TL;DR
Best vegan food in Longfellow, Minneapolis: Gandhi Mahal / Curry in a Hurry (3009 27th Ave S, legendary chana masala and tofu palak, $-$$), Himalayan Restaurant (2910 E Lake St, momos and Nepali curries, $$), Francis Burger Joint (plant-forward burgers and bowls, fully customizable vegan). The neighborhood also has the Seward Co-op Minnehaha location for grocery runs. Longfellow is quieter than Uptown but delivers serious plant-based depth.
Longfellow: Minneapolis's Quiet Vegan Neighborhood
Longfellow does not have the noise of Uptown or the concentrated restaurant density of Northeast Minneapolis. What it does have is a handful of restaurants that have been feeding the south Minneapolis vegan community with genuine care for years - and one that carries the weight of a comeback story that matters to the whole city.
The neighborhood runs along the Minnehaha Ave corridor and the Lake Street corridor in south Minneapolis, bordered by the river to the east and Powderhorn to the west. It is a residential neighborhood with a progressive food culture that often gets overlooked in broader Minneapolis vegan guides. This guide fixes that.
Gandhi Mahal - The Comeback That Belongs in Its Own Category
Curry in a Hurry by Gandhi Mahal 3009 27th Ave S, Longfellow, Minneapolis $-$$
You cannot talk about vegan food in Longfellow without talking about Gandhi Mahal. And you cannot talk about Gandhi Mahal without talking about what it means to this neighborhood.
The original Gandhi Mahal was one of Minneapolis's most beloved Indian restaurants for over a decade - a Minnehaha Ave destination that won James Beard attention and built one of the most loyal regular followings of any restaurant in the city. In 2020, it was destroyed. Owner Ruhel Islam responded with a statement that became national news. The community rallied. And eventually, he rebuilt.
The rebuild came in the form of Curry in a Hurry by Gandhi Mahal - a quick-service concept at 3009 27th Ave S that serves the same food, faster and cheaper. The move was brilliant. Lower rent, lower prices, the same recipes that made Gandhi Mahal what it was.
For vegans, this is one of the best lunch spots in the entire city.
What to Order at Curry in a Hurry (Vegan)
Chana Masala - The foundation. Deeply spiced chickpeas in a complex tomato and onion-based sauce. Already vegan. This alone justifies the trip.
Tofu Palak - Spinach-based curry with tofu in place of paneer. Rich, silky, and verdant in a way that requires no apology for the substitution. Confirm no ghee when ordering.
Vegetable Korma - Mild, slightly sweet, coconut and cashew forward. The crowd-pleaser of the menu and reliably vegan.
Samosa Chaat - Flaky pastry, chickpeas, tamarind chutney. Ask for no yogurt for the fully vegan version. The tamarind alone is worth it.
The vibe: Quick-service counter ordering, a warm and efficient kitchen, prices that feel like they belong to a different decade in the best possible way. This is neighborhood food at neighborhood prices from a family that has earned this neighborhood's loyalty.
Himalayan Restaurant - Momos Worth a Detour
2910 E Lake St, Minneapolis $$ | Nepali-Indian-Tibetan
Himalayan Restaurant sits on Lake Street in the Longfellow/Longfellow-adjacent stretch that connects Uptown to the east side neighborhoods. The cuisine is the Nepali-Indian-Tibetan blend that makes this stretch of south Minneapolis genuinely interesting for plant-based diners.
The momos are the reason to go. These are steamed dumplings - thin dough, hand-pinched, filled with spiced vegetables - served with a tomato-based dipping sauce that has heat and depth. They are among the best dumplings in Minneapolis, vegan or otherwise. Order two rounds.
What to Order at Himalayan Restaurant (Vegan)
Vegetable Momos - The standout. Steamed dumplings with a vegetable filling, served with tomato achar dipping sauce. 100% vegan by default. Do not leave without ordering these.
Chana Masala - The Himalayan version leans slightly spicier and more tomato-forward than some Indian preparations. Excellent.
Aloo Gobi - Potatoes and cauliflower, dry-fried with mustard seeds and turmeric. A classic that Himalayan does well.
Dal Bhat - Lentil soup over rice with vegetable sides. Ask for the vegan version (no ghee in the dal). One of the most complete plant-based meals you can order in the city for the price.
Thukpa (Tibetan Noodle Soup) - Hearty broth with wheat noodles and vegetables. Ask for the vegetable version and confirm it is made without meat stock. Warming, filling, underrated.
The vibe: Neighborhood restaurant with table service and a warm, unpretentious atmosphere. The kitchen handles vegan modifications without drama - a simple "no ghee" instruction lands cleanly here.
Francis Burger Joint - Plant-Forward in South Minneapolis
South Minneapolis | $$
Francis Burger Joint has built a reputation as one of the most vegan-accommodating non-vegan restaurants in south Minneapolis. The menu is burger-and-bowl focused, and the kitchen takes plant-based customization seriously.
Every burger on the menu can be ordered with a plant-based patty. Every bowl can be built vegan. The sauces are where you need to pay attention - some contain dairy, and the kitchen is happy to flag which ones work for a fully vegan order. Ask your server upfront and they will walk you through it.
What to order (vegan):
The Plant-Based Burger - Built with a vegan patty (typically Impossible or a comparable product), with customizable toppings. Request vegan sauce options when ordering. The kitchen uses real acid and heat in the sauces, so the vegan versions do not feel like a consolation.
Grain Bowls - The bowl menu is strong for vegans - roasted vegetables, pickled elements, grains, and a sauce base that can be configured plant-based. Ask for the vegan sauce and you're set.
The fries - Simple, well-salted, cooked in oil. Vegan by default.
Hours note: Francis Burger Joint is open for lunch and dinner. Friday and Saturday hours extend to 10pm, making it a solid late-afternoon or evening option in the neighborhood.
Seward Co-op Minnehaha - The Grocery Anchor
317 E 38th St, Minnehaha (adjacent to Longfellow)
Technically in the Minnehaha neighborhood rather than Longfellow proper, the Seward Co-op's 38th Street location serves the Longfellow/Minnehaha corridor as its primary grocery anchor. This is one of the best vegan grocery stores in Minneapolis.
The bulk section carries grains, legumes, nuts, and nutritional yeast. The deli has rotating vegan hot food and grab-and-go options. The refrigerated section carries the full range of vegan milks, cheeses (Violife, Miyoko's), and prepared items. The produce is local-priority and organic-leaning.
If you are doing a half-day of vegan eating in Longfellow, the Seward Co-op Minnehaha location is worth a stop for snacks, grab-and-go items, or stocking up on staples. For the full co-op guide, see Best Vegan Grocery Stores in Minneapolis.
The Broader South Minneapolis Vegan Context
Longfellow does not exist in isolation. The neighborhood is surrounded by some of the best vegan dining in the city.
To the west - Powderhorn: Reverie Cafe + Bar at 2506 Minnehaha Ave is Minneapolis's fully vegan bar and restaurant - 20+ craft beers, cocktails, and a food menu featuring Korean BBQ mock-duck tacos, dark chocolate beignets, and the Rev Burger. Modern Times Cafe in Powderhorn is a collectively-run vegan-friendly brunch spot (Mon/Wed-Sun 9am-3pm). Full guide: Powderhorn Vegan Guide.
To the north - Seward: Seward Cafe at 2129 E Franklin Ave is a collectively-owned institution with vegan brunch staples (Thu-Sun 8am-4pm). Hard Times Cafe at 1821 Riverside Ave in Cedar-Riverside is the most affordable vegan-friendly dining in Minneapolis ($6-10, cash only). Full guide: Seward Vegan Guide.
East along Lake Street - Midtown Global Market: Trio Plant-Based at 920 E Lake St is Minneapolis's first Black-owned 100% vegan restaurant, serving soul food in the East Court of the market. Full guide: Midtown Global Market Vegan Guide.
Longfellow as a Vegan Dining Strategy
The most efficient way to eat vegan in Longfellow is to anchor around Gandhi Mahal for an affordable lunch, walk or bike to Himalayan for dinner, and use the Seward Co-op Minnehaha for grocery or snack needs in between. Add a Francis Burger Joint stop for an evening meal if you want American comfort food.
Then, because Longfellow sits in the middle of a remarkable cluster of south Minneapolis vegan dining, extend east to Midtown Global Market or west to Powderhorn depending on appetite and time.
This neighborhood rewards the visitors who explore it carefully. The food here is not trying to be trendy. It is just good.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best vegan restaurants in Longfellow Minneapolis?
The best vegan dining in Longfellow, Minneapolis includes Gandhi Mahal (operating as Curry in a Hurry at 3009 27th Ave S) for outstanding vegan Indian food - chana masala, tofu palak, vegetable korma at affordable prices. Himalayan Restaurant (2910 E Lake St) serves excellent momos and Nepali-Indian curries with strong vegan options. Francis Burger Joint offers customizable plant-based burgers and bowls. Together these three anchor the Longfellow vegan dining scene.
Is Longfellow a good neighborhood for vegan food in Minneapolis?
Longfellow is a quieter residential neighborhood in south Minneapolis with a focused vegan dining scene. It does not have the density of Uptown or Lyn-Lake, but Gandhi Mahal (Curry in a Hurry), Himalayan Restaurant, and Francis Burger Joint collectively offer excellent plant-based food across Indian, Himalayan, and American cuisine. Combined with proximity to Seward, Powderhorn, and Midtown Global Market, Longfellow anchors a strong south Minneapolis vegan cluster.
Where is Gandhi Mahal in Minneapolis?
Gandhi Mahal now operates as "Curry in a Hurry by Gandhi Mahal" at 3009 27th Ave S in the Longfellow neighborhood. The original Gandhi Mahal on Minnehaha Ave was a Minneapolis institution for over a decade before it was lost in 2020. The family rebuilt with a quick-service format that serves the same beloved recipes - chana masala, tofu palak, vegetable korma - at lower prices and faster service.
Is the Himalayan Restaurant in Minneapolis vegan-friendly?
Yes - Himalayan Restaurant at 2910 E Lake St (Longfellow/Lake St) is highly vegan-friendly. The Nepali-Indian-Tibetan menu is naturally plant-based heavy. The best vegan orders are the momos (steamed vegetable dumplings), chana masala, and various vegetable curries. Ask for dishes without ghee for fully vegan preparations. The restaurant has extensive experience accommodating plant-based diners.
What is Francis Burger Joint and is it vegan-friendly?
Francis Burger Joint is a South Minneapolis restaurant with a plant-forward menu that goes beyond token veggie options. They offer fully customizable burgers and bowls where every component can be made vegan - no dairy in the sauce, plant-based patty, all the toppings. Francis is not a 100% vegan restaurant, but they take plant-based orders seriously and have built a loyal vegan following in the south Minneapolis neighborhood.