Cambridge, MA (Restaurant News Release) Veggie Galaxy – a beloved Boston-area vegetarian diner co-owned by NFL star and former Super Bowl champion Deatrich Wise, Jr. – has been named “Best Vegan-Friendly Restaurant” in America by VegNews, the world’s largest media brand focused on a plant-based lifestyle.
Chosen by thousands of VegNews readers from across the country, the award acknowledges restaurants that excel at delivering delicious plant-based options while delighting diners from all walks of life. Veggie Galaxy topped the “Best Vegan-Friendly Restaurant” category, besting other celebrated eateries nationwide – including runners-up in Chicago and Portland – and also received the Editors’ Vote, underscoring both popular and editorial acclaim.
VegNews noted in its awards coverage, “Every menu item at this 14-year-old Boston-area vegetarian diner can be made vegan – a blessing for plant-based eaters looking for corned beef hash Benedict, Oreo pancakes, or a casual Mac ‘N Stack (fried chicken, bacon, and sriracha between two crispy mac and cheese waffles). Just be sure not to miss the goodies from the on-site vegan bakery – the hybrid cinnamon-roll cake slice is to die for.”
Wise said of the honor, “I’m just really happy to see Veggie Galaxy getting its flowers. Being recognized as the Best Vegan-Friendly Restaurant in America is a huge honor, and it’s a testament to the hard work, consistency, and passion of everyone involved. This place has meant so much to the local community for years, and it’s exciting to see the rest of the country celebrating it the way we always have here at home.”
Veggie Galaxy managing partner Michael Bissanti added, “This recognition is incredibly meaningful to our entire team. From day one, our mission has been to create a place where everyone – vegan or not – can enjoy nostalgic, delicious diner food. We’re honored to be recognized on a national level and grateful to our guests and staff who make Veggie Galaxy what it is.”
Founded in 2011, Veggie Galaxy has been at the center of Greater Boston’s plant-based restaurant scene for nearly 15 years. The restaurant offers traditional diner comfort food made from scratch: the twist is that it’s all vegetarian (and everything can be made vegan). Think of classic burgers, BLTs, Reubens and Club sandwiches and mac & cheese available with both dairy or plant-based cheeses. Nearly every item is house made, from the English muffins to vegan cheese, sauces, and salad dressings, underscoring the restaurant’s commitment to serving fresh, wholesome food. The restaurant also features an on-site bakery that is 100% vegan.
No stranger to national recognition, Veggie Galaxy was featured in 2019 on restaurateur Guy Fieri’s long-running food reality television series, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Fieri said of Veggie Galaxy at the time, “This needs to go places. People need to have this in their town.”
Wise, one of the NFL’s more prominent and vocal vegan athletes, joined Veggie Galaxy’s ownership group in 2024. Since then, he has continued to champion an approach that pairs flavor-forward comfort food with a commitment to sustainability, accessibility, and inclusivity. Under his co-ownership, the vegetarian diner and vegan bakery has introduced new menu innovations, launched new brand partnerships, and deepened its commitment to making plant-based meals more available to underserved communities in the Boston area.
For more information about Veggie Galaxy, visit VeggieGalaxy.com.