glaze. Served with Jasmine rice and leaf lettuce, along with sides of house kimchi, pickled daikon radish, and marinated cucumbers.
Contains*: Wheat, Soy, Sesame
Available Hours: All open hours: 10:30am to 2pm M-F
Address: 900 2nd Ave S Unit 110, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Gardens of Salonica
Challenge Dish: Greek Savory Watermelon & Grape Tomato Salad with Mint & Basil Coulis
Dish Description: Crisp fresh and sweet watermelon, acidic plum tomatoes tossed on Golden Turmeric Dressing and drizzled with basil/mint coulis
Contains*: No common allergens
Available Hours: 5pm-8:30pm Thurs, Fri, Sat
Address: 19 5th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Gatherings Cafe
Challenge Dish: Wild Harvest Taco
Dish Description: Marinated mushrooms with fresh cilantro and onions. Made on a fresh locally made corn tortilla.
Contains*: No common allergens
Available Hours: All hours 8am-3pm
Address:1530 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Gigi's Cafe
Challenge Dish: TBD
Dish Description: TBD
Contains*: TBD
Available Hours: TBD
Address: 824 W 36th St, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Golden Chow Mein
Challenge Dish: KPCT (Kung Pao Cola Tofu)
Dish Description: Boiled, seasoned, and fried tofu tossed in our kung pao cola sauce with peanuts, fermented black beans, and fresh herbs. Served with fragrant rice.
Contains*: Soy, Peanuts
Available Hours: Wednesday-Saturday from 11am-3pm, 5pm-9pm, and Sunday 11am-3pm
Address: 1105 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102
Hard Times Cafe
Challenge Dish: Kimchi Tteokbokki
Dish Description: A classic Korean comfort food of rice cakes simmered in a spicy broth with kimchi, corn, sweet potato, and smoked sunflower cheese.
Contains*: TBD
Available Hours: All open hours, 8am to midnight
Address: 1821 Riverside Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55454
Heal MPLS
Challenge Dish: Sushi Bae Bowl
Dish Description: A plant-based sushi-inspired bowl featuring marinated Roma tomato “tuna,” sweet & spicy sticky shroomies, pickled ginger, green onion, and toasted sesame seeds. Served over rice or quinoa for a gluten-free balance of umami, acid, heat, and texture.
Contains*: Sesame seeds
Available Hours: Dinner 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Address: 4171 N Lyndale Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55412
The Howe Daily Kitchen & Bar
Challenge Dish: Vegan Style Poutine
Dish Description: Sweet potato waffle fries smothered in house-made mushroom gravy, topped with plant-based cheese curds, vegan chorizo, pickled jalapenos, vegan shredded mozzarella and Cajun spice
Contains*: TBD
Available Hours: 11 am – close Monday – Friday, 2p – Close Saturday & Sunday
Address: 3675 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Kumar's Apple Valley
Challenge Dish: TBD
Dish Description: TBD
Contains*: TBD
Available Hours: TBD
Address: 14871 Granada Ave, Apple Valley, MN 55124
Kumar's Express Stadium Village
Challenge Dish: TBD
Dish Description: TBD
Contains*: TBD
Available Hours: TBD
Address: 815 Washington Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Lutunji's Palate
Challenge Dish: Chorizo Fries
Dish Description: TBD
Contains*: TBD
Available Hours: TBD
Address: 1400 Park Ave #1010, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Namaste Cafe
Challenge Dish: Golden Schnitzel with Spicy Masala Cream & Pickled Cabbage
Dish Description: A crispy, golden plant-based schnitzel topped with a velvety spicy masala cream, served with bright, tangy pickled cabbage. Bold Himalayan-inspired flavors meet classic comfort food in this irresistibly crunchy, creamy, and vibrant dish.
Contains*: Wheat
Available Hours: All open hours
Address: 2512 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405
Pat's Tap
Challenge Dish: Fried Tofu Sandwich
Dish Description: Tempura-Fried Tofu, Sriracha Mayo, Avocado, Tomato, Arugula, & Roasted Red Pepper
Contains*: Wheat, Soy
Available Hours: 4pm-10pm
Address: 3510 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Pub 819
Challenge Dish: Sesame Chickpeas
Dish Description: Chickpeas tossed in sesame sauce over coconut rice with roasted bok choi, shredded carrots, and snap peas. Garnished with green onion and sesame seeds.
Contains*: Soy, Sesame, Coconut
Available Hours: 11 am – close Monday – Friday, 2p – Close Saturday & Sunday
Address: 819 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343
Reverie Cafe + Bar
Challenge Dish: Parsnip Confit
Dish Description: Parsnip Confit, Soy Maple Glaze, Miso Sesame Braised Collards, Cauliflower Purée, Pickled Bell Pepper
Contains*: Soy, Sesame
Available Hours: 4pm – 9pm
Address: 1517 East 35th St, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Sawatdee Thai Restaurant
Challenge Dish: Gaeng Som (Thai Sour Curry)
Dish Description: Fried tofu, broccoli, napa cabbage, pineapple, and green beans. This tangy vegan red curry is enhanced with krachai and tamarind and does not contain coconut milk.
Contains*: Soy
Available Hours: All open hours
Address:
Minneapolis location: Minneapolis, 607 Washington Ave S, Mpls, MN 55415
St. Paul location: 486 Robert St N, St Paul, MN 55101
Stanley's NE Bar Room
Challenge Dish: Crispy Cauliflower Chimichurri Tacos
Dish Description: Tortilla filled with crispy fried cauliflower, fresh shredded lettuce, avocado, and sweet corn chimichurri, finished with a bold vegan sweet & spicy aioli for the perfect balance of crunch, freshness, and heat.
Contains*: Wheat, Gluten, Soy
Available Hours: 11 am – close Monday – Friday, 2p – Close Saturday & Sunday
Address: 2500 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Starling
Challenge Dish: Harissa Marinated Tofu Enchiladas
Dish Description: Corn Tortillas, filled with marinated tofu, topped with green and red chili sauces, served with vegan crema and jalapeno-jicama slaw
Contains*: Soy
Available Hours: Available from 11am-9pm Monday-Friday and 3pm-9pm on Saturday-Sunday
Address: 4925 Eden Ave, Edina, MN 55424
Tori Ramen
Challenge Dish: Korean BBQ mushroom Ssam
Dish Description: A smoky blend of oyster, king oyster, and shiitake mushrooms in a tomato and pepper Korean BBQ sauce, served with house-made kokuho rice, lettuce, and seasonal banchan.
Contains*: Soy, Sesame
Available Hours: All open hours Thursday-Sunday
Address: 603 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102
Vivi's Bubble Tea Apple Valley
Challenge Dish: Spicy Saigon Bahn Mi
Dish Description: Spicy marinated plant-based jerky beef on bread with jicama, green onions, carrot, cilantro, jalapeños, vegan butter, spicy vegan mayo, and soy sauce.
Contains*: Wheat, Gluten, Soy.
Available Hours: 11am to 8pm
Address: 15052 Gleason Path, Apple Valley, MN 55124
WELLS Roadside
Challenge Dish: Pretzel Jack Stack
Dish Description: Jackfruit chunk vegan served with our house Kale Crunch Slaw on a pretzel bun.
Contains*: Wheat, Gluten
Available Hours: 11 am – close Monday – Friday, 2p – Close Saturday & Sunday
Address: 3712 Quebec Ave S, St Louis Park, MN 55426
*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.














