Two Mill District Restaurants Return to the 2025 Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge

Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA) has announced the 7th annual Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge, running throughout the month of August. The challenge highlights the excitement and deliciousness of plant-based cuisine, inviting diners to become food critics and help crown the region’s top chef.

During the entire month of August, 29 restaurants across the metro area (including Sawatdee Thai Restaurant and Umbra in the Mill District), will unleash their most creative and delectable vegan dishes. Forget everything you thought you knew about plant-based food — these chefs are set to push boundaries, tantalize taste buds, and prove that vegan cuisine isn’t just an alternative, but a vibrant, exciting, and delicious culinary force.

Per Laura Matanah, Executive Director of CAA, “We’re seeing incredible creativity from our local chefs. These aren’t your typical veggie burgers — we want people to say ‘Fork Yeah!’ to every incredible dish they try. Whether you’re vegan or not, it’s a chance to experience the tremendous talent of the Twin Cities restaurant community and enjoy some truly delicious plant-based food.”

How the Challenge Works: Taste, Vote, Win!

1. Diners visit participating restaurants throughout August and try their special Vegan Chef Challenge dishes.

2. After savoring their meals, diners cast their votes online at caa.mn/tcvcc.

3. Every vote and social media post about the challenge enters participants into drawings for restaurant gift cards and merchandise!

Last year, diners cast more than 1,100 votes and eight restaurants decided to keep the challenge dishes on the menu long-term.

Winners will be crowned at the September 21 Twin Cities Veg Fest, a celebration of all things plant-based. For challenge updates, follow: Facebook, Instagram, Web

Participating Restaurants:

• Barbette

• The Block Food + Drink - Rogers, Vegan Lumpia

• The Block Food + Drink - St. Louis Park, Vegan Pesto Rosso

• Book Club

• Brianno’s Chart House, Caribbean Vegan Bowl

• Crasqui Restaurant, Bollitos Pelones Veggie Style

• Duke’S on 7, Vegan Spaghetti & Meatballs

• Food on the Fly, Crispy Chicken Rice Bowl

• Gigi’s Cafe

• Hard Times Cafe, Vegan “Red Pork” Taco

• Himalayan Restaurant, Chili Momo

• The Howe Daily Kitchen & Bar, Vegan Beef Wellington

• Lulu EthioVegan Cuisine

• Lutunji’s Palate, A Pot of Love

• Namaste Cafe

• Pat’s Tap

• Pub 819

• Reverie Cafe + Bar, Chili Crisp Burnt End Tacos

• Sawatdee Thai Restaurant - Maple Grove, Stir Fry Cabbage with Tofu

• Sawatdee Thai Restaurant - Mpls, Stir Fry Cabbage with Tofu

• Sawatdee Thai Restaurant - St. Paul, Stir Fry Cabbage with Tofu

• Stanley’s NE Bar Room, Chimi Chickpea Cauli-Power

• Starling, Sweet Potato & Chickpea Curry

• Stonegarden, Summer Sun

• Tiny Diner

• Tori Ramen, Hobak Buchim

• Umbra Minneapolis, Garlic Scape Cavatelli

• VITALIST FRESH, Taco Pizza

• WELLS Roadside, Vegan Philly Cheesesteak