The Hottest Vegan and Vegetarian Popups Right Now

Offering a taste of up-and-coming food concepts, pop-ups are how some of Portland’s biggest restaurants and food carts were born. Remarkably, many pop-ups launched or gained momentum while the city was in lockdown, serving Sri Lankan curries, refreshing Turkish mezze, and Charleston-style shrimp and grits despite the many challenges of running a food business during a global pandemic.

Below are some of the hottest vegan and vegetarian pop-ups and takeout projects to hit this summer. To stay up to date, it’s best to check social media, as the nature of pop-ups is constantly changing, especially right now.

Brunch PDX

Cyrus Ichiza’s newest project brings Charleston-style brunch — think fried green tomatoes and chicken and dumplings — to Portland, using the same house vegan meats as Ichiza Kitchen. Larger dishes include the Ex-Butcher’s plate, complete with poached tofu agar eggs, wheat-based country ham, braised collard greens, and a flaky cheddar biscuit.
Where: Brunch PDX, 1517 SE 10th Ave
Takeout, delivery, dine-in? Takeout and delivery
Learn more: Brunch PDX [Official]

Lokanta

Former a Feastly pop-up, Lokanta offers a tour of Turkey through its diverse family-style menu. The menu of mostly marinated, cold-served vegetable mezze includes some of chef Umut Matkap’s favorites like biber dolma (stuffed bell peppers) and mercimekli cig kofte (bulgur lentil meatball lettuce wraps) paired with raki anise brandy.
Where: Various pop-up locations. The restaurant will open on Clinton Street this fall.
Takeout, delivery, dine-in? Varies for each pop-up; check Instagram for updates
Learn more: Lokanta [Instagram]

Mama Dut

Thuy Pham’s takeout concept offers Vietnamese dishes, like pickled ong choy salad and grilled pork banh mi, with a vegan twist—the soy-based pork belly even has visible fatty layers sandwiched between the juicy “meat.” In addition to weekly takeout, Mama Dut also hosts community fundraisers and collaborative events with other vendors.
Where: Haleakala, 2816 NE Halsey St
Takeout, delivery, dine-in? Order online for takeout
Learn more: Mama Dut Foods [Official]

Mirisata

Worker-owned cooperative Mirisata hosted its first pop-up shortly before lockdown, then adapted to a takeout model, specializing in Sri Lankan cuisine and fundraising for local organizations. The rich and fragrant rice and curry plate features pineapple, coconut zucchini, and dahl curries, served with accompaniments like deviled potatoes, polos (jackfruit) cutlets, and coconut sambol.
Where: Dash of PDX, 5124 NE 42nd Ave
Takeout, delivery, dine-in? Order online for takeout; check Instagram for walk-in availability
Learn more: Mirisata [Official]

Plant Based Papi

This popular comfort food pop-up recently celebrated its one year anniversary of slinging truffle mac and cheese tacos, crispy buffalo “chicken” quesadillas, and roasted jackfruit chili cheese fries. Even during the pandemic, Jewan Manuel’s decadent vegan menu continues to draw socially distanced crowds to each pop-up.
Where: Various locations
Takeout, delivery, dine-in? Varies for each pop-up; check Instagram for updates
Learn more: Plant Based Papi [Instagram]

Sushi Quatro

A sushi chef with a decade of experience, Michelle Soto makes stunning sushi platters with classic rolls like stuffed inari and specialty creations like the Godzilla with tempura fried spicy “crab,” cream cheese, avocado, spicy mayo, and unagi sauce. Every week, Sushi Quatro donates a portion of sales to a different social justice organization.
Where: Blackwater Bar, 835 NE Broadway
Takeout, delivery, dine-in? Order through Instagram DM for takeout
Learn more: Sushi Quatro [Official]

Tender Texan

Tender Texan pitmaster Mario Thunder serves up Dallas-style meatless plates with smoked seitan brisket smothered with spicy, tangy barbecue sauce and creamy coleslaw, baked mac and cheese, and dill mustard potato salad on the side. Tips from his pop-ups at DC Vegetarian are donated to grassroots organizations that support the LGBTQIA+ community.
Where: DC Vegetarian, 5026 SE Division St
Takeout, delivery, dine-in? Order online for takeout
Learn more: Tender Texan [Official]

Toast’d

Pastry chef Courtney Lesnik, a lifelong vegetarian and 15-year vegan, is baking some of Portland’s most photogenic sweet treats. Poptart flavors rotate weekly, but favorites like s’mores, rainbow blueberry, cookies ‘n cream, and strawberry sprinkles make a regular appearance on the Toast’d menu.
Where: NE Portland
Takeout, delivery, dine-in? Order online for takeout
Learn more: Toast’d [Official]