Vertical Diner: What’s Vegetarian Editorial Review

Vertical Diner is one of the best reasons to visit Salt Lake City if you eat plant-based. The restaurant is 100% vegan, which means every single thing on the menu, from the biscuits and gravy to the milkshakes, is completely free of meat, dairy, and eggs. You don’t have to scan ingredient lists or quiz your server. Founder Ian Brandt opened it in February 2007 with a straightforward goal: make vegan comfort food accessible to everyone, not just committed vegans.

What’s vegan and vegetarian at Vertical Diner

Everything. The kitchen uses no animal products at all, so the entire menu qualifies as both vegan and vegetarian. That includes the full bar, which pours cocktails, wine, and local beer. Brandt merged his earlier fine-dining spot, Sage’s Cafe, into Vertical Diner in 2018, bringing over a lot of beloved recipes in the process. The result is a broad menu that covers breakfast all day, burgers, sandwiches, tacos, pizza, salads, and desserts. Many items are also labeled gluten-free, including the pancakes, fries, nachos, and Asian lettuce wraps, though the kitchen isn’t a dedicated gluten-free facility.

Signature dishes to order

The biscuits and gravy are a crowd favorite and a good first order if you’ve never been. The Tofu Benedict and La Mesa (a loaded scramble with potatoes, cheese sauce, sour cream, avocado, tofu, and black beans) are both strong breakfast picks. For lunch or dinner, the Tempeh Reuben is the go-to sandwich, the Vertical Tacos use jackfruit to solid effect, and the OG Mac is the comfort-food choice if you want something simple. Buffalo Tigers, which are fried cauliflower, are worth ordering as an appetizer. Desserts are serious here: tiramisu, fudge brownies, and a rotating lineup of milkshakes round out the menu.

How to order

Vertical Diner is open seven days a week for dine-in, takeout, and delivery. Hours run 8am to 10pm Sunday through Thursday and 8am to 11pm Friday and Saturday. Walk-ins are welcome for parties of seven or fewer. If your group is eight or more, call ahead for a reservation. For delivery, you can order through DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub, or go directly through the website at verticaldiner.com to skip the third-party fees. The restaurant is in Salt Lake City’s Central 9th neighborhood at 234 W 900 S.

What to watch out for

The kitchen is not certified gluten-free, so if you have celiac disease rather than a preference, cross-contact is a real possibility. Ask your server before ordering. Parking in the Central 9th area can get tight during peak weekend brunch hours, so give yourself a few extra minutes. A few reviewers have noted rushed service during busy stretches, which is worth knowing if you’re planning a leisurely meal with a group.

Is Vertical Diner worth it?

Yes, and it’s not a close call. Vertical Diner holds a 4.5 Google rating across more than 3,500 reviews and a TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice award, and it ranks first among vegetarian restaurants in Salt Lake City on multiple review platforms. Prices run $10 to $20 per person, which is reasonable for scratch-made food. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or just curious what good plant-based diner food tastes like, this place delivers. Brandt has been at it since a food cart at the Downtown Farmers Market in 1998, and that experience shows in every dish.