Stumbletown: Simply dubbed the “vegan” sandwich, this (mainly) walk-up window in Ballard is perfect for a lighter lunch. Filled with flavor and easy to eat, the Vegan is a simple layer of artichokes, artichoke spread, and sweet peppers, topped with arugula, olive oil and balsamic on a warm ciabatta roll. These suckers go down easy; you could easily eat two. 6256 3rd Ave NW; (206) 453-8307.
Homegrown: The Za’atar Smashed Chickpea is Homegrown’s sole vegan option, barring any seasonal specials. It’s been on the menu for a longtime for a reason — it’s really, really good. Za’atar smashed chickpeas are topped with shredded beets, avocado, cucumbers, pickled red onions, cilantro, lemon harissa tahini and greens. It’s super messy, but so filling you likely won’t need to eat for the rest of the day. Multiple locations (shown: Queen Anne); 2201 Queen Anne Ave N; (206) 774-3645.
Layers: Is it a sandwich or a burger? The Le Vurger at this Green Lake hotspot is one of the rotating vegan options on the restaurant’s menu: a chickpea-rice patty with smoked tomato aioli, fermented cukes and arugula on the most perfect bun. Whatever the vegan option is, you likely won’t be disappointed. 7900 E Green Lake Dr N #107; (206) 327-9482.
Bake Shop: This lower Queen Anne cafe recently swapped out their long standing chickpea sandwich for the (even better!) Golden Beet & Hummus: homemade spelt sourdough focaccia with marinated and roasted golden beets and celeriac, white bean hummus, herby aioli, and arugula. It’s incredible. 621 Union St; (206) 736-7888.
Plum Bistro: Always a loyal go-to for vegan lunch, Baba’s Tofustrami Reuben is a menu highlight. Thinly sliced pastrami-rubbed tofu sits piled high with pickled red cabbage, grilled onions, and Thousand Island dressing on grilled rye bread. The pièce de résistance is some of the best fries in the city served with dill aioli dipping sauce. 1429 12th Ave; (206) 838-5333.
Razzis: With an entire vegan menu, Razzis pizzeria is mainly known for their (duh!) pizzas, but don’t sleep on their sandwiches. Among the vast selection of grinders, calzones, paninis and even gyros, The Campagnolo is a crowd favorite (and comes recommended by staff): vegan chicken, roasted red peppers, vegan provolone, and creamy pesto on focaccia. Multiple locations (shown: Downtown); 1314 Howell St; (206) 588-2425.
Ba Bar Green: This little walk-up window in SLU attached to Ba Bar boasts several banh mi, including chorizo and braised tofu. But if you ask the staff what they recommend, you’ll likely be led towards the roasted veggie: a soft, toasted baguette stuffed with sweet potato, mushroom, mustard greens, BBG green sauce, pickled mustard greens, and chili oil. (It tastes even better the next day.) 500 Terry Ave N; (206) 582-2131.
ChuMinh: A favorite among vegans for their incredibly fat and affordable banh mi, this strip mall gem in Little Saigon offers nearly a dozen varieties of the Vietnamese staple. Shown: Spicy Tofu and BBQ Pork, both topped with cilantro, cucumber, pickled carrots, pickled daikon, jalapeno and vegan mayo. An array of hot sauces await you at the table. 1043 S Jackson St; (206) 723-6095.
Life on Mars: An easy addition to this list, the fully plant-based Life on Mars offers some thoughtful vegan sandwiches, like the PO’Boy with your choice of either hearts of palm crab cakes or plant-based breaded cajun shrimp. Shown: the former, topped with lettuce, tomato, pickle and spicy aioli on a toasted roll (and just enough lemon to really make you believe you’re eating the real thing). We just wish they opened earlier to satisfy our lunchtime sandwich cravings. 722 E Pike St; (206) 323-9166.
Box Bar: This woman-owned, all vegan cafe in West Seattle is the perfect pitstop for high-quality plant-based food. With a long list of sandwiches, it’s hard to chose, but you can’t go wrong with the Nobones Crispy Artichoke topped with cashew alfredo, tempeh bacon, pickled onions and peppers, and arugula on a Grand Central hoagie. Don’t be fooled by the steak knife lodge in the middle; this thing is easy to tame. 5401 California Ave SW; (206) 432-9554.
Cafe Flora: The French Dip has been a mainstay on Cafe Flora’s menu since… well, for a long time. It probably sounds like a mess to eat, but it’s absolutely delightful: grilled portobello mushrooms, caramelized onions and vegan cheese on a sturdy Flora Bakehouse seeded baguette that really stands up to the mushroom-garlic au jus. (Be sure to ask for the vegan version or this sandwich, or you’ll get Swiss cheese.) 2901 E Madison St; (206) 325-9100.