Beyond Bread: Where to Eat Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian and More in JXN

Whether you have longtime dietary restrictions or are looking to incorporate more plant-based foods into your diet, Jackson has several spots to kick your cravings while nixing things like bread, meat, and dairy – all without sacrificing flavor.

Sunflower Oven bagels
Sunflower Oven
Credit: Drew Dempsey/Tell Agency

Sunflower Oven

A cooperative bakery in Belhaven Heights, Sunflower Oven churns out some of the city’s best bread and baked goods. Their sourdough is sustainably made, wide-leavened, and stone-milled in the South, and its organic and wholesome structure lends itself to being easy on gluten-intolerant stomachs. Stop in for freshly baked loaves, sandwiches, cookies, and more, and read more about the Sunflower Oven mission here.

Loaded Lettuce

With two locations in Jackson (Westland Plaza and North Fondren), Loaded Lettuce is your go-to spot for a home-style salad bar. Prepared with fresh and locally sourced ingredients, choose from seasonal options to create your own Instagrammable salad bowl.

Aplos Simple Mediterranean

A fast-fine Mediterranean restaurant in Highland Village, Aplos has something for your entire crew, including those needing gluten-sensitive, dairy-free, or vegetarian options. Blending Italian, Grecian, and Middle Eastern ingredients, Aplos shines with its Mediterranean wraps, salads, lunch plates, and Neapolitan pizzas – GF crust available.

a plate of green Mediterranean food
Aladdin Mediterranean Grill
Credit: Joe Ellis/Find It In Fondren

Aladdin Mediterranean

A mainstay of Fondren, Aladdin offers authentic traditional and vegetarian dishes for breakfast through dinner. Try their Vegetable Kabobs, Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, Fattoush Salad, or their Vegetarian Plate – a falafel sampler served with falafel patties, tahini, hummus, tabouleh, and vegetarian dolmades.

Juva Juice and Smoothie Bar

Utilizing the power of cold-pressed fruits and vegetables, Juva prides itself on extracting the key nutrients from its produce to fortify its smoothies and juice blends. Enjoy a spectrum of sippable options, from health tonics to vegan post-workout protein smoothies, to “treat yourself” shakes with better-for-you ingredients.

Taste of the Caribbean

While not strictly vegan or vegetarian, Taste of the Caribbean is a tropical takeout spot in downtown Jackson that has several notable fresh entrees and side dishes, including its Jamaican Jerk Chicken and rice, oxtails, and cabbage.

Anne Marie Hanna

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Anne Marie Hanna