I went to school for one year at UNT in the early 2000s and have no memory of this little college town being anything as cute and funky as it is today. I am so grateful for college towns and more than grateful to be located so close to this one. With the first all-vegan cafeteria, UNT is flooded with conscious eaters and I have yet to go to one of Denton’s restaurants that doesn’t have a vegan option. Whether you go for the great food, live music, art galleries or just to hang on the courtyard square, Denton now has a lot to offer visitors and students. Below are some of my favorite vegan dishes this city has to offer.
Green Zatar – this quaint Mediterranean restaurant in a strip mall is surprisingly pleasing inside, with string lights, candlelit tables, Middle Eastern grocery items and impeccable service. This place by far has the best service in all of Denton. My husband and I always start with their hummus, prepared fresh and just delicious, and always order their vegan platter, an assortment of freshly grilled vegetables along with Mediterranean spices and freshly cooked rice. The meal is filling and the spices they add make the vegetables incredibly tasty. I highly recommend supporting this family-run restaurant.
Hannah’s – one of Denton’s prettiest restaurants, with a gorgeous patio and fountain and high-end interior, Hannah’s offers the best vegan dish I have ever tasted, the vegan meatloaf. It’s a quinoa and black bean loaf with fried beets, asparagus, roasted sweet potatoes and a small amount of zingy yet sweet BBQ sauce on the side. It’s incredible, filling and is about as good as it gets. Their service is pretty awful, makes me not want to come back, but I tell you this dish is worth it. If you can get over the slow and forgetful service, this is a great place for an anniversary or birthday dinner.
Seven Mile Cafe – it’s really hard for me to go to Seven Mile and not order the entire menu. They have a lot of vegan options, all of which are delicious, great starters to share include their warm vegan cinnamon rolls and original acai bowl, complete with almond milk, oats, blended acai berries, and topped with strawberries and bananas. I can’t come here without ordering their Chipotle Tofu Benedict, on an English muffin, layered with fresh tomatoes, avocados, grilled tofu and a dust of chipotle on top, plated with has Browns and chipotle sauce. It’s incredible. If you aren’t interested in that dish, they have several other vegan possibilities, from Vigas to Pancakes to Breakfast Tacos and Tofu Platters. There’s always a wait at this cafe for good reason: the food is fresh and delicious.
Jupiter House Coffee – Denton is filled with great coffee shops and many offer vegan treats and even vegan donuts, but Jupiter House is my favorite. The vibe here is great, you can normally find an open table, the coffee is delicious, the place is clean, and they always have vegan breads to choose from for a nice snack. Located in the heart of Denton’s historic courthouse square, Jupiter House is perfectly located and a great place to stop for a bit before a show or on a leisurely afternoon.