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.