Vegan Food And Fun In Greenwood & Phinney

Written by Darby Bundy and Riley Sorensen

Greenwood and Phinney are neighborhoods in North Seattle that are nestled in-between Ballard and Greenlake. They partly blend together in an area that locals call “Phinneywood,” but both have their own quaint and bustling main drags with cute shops, book stores, craft breweries and cocktail bars, and tons of great restaurants.

Vegan food options are growing in this area as well, and here we’ll share the best places to stop in for a great vegan meal. But first, let’s get into the logistics of visiting Greenwood and Phinney, and other activities in the area, if you’re new to these neighborhoods!

• Getting To And From Greenwood & Phinney

  The main street you’ll want to visit is Greenwood Ave N, in-between N 60th Street and N 90th Street. It’s definitely walkable, depending on how far you want to go! Greenwood Ave is relatively flat with plenty of places to stop for a drink or bite to eat.

  Parking can be difficult, as hardly any businesses have their own parking lot and you’re limited to street parking. But, there are plenty of other ways to get here! We suggest these alternatives:

  -Route 5 Bus Line runs North/South from the International District to Shoreline Community College, passing right through Phinney and Greenwood. A great stop to get off to explore Phinney is Greenwood Ave N and N 68th Street; the best spot for Greenwood is Greenwood Ave N and N 85th Street

  -Route 45 Bus Line runs East/West from Ballard to University Village, passing right through downtown Greenwood. The best spot to get off is Greenwood Ave N and N 85th Street.

  -Uber or Lyft

  Bike via bike lane that runs North and South from North Greenwood down to South Lake Union and Downtown. There are some hills, so we recommend pedaling an electric or hybrid unless you’re a seasoned rider. You will also be biking alongside traffic (without a barrier) for part of the ride, so helmets are highly encouraged.

• Things To Do And See In Greenwood & Phinney

  Here are some fun things to do the next time you’re exploring North Seattle! You can easily stroll both areas in the same day as the neighborhoods are very small.

  -Photo-op at the many murals (currently the old Safeway on Greenwood/87th is covered in them)

  -Enjoy a show at Taproot Theatre

  -Browse the adorable book and gift stores

  -Play pinball and arcade at Coindexter

  -Shop for vintage records and apparel at Beats & Bohos

  -Take home a rare bottled brew, or stay to enjoy it at Chuck’s Hop Shop

  -Enjoy a pint at Washington State’s first-ever cooperative brewery, Flying Bike

  -Admire classic rides of the past at the Greenwood Car Show

  Get directions and info to all of these places and more by following my Google Maps list for Greenwood/Phinney, here.

Photo Credit: @not_that_chris via Twitter

Vegan Food in Greenwood & Phinney

Here are the favorite spots for a great meal in Greenwood and Phinney, voted on by local vegans in Seattle. While there are no fully-vegan restaurants in these neighborhoods (yet!), these places are both accommodating and delicious, and you will certainly enjoy.

Pro-tip: Save this list to your phone! Check out my Google Maps List for Greenwood / Phinney.

EL CHUPACABRA

Phinney Ridge

Craving a quesadilla? With a mound of guacamole and a side of vegan sour cream? We got you covered - head over to El Chucacabra in Greenwood to get your tex-mex cravings and wishes for a decent vegan quesadilla granted.

El Chucacabra has an entire menu that can be veganized - burritos, tacos, taco salads, quesadillas, even vegan nachos - they have it all. We love that there is a variety of different faux meats to choose from if you want to switch up your usual veggie bean burrito game (we love a good bean-based burrito, but variety is the spice of life).

Their outdoor patio is covered, warm, and the perfect spot for a date night if you are looking for a dining spot that is not your living room couch.

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RAZZIS PIZZERIA

Greenwood

If you’re a seasoned Seattle vegan, you already know about this holy grail of a pizza establishment. But if you’re new here, let us tell you - we’ve had vegan pizza before, and then we’ve had Razzis vegan pizza. It’s like your taste buds got a reset and tasted pizza for the first time again.

Razzis has an entire vegan menu in addition to their traditional menu, both of which have gluten-free options. This is a great place to go if your group has different dietary needs because there is something for every diet and every appetite. The vegan menu has tons of pizza varieties, pastas, paninis, salads, sandwiches, appetizers… there are even 4 different dessert options!!

If you’ve followed for some time you’ve heard us rave about their pizza, but we don’t know if you have heard about their pasta! If you are in the mood for a big plate of creamy fettuccini or carbonara - you need to try Razzis take on some of your favorite pasta varieties! Oh - and don’t forget to add a Vegan Tiramisu to your order. Thank us later. Click here to look at the menu and place an online order now.

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LUNA AZUL

Greenwood

If you’re looking for authentic, no-frills, but delicious Mexican food - head on over to Luna Azul in Greenwood. While there is no faux meat or vegan cheese substitutes, there is a bountiful of flavors and a friendly staff that is willing to accommodate vegan diners. Just make sure you tell the staff when you’re ordering that you are vegan (especially if not dining in), and they’d be happy to help you get your feast on!

One of our favorites on the menu is the Cielo y Tierra tacos which has beets, yams, carrots, corn, black bean, zucchini, onion, and red and green bell pepper. It is also important to note that their rice and beans are vegan-friendly so you don’t need to worry there.

**Note: Their Uber Eats menu does not show which items are vegan. When you dine in, you can see the vegetarian/vegan options and there is a note on the menu saying that they can accommodate vegan diners -- just make sure that when you order take out or when not in the restaurant, you tell them you are vegan because some vegetarian items contain chile butter.

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MODERN JAPANESE CUISINE

Phinney Ridge

If you are searching for a local option for some great Japanese eats -- look no further than Modern Japanese Cuisine. Right off the bat, their menu is easy to navigate for vegan diners which takes all worry out of this process (you know how it is sometimes).

If you want to try a variety of items on their menu, we recommend the Vegetable Bento Box, which contains kale goma-ae, inari, avocado roll, tofu salad, hijiki salad and edamame. If you are in the mood for a deluxe sushi roll, the Green Lake roll is your go-to item: tofu, cucumber, lettuce, and cilantro topped with avocado and sweet chili sauce -- what else do you need in a veggie roll?!

We also love the variety of thin rolls also available vegan on their menu -- avocado, cucumber, oshinko (pickled radish), and umeshiso (plum, shiso paste, and cucumber). It’s often hard to find a sushi restaurant that caters to a vegan diet, so if you’re in the Greenwood area, this place is definitely worth a try. Check out their menu and get your sushi roll on.  

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Photo Credit: Bluebird Ice Cream

More Vegan Food in Greenwood & Phinney

There is plenty more vegan options in Greenwood and Phinney, including coffee, ice cream, sorbetto, pizza, and more! Check out the list below for even more vegan-friendly shops in Greenwood and Phinney.

Oliver’s Twist - Cambodian restaurant and cocktail bar with many vegan dishes that are clearly labeled. Favorites include tofu or jackfruit spring rolls, rice bowls, or vermicelli bowls.

Bluebird Ice Cream - Small-batch premium ice cream with vegan options, as well as nano-brewed craft sodas and beers, all made in house.

A La Mode Pies - Corner bakery offering homemade pies, with vegan options using Earth Balance Butter. Vegan crusts also available for purchase.

Green Tree - Asian fusion restaurant serving Chinese and Vietnamese soups, noodles, rice dishes, and other entrees.

Halcyon Brewing Co. Family-friendly brewery with lots of patio tables, and serves veggie hot dogs.

Nutty Squirrel Gelato - Adorable gelato shop with a few vegan-friendly sorbettos, including seasonal rotators.

Hummus Cafe - A favorite in all of Seattle, this Greek restaurant offers many vegan-friendly dishes including lentil soup, salads, and sandwiches. Just specify vegan and they will make sure it comes out right.

Zeek’s Pizza - Vegan-friendly pizza chain with vegan mozzarella and vegan sausage!

Yanni’s Greek Restaurant - Family-owned and operated Greek restaurant with a few vegan-izable dishes. Favorites include Falafel wrap (hold cheese) and the Eggplant Rollo (hold cheese), and dips.

Couth Buzzard Books - Long-standing used and new book store that serves as a community hub for open mic nights, game nights, and other special events. Cafe menu includes vegan-friendly beverage options, plus veganizable Falaffel or Black Bean and Yam wraps, and a vegan Asian wrap.

Diva Espresso - Cute cafe with amazing espresso and many vegan pastries made by local vegan wholesaler I Can't Believe It's Vegan bakery.

Alibi Room - Upscale and dimly lit pizza joint with cocktails. Their signature Vegan Pie is a cheese-less base of Garbanzo beans, red onions and Kalamata olives on house made vegan pesto sauce, finished with balsamic reduction and a side of white bean hummus. Or build your own! Gluten-free crust is also vegan. Open late for food and drinks.

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I hope you found this guide helpful if you’re new to Greenwood and Phinney! Where are yo going to visit first? Let me know in the comments :)