We, Seyka and Brian, are on a 21 country vegan voyage over 5 months to enjoy vegan food from all parts of our planet, connect the vegan community, spread the vegan mission, report plant based news, create ethical consumer guides, and have a blast while doing it. We’re just back from Iceland, which we loved. We now get back to what we know best: good old America. From New York to Los Angeles, Michigan to Connecticut, we investigated our home country. Welcome to Vegan Voyage USA, and thank you for joining us!
Vegan Voyage USA: An Overview
Most of you already know a lot about the United States of America. This section is more aimed at our international readers who haven’t been there yet. The USA are a huge country with many diverse cities and states. It sounds scary, but it doesn’t have to be! As two states can be as different as two countries, it’s hard to make any general rules. Although that won’t stop us from trying!
The Easy Part
You’ll have enough to worry about without adding ATMs to the list. Thankfully, you can use credit card for almost all transactions! Costs vary widely depending on where you are. Generally, large cities and California are the most expensive while rural areas are more affordable. Style wise, making blanket statements is also difficult. The USA are however generally comfortable with modern clothing. Just wear what you feel best in! And if you’re unsure of anything, don’t hesitate to ask. Locals will be happy to help!
The Tricky Part
The country is vast with many large, sparsely populated areas. To get between cities you’ll either need to drive or fly. Intercity train travel unfortunately isn’t common at all. Within cities you may be lucky to find good public transportation, but most cities still lack quality infrastructure to get around without a car. Typically, you’ll need to rent a car or use Uber/Lyft. Make sure you’re familiar with your chosen city’s transport situation before coming. There are exceptions to this rule, like New York City!
Accommodation can also be a little trickier than what you could be used to as a traveler outside of America. Hostels are especially hard to come across. Your best best will remain hotels and AirBnBs. In our experience, they are the most comfortable – but feel free to experiment!
Vegan Voyage USA: Accommodation Guide
Now if you’re looking for some specific recommendations, we have what you need! We didn’t use hotels for every one of our Vegan Voyage USA stops, but two options particularly striked our interest. Drop by if you’re around!
The Duncan House Bed & Breakfast – St. Joseph, Michigan
What do you picture when you think of Beds & Breakfast? I know think of a quiet room in a charming house in a small town. And of course, this idyllic picture comes with delicious breakfast in the morning and friendly hosts. If that’s what you want to experience on your next vacation, then you’ll find it at the Duncan House!
Andy is quite the host and a top-notch chef too. We enjoyed fresh baked bread and cookies along with a delicious avocado toast and home-made granola for breakfast in the morning. The house is an historic site that has been remodeled with many modern features. You’ll enjoy the downtown’s atmosphere outside and be able to go back to Netflix and modern appliances when you come back to your room. It’s also located a short 5-10 minute walk to the beach and the famous shops that make St. Joseph one of the best small towns to visit.
They have incredibly comfortable beds and just a really lovely space.
The Treehouse – Bel Air, California
Nestled in the trees near the Hollywood Hills, The Treehouse in Bel Air is the only completely vegan hotel / BnB option in all of Southern California. Here, you’ll be treated to an exceptional breakfast in the morning. With advance notice and a small extra charge, you can even get a homecooked vegan lunch or dinner!
There’s a strong sense of community and spirituality in this home. This especially transpires in the design of the home, which is creative and unique. You can enjoy books from the bookshelves or read tarot cards if that’s of interest to you. We were thrilled that they allow dogs for a small fee, allowing us to bring our fur baby on this road-trip!
There’s not much better than having your travel expenses support the vegan mission! Be careful though: although most of the menu is vegan, some items do contain honey.
Vegan Voyage USA: The Food
Here’s the part you’ve all been waiting for! This Vegan Voyage USA can’t possibly talk about every single vegan restaurant in the country. Even though we’ve divided this post in four cities, there are still dozens of lovely spots to discover. Remember that the magic of travel also lies in discovering new places by yourself! But of course, there’s nothing wrong with a bit of guidance every now and then. And you’re in the right place for that! Here are our favorite picks from our Vegan Voyage USA stops.
Vegan Voyage USA 1: New York City, New York
Sacred Chow
Looking for a classic small coffee shop in Manhatttan to daydream in? Sacred Chow is the place to go. Their vegan menu is delicious and filling. Indulge in their homemade vegan mozzarella for dinner or Belgian Waffles for brunch! The staff is very friendly. While we were there, we met patrons that frequently take the train into the city just to enjoy a meal at Sacred Chow. And they’re organic and kosher too!
XYST
More into fine dining than casual coffee experience? XYST, Matthew Kenney’s plantbased experiment, is the place to go. The restaurant is upscale and such an elegant place to dine. The meals we enjoyed were bursting with flavor, healthy and unique. Don’t forget to try one of their signature cocktails!
Terri NYC
If you’re near Madison Square and in need of a vegan lunch to go, you won’t be disappointed by Terri NYC. You can get sandwiches, juices, baked goods, and much more. The location we were at did have limited seating if you aren’t in the mood for takeaway. And if you’re in need of more of their shakes and salad platters, they also provide catering!
Plant Food + Wine NYC
Need more of Matthew Kenney’s genius after your stop at XYST? There’s more where that came from! Plant Food + Wine is one of our favorite fully vegan upscale restaurants. The cheeses are to die for and the space is thoughtfully decorated. Sure, you could go to their LA location instead… But you may as well go to both and enjoy twice the amount of delicious food!
Bodhi Kosher Vegetarian (Zhang Buddha Vege)
Some of the best experiences are the hardest to find. That’s one thing we’ve learned when coming across Bodhi Kosher, which was no small feature! Pro tip: it’s extremely similar to another nearby restaurant, so be careful while getting there. We were more than happy to have made it in. Their menu is full of veganized classic Chinese dishes. You won’t want to miss their delicious noodles, fried rice and dim sums!
Franchia Vegan Café
Franchia is to die for. Their sushi is the most flavorful I’ve ever had. The inviting space is perfect for a relaxing evening. Everything we had was exceptional so just pick what sounds good! They have quick bites and full meal sets like ramen or bibimbaps. If you’re not sure what to go for, ask your server what they recommend and enjoy!
Hangawi
Franchia isn’t an only child! Their sister Hangawi is another excellent Asian fusion restaurant with a 100% vegan menu. Remove your shoes when you enter and enjoy the authentic Asian experience. The Korean-inspired food was exceptional. Definitely a great place to stop by for lunch or dinner.
Bar Verde
Thought we were done visiting Matthew Kenney restaurants? Be ready to be amazed again by Bar Verde! What a treat this place was. This high-end Mexican restaurant was so tasty, it was crazy. From the nachos to the burrito to the fajitas, expect to be blown away by these familiar flavors made new. It doesn’t hurt that both staff and drinks were also exceptional.
Vegan Voyage USA 2: St. Joseph, Michigan
After our overview of the Big Apple, we headed to a much different spot. Although the atmosphere was decidedly different, there were also great vegan spots to be found by the side of Lake Michigan. There may not be as many options as in NYC, but we always liked quality over quantity… So read on to see our top two picks!
Water & Wheat
Just a short 15 minute drive north of St. Joseph is the only vegan restaurant in Southwest Michigan. Welcome to Water & Wheat! They have an awesome menu and convenience store. And they are also distributing their products and recipes to regional restaurants! Before you pay them a visit, be sure to check their hours as they are typically only open for limited hours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!
Video of Water & Wheat coming soon!
The Buck
Located in the quaint downtown area of St. Joseph, The Buck is a fantastic (non-vegan) burger and beer spot. Their roof top patios have lovely views towards the lake. We really enjoyed our Beyond Burger, our salad, and our chips with guacamole. Their beer selection is unbeatable, as well as the range of local favorites on the menu. The staff was also very friendly! This is definitely an exceptional stop for some vegan fare.
Vegan Voyage USA 3: Denver, CO
We now leave for inland America! Denver was our next stop on our Vegan Voyage USA and we had more than enough dining out choices.
Meta Burger
In need of a burger to refuel after a long day of travel? Let yourself be charmed by Meta Burger. You’ll find this award winning retro spot on the South side of the city. From their shakes, fries, mac n cheese, and sandwiches to their mouth-watering burgers… Their menu has a lot of plantbased goodness to offer! We really enjoyed everything we tried. And they’re expanding to another location soon! We can’t wait to see what’s next in store for them.
Video of Meta Burger coming soon!
Veggie Yeti
What a fun name for a food truck! Veggie Yeti charmed us with a delicious, nutrient-dense menu. From cheeseburgers to beer chili, there is truly something for everyone. We really enjoyed meeting the owners, Ben and Jared. You can find the truck by following their IG. They are often outside of Nooch Market, a completely vegan grocery store.
Video of Veggie Yeti coming soon!
Native Foods
This small but nationwide chain is 100% vegan and has so much goodness to choose from. We were impressed by the staff in Native Foods Glendale (just south of Denver) and can’t wait to go back. Don’t forget to treat yourself to one of their delectable desserts like oatmeal creme pie or peanut butter parfait. If you miss them in Glendale, check their website for one of their other locations!
Video of Native Foods coming soon!
Ba-Nom-A-Nom
Who loves nice cream?!? Or better yet, who doesn’t? This healthy frozen treat is always a super satisfying choice. Especially when you order it from the Ba-Nom-A-Nom truck! Their offerings are all 100% vegan and gluten free, including their granola! All of the ice cream is 100% fruit based so there isn’t any added sugar. Nut free, soy free, fat free… There’s a truly inclusive treat!
Video of banomanom coming soon!
Vegan Voyage USA 4: Monterey, CA
Our slow move towards the West Coast in this Vegan Voyage USA ends in California. Before talking about the obvious vegan hot spot of the state, we did have another pick to introduce you to. Here’s our newest crush in Monterey!
Happy Girl Kitchen
Just an hour south of the San Francisco Bay Area, Happy Girl Kitchen is a vegetarian, organic, farm-to-table café and shop. They have menu staples but their sandwiches, soups, and bowls of the day are really where it’s at. They’re your best pick to enjoy the freshest in-season ingredients. Not only was their food amazing but the coffee was top-notch. Don’t forget to ask for some of their housemade almond milk in yours! On your way out, take a few minutes to check out their small shop for some grab and go items.
Video of Happy Girl Kitchen coming soon!
Vegan Voyage USA 5: Los Angeles, California
Here we finally are: LA! Los Angeles is a huge city, so it’s no wonder that their vegan scene is equally impressive. We ended up settling on two different recommendations. Find out what they are with us!
The Pool Bar & Café: Folio Menu – Four Seasons Beverly Hills
You all know how fabulous the Four Seasons is, and their Beverly Hills hotel is no exception to the rule. We had the pleasure of sampling their Matthew Kenney designed vegan menu by the pool. The Folio menu was to die for. There are many options to choose from. As with every other Kenney instalment so far, the flavors are bursting with depth and variety. The rest of the menu isn’t vegan but it’s still so exciting to see leaders in the hotel space recognize the value of plant-based dining!
Video of the Folio menu at the Four Seasons coming soon!
Double Zero
Have you ever heard of Matthew Kenney? Just kidding! By now you’re probably wondering if we work for him! Double Zero was our last Matthew Kenney stop on our 21 country vegan voyage and it didn’t disappoint. This Italian restaurant specializes in pizza but also serves delicious cocktails and wine. Our server was even a sommelier! He recommended us an orange wine, a relatively new and tasty type of wine. If you’re looking for an upscale Italian experience or just happen to be hungry in Venice, you will love this restaurant.
Video of Double Zero coming soon!
Vegan Voyage USA: What To-Do
It’d be crazy of us to try to make an exhaustive list of everything you can do in the US! However, this Vegan Voyage USA is still an occasion for us to reflect on what we liked the best. Here’s a little extra recommendation to consider for each of these cities!
New York City
Where do I start with what to do in NYC? The options are endless so based on your tastes, do some searches and plan your time. The city definitely won’t disappoint. The subway in NYC can take you almost anywhere so grab an unlimited pass and get to exploring!
One place that I highly recommend is Ground Zero of the World Trade Center. Built where the Twin Towers once stood is a breathtaking memorial. Adjacent and beneath this location is the museum which is a sobering and well designed experience. Give yourself at least two hours to experience the exhibits and reflect.
St. Joseph, Michigan
Located less than two hours from Chicago and about an hour from Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, St. Joseph is a quaint small town on Lake Michigan. In the summer you’ll be able to enjoy the soft sand beaches or boating on the lake. If sport is more your thing, you can enjoy this along with world class golf at Harbor Shores. The restaurant, bar, and brewery scene has really grown recently which gives many options for the size of the town.
Denver, Colorado
The Rebel Workout
Need to keep your fitness level up during your Vegan Voyage USA? We stopped by for a HIIT workout at Rebel and it didn’t disappoint! The altitude in the mile-high city certainly didn’t help, but wow did we get a butt-kicking. Melissa is really fun and an awesome instructor, making it a blast to get your daily workout in. Not only do they have awesome full-body group classes in their multi-functional space, they also offer yoga and spin classes and even have showers to use when you complete your workout. And here’s the best part: if you take Melissa’s class you may even get to meet her dog!
Endorphin –
Endorphin is an awesome gym that has nine locations around the city of Denver. Each gym has unique offerings and schedules, so go for the one that suits you best! The class we joined for was a heart-rate monitored spin + HIIT class. We cycled, then did HIIT, then finished with more cycling… Are you sweating yet? It was awesome being able to use the provided monitors and see our status on the TV in the room. From the sprints on the bike to the intense off-bike workouts, it was an all-around powerful workout. If you’re into intensive stuff, you should check them out for sure!
Other things to do
Outside of these awesome gyms, we really enjoyed our half-day trip up to Boulder. We hiked the Flat Iron Mountains and grabbed a bite at a food truck court. While we were there in the summer, we enjoyed a lovely farmer’s market. We also walked through the many beautiful parks, with Washington Park being our favorite. In addition to the endless active possibilities outdoors, there are many restaurants with roof-top seating. Or if concerts are your thing, Red Rocks is a short drive from the city and one of the most beautiful music venues in the world.
Northern California
On our drive to Southern California from Northern California, we took the scenic route down Highway 1, or Pacific Coast Highway. Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Carmel are all amazing stops not far from the Bay Area. Further down the coast you’ll hit Big Sur, an epic stretch of protected land with awesome hiking and camping. There are a couple places to eat here as well, but our advice would be to plan ahead. Cell phone service can be spotty! If you have your doggo with you, there are a couple dog-friendly hikes and beaches to enjoy. That being said, do your research ahead of time as dogs aren’t allowed in many places to protect the environment and the local wildlife.
Los Angeles, California
The city of angels is a massive metropolis made up of many neighborhoods. Hollywood, Downtown LA, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice, Manhattan/Hermosa Beach, Long Beach… There’s a lot of options to choose from to find your favorite! I love the energy of Santa Monica and Manhattan/Hermosa Beach the most, but there’s no bad pick here.
You can enjoy a warm sunny day (as most days in LA are) on the beach or biking the strand. If that’s not your thing, don’t worry! There’s something to do for everyone, and you’re probably only a quick web search away from finding yours. Los Angeles is probably my favorite place in the world.
After the USA we finally returned home, ending our 21 country Vegan Voyage.
Vegan Voyage USA: The Conclusion
And just like that, the biggest adventure of this blog comes to an end. It’d be a lie to say that we’re not a little bit emotional thinking about it! We’re so happy we were able to go on this journey and end on such a high note. Thank you for coming along on this Vegan Voyage USA with us. While this first Vegan Voyage around the world comes to an end, we have plenty more great stuff coming up in the future, so make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Youtube! And for the aspiring travelers following us, check out our previous posts and advice on how to make the best out of your own Vegan Voyage:
- Our travel packing guide
- Our advice on travel clothes
- Wellness while traveling
- Learn more about our Vegan Voyage adventure
For the sake of goodness,
Seyka & Brian
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