Just like how DARE called marijuana a gateway drug back in the 90s, we’re calling Bloom a gateway restaurant. The vegan food at this Wicker Park spot is so good, it has the power to become anyone’s favorite restaurant, whether they eat exclusively plant-based or not. The menu is full of complex, vegetable-focused hits. Like the banana blossom-filled tamal topped with a rich mole, mushroom asada tacos, and yucca gnocchi that we’re praying never comes off the menu.

Don Bucio's is a vegan taqueria in Logan Square from the Bloom team. And at the risk of sounding cliche (or like a liar who’s never eaten real carne asada), the food here is worth seeking out whether or not you’re vegan. The menu focuses primarily on tacos. There are options like al pastor made from legumes and vegetables, barbacoa made with guajillo-braised jackfruit, and fried nopales that mimic a fried fish taco so perfectly it's both delicious and alarming.

We’re fans of all the vegan choices at Demera, an Ethiopian spot in Uptown. The list is long and clearly marked, with things like the shirro (a chickpea stew) and the misserana bowmia (lentils and okra in a spicy berbere sauce). But our favorite way to try everything is to order the sampler. That way you get to choose five vegan side dishes for $15, all served on a big round of fantastic injera, which is made fresh daily.

This Asian-fusion vegan spot in River North is the rare plant-based restaurant where the food is really good and enough of a scene to earn its downtown address. Planta Queen (which has locations in Miami, Toronto, and New York) is sleek, has a thump-y music playlist that may briefly make you consider going clubbing afterward, and the long menu is full of dishes that are objectively tasty—whether you’re vegan or not.

Eathai is a cute little Thai spot in the Logan Square. And like the ‘96 Bulls, its menu is a roster of nothing but standouts, almost all of which can be made vegan. That said, there are a few dishes you focus on. In particular, we like the curry puffs, the wonderfully sweet and spicy khao soi, and the fantastic pad see ew–which has perfectly chewy noodles lightly coated in a not-too-sweet sauce. Our favorite place to sit here is when we can sit on their quiet, colorful sidewalk patio.

As the only vegetarian Chinese restaurant in Chinatown, Veggie House is a must-visit. The menu is long, with a lot of vegan options, too. To help you narrow things down, our favorite dishes at this casual spot are the orange chicken (mushrooms fried in an everlastingly crispy batter and drizzled with a sweet and tangy glaze) and the Mongolian beef, which layers a savory soy sauce on top of plant-based strips acting as tender beef doppelgängers.

Casa Yari is a small Latin American BYOB restaurant in Logan Square with friendly service and excellent entrees, many of which can be made vegan using seitan or jackfruit as a meat substitute. We suggest ordering one of the mofongos–garlicky mountains of mashed plantains topped with —and then finishing the meal with their flan, also available as a vegan option.

We’ll say it: Healthy Substance is not a very appealing name—it sounds more like item #D3 in a futuristic vending machine than a great vegan Mexican spot in Garfield Ridge. But don’t let that deter you, because the food here is fantastic. Everything from the shredded cashew cheese to the spicy al pastor, chorizo, and steak is made in house, and none of it feels overprocessed. Plus, the space is cute—bright and decorated with pictures of historical activists and Joaquin Phoenix.

Kale My Name in Albany Park has tons of utility. It’s open daily from 11am-10pm, has a full bar, and serves weekend brunch too. The space easily transitions from a bright cafe during the day to a dimly lit dinner spot at night, and the sprawling dining room has plenty of tables. Plus, the food is good. The long menu has everything from salads and seitan wraps, to delicious fried things like cauliflower chicken wings and mac and cheese balls.

“Meat Free Since ’83” is the motto at the Chicago Diner, which has two locations - the Lakeview original, and a newer one in Logan Square. Both are very casual, and each is worth visiting (just know that the smaller Lakeview location gets more crowded). There’s a long menu with a lot of diner-style vegan options, like a reuben sandwich made with seitan and a lentil mushroom loaf. Whatever you order, get a chocolate peanut butter milkshake to go with it.