Sin City, Plant-Based Style: A Vegan Weekend in Las Vegas

Forget the buffets and the steak houses, on our recent weekend Vegas getaway we ate at some fabulous vegan restaurants and also found many vegan options at other mainstream restaurants. Are you ready to discover the hidden gems of vegan dining in Sin City?

Kicking Off with Classic Comfort: Nacho Daddy's Plant-Powered Feast

Our first night in Vegas started with a visit to Nacho Daddy. While not an exclusively vegan restaurant, it did have a dedicated page of vegan options.

The staff were friendly and the food arrived quickly.

I loved the nostalgic 90s music they were playing on the big tv screens!

There were so many options but we decided to share the vegan loaded nachos and the fajitas. The nachos were a mountain of crispy corn chips, overflowing with house-made vegan queso, creamy sour cream, and pico de gallo. The fajitas were packed with seasoned "chick'n" and peppers and onions. Everything tasted amazing!!

Have you ever been to Nacho Daddy? What were your favourite vegan dishes there?

Morning Bliss at Truth & Tonic

The next morning was a serene experience at Truth & Tonic, nestled within the luxurious Venetian Hotel. Stepping into their calming space felt like entering a wellness haven. And the best part? Every single item on the menu was 100% plant-based!

Truth & Tonic's all-vegan menu offered so many choices but we both found ourselves drawn to the Tofu Nooch Scramble. We wanted to fill our bellies before our day of exploration.

Sometimes tofu scramble can be a bit dry but this was fluffy and flavourful. There were a few toast options and we picked the sourdough. The home fries were great and the salad tasted so fresh!

Returning to Tranquility: Coconut French Toast at Truth & Tonic

We loved Truth & Tonic so much we had to return the next morning. This time, we tried the coconut milk french toast. It did not disappoint!

True Food Kitchen's Delicious Escape

True Food Kitchen is located within The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. It has a casual and relaxed atmosphere with a healthy vibe. This restaurant isn’t entirely plant-based but they do have a good selection of plant-based options and everything on the menu is made with fresh, whole ingredients. I chose the Ancient Grains Bowl and it was delicious!

Unexpected Elegance

When the Uber driver dropped us off, at Saffron, The Vegetarian Eatery ,we were kinda nervous about the dark exterior and even wondered if the restaurant was open!

Thankfully when we stepped inside we were greeted with a pleasant surprise!

There were only three other parties dining so the ambiance was quiet and almost felt exclusive.

There was a large and unique cascading floral sculpture suspended from the ceiling.

We were seated in a red velvet booth, which was cozy and comfortable.

The waiter was friendly and attentive. To start, he offered a few feature cocktail suggestions.

So pretty!

The Bang Bang Cauliflower was a delicious appetizer. The cauliflower florets were perfectly crispy and coated in a flavourful sauce. It was a generous portion, easily enough to share between the two of us.

For my main course, I went for the Spicy Street Noodles, opting for tofu in place of the plant-based beef. Initially concerned about the spice level, I was relieved to find that the kitchen adjusted the dish to my preference. The noodles were perfectly cooked, and the flavours were complex and satisfying.

Plant Power Grows

While known for its extravagant buffets and steak houses, Las Vegas has embraced the growing vegan movement. There has been an increasing demand from health- conscious travellers and locals and the culinary scene is evolving to include a wide range of vegan restaurants and plant-based options in mainstream restaurants.

A 2021 study by Easy Reader News showed Nevada has a significant vegan population, ranking first in the nation with 942 vegans per million residents. This figure demonstrates a growing trend, with the state's vegan community steadily expanding.

The growing popularity of the vegan lifestyle in Las Vegas extends beyond culinary trends; it reflects a growing environmental consciousness. Plant-based diets significantly reduce our carbon footprint and conserve precious water resources, a critical factor in Nevada's arid climate. Animal agriculture uses huge amounts of water for livestock and feed production, placing immense strain on the state's water supply. Plant-based food production requires significantly less water, making it a more sustainable choice for a desert region like Nevada.

Nevada faces a higher burden of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity compared to the national average. This concerning trend highlights the importance of dietary choices. Plant-based diets offer numerous health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes, due to lower saturated fat and cholesterol levels and higher fibre content. They can also aid in weight management.

A Vegan Viva Las Vegas

If you're looking for an adventure or find yourself in Vegas for work or play, you will be happy to know there are options for plant-based food.

And if you don’t mind venturing off-strip, there are many plant-based options, including Chef Kenny's Asian Vegan Restaurant and Veggie House Vegetarian Restaurant in Chinatown, The Modern Vegan near the University of Nevada, and Tacotarian.

Have you tried any of the places I mentioned? I'd love to hear about your experiences!

And let me know below if you have any other Vegas restaurant recommendations.

Bon voyage, and happy vegan travels!