Pure Soul: What’s Vegetarian Editorial Review

Pure Soul in Durham, NC is 100% vegan, and it serves the kind of Southern comfort food that makes non-vegans forget they’re eating plant-based. Think crispy fried chicken sandwiches, smoky BBQ plates, creamy mac and cheese, and sweet potato pie, all made without a single animal product. If you’ve been skeptical that vegan soul food can hit the same notes as the real thing, Pure Soul is the place that changes your mind.

What’s vegan and vegetarian at Pure Soul

Everything on the menu is vegan, full stop. Pure Soul operates as an all-vegan kitchen, so there’s no risk of cross-contamination from meat or dairy in the prep area. The restaurant describes its mission as offering “kind comfort food with all of the flavor and none of the animals.” Every item, from the handhelds to the desserts to the kids’ menu, is plant-based. Gluten-free diners can swap in a gluten-free bun for a small upcharge. The restaurant sources ingredients from local and organic suppliers including Happy Dirt, Lettuce Prey, and Motherland Organics, and it uses 100% compostable packaging.

Signature dishes to order

The Soul Bowl is one of the most popular items: a hearty, layered plate of grains, greens, and your choice of protein that works as a satisfying lunch or dinner. The NC BBQ Sandwich earns consistent praise for its smoky, tender texture that mimics pulled pork without cutting corners on flavor. Soul Egg Rolls are a fan favorite appetizer, fried and stuffed with Southern-style fillings. On the sides, collard greens and soul mac show up in almost every positive review. For dessert, the sweet potato pie (explicitly vegan) and the peanut butter pie are both worth ordering. The Philly Cheesesteak and fried fish and shrimp po’boy round out a menu that covers far more ground than most fast-casual spots.

How to order

Pure Soul is fast casual, so you order at the counter and pick up when your food is ready. Online ordering runs through Toast at order.toasttab.com/online/pure-soul-n-a, which is handy if you want to skip the line. The restaurant doesn’t take reservations. Hours are Monday and Tuesday 11am to 7pm, closed Wednesday, Thursday through Saturday 11am to 8pm, and Sunday noon to 4pm. Pure Soul is a tip-free restaurant that pays a living wage, so you don’t need to factor in gratuity. Student discounts are available, and first-time visitors reportedly get a complimentary beverage.

What to watch out for

The peanut butter pie contains tree nuts, so skip it if that’s a concern. The red velvet cake contains gluten and soy, and the sweet potato pie has coconut. The Wednesday closure catches people off guard, so double-check before you make the drive. Parking is in a strip mall lot, which is generally easy, but the restaurant draws crowds, especially on weekends. The Sunday hours are shorter (noon to 4pm), so plan accordingly if that’s your only window.

Is Pure Soul worth it?

Yes, and the recognition backs it up. Yelp named Pure Soul the best restaurant in the Carolinas in 2023 and the #8 vegan restaurant in the entire country in 2024. HappyCow reviewers give it a perfect 5.0 across more than 113 reviews. Non-vegans consistently say they can’t tell the difference, which is the highest compliment a plant-based spot can get. Pure Soul partners with Duke Athletics to provide meals to student-athletes, composts on-site, and has been a featured vendor at the Dreamville Festival. It’s the rare vegan restaurant that’s built a loyal following well beyond the vegan community, and it’s the kind of place worth going out of your way to visit if you’re anywhere near Durham.