WRITTEN BY AALIYAH ALEXANDER

Jackson, Mississippi – a hot spot of historical sights, enticing nature trails, and an enriching culture of southern hospitality. The Magnolia State is reminiscent of comforting, southern cuisine however, that may not bode well for those of us keeping a plant-based diet. Fortunately, I was able to scout out some great alternatives.

Jackson may have fewer options than some of its Southern counterparts like Huntsville, Alabama, or New Orleans, but that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. While I couldn’t find many all-vegan restaurants, I was able to find places with enough vegan options. So, if you’re currently on the road to The City with Soul, here’s where I recommend to try.

#1 Oops! All Vegan

Yes, that’s correct, this restaurant is fully vegan. From “Oops! Philly-Cheese” sandwiches made with Impossible crumbles, chopped bell peppers, red peppers, onions, and vegan mozzarella to “Oops! Boneless Chik-Wings” made from your choice of cauliflower or seitan coated with your choice of BBQ, Sweet Heat, Lemon Pepper, or Buffalo sauce, Oops! All Vegan eliminates the guessing and offers a 100% vegan menu right in Jackson, Mississippi’s backyard. 

After first serving vegan eats out of a food truck, Oops! All Vegan has expanded to an open, vibrant, playful restaurant on North State Street.

Unfortunately, Oops! All Vegan does not serve breakfast or brunch, but rest assured it has you covered for lunch and dinner!

Note: Oops! All Vegan is temporarily closed because it is currently relocating. Keep an eye on the location here.

#2 Aladdin

730 Lakeland Dr., Jackson, MS 39216

With a whimsical, cozy atmosphere and delicious Mediterranean cuisine, Aladdin is a great stop to satisfy your taste buds. Although Aladdin isn’t fully vegan, there are a number of options to ensure you won’t be completely left out of the Mediterranean experience. 

Nestled in the Fondron Business District, Aladdin offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. While breakfast options for vegans are non-existent, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy all Aladdin has to offer for lunch and dinner! 

Vegan Options at Aladdin:

• “Award Winning Hummus” (includes tahini [a sesame seed paste], lemon, puréed chickpeas, jalapeno pesto, extra virgin olive oil, and sumac)
• “Baba Ganuj” (includes roasted eggplant dip with tahini paste, lemon, garlic, parsley, and mint)
• “Foul” (includes mashed fava beans mixed with garlic, hot pepper, lemon, and olive oil)
• “Basmati Rice With Faffron”
• “Musabaha” (includes a spicy blend of hummus, whole chickpeas, and garlic)
• “Qudsia” (includes mixed hummus and foul)
• Arabic Pickes and Olives
• Falafel (includes six pieces of ground chickpea, onion, and parsley mix, deep fried and served with tahini sauce). 
• French fries 
• “Red Lentil Soup” (includes boiled red lentils and spices served with pita chips)
• “Fatouche” (includes green salad with black olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, fried pita chips, and House Italian dressing) 
• Green Salad (includes romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and House Italian dressing) 
• “Tabouli” (includes parsley, cracked wheat, green onions, tomatoes, olive oil, and lemon juice)
• “Arabic Salad” (includes a blend of diced tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers in a lemon juice marinade). 
• Vegetarian plate (includes hummus, baba ganuj, tabouli, and falafel)  

#3 Thai Zapp 

145 Market St Flowood, MS 39232

Lucky for us vegans, many Asian-inspired cuisines naturally have plant-based options. Located in Flowood, MS, Thai Zapp –  though limited – offers vegan-friendly options for lunch and dinner!

Pro tip: Curries are your friend if you’re vegan at Thai Zapp. They offer Red curry, Pineapple curry, Green curry, and Panang curry, which all are vegan-friendly and can be ordered with tasty fried tofu. 

#4 BRAVO!

4500 Interstate 55 Frontage Rd, Highland Village Suite 244, Jackson, MS 39211

Dedicated to using the best raw ingredients and providing hearty, flavorful dishes, BRAVO! doesn’t leave anyone out when it comes to offering Italian-inspired dishes such as vegan penne, risotto, and wood-fire pizzas. 

Unfortunately, BRAVO! Doesn’t have any vegan brunch options. Looking on the bright side, they do have vegan chocolate cake!

#5 Chipotle

Up until a few years ago, Mississippi didn’t have this beloved Mexican grill on any street corner, but seemingly overnight, Chipotle planted itself in the Deep South. With a few locations to choose from in the close neighboring cities of Jackson (i.e., Ridgeland, Flowood, or Pearl), you can easily turn to Chipotle for a quick vegan meal.

Go-to options include a veggie bowl topped with their housemade guacamole and any of their sauces (roasted chili-corn, tomatillo-red, tomatillo-green, and pico de gallo) or a classic stuffed burrito with beans, rice, chili-corn, and sofritas.

Find Location(s) Here.