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A photo of the Newport Nightmare vegan burger from Gnarlys food cart against a background covered in stickers
Gnarlys Newport Nightmare.
GNARLYS

Where to Find Top-Notch Vegan Burgers in Portland

Sink your teeth into juicy Beyond and Impossible burgers, brilliant red beet-lentil-walnut burgers, and shio koji marinated tempeh burgers

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Gnarlys Newport Nightmare.
| GNARLYS

In Portland, there’s no shortage of meatless burgers to choose from, as the city has a thriving vegan and vegetarian restaurant and food cart scene. Meatless and omnivorous restaurants have embraced the hottest meat alternatives like Beyond and Impossible, while others craft garden burgers in-house using ingredients like beets, black beans, and lentils. Whether they’re craving a classic smash burger or an impressive stacked behemoth, Portland vegans will find a whole range of animal-free burgers that arrive dolled up with tasty fixings like black garlic mushrooms and applewood smoked tempeh.

This latest update to the Eater vegan burger map highlights some of Portland’s most memorable vegan burgers — food businesses who currently operate as events like Daddy’s Vegan and Plant Based Papi aren’t listed on the map. It also doesn’t include chains like Next Level Burger or Burgerville. Burger lovers can also visit places on Eater’s meat burger map for more meatless options, served alongside their beefy counterparts.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Homegrown Smoker & The Mocking Bird

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Since taking over vegan institution Homegrown Smoker, the team behind The Mocking Bird combined both concepts under one roof, churning out barbecue plates, crunchwraps, and fried chicken sandwiches at the St. Johns cafe. On the menu, find a barbecue sauce-drenched Beyond burger with smoky bacon, fried onions, and pickles on a pretzel bun; the gentle kick of jalapeño in the patty keeps things interesting. During weekend brunch, keep an eye out for Homegrown Smoker’s breakfast burger special, topped with vegan bacon, melted cheese, and a surprising vegan sunny-side egg. Many of the shop’s creations also appear at The Mocking Bird food cart at BG Food Cartel in Beaverton.

A photo of Homegrown Smoker’s BBQ Bakun Burger with Beyond patty and pretzel bun next to a side of fries.
Homegrown Smoker’s BBQ Bakun Burger.
Homegrown Smoker

Cozo Grill

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Tucked inside St. John’s Beer Porch, Cozo Grill specializes in burgers and sandwiches, including a made-from-scratch black bean patty with whole and pureed black beans that’s equally as satisfying as the Beyond burger. Stacked tall with classic fixings and soft potato buns, the burgers come with add-ons like curly fries, onion rings, and crispy breaded mushrooms. It’s also worth visiting the cart just to try the vegan BLT made with seitan bacon and grilled sourdough.

A photo of Cozo Grill’s black bean burger with a side of onion rings and ketchup.
Cozo Grill’s black bean burger.
Waz Wu/Eater Portland

Flourish

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Parked at the entrance of St. John’s Beer Porch, this vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free food truck specializes in vegetable-heavy interpretations of comfort foods, such as carrot corn dogs and mac with butternut squash cheese. The veggie burger is one of the cart’s hot items: a brilliant red, house-made beet-lentil-walnut patty, topped with fresh greens, garlic aioli, chimichurri, house pickles, and fried shallots. Diners can add cashew mozzarella to make it a veggie cheeseburger.

In the Arbor Lodge neighborhood, V3 PDX explores the world of vegan comfort foods, like crunchwraps and French tacos stuffed with smoked seitan and “cheese” sauce. A favorite among regulars, the rockstar of a burger arrives with shredded lettuce, sweet onion, and pickles on toasted buns slicked with garlic oil. Hungry customers can upgrade to two Beyond patties and add on crunchy vegan bacon. Seasonal salads are a refreshing alternative to a side of fries. Complete your meal with a hazy IPA from Arbor Beer Lounge, then swing by Hail Snail for a purple frosted vegan cinnamon roll for dessert. 

A photo of the Double Bacon Lodge Burger with Beyond patties and vegan bacon at V3 PDX food cart
V3 PDX’s Double Bacon Lodge Burger.
Waz Wu/Eater Portland

Rabbits

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Rabbits has come a long way since its start as the Sonny Bowl food cart. Now a neighborhood bar with DJs on weekends, the Killingsworth outpost serves burgers featuring a soft blended patty of vegan meat and lentils. The standard burger comes with tomato jam on a fluffy potato bun, while the barbecue version involves vegan bacon and dill ranch. Those who prefer tofu can opt for the deep-fried “chicken” burger made with a thick slab of OTA tofu. Pair your meal with classic cocktails like margaritas and aquafaba whiskey sours or Rabbit’s drink creations like the Hope For The Flowers laced with dainty elderflower.

A photo of the fried tofu “chicken” burger at Rabbits on Killingsworth, with a cocktail in the background
Fried tofu “chicken” burger at Rabbits.
Waz Wu/Eater Portland

Blossoming Lotus

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It’s surprising to see a burger on the menu at this airy vegan bistro that’s known for organic juices and vegetable laden bowls, but Blossoming Lotus puts its own twist on a cheeseburger. The lentil-walnut burger comes with harissa aioli, a ciabatta bun, and optional avocado. For sides, diners can choose between salad, fingerling potatoes, or mac and cheese. Lavender lemonade or iced coconut chai make especially refreshing drink pairings for this burger on a sunny day.

Black Water Bar

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Located in Lloyd District, this old school punk-metal-hardcore music venue built its reputation as an all-ages venue with knockout vegan bar food. Although the menu features many snacks, like pierogies with sour cream and chili cheese fries, the veggie burgers remain Black Water’s standout. The “meaty” black bean, seitan, and beet burger comes in several variations, like the Western with Thrilling Foods bacon and crispy fried onions or the Scorpion with melty Chao cheese grilled jalapenos. Diners can wash down a burger and heaping side of tots with cocktails that have names like Bloody Moses and Dirty Martin. Burger specials are announced regularly on Instagram.

It’s hard to say what Jojo is best known for: its fried chicken sandwiches or unhinged social media presence. When Southeast Powell food cart Jojo set up shop in the Pearl District, it launched a parallel vegan menu with Beyond patties and fried OTA tofu. Vegans and vegetarians can chow down on the delectable Mr. Onion with caramelized onions, sliced onions, fried shallots, and white mustard sauce. An order of jojos — crispy, thick potato wedges — is a must and even come slathered with vegan cheese and coleslaw. The restaurant also offers popcorn tofu, fried Brussels sprouts, and an extensive bar menu, including nonalcoholic cocktails.

Wicked Garden Alchemy

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This spooky vegan food cart knocks out smashed Beyond burgers with horror-themed names like Van Helsing and House of 1000 No Corpses. Choose between single or double patties with mouthwatering toppings such as black garlic mushrooms, grilled pineapple, and smoky vegan provolone. Customers can also enjoy loaded fries, like the Machette with roasted corn, chipotle mayo, and cotija crumbles. The drinks menu features lemonades with eerie names and fun ingredients — for instance, the Black Dahlia comes with glitter, lavender, and droplets of black food coloring — while its neighboring taproom Leikam Brewing offers kosher beers.

A photo of the Van Helsing burger with black garlic mushrooms and garlic aioli from Wicked Garden Alchemy vegan food cart
Wicked Garden Alchemy’s Van Helsing burger.
Waz Wu/Eater Portland

Fortune

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The Sentinel Hotel’s entirely vegan lobby bar is a downtown hotspot for cocktails and shareable plates like Cultured Kindness cheese boards and Buddy’s Steaks’ mozzarella sticks. Less suited for grazing, Fortune’s menu includes a timeless In-N-Out style cheeseburger and panko-breaded, romesco-dressed “chicken” burger. However, there’s an even more decadent burger option for hungry diners — it arrives with Thrilling Foods bacon jam, melty Gruyere cheese, thick-cut onion rings, and garlic aioli. The bar’s tequila and mezcal creations are some of its best, such as the watermelon margarita and serrano pepper-infused Oaxacan Garden.

A photo of the vegan bacon jam and gruyere burger at Fortune with a side of fries
Fortune’s Bakon Jam & Gruyere Burger.
Christine Dong

Gnarlys

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Outside Ecliptic Brewing’s Moon Room, this purple vegan food cart with a gorilla in sunglasses logo slings mind-blowing meatless burgers. Rather than choose between Beyond and Impossible, Gnarlys blends the two to create an extra juicy and meaty patty, then dresses it up with a melted vegan cheese slice, shredded lettuce, red onion, and a slathering of thousand island on a soft cloud-like bun. The move for first timers is the standard Dang burger — so dang good that it scored a winning spot in fast food enthusiast Bill Oakley’s 2022 Steamie Awards alongside meat burgers. Customers can enjoy burgers with the cart’s cheese-and-onion loaded sidewinder fries and emo-themed milkshakes or cold beers from the taproom.

Speed-o Cappuccino

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Speed-o Cappuccino — the electric pink, sex worker-owned, vegan bikini barista cart at the Lil’ America pod — specializes in cold brew, smash burgers, and oat milkshakes. Smashed to a crisp patty larger than the bun, the Beyond burgers arrive loaded with grilled onions and dripping with sauce. The cart’s corn dogs and berry tamales make great snacks, while the flirty staff offer fun vibes. If a tiramisu latte or peanut butter chocolate shake isn’t quite what you had in mind for washing down your burger, grab a pint or cocktail from Fracture Brewing instead.

A photo of the vegan smash burger from Speed-o Cappuccino with a basket of tots
Speed-o Cappuccino’s smash burger.
Waz Wu/Eater Portland

Fermenter

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In a corner space on Belmont, Fermenter’s namesake burger is one of Portland’s most iconic animal-free dishes. The burger and its various accompaniments showcase multiple forms of fermentation: smoked onion shio koji-marinated millet-black lentil tempeh, miso mayo, dill sauerkraut, kefir cultured cashew cheese, and applewood smoked tempeh bacon. Paired with a botanical kombucha slushie, the hefty burger makes a satisfying meal. It’s worth ordering sides like potato salad, asparagus fries, or sunshine cookies to share, as well.

A photo of the Fermenter Burger with millet-black lentil tempeh patty on a wooden board against a white background
The Fermenter Burger.
Fermenter

D.C. Vegetarian

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At this Division Street diner-style shop, vegans can have their pick of animal-free burgers and sandwiches, from traditional lettuce-tomato-onion topped patties to messy-delicious creations like the soy curl po’ boy with spicy remoulade. D.C. Vegetarian’s faux meats include scratch-made soy-gluten-oats patties, as well as Before the Butcher, house seitan and tempeh bacon. Every Wednesday, the shop runs rotating Burger Day specials for $6.99. A burger, plus a side of potato salad or soy curl chicken salad, makes a satisfying lunch.

Thunderbird Bar

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This neighborhood watering hole in Foster-Powell serves a whole slew of vegan burgers and sliders. Classic burgers come with Beyond or mixed grain patties, while sliders come with crispy fried “chicken” or Impossible patties — topped with all sorts of flavor combinations, from jalapeno slaw and barbecue sauce to grilled mushrooms and onion rings. Another major attraction at Thunderbird, the vegan poutine with brown gravy and “cheese” curds makes a good starter before digging into burgers.

Homegrown Smoker & The Mocking Bird


Since taking over vegan institution Homegrown Smoker, the team behind The Mocking Bird combined both concepts under one roof, churning out barbecue plates, crunchwraps, and fried chicken sandwiches at the St. Johns cafe. On the menu, find a barbecue sauce-drenched Beyond burger with smoky bacon, fried onions, and pickles on a pretzel bun; the gentle kick of jalapeño in the patty keeps things interesting. During weekend brunch, keep an eye out for Homegrown Smoker’s breakfast burger special, topped with vegan bacon, melted cheese, and a surprising vegan sunny-side egg. Many of the shop’s creations also appear at The Mocking Bird food cart at BG Food Cartel in Beaverton.

A photo of Homegrown Smoker’s BBQ Bakun Burger with Beyond patty and pretzel bun next to a side of fries.
Homegrown Smoker’s BBQ Bakun Burger.
Homegrown Smoker

Cozo Grill

Tucked inside St. John’s Beer Porch, Cozo Grill specializes in burgers and sandwiches, including a made-from-scratch black bean patty with whole and pureed black beans that’s equally as satisfying as the Beyond burger. Stacked tall with classic fixings and soft potato buns, the burgers come with add-ons like curly fries, onion rings, and crispy breaded mushrooms. It’s also worth visiting the cart just to try the vegan BLT made with seitan bacon and grilled sourdough.

A photo of Cozo Grill’s black bean burger with a side of onion rings and ketchup.
Cozo Grill’s black bean burger.
Waz Wu/Eater Portland

Flourish

Parked at the entrance of St. John’s Beer Porch, this vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free food truck specializes in vegetable-heavy interpretations of comfort foods, such as carrot corn dogs and mac with butternut squash cheese. The veggie burger is one of the cart’s hot items: a brilliant red, house-made beet-lentil-walnut patty, topped with fresh greens, garlic aioli, chimichurri, house pickles, and fried shallots. Diners can add cashew mozzarella to make it a veggie cheeseburger.

V3 PDX

In the Arbor Lodge neighborhood, V3 PDX explores the world of vegan comfort foods, like crunchwraps and French tacos stuffed with smoked seitan and “cheese” sauce. A favorite among regulars, the rockstar of a burger arrives with shredded lettuce, sweet onion, and pickles on toasted buns slicked with garlic oil. Hungry customers can upgrade to two Beyond patties and add on crunchy vegan bacon. Seasonal salads are a refreshing alternative to a side of fries. Complete your meal with a hazy IPA from Arbor Beer Lounge, then swing by Hail Snail for a purple frosted vegan cinnamon roll for dessert. 

A photo of the Double Bacon Lodge Burger with Beyond patties and vegan bacon at V3 PDX food cart
V3 PDX’s Double Bacon Lodge Burger.
Waz Wu/Eater Portland

Rabbits

Rabbits has come a long way since its start as the Sonny Bowl food cart. Now a neighborhood bar with DJs on weekends, the Killingsworth outpost serves burgers featuring a soft blended patty of vegan meat and lentils. The standard burger comes with tomato jam on a fluffy potato bun, while the barbecue version involves vegan bacon and dill ranch. Those who prefer tofu can opt for the deep-fried “chicken” burger made with a thick slab of OTA tofu. Pair your meal with classic cocktails like margaritas and aquafaba whiskey sours or Rabbit’s drink creations like the Hope For The Flowers laced with dainty elderflower.

A photo of the fried tofu “chicken” burger at Rabbits on Killingsworth, with a cocktail in the background
Fried tofu “chicken” burger at Rabbits.
Waz Wu/Eater Portland

Blossoming Lotus

It’s surprising to see a burger on the menu at this airy vegan bistro that’s known for organic juices and vegetable laden bowls, but Blossoming Lotus puts its own twist on a cheeseburger. The lentil-walnut burger comes with harissa aioli, a ciabatta bun, and optional avocado. For sides, diners can choose between salad, fingerling potatoes, or mac and cheese. Lavender lemonade or iced coconut chai make especially refreshing drink pairings for this burger on a sunny day.

Black Water Bar

Located in Lloyd District, this old school punk-metal-hardcore music venue built its reputation as an all-ages venue with knockout vegan bar food. Although the menu features many snacks, like pierogies with sour cream and chili cheese fries, the veggie burgers remain Black Water’s standout. The “meaty” black bean, seitan, and beet burger comes in several variations, like the Western with Thrilling Foods bacon and crispy fried onions or the Scorpion with melty Chao cheese grilled jalapenos. Diners can wash down a burger and heaping side of tots with cocktails that have names like Bloody Moses and Dirty Martin. Burger specials are announced regularly on Instagram.

Jojo

It’s hard to say what Jojo is best known for: its fried chicken sandwiches or unhinged social media presence. When Southeast Powell food cart Jojo set up shop in the Pearl District, it launched a parallel vegan menu with Beyond patties and fried OTA tofu. Vegans and vegetarians can chow down on the delectable Mr. Onion with caramelized onions, sliced onions, fried shallots, and white mustard sauce. An order of jojos — crispy, thick potato wedges — is a must and even come slathered with vegan cheese and coleslaw. The restaurant also offers popcorn tofu, fried Brussels sprouts, and an extensive bar menu, including nonalcoholic cocktails.

Wicked Garden Alchemy

This spooky vegan food cart knocks out smashed Beyond burgers with horror-themed names like Van Helsing and House of 1000 No Corpses. Choose between single or double patties with mouthwatering toppings such as black garlic mushrooms, grilled pineapple, and smoky vegan provolone. Customers can also enjoy loaded fries, like the Machette with roasted corn, chipotle mayo, and cotija crumbles. The drinks menu features lemonades with eerie names and fun ingredients — for instance, the Black Dahlia comes with glitter, lavender, and droplets of black food coloring — while its neighboring taproom Leikam Brewing offers kosher beers.

A photo of the Van Helsing burger with black garlic mushrooms and garlic aioli from Wicked Garden Alchemy vegan food cart
Wicked Garden Alchemy’s Van Helsing burger.
Waz Wu/Eater Portland

Fortune

The Sentinel Hotel’s entirely vegan lobby bar is a downtown hotspot for cocktails and shareable plates like Cultured Kindness cheese boards and Buddy’s Steaks’ mozzarella sticks. Less suited for grazing, Fortune’s menu includes a timeless In-N-Out style cheeseburger and panko-breaded, romesco-dressed “chicken” burger. However, there’s an even more decadent burger option for hungry diners — it arrives with Thrilling Foods bacon jam, melty Gruyere cheese, thick-cut onion rings, and garlic aioli. The bar’s tequila and mezcal creations are some of its best, such as the watermelon margarita and serrano pepper-infused Oaxacan Garden.

A photo of the vegan bacon jam and gruyere burger at Fortune with a side of fries
Fortune’s Bakon Jam & Gruyere Burger.
Christine Dong

Gnarlys

Outside Ecliptic Brewing’s Moon Room, this purple vegan food cart with a gorilla in sunglasses logo slings mind-blowing meatless burgers. Rather than choose between Beyond and Impossible, Gnarlys blends the two to create an extra juicy and meaty patty, then dresses it up with a melted vegan cheese slice, shredded lettuce, red onion, and a slathering of thousand island on a soft cloud-like bun. The move for first timers is the standard Dang burger — so dang good that it scored a winning spot in fast food enthusiast Bill Oakley’s 2022 Steamie Awards alongside meat burgers. Customers can enjoy burgers with the cart’s cheese-and-onion loaded sidewinder fries and emo-themed milkshakes or cold beers from the taproom.

Speed-o Cappuccino

Speed-o Cappuccino — the electric pink, sex worker-owned, vegan bikini barista cart at the Lil’ America pod — specializes in cold brew, smash burgers, and oat milkshakes. Smashed to a crisp patty larger than the bun, the Beyond burgers arrive loaded with grilled onions and dripping with sauce. The cart’s corn dogs and berry tamales make great snacks, while the flirty staff offer fun vibes. If a tiramisu latte or peanut butter chocolate shake isn’t quite what you had in mind for washing down your burger, grab a pint or cocktail from Fracture Brewing instead.

A photo of the vegan smash burger from Speed-o Cappuccino with a basket of tots
Speed-o Cappuccino’s smash burger.
Waz Wu/Eater Portland

Fermenter

In a corner space on Belmont, Fermenter’s namesake burger is one of Portland’s most iconic animal-free dishes. The burger and its various accompaniments showcase multiple forms of fermentation: smoked onion shio koji-marinated millet-black lentil tempeh, miso mayo, dill sauerkraut, kefir cultured cashew cheese, and applewood smoked tempeh bacon. Paired with a botanical kombucha slushie, the hefty burger makes a satisfying meal. It’s worth ordering sides like potato salad, asparagus fries, or sunshine cookies to share, as well.

A photo of the Fermenter Burger with millet-black lentil tempeh patty on a wooden board against a white background
The Fermenter Burger.
Fermenter

D.C. Vegetarian


At this Division Street diner-style shop, vegans can have their pick of animal-free burgers and sandwiches, from traditional lettuce-tomato-onion topped patties to messy-delicious creations like the soy curl po’ boy with spicy remoulade. D.C. Vegetarian’s faux meats include scratch-made soy-gluten-oats patties, as well as Before the Butcher, house seitan and tempeh bacon. Every Wednesday, the shop runs rotating Burger Day specials for $6.99. A burger, plus a side of potato salad or soy curl chicken salad, makes a satisfying lunch.

Thunderbird Bar

This neighborhood watering hole in Foster-Powell serves a whole slew of vegan burgers and sliders. Classic burgers come with Beyond or mixed grain patties, while sliders come with crispy fried “chicken” or Impossible patties — topped with all sorts of flavor combinations, from jalapeno slaw and barbecue sauce to grilled mushrooms and onion rings. Another major attraction at Thunderbird, the vegan poutine with brown gravy and “cheese” curds makes a good starter before digging into burgers.

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