Going out to eat as a student on a budget who is vegan or vegetarian can be difficult at times, but Downtown Raleigh offers Peace students healthy options for when they need a break from the dining hall menu and want to try something new.
There are healthy and fun restaurants downtown that are open for early morning study sessions to dinner after a long day of class. They offer both vegan/vegetarian and regular options so that there is something for everyone.
“Downtown Raleigh has a few different great vegan offerings, the area has become a lot more vegan friendly since I remember when I was younger,” says William Peace University student, Nicholas Aumiller. “Even some places you wouldn’t think, you can substitute items to make vegetarian items to vegan with a few simple substitutes.”
Here is a list of some of the great options that Downtown Raleigh has to offer:
1. Living Kitchen
Price $
Hours: Mon-Sat 8:00am-9:00pm
Living Kitchen presents a menu of contemporary vegan and raw food cuisine. They offer customers a smoothie and juice bar with plant based milks. The entire menu is vegan except for options that use bee products which are clearly labeled.
The menu consists of organic, raw, juice bar, beer/wine, take-out, fusion, gluten-free, and vegan foods.
2. Raleigh Raw Juice Bar & Cafe
Price: $$
Hours: Mon-Fri: 7am-7pm, Weekend: 7:30am-7pm
Raleigh Raw is a juice bar and cafe that serves fresh healthy foods such as cold-pressed juices, seaweed salad, coffee, smoothies, parfaits, kombucha, poke bowls, and more. Raleigh Raw also offers a “grab-and-go” fridge with numerous options from drinks to snacks and meals.
Their menu is vegan-friendly, gluten-free, organic, raw options, and offers non vegetarian options.
3. Sosta Cafe
Price: $$$
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-4pm, Sat: 10am-3pm
Sosta Case is an European styled coffee shop that serves coffees, sandwiches, and salads made of local produce and breads which are made to order. Along with their menu, they have fresh soups daily for vegan, vegetarian, and traditional western diets.
Their menu consists of lacto, ovo, American, beer/wine, take-out, and non vegetarian foods to pick from.