WISCONSIN — Nov. 1 marked the beginning of World Vegan Month.
According to The Vegan Society, a vegan diet is a plant-based one “avoiding all animal foods such as meat (including fish, shellfish and insects), dairy, eggs and honey.”
Wisconsinites famed love of cheese, brats and fish fries seems at odds with a vegan diet. Nevertheless, 41% of U.S. adults have tried eating plant-based meats according to a Gallup poll.
Here’s a roundup of some restaurants serving vegan food across “America’s Dairyland."
Milwaukee-area
Twisted Plants
Twisted Plants restaurants are serving up plant-based eats in two different Milwaukee area locations: Cudahy and Brady St. Their fun menu includes burgers and sandwiches named after comedy movies such as “Superbad”, “Soul Plane” and “The Big Lebowski." Twisted Plants plans to open a third location in West Allis soon.
Address for Cudahy: 4905 S. Packard Ave., Cudahy, WI 53110
Hours: Tuesdays-Thursdays 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., Fridays-Saturdays 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Address for Brady St.: 1233 E. Brady St., Milwaukee, WI 53202
Hours: Tuesdays-Thursdays 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., Fridays-Saturdays 11 a.m. - 2 a.m.
On the Bus
On the Bus offers quick, all vegan food inside the Milwaukee Public Market in the city’s Third Ward neighborhood. The restaurant’s can’t miss counter is a 1971 Volkswagen Bus. Here customers can order plant-based burgers, sandwiches, acai bowls, smoothies and ice cream.
Address: 400 N. Water St., Milwaukee, WI 53202
Hours: Mondays-Saturdays 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sundays 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Strange Town
On Milwaukee’s East Side, restaurant goers can get weird at Strange Town. The fully vegan eatery focuses on shareable plates, farm-to-table ingredients and natural wines. Strange Town’s intimate space is perfect for dates or celebrations of any kind.
Address: 2101 N. Prospect Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202
Hours: Wednesdays-Saturdays 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Dead Bird Brewing
Dead Bird Brewing is appropriately nestled between Brewer’s Hill and Schlitz Park. The brewery offers craft beer, locally sourced vegan food and arcade games. This makes it a place for almost anyone. Dead Bird can also host parties and provides catering services.
Address: 1726 N. 5th St., Milwaukee, WI 53212
Hours: Thursdays-Fridays 3 p.m. - 9 p.m., Saturdays 12 p.m. - 9 p.m., Sundays 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Blooming Lotus Bakery
Blooming Lotus Bakery is bound to satisfy a sweet tooth. The gourmet bakery serves staples such as scones, cookies, cupcakes, muffins and much more. Their entire menu is grain-free, dairy-free, soy-free, peanut-free, egg-free, cane sugar-free and vegan. Blooming Lotus Bakery has one location on the East Side and another in the Shorewood area.
Address for East Side: 2215 E. North Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202
Hours: Wednesdays-Saturdays 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Sundays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Address for Shorewood: 3948 N. Maryland Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53211
Hours: Thursdays-Sundays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Make Waves
Make Waves is a plant-based restaurant that can be found inside of 3rd St. Market Hall. The funky fresh eatery “serves up sunshine, good vibes, boba, smoothies, wave bowls, toast and flatbread wraps." Make Waves' downtown location makes it ideal for work lunches or meeting up with friends.
Address: 275 W. Wisconsin Ave., Suite 100, Milwaukee, WI 53203
Hours: Tuesdays-Thursdays 11 a.m. - 8 p.m., Fridays-Saturdays 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Maya Ophelia’s & Moon Cherry Sweets
Maya Ophelia’s is a food truck that can be found outside of Bay View’s The Mothership bar. Their 100% plant-based menu rotates based on available ingredients, so there is always something new to try. Moon Cherry Sweets is a pop-up bake shop that appears alongside the truck for Sunday brunch.
Address: 2301 S. Logan Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53207
Hours: Tuesdays-Thursdays 4 p.m. - 8 p.m., Fridays 4 p.m. - 9 p.m., Saturdays 4 p.m. - 8 p.m., Sundays 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
The Lafayette Place
The Lafayette Place is “where the east side meets and eats” vegan brunch fare. Besides their fully plant-based menu, The Lafayette Place offers bloody marys, mimosas and brunch old fashioneds. This makes it an ideal spot to gather for brunch on “Sunday Funday."
Address: 1978 N. Farwell Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202
Hours: Thursdays-Sundays 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Urban Beets Cafe & Juicery
Urban Beets Cafe & Juicery has locations in Wauwatosa and Brown Deer. Both cafes offer extensive plant-based breakfast and lunch menus that make eating vegan more accessible. There’s even a menu just for kids. Urban Beets also serves fresh juices, smoothies and hot drinks.
Address for Wauwatosa: 3077 N. Mayfair Road, Wauwatosa, WI 53222
Hours: Mondays-Tuesdays 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Wednesdays-Saturdays 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sundays 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Address for Brown Deer: 5091 W. Brown Deer Road, Brown Deer, WI 53223
Hours: Mondays-Fridays 7 a.m. - 3 p.m., Saturdays-Sundays 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Madison-area
Jardin
Jardin can be found in Madison’s Robinia Courtyard. The 100% vegan restaurant specializes in a globally inspired, upscale dining experience. Some of Jardin’s entrees include blackened tofu, lobster casarecce and squash green curry. The restaurant recommends making a reservation for service.
Address: 829 E. Washington Ave., Madison, WI 53703
Hours: Tuesdays-Thursdays 5 p.m. - 9 p.m., Fridays-Saturdays 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Sookie’s Veggie Burgers
Sookies’ Veggie Burgers started as a food trailer in Milwaukee, but now it’s planted roots in Madison. At their brick and mortar location, they serve plant-based burgers, local beer, craft sodas, desserts and much more. Sookie’s menu is 100% vegan.
Address: 260 W. Gilman St., Madison, WI 53703
Hours: Mondays-Sundays 10 a.m. - 8:40 p.m.
Just Veggiez
Just Veggiez is a Black-owned and operated business. It also happens to specialize in vegan eats. The restaurant and catering service takes classic comfort food and puts a vegan twist on it. Just Veggiez’s plant-based cheese curds are just one example of this.
Address: 540 State St., Madison, WI 53703
Hours: Tuesdays-Thursdays 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Fridays 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., Saturdays 12 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Mother Fool’s Coffeehouse
Mother Fool’s Coffeehouse wants to “show people that you can have wonderful treats without using animal products." The coffee shop hosts open mics for music, poetry and storytelling. Cafe guests can snack on vegan treats like brownies, cookies and cupcakes.
Address: 1101 Williamson St., Madison, WI 53703
Hours: Mondays-Sundays 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Green Owl Cafe
The Green Owl Cafe has been serving vegan food in Madison since 2009. The restaurant specializes in plant-based comfort food with an emphasis on weekly specials and a rotating dessert menu. While everything on the menu is vegan, some items have the option of dairy.
Address: 1970 Atwood Ave., Madison, WI 53704
Hours: Tuesdays 4 a.m. - 8 p.m., Wednesdays-Saturdays 11 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Around Wisconsin
Naturally Delightful
Naturally Delightful is an organic, gluten-free and vegan bakery in Green Bay. The bakery serves brownies, cookies, cupcakes, donuts and much more. According to their website, custom cakes, cupcakes and cookies are Naturally Delightful’s speciality.
Address: 2331 Velp Ave., Green Bay, WI 54303
Hours: Tuesdays-Thursdays 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Fridays 7 a.m. - 4 p.m., Saturdays 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Wicked Willow
Wicked Willow is rooted on Main Street in Stevens Point. Their menu is entirely vegan and focuses on freshly made food from local sources. Wicked Willow’s house favorites include the gyro sandwich, pad thai, buffalo chicken mac and banana pancakes. There is also a kids menu, so there’s food for the whole family.
Address: 1137 Main St., Stevens Point, WI 54481
Hours: Tuesdays-Thursdays 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Fridays-Saturdays 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sundays 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The Cheeze Factory Restaurant
The Cheeze Factory Restaurant is just a 20 minute drive from the Wisconsin Dells. The restaurant serves up 100% vegan dishes in a cozy cafe setting. The Cheeze Factory’s in-house bakery makes heavenly cakes, cookies and pies that are worth the drive.
Address: 618 Oak St., Baraboo, WI 53913
Hours: Wednesdays-Thursdays 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Fridays-Saturdays 11:30 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sundays 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
