It wasn’t always like this, of course. A decade ago, vegan
options were scarce. Land of Kush co-owners (and couple)
Gregory Brown and Naijha Wright-Brown were at the
first restaurant in Mount Vernon. “Greg wanted to introduce 1. L’eau De Vie
Organic
Brasserie
vegan food to the Baltimore community and expose the In Fell’s Point, this modern cafe
benefits of healthier, more compassionate eating, especially serves a vegan, organic take on
to the African American and Latino population, since we French-influenced dishes like
have the highest health disparities,” Naijha explains. “I broccoli croquettes, nicoise
assisted with the vegan soul food concept so that people salad and cashew-cheese croque
would realize that it’s not rabbit food. It’s good food and can monsieur.
forefront of broadening the vegan reach, when Gregory
began cooking vegan dishes to serve up at a local jazz
concert. His food sold out, every time. After a few years of
success at larger local festivals, he and Naijha opened their
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be seasoned as well as any other foods that include meat.”
5. Stall 11
up vegan dishes and an array of festivals celebrating the 2. Grind House
Juice Bar lifestyle, from Vegan Soulfest and Vegan Restaurant Week to This all-vegan cafe features fresh fully vegan menu that includes
Now, Naijha describes Baltimore’s vegan community as
“booming,” with a wide variety of restaurants serving
the World Vegan Mac Championship. Organized community
groups like Baltimore Vegan bring like-minded eaters
juices, smoothies, salads and
entrees that include homemade
together to enjoy company, vegan snacks and drinks. And
black bean burgers and citrus
there’s plenty of places to visit in search of a flavor-loaded
barbecue “ribs.”
plant-based meal. Ready to get tasting? Check out some of
This stand in trendy Remington
food hall R. House offers a
street food favorites like Korean
barbecue cauliflower and a wild
mushroom “Philly cheesesteak,”
plus freshly pressed juices and
other health-focused goodies.
these vegan hotspots.
3. The Land
of Kush
Built around a concept of vegan 6. Harmony
Bakery
soul food, this restaurant serves Created by the children of
up comfort food favorites such as
chickpea burgers, baked mac &
cheese and eggplant parmesan.
Don’t miss the crabcake, often
ranked as Baltimore’s best vegan
take on the local specialty, or the
creamy vegan “milkshakes.”
longtime area restaurant owners,
this Hampden bakery uses organic
and local ingredients to create its
goods, all of which are vegan and
gluten-free. Find savory pastries,
such as a tart filled with spiced
chickpeas and coconut chutney
and topped with caramelized
4. Red Emma’s onions. Other items include
Part bookstore, part vegan and sweet treats. Q
handmade bagels, soups, salads
restaurant, Red Emma’s is a
cooperative cafe that features lots
of vegan-friendly dishes, from
sandwiches that include a tempeh-
bacon “TLT” sandwich and seitan
Reuben to dairy-free spanakopita
and soups like lemony lentil.
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B A LT I M O R E . O R G
Gregory Brown and Naijha Wright-Brown, co-owners of Land of
Kush, established their vegan soul food restaurant as a way to
make vegan food delicious and accessible for all.