Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Springfield, Missouri

The Ozarks isn't typically known for vegan-friendly fare, and Springfield, Missouri is no exception. It is certainly a lot easier to find a steakhouse in Springfield than it is to find a restaurant with a vegan-friendly menu. However, there are some restaurants in Springfield that will gladly cater to vegan customers. In most of these vegan-friendly restaurants the menus will denote vegan specials, but in some cases you may have to make a special request.

Though these Springfield, Missouri restaurants are not necessarily strictly vegan, they do offer vegan-friendly meals.

Locally Owned Vegan-Friendly Springfield, MO Restaurants:

Grad School: Grad School is well-known as a great burger joint (and possibly my favorite hamburger restaurant in all of Springfield), but they offer plenty of vegan-friendly fare as well. In fact, the veggie burger may be better than the original, depending on who you ask, of course. The tacos in particular are outstanding as well. Grad School is located downtown at 434 S. Jefferson Avenue.

The Grotto: The Grotto is home to a wide variety (and I do mean a wide variety) of pizzas, burgers and salads, many of which can be made entirely vegan. Aside from veggie-burgers and flavorful salads, The Grotto also makes vegan pizzas with vegan mozzarella by request. The wait staff is super-friendly and the atmosphere is fun and laid-back. The Grotto is located at 3046 S. Kimbrough.

Toss Across: Toss Across is new to Springfield, but it has already developed a loyal following. Located just across the street from Grad School at 431 S. Jefferson Avenue, Toss Across is known for its salads. Don't think that it is just a salad bar, though. This Springfield restaurant has some of the freshest flavor combinations in town.

Bambu: Bambu has been one of my favorite Springfield restaurants for a while now, and it's a great place for inexpensive and authentic Vietnamese cuisine. While the menus don't necessarily specify it, they will gladly make almost any meal vegan if you ask. Just make sure that you specify that you don't want oyster or fish sauce as well. Bambu is located on Battlefield Rd.

Mama Jean's: Most Springfield residents know Mama Jean's as an organic and health-food store, but it has a wonderful deli as well. The menu rotates, and some days are more vegan-friendly than others, so make sure you check ahead before you go. Mama Jean's also offers the occasional vegan cooking class as well. You can find Mama Jean's at 1727 S. Campbell or at 1110 E. Republic Road.

Vegan-Friendly Chain Restaurants in Springfield, MO

Papa John's: Papa John's is one of the only big-name pizza chains that I know of that can accommodate vegan tastes. So, if you are craving delivery pizza, Papa John's is your best bet. There are four locations in Springfield.

Planet Sub: Planet Sub is different than most chain sandwich shops in that it offers more than just one perfunctory veggie sub. In fact, Planet Sub has ten different veggie subs (including one with tempeh) to suit any taste. Planet Sub is located at 3050 S. National.

McAlister's Deli: McAlister's Deli has, for the time being anyway, five locations in Springfield, so it's a convenient place to go for fast vegan-friendly food. The selection for vegans isn't great, truth be told, but the food itself is pretty good, and the price can't be beat.

Sources:

Bambu
Grad School
Planet Sub
Papa John's
McAlister's Deli
The Grotto
Toss Across
Mama Jean's