By Kristen Kuchar
In recent years, the interest in eating less meat or eliminating meat has skyrocketed, and fortunately an increase in creative plant-based options are reflecting that. If someone is new to meat- and dairy-free dining, there are likely some misconceptions, such as plant-based food is not tasty, it’s too expensive or boring, says the team at Wellness Sushi, Denver’s totally plant-based sushi restaurant at 2504 East Colfax Ave.
But there is nothing boring about this Japanese eatery with 11 types of maki rolls, 5 torched-pressed sushi, 5 types of ramen, 8 types of Okinawa onigiri, 4 different bowls of donburi and wok, 5 styles of small plates, and dessert. Yes, it’s all on the plant-based menu. That could be why it was named one of the Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. in 2023 by Yelp.
Executive sushi chef Steven Lee and his wife opened their first 166-square-foot pilot store in September 2021. They quickly outgrew it and eventually expanded into the current flagship store that opened last November. Combining Southeast Asian roots with many years working as an experienced sushi chef, the Lees wanted to recreate forward-thinking, delicious and healthy Japanese menus regardless of a person's diet.
Some of the most popular items include a Krunchy Krab Maki Roll, made with the house-made Krab Salad that is a favorite among sushi enthusiasts due to its unique combination of flavors and textures, and W's Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen, which has a spicy tonkotsu broth that is slowly simmered for over 8 hours with vegetables and a splash of a shoyu base. It's then topped off with spicy garlic chili oil to complete a silky full-bodied broth. Ohnagi Oshi Torched-pressed sushi is another favorite, a reimagining of Japanese delicacies, the team says, combining an eggplant-eel, Mentaiko Truffle Sauce and the flame-torched technique.
Like Wellness Sushi, there are an abundance of restaurants offering more thoughtful vegan options and dozens of restaurants across the state that are completely plant-based regardless of what you’re craving.
For a classic fast-food experience – think burgers, chicken sandwiches, shakes – you can visit Next Level Burger in Denver, Santana’s Vegan Grill in Colorado Springs, Native Foods in Lone Tree, Fort Collins, Glendale and Boulder, and Meta Burger in Boulder, Edgewater and Denver.
And while Denver and Boulder are home to many great vegan restaurants such as Bang Up To The Elephant, Thrive, Watercourse Foods, Somebody People, Everyday Pizza, Make It Vegan, you can find plant-based spots across the state as well: Sita’s Kitchen in Trinidad, Fern’s Diner and Drinkery in Cascade, Basecamp in Durango, Piante Pizzeria in Breckenridge, The Golden Burro Cafe & Lounge in Leadville and Sweet Elizabeth’s Organics in Colorado Springs.
Getting a meat-free bite over cocktails is made possible with Fellow Traveler in Englewood, So Radish in Arvada, and Burrowing Owl in Colorado Springs. Other spots along the Front Range include Gladys Restaurant in Edgewater, Vegan Thai Co. in Longmont, and Total Vegan Indian Restaurant in Highlands Ranch.
Thanks to these locations, gone are the days in which eating less or no meat and dairy meant opting for a side salad or plate of fries. And restaurant patrons do not have to be vegan to appreciate the flavorful, creative dishes available throughout Colorado. Great-tasting food comes in many forms.