TL;DR
Northeast Minneapolis is the best neighborhood for vegan food in MPLS. Must-hit spots: The Herbivorous Butcher (America's first vegan butcher—start here!), Francis Burger Joint (incredible Juicy Lucy and fully vegan bar), and Masu Sushi for upscale veggie rolls. The whole tour is walkable, and you can hit breweries between stops. Best strategy: arrive at Herbivorous Butcher in the morning (weekend lines are brutal), lunch at Francis, brewery break, then Masu for dinner.
A Walking Tour of Northeast Minneapolis' Best Vegan Spots
Northeast Minneapolis is where Minneapolis gets weird in the best way. Old warehouses turned into breweries, artists' studios next to meat markets, and somehow—right in the middle of it all—the best vegan food scene in the city.
This is your complete guide to eating vegan in NE, organized as a walking tour for maximum efficiency (and maximum eating).
Stop 1: The Herbivorous Butcher
507 1st Ave NE | $$ | ⭐ 4.8 (1,500+ reviews)
Start here. You have to.
The Herbivorous Butcher is America's first vegan butcher shop, and if you haven't been, you're missing out on one of the most innovative food concepts in the country. Siblings Aubry and Kale Walch opened this place in 2016, and they've been quietly changing minds about what vegan meat can be ever since.
"Fake meat never tasted this good." — Actual review
The Products
Meats (yes, we're calling them that):
| Item | Price | The Deal |
|---|---|---|
| Korean BBQ Ribs | $18.99/12oz | Best-selling item. "Tender meaty texture, perfect sweet-savory balance" |
| Pastrami | $15.99/8oz | "Deeply seasoned with cracked pepper, coriander, and warm spices" |
| Italian Sausage | $16.99/13oz | 4 fully-cooked brat links, fennel and sun-dried tomatoes |
| Pepperoni | $13.00/8oz | "Perfect for pizza" |
Cheeses:
- Aged Cheddar ($14.99/8oz) — "Sharp, creamy, melts beautifully"
- Smoked Gouda — "Fantastic. One of the best non-dairy cheeses we have had"
- Havarti variations — Garlic pepper and dill
The Ready-to-Eat Options
Don't sleep on the deli counter. These are some of the best sandwiches in the city.
"One of the best Italian Cold Cut Sandwiches that I've ever had." — Amber Schlater
- Italian Cold Cut ($17.49) — As seen on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Pastrami, capicola, pepperoni, mozzarella on a hoagie.
- Hot Bacon Brat with Cheese — "Both loved it"
- Ranchy Bacon Mac Hot Panini — When it's the special, GET IT
Pro Tips
- Best time to go: Weekday mornings or early afternoon. Weekend lines are "out the door"
- Popular items sell out: Call ahead if you need something specific
- They ship nationwide: Order online if you can't make it in person
- Buy the cookbook: Great gift, great recipes
"I ordered so much stuff including a steak, pepperoni, jerky and deli meat and I was shocked to find out the total was only $48." — Philip
This spot is also featured in our best Minneapolis vegan restaurants guide and makes a great unique date idea.
Walk: Herbivorous Butcher → Francis Burger Joint (0.8 mi, 15 min)
Head north on Central Ave through the heart of NE. Grab a coffee if you need it.
Stop 2: Francis Burger Joint
2318 Central Ave NE | $$ | ⭐ 4.7
"Delightful food options for a vegetarian feeling oppressed by America's meat-forward culture. Honestly some of the best burgers I've ever eaten." — Davi Gray
Francis is everything a vegan burger joint should be: the burgers are legitimately better than most meat spots, the vibe is fun, and the milkshakes actually taste like milkshakes.
The Must-Orders
The Juicy Lucy — The Minnesota classic, veganized. Impossible patty stuffed with vegan cheese. "Haven't stopped thinking about it since I had it a few days ago." — Actual review
The Chicken Sandwich — Multiple reviewers call this "the most chicken-like substitute I've ever had." "By far the most chicken-like substitute I've ever had and this isn't coming from someone who hasn't had chicken in 20 years—I had some last week." — Kyle McCleary
The Fries — "MUCH better than other places"
Chocolate Milkshake — "I don't think I've ever had a vegan chocolate milkshake (let alone a good vegan chocolate milkshake) before coming here"
The Vibe
Cool murals, good music, a crowd that's half art school kids and half neighborhood regulars. No-tipping establishment (it's built into prices), which makes ordering stress-free.
"I go to Francis way more often than I reasonably should." — Brandon Sullivan
Francis is perfect for a casual vegan date night.
Walk: Francis → Masu (0.6 mi, 12 min)
Head south back toward Hennepin Ave.
Stop 3: Masu Sushi & Robata
330 E Hennepin Ave | $$$
Not 100% vegan, but Masu has excellent vegan options and is the fanciest stop on this tour.
What to get:
- Vegetable rolls (several options)
- Robata-grilled vegetables
- Edamame
- Ask your server for recommendations
The charcoal robata grill adds a smoky depth that works beautifully with vegetables. The atmosphere is moody and intimate—this is where you end the day if you're on a date. See our vegan date night guide for more romantic options.
The Neighborhood Vibe
NE Minneapolis is walkable, bikeable, and absolutely packed with breweries if you need a break between meals. Some highlights:
- Indeed Brewing — Great patio
- Bauhaus Brew Labs — The building alone is worth seeing
- Dangerous Man Brewing — Small, cash only, excellent
Most NE breweries don't have food, so grab takeout from Herbivorous Butcher or Francis and bring it with you.
Parking & Getting There
By Car:
- Street parking throughout NE (2-hour limits in some areas)
- Herbivorous Butcher has limited lot parking
- Francis has a small lot
By Transit:
- Green Line to E. Hennepin + University
- Multiple bus routes serve Central Ave
By Bike:
- Nice Ride stations throughout NE
- Bike lanes on most major streets
The Full Day Itinerary
| Time | Stop | What to Get |
|---|---|---|
| 10am | Herbivorous Butcher | Italian Cold Cut, meats/cheeses to take home |
| 12pm | Francis Burger Joint | Juicy Lucy, fries, milkshake |
| 3pm | Brewery break | Indeed or Bauhaus |
| 6pm | Masu | Robata vegetables, veggie rolls, sake |
Why NE is the Best Vegan Neighborhood in MPLS
Let's be real: most Minneapolis neighborhoods have maybe one or two vegan options. NE has:
- The literal best vegan butcher shop in America
- A burger joint that makes carnivores question their life choices
- Walkable streets full of character
- Breweries everywhere (most are vegan-friendly)
- A community that gets it
The artists and weirdos who made NE cool also made it accepting. Nobody bats an eye at vegan food here—it's just... food.
Pro Tips for Your NE Vegan Day
- Start early at Herbivorous Butcher — Popular items sell out
- Bring a cooler — If you're buying meats/cheeses to take home
- Make a reservation at Masu — Especially weekends
- Francis closes at 9pm — Plan accordingly
- Wear comfortable shoes — You're walking
This neighborhood is proof that vegan food doesn't have to exist in its own little bubble. It can be right there next to the breweries and art studios and dive bars, just being part of the neighborhood.
For the complete citywide perspective, check our best Minneapolis vegan restaurants guide, or if you're craving something specific, try our Ethiopian vegan food guide.
Now go explore. 🌱
Frequently Asked Questions
What vegan restaurants are in Northeast Minneapolis?
Northeast Minneapolis has several excellent vegan options: The Herbivorous Butcher (America's first vegan butcher shop), Francis Burger Joint (100% vegan burgers and bar), Masu Sushi & Robata (upscale Japanese with vegan options), and Brasa Premium Rotisserie (exceptional vegetable sides).
Is The Herbivorous Butcher worth visiting?
Absolutely! The Herbivorous Butcher is America's first vegan butcher shop and offers house-made vegan meats and cheeses that have fooled countless meat-eaters. The Korean BBQ Ribs and Italian Cold Cut sandwich are must-tries. Go on weekday mornings to avoid lines.
Can I walk between vegan restaurants in Northeast Minneapolis?
Yes! NE Minneapolis is very walkable. The Herbivorous Butcher, Francis Burger Joint, and Masu are all within reasonable walking distance of each other, making it perfect for a vegan food tour.
Are there vegan options at Northeast Minneapolis breweries?
Most NE breweries don't have their own food but allow outside food. Grab takeout from Herbivorous Butcher or Francis and bring it to Indeed Brewing, Bauhaus Brew Labs, or Dangerous Man Brewing for a perfect pairing.
What's the best time to visit Herbivorous Butcher?
Weekday mornings or early afternoons are best. Weekend lines can stretch out the door, and popular items like Korean BBQ Ribs and certain cheeses sell out. Call ahead if you need something specific.