Atlanta, September 29, 2025
News Summary
WalletHub’s recent report ranks Atlanta as the 17th best city for vegans and vegetarians in the U.S., highlighting the city’s plant-based food options and lifestyle amenities. The analysis compared 100 major cities based on various factors including restaurant availability and cost. Atlanta excelled in juice and salad shop density, indicating a robust market for plant-focused dining. Despite not being in the top tier, the ranking shows a promising infrastructure for those seeking vegetarian choices.
Atlanta is ranked No. 17 on the list after a national evaluation of plant-based options and vegetarian lifestyle amenities.
Key finding
WalletHub’s 2025 report ranks the best U.S. cities for vegans and vegetarians. The report was released just before World Vegetarian Day on October 1, and Atlanta is ranked No. 17 on the list. The ranking reflects how the city compares to other large U.S. cities on availability, variety and affordability of plant-based food options.
What the report measured
The report analyzed factors such as the number of vegan and vegetarian restaurants, juice bars, salad shops, and grocery stores offering plant-based foods. To determine the rankings, WalletHub compared 100 of the most populated U.S. cities. Evaluations were based on affordability, diversity and access to plant-based options, and overall vegetarian lifestyle. The study considered 17 different factors. Each city was scored on a 100-point scale. Only the main city (not the metro area) was included in the rankings. Data sources included the U.S. Census, CDC, USDA, Yelp, and Grubhub, with statistics current as of August 2025.
How Atlanta performed
Atlanta made it to the top 20 alongside cities like Portland, Los Angeles, and Austin. Within specific subcategories, Atlanta tied for first place in juice and smoothie bars per capita with Miami and Orlando. The city also tied for the most salad shops per capita with Miami, Orlando, and San Francisco. These ties reflect strong per-capita availability of quick, plant-focused food and beverage outlets in the city proper.
Practical meaning for residents and visitors
The ranking signals that people seeking vegetarian or vegan options in Atlanta are likely to find a broad range of outlets, from dedicated vegan restaurants to mainstream grocery stores and dedicated salad or juice shops. While the city did not rank among the very top few nationwide, a No. 17 position indicates substantial local infrastructure supporting plant-based eating compared with many other large cities.
Context and scope
Approximately 18 million Americans follow a vegetarian or vegan diet. More people are choosing plant-based eating every day, and city-level rankings like this one aim to capture how well urban areas meet that growing consumer demand. Only the main city units were included in the report, meaning the ranking is based on resources and businesses located within each city’s official boundaries rather than broader metropolitan areas.
Methodology and data sources
The analysis used a combination of public statistics and commercial listings. Data sources included the U.S. Census, CDC, USDA, Yelp, and Grubhub, with statistics current as of August 2025. By comparing 100 of the most populated U.S. cities on 17 different factors and assigning scores on a 100-point scale, the report created a standardized way to compare availability, affordability and overall lifestyle support for vegetarians and vegans.
Top-line takeaways
- Atlanta is ranked No. 17 on the list.
- The city tied for first place in juice and smoothie bars per capita with Miami and Orlando.
- The city also tied for the most salad shops per capita with Miami, Orlando, and San Francisco.
- Nationwide context: Approximately 18 million Americans follow a vegetarian or vegan diet and More people are choosing plant-based eating every day.
What this does not show
The ranking reflects conditions as measured within city boundaries and as of the dataset used; it does not account for changes after August 2025 or differences across neighborhoods within a city. It also does not evaluate individual restaurant quality, customer service, or long-term business stability.
FAQ
What report provided this ranking?
WalletHub’s 2025 report ranks the best U.S. cities for vegans and vegetarians.
When was the report released?
The report was released just before World Vegetarian Day on October 1.
What is Atlanta’s rank?
Atlanta is ranked No. 17 on the list.
How many Americans follow vegetarian or vegan diets?
Approximately 18 million Americans follow a vegetarian or vegan diet.
Is plant-based eating growing?
More people are choosing plant-based eating every day.
What factors did the report analyze?
The report analyzed factors such as the number of vegan and vegetarian restaurants, juice bars, salad shops, and grocery stores offering plant-based foods.
How many cities were compared?
To determine the rankings, WalletHub compared 100 of the most populated U.S. cities.
What criteria were used to evaluate the cities?
Evaluations were based on affordability, diversity and access to plant-based options, and overall vegetarian lifestyle.
How many factors were considered?
The study considered 17 different factors.
How were cities scored?
Each city was scored on a 100-point scale.
Did the ranking include metro areas?
Only the main city (not the metro area) was included in the rankings.
What data sources were used?
Data sources included the U.S. Census, CDC, USDA, Yelp, and Grubhub, with statistics current as of August 2025.
How did Atlanta place in specific subcategories?
Atlanta tied for first place in juice and smoothie bars per capita with Miami and Orlando.
The city also tied for the most salad shops per capita with Miami, Orlando, and San Francisco.
Simple chart: Key features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| City | Atlanta |
| Overall rank | No. 17 |
| Cities compared | 100 of the most populated U.S. cities |
| Factors considered | 17 different factors |
| Scoring | 100-point scale |
| Juice & smoothie bars per capita | Tied for first with Miami and Orlando |
| Salad shops per capita | Tied for most with Miami, Orlando, and San Francisco |
| Data currency | Statistics current as of August 2025 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- The Infatuation: Best Vegan Restaurants in Atlanta
- Wikipedia: Veganism
- VegNews: Vegan Street Food in Atlanta
- Google Search: Vegan restaurants in Atlanta
- Modern Luxury: Best Vegan Restaurants in Atlanta
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Vegetarianism
- Discover Atlanta: Atlanta’s Favorite Black-Owned Restaurants
- Rough Draft Atlanta: A Vegetarian SCAD Student Tackles Veganism
- Google Search: Vegetarian diet
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
