The best places to eat vegan in Essen

Hummelbude – 100 % vegan, regional & fair

Hummelbude is one of the top addresses in Essen for delicious vegan food. This fully vegan restaurant works with fairly traded, regional, high-quality ingredients. Every week there’s a rotating lunch menu with three fresh dishes. You can also enjoy Frohnhauser coffee and homemade vegan “cheesecake”.

In the evening, they serve a 4-course menu with seasonal dishes, for example: hibiscus taco (sweet potato, hibiscus blossoms, parsnip), stuffed onion; ragout with polenta, hazelnut & vegetables; risoni with pumpkin, mushrooms, seeds & salad.

*Hours & offerings may vary (holidays/events). Please check current details on the website/Instagram.

Zodiac – vegetarian restaurant with many vegan options

Zodiac is considered one of the first vegetarian restaurants in Essen and offers plenty of vegan dishes from different cuisines. It’s a solid choice if you want to eat vegan in Essen.

Starters (selection): red lentil soup, potato-leek soup, couscous salad, Waldorf salad, crispy spring rolls.
Mains (selection): Adas Polo – basmati rice with beluga lentils, soy “meat”, raisins, dates, etc.; stuffed peppers with onions, herbs, wholegrain rice, soy “meat”, and tomato sauce.
Special: homemade pizzas – named after zodiac signs, e.g. the Aries pizza with seitan, mushrooms, and leek.

*Hours & offerings may vary. Please check the website/Instagram or call ahead.

Kaspar Schmauser Essen – bowls, salads, curries & more (100 % vegan)

Kaspar Schmauser is an excellent vegan restaurant in Essen. The menu includes bowls, salads, curries & stews, sweets, drinks, and more. Examples: Asia Pumpkin Bowl (baked Hokkaido pumpkin, edamame & peas, cauliflower, smoked tofu on basmati rice & leafy salad; topped with peanuts, coriander, sesame, lime & teriyaki cream), Thai Bowl (glass noodles, smoked tofu, edamame & peas, cucumber, red cabbage, etc. on basmati rice & salad; topped with peanuts, coriander, sesame & tomatoes), plus Pulled Taco Bowl, Indian Bowl, Harvest Bowl, or Tuna Teriyaki Bowl (vegan interpretation). Hot dishes include Masala “chicken” curry (vegan), chili sin carne, and sweet potato–peanut curry.

*Hours & offerings may vary. Please check the website/order platforms for current details.

Haferkater – porridge & oats at Essen Central Station

Haferkater is a Germany-wide chain specializing in vegan porridges. In Essen, the store is located right inside Central Station (ground floor, access to platform 12). Besides porridge menus, there are open sandwiches, wraps, oat-rice bowls, small treats, and plenty of coffee. Haferkater is one of the best quick spots in Essen for vegan food.

Popular porridges (selection):
Apfelkater – porridge with in-house applesauce, walnuts, and cinnamon
Waldbeerkater – porridge with wild-berry compote, toasted coconut flakes, and dark chocolate
Powerkater – porridge with peanut butter, banana, apple, date cubes, flaxseed, and cinnamon

*Hours & offerings may vary (holidays/events). Please verify current details on site or online.

Çiğköftem – vegan Turkish snacks at Limbecker Platz

Çiğköftem (Limbecker Platz) is a good address in Essen if you want a tasty vegan snack. This nationwide chain specializes in the Turkish vegan snack çiğköfte – made from wholegrain bulgur, parsley, tomato paste, spices (often with walnut) – served as a wrap, as a portion (“package”), or on a plate with salad and house sauces. Depending on the branch, there may also be falafel, stuffed wheat balls, falafel wraps, and other small items.

*Hours & offerings may vary. Please check current details on site or online.