TL;DR
University Avenue is one of the Twin Cities' most underrated vegan corridors. Ngon Vietnamese Bistro (799 University Ave W) serves upscale Vietnamese with tofu pho and lemongrass clay pot. iPho by Saigon (704 University Ave W) delivers generous vegetarian pho and vermicelli bowls at budget prices. Life Juices (450 Lexington Pkwy N) is a 100% vegan juice bar with cold-pressed juices and acai bowls. The whole corridor is Green Line light rail accessible.
University Avenue: The Twin Cities' Most Underrated Vegan Corridor
University Avenue is not the first street that comes to mind when Minneapolis vegans plan a dining excursion. That is a mistake they should correct.
The stretch of University Avenue running through Frogtown and Hamline-Midway in St. Paul is one of the most culturally diverse food corridors in the Twin Cities - and that diversity pays direct dividends for plant-based diners. Vietnamese cuisine, built on complex broths, fresh herbs, and tofu, is naturally vegan-friendly in ways that most Western restaurant menus are not. On University Avenue, you are surrounded by Vietnamese kitchens that know what they are doing with tofu and vegetables.
There is a practical bonus: the Green Line light rail runs the entire length of University Avenue. Park once or skip the car entirely - every restaurant in this guide is within walking distance of a light rail stop.
🍜 1. Ngon Vietnamese Bistro - Upscale Vietnamese, Frogtown's Best
799 University Ave W, St. Paul | $$ | Vietnamese Open Daily
The name means "delicious" in Vietnamese, and Ngon earns it. This is not a no-frills pho counter - it is a proper bistro that brings some dining room ambition to University Avenue while keeping prices reasonable. The kitchen has genuine range, and the vegan options read like they were designed for the menu rather than adapted from it.
The tofu pho is the entry point. The broth is built with depth - aromatic, layered, the kind of pho that takes time to make properly. The tofu holds up in the bowl without going mushy, and the fresh herb accompaniment (basil, bean sprouts, lime, jalapeño) lets you build the flavor as you go. This is one of the better bowls of pho in St. Paul.
What to Order at Ngon Vietnamese Bistro (Vegan)
Tofu Pho - The foundation. Rich, fragrant broth with silken tofu, rice noodles, and a full herb plate. Order this first. The broth alone is worth the visit.
Lemongrass Tofu Clay Pot - The sleeper hit of the menu. Tofu braised in a savory lemongrass sauce with vegetables, served in a clay pot that keeps everything hot. This is a complex, layered dish - far more interesting than the basic lemongrass preparations you will find at lesser kitchens. One of the best things on University Avenue.
Crispy Spring Rolls - Golden, properly fried, with a clean dipping sauce. A reliable starter that pairs well with anything on the menu.
Marinated Tofu Banh Mi - Tofu marinated and served on a fresh, crispy French baguette with pickled daikon, carrots, cilantro, and jalapeño. This is a sandwich that converts skeptics.
The vibe: More refined than the surrounding block might suggest. The dining room is comfortable and unhurried. This is a good date spot or a solo lunch where you want to eat well without spending much.
🍲 2. iPho by Saigon - The Budget Workhorse
704 University Ave W, St. Paul | $ | Vietnamese Tue-Sun (Closed Monday)
iPho by Saigon is the working-lunch version of Ngon - no-frills, generous, priced for real people. The dining room is straightforward. The menu is longer than you need. The portions are larger than you expect. The prices are lower than they should be.
For vegans on University Avenue, iPho fills a critical role: a reliable, affordable meal that does not require advance planning. The vegetarian pho here uses a mushroom-forward broth that has genuine savory depth without relying on meat stock. This matters - mushroom broth done right is a different animal (sorry) from meat broth, and iPho treats it seriously.
What to Order at iPho by Saigon (Vegan)
Vegetarian Pho with Mushroom Broth - The anchor of the menu for plant-based diners. The mushroom broth is earthy and deeply flavored. Large bowl, excellent value. Add extra basil and squeeze a full lime wedge in - the acid brightens the whole bowl.
Tofu Lemongrass Stir-Fry - Tofu with lemongrass, chili, and vegetables over rice. Simple, direct, satisfying. This is the dish you order when you want something fast and filling.
Summer Rolls - Fresh rice paper rolls stuffed with vegetables, herbs, and rice noodles, served with peanut dipping sauce. Light and fresh - a good counterpoint to a pho bowl if you are eating with someone.
Vermicelli Noodle Bowl - Cold rice noodles with fresh vegetables, pickled carrots, cucumber, and herbs. A cooler-weather alternative to soup that works particularly well in summer.
The vibe: Classic Vietnamese lunch counter energy. Busy, efficient, unpretentious. The staff move fast. You will be fed and out the door in 30 minutes if you need to be. Come back on a slower day when you can linger over the menu.
Note: Closed Mondays. Plan accordingly.
🥤 3. Life Juices - Hamline-Midway's Fully Vegan Juice Bar
450 Lexington Pkwy N, Hamline-Midway | $ | Vegan / Juice Bar Tuesday-Saturday only
Life Juices is not a restaurant - it is a mission. This is a 100% vegan juice bar in Hamline-Midway anchored around organic, cold-pressed juices, wellness shots, acai bowls, and smoothies. Everything on the menu is plant-based. There is no navigating around dairy or hidden ingredients.
The cold-pressed juice lineup covers the standard bases (green blends, citrus-heavy cleanses, beet-based earthy options) and does them with actual quality ingredients. The acai bowls are built for substance, not just Instagram - thick acai base, real fruit, granola, and a proper topping situation.
What to Order at Life Juices (Vegan)
Cold-Pressed Juices - The house specialty. Ask which blends are running that day - the lineup rotates with seasonal availability. The green blends tend to be well-balanced (not aggressively grassy), and the citrus blends are genuinely refreshing.
Acai Bowls - Dense, properly built, and filling enough to function as a meal. The toppings are generous. This is a legitimate breakfast or light lunch option.
Wellness Shots - Concentrated ginger, turmeric, and citrus shots. A useful addition to a juice order if you are fighting something off or just want a quick hit of something potent.
The vibe: Community-rooted, mission-driven, unpretentious. Life Juices is the kind of place that exists because its founders believed it should - not because it was the obvious business decision. That comes through in the product.
Note: Tuesday-Saturday only. Confirm hours before making a special trip.
Practical Notes for University Avenue
Getting here: The Green Line light rail is the easiest way to access University Avenue. The Western Ave and Hamline Ave stops put you within a few blocks of Ngon and iPho. For Life Juices, the Hamline Ave stop is closest. No parking stress, no traffic.
Parking: Street parking is generally available on University Avenue and adjacent streets, but the Green Line makes it unnecessary. If you are driving from Minneapolis, surface street parking is easier than you expect.
Budget: University Avenue is significantly more affordable than Grand Avenue or Cathedral Hill. A full meal at iPho by Saigon runs $12-16. Ngon is slightly more at $15-20 per person. Life Juices runs $8-14 per item.
Best time to visit: Weekday lunch is the sweet spot for all three spots - shorter waits, same food. Weekend evenings at Ngon can back up, particularly in the summer.
Combine these stops: Ngon and iPho are two blocks apart on University Avenue. Life Juices is about a half mile west in Hamline-Midway - an easy walk or a single light rail stop. You can do all three in one afternoon if you pace yourself.
The Case for University Avenue
University Avenue does not market itself as a vegan destination. It does not need to. The Vietnamese culinary tradition that anchors this corridor has been feeding plant-based diners well for decades - tofu, fresh herbs, rice noodles, and vegetable-forward broths are the architecture of the cuisine, not accommodations.
Ngon Vietnamese Bistro brings the polish. iPho by Saigon brings the value. Life Juices brings the mission. Together, they make a compelling case for crossing the river.
For more St. Paul plant-based dining, see our Grand Avenue Vegan Guide, Cathedral Hill Vegan Guide, and the full Vegan Restaurants in St. Paul overview.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best vegan restaurants on University Avenue in St. Paul?
The top vegan spots on University Avenue, St. Paul are Ngon Vietnamese Bistro (799 University Ave W, Frogtown) for upscale Vietnamese with tofu pho, lemongrass tofu clay pot, and marinated tofu banh mi; iPho by Saigon (704 University Ave W) for budget-friendly vegetarian pho with mushroom broth, tofu lemongrass stir-fry, and vermicelli bowls; and Life Juices (450 Lexington Pkwy N, Hamline-Midway) for cold-pressed juices, acai bowls, and wellness shots in a fully vegan juice bar.
Is University Avenue in St. Paul good for vegans?
Yes - University Avenue is one of the most vegan-friendly corridors in St. Paul. The diverse Vietnamese food scene on this stretch of Frogtown means many restaurants have strong plant-based options by default. The Green Line light rail runs the entire length of University Avenue, making it easy to explore without a car. Budget-friendly pricing is the norm - most meals run $10-15.
What should vegans order at Ngon Vietnamese Bistro in St. Paul?
At Ngon Vietnamese Bistro (799 University Ave W, St. Paul), the best vegan orders are the tofu pho (rich, fragrant broth with tofu, rice noodles, and fresh herbs), the lemongrass tofu clay pot (tofu braised in a savory lemongrass sauce - one of the best dishes on the menu), crispy spring rolls, and the marinated tofu banh mi on a fresh baguette. Ngon has an upscale feel for University Avenue with fair prices in the $$ range.
What should vegans order at iPho by Saigon on University Avenue?
At iPho by Saigon (704 University Ave W, St. Paul), top vegan picks are the vegetarian pho with mushroom broth (deeply savory, generous bowl), tofu lemongrass stir-fry, summer rolls with peanut sauce, and vermicelli noodle bowls loaded with fresh vegetables and herbs. Portions are large and prices are low - this is among the best value vegan meals on University Avenue. Note: iPho is closed Mondays.
Is University Avenue on the Green Line light rail?
Yes - the Green Line light rail runs the entire length of University Avenue between downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul. Multiple stops serve the Frogtown and Hamline-Midway sections where these restaurants are located. The Western Ave and Hamline Ave stops are closest to Ngon Vietnamese Bistro and iPho by Saigon. This makes University Avenue one of the most transit-accessible dining corridors in the Twin Cities.