Vegan
American
Organic
Beer/Wine
Catering

Fine dining plant-based bistro by vegan chef of Local Love catering, Barry Horton. Brunch until 3pm. Features seasonal organic produce. Check facebook for special events. Est 2014 in California and moved here in early 2020. Open Wed-Fri 11:30am-3:00pm, Wed-Sat 5:30pm-9:00pm, Sat 10:00am-3:00pm.


121 Reviews

First Review by KarenBrighten

boppiess

Points +36

Vegan
22 Jan 2016

Excellent restaurant

I was here NYE and couldn't have been happier. Delicious food, attentive and charming service. Everything perfect and the food, did I mention the food? Can't wait to go back. Hoping they have the Tofu Noodle Soup again. Didn't sound so good but was wonderful.

Pros: Food was delicious, Service excellent, Cute restaurant

Cons: Tables close together

GiselaFiege

Points +344

Vegan
04 Jan 2026

Upscale Vegan Restaurant Experience

We are passing through read all the 5 star reviews and had to see for our selves. They just changed their menu for the new year. Everything we had was outstanding the ambiance and friendliness of staff was top notch. Highly recommend this place. Wish we had a place like this where we live, sadly not even close. The only thing Im frustrated about would be the needing reservations. Since we are only here for 2 nights we took a chance without, fortunately it worked out.

Pros: Ambiance is welcoming cozy, Friendly staff, Amazing gourmet vegan fair

Cons: Small seating area, Reservation needed

phoenixking0

Points +38

Vegan
01 Nov 2025

My new favorite vegan restaurant in Charlotte

No complains at all. Service was great and food was delicious.

Pros: Food, Service , Great menu options

Theperkypotato

Points +16

Vegan
12 Oct 2025

One of the BEST vegan restaurants we have found!

We took my brother and his wife (omnivores) and they LOVED it too. We ordered 3 appetizers and 4 entrees and shared it all and couldn’t get over the flavors. It is so hard to find a vegan restaurant that isn’t just grab and go, or bar food. (I am so tired of plain pasta, and curries) You can really appreciate the care and love that goes into everything they do. It wasn’t until the next day that we realized that the friendly and very helpful waitress was also the wife and co-owner. I can’t wait to return! And I am excited to try one of the cooking classes that they offer.

Pros: Loved that it was upscale! Cloth napkins! Yay!, Good variety, Price was reasonable

Cons: Wish they had more of them!

WHA

Points +1786

Vegan
02 Oct 2025

Great brunch

Stopped in for brunch and was very happy with the food we had.

Swpatterson

Points +32

Vegan
05 Aug 2025

Best blue cheese dressing

The beet salad is so good, we make the drive to Charlotte just for the blue cheese dressing!

SydJG

Points +128

Vegan
05 Aug 2025

Perfect spot for all occasions

I love sanctuary bistro, it’s such a nice vibe and they offer top tier vegan cuisine. Perfect for special occasions, a great way to show those you love how much you value and appreciate them! Anytime I get a chance to stop by, I’m always supporting!

Pros: Quality , Taste

LindsayErndwein

Points +184

Vegan
29 May 2025

Delicious lighter faire

I just want to say, It's really cool to find an all vegan restaurant that feels fancy and upscale. The menu was delightfully creative compared to what we are used to. We ordered the fried sushi, miso macadamia salad, BLAT-Dilla, and the potato salad. The food was good, albeit a bit pricey for the amount that you get.

The fried sushi, potato salad, and miso salad were definitely the shining stars, but the brown rice-wrapped dilla was not super filling and tough to eat. We also aren't a huge fan of gluten free bread products. I know for a lot of people this is a gluten free sanctuary and definitely high quality, but not for us glutenful bread-loving vegans. It would have been nice to at least have the option for a regular pita or flour tortilla wrap.

If we returned, we would probably make a meal out of the flavorful sides and appetizers.

mriff

Points +43

Vegan
26 May 2025

All vegan options

Loved their chicken quesadilla!

RemiOkamoto

Points +762

Vegan
16 May 2025

Amazing creative cuisine

Cozy and warm atmosphere. Very creative menus and it was hard to choose which one I wanted to try. Everything I had was so tasty and I can see the chef is really taking care of all the flavors.
I highly recommend it and I hope to come back!!

TurnipForPlants

Points +2721

Vegan
12 Mar 2025

Upscale Vegan Dining in Charlotte

Sanctuary Bistro provides something fast-food vegan stops don’t specialize in, a haut cuisine meal. It can be difficult to find a vegan option for a romance evening or to celebrate big accomplishments, but Sanctuary Bistro provides that niche for Charlotte, NC.

With a rotating menu, the food options are ever-changing but always vegan. We started with the smorgasbord of food in the charcuterie plate. If there’s a vegan charcuterie, I’m there. The house made cheeses were spreadable with flavors reminiscent of their dairy counterparts - a smoky gouta and a sharp cheddar. The only negative, or plus, is that all the bread is gluten-free. In fact, everything is gluten free. Which is a blessed for those abstaining from the bread protein, however, for myself it is a negative in texture. That aside, the board is phenomenal and a fresh, tasty starter to your meal.

From there we had the tempura fried tempeh and the portabella rockerfeller. The tempeh, surprisingly, ended up tasting like some of the best alternative fish and chips dish I have ever had. And the mashed potatoes in the rockerfeller were layered in texture and creamy in taste. The only downside was the portabella, while covered in deep, rich cheez, lacked a certain flavor profile on its own.

For dessert, the tiramisu rounded out our meal, which is appreciated to have as an option (as it is difficult to find a vegan version of the crème heavy treat). In a twist of fate for my earlier gluten comment, I believe this tiramisu holds up better as gluten-free because the breading remains tough, and does not sag into soggy territory all too common with the delicacy.

Overall, Sanctuary Bistro is a wonder place to visit for a table for two. The next time I am looking for a intimate dining experience in Charlotte, I will be re-visiting.

Pros: Quality of entire vegan menu, Gluten-free

Cons: Gluten-free

NickTustin

Points +1305

Vegan
22 Nov 2024

Excellent

-Po boy dilla - 10/10
-Blat dilla - 9/10 great
-Ravioli - 10/10

Lovely strawberry water
Fully vegan place!

VeganWithATwist

Points +387

Vegan
04 Aug 2024

Our favorite date night spot

My husband and I get to Sanctuary whenever we can. We have been vegan for years, and we love the salads, the sushi, the rotating seasonal menu, and the vegan wine list. But, more importantly, we have taken carnivorous friends, and they have liked it too. I am so grateful to have this restaurant in our community.

Pros: Seasonal specials , Wine list, Friendly staff

DougK

Points +1116

Vegan
28 Jul 2024

Outstanding fine dining

Excellent restaurant. Service was terrific and the food was outstanding. The charcuterie plate and the fried oyster mushrooms were the stars of the meal. Drink menu was impressive as well. Highly recommend!

Pros: High end vegetable forward dishes, Great service, Varied menu

Grazer7

Points +53

Vegan
25 Jul 2024

Worth every penny

Fabulous work with mushrooms. Had 2 different dillas. Both most tasty. Will return

Pros: Food!, Atmosphere

mschlater

Points +1574

Vegan
21 Jul 2024

Would give 10 stars if I could

We had such a nice time here for my husbands birthday. The food was delicious and the atmosphere is great. There are so few fine dining restaurants in NC, so this is a gem. We will definitely make the 2.5 hour drive to eat here again.

missrissy

Points +35

Vegan
20 Apr 2024

So good

I love this place. The blatadilla is the best and I always crave it. Their potato salad is great too.

Rafael_Astolfi

Points +18

Vegan
10 Mar 2024

Delicious food, nice people.

Vegans always struggle trying to find what to eat. Going to a new place is always uncomfortable… but not here!

The staff is kind and easy. No rush to kick the customer out asap. Food is perfect and prices are fair.

Pros: Food, People, Ambience

dk42

Points +11

Mostly Veg
04 Feb 2024

Love this place!

Went here Thursday night with a small group. We went ordered most of the menu. Everything was delicious! I find the prices very reasonable, especially given the quality of ingredients and flavor.

We started with the crispy oyster mushroom artisanal plate, which everyone enjoyed. Then the fried sushi and king trumpet scallops appetizers. We were surprised at how much everyone enjoyed the broth for the trumpet scallops. After eating the trumpet mushroom scallops, we took turns finishing the broth. And I am still thinking about the sushi. Mmm.

Next, the roasted beet salad which was lovely. Then, the crispy lions mane, the spicy lasagna, and the roasted tahini cauliflower. All were enjoyed! (My favorite was the cauliflower.)

Finally, for dessert we had the cashew cheesecake, lemon trifle, chocolate parfait, and crème brûlée. Cheesecake won in my opinion, but all were delicious and everyone had a different favorite.

The owner Jennifer is a delight! She is a great conversationalist while also handling all the tables. She’s also a thoughtful guide to the menu!

Highly recommend!!

DawnPeterson

Points +16

Vegan
10 Dec 2023

Best Meal in Charlotte

I went here for my birthday dinner last night. It was phenomenal! From the service to the presentation to the food, everything was incredible. This is the best meal I’ve had in Charlotte to date. As a 19-year vegan, I’m used to cooking my own food or going to a limited number of restaurants. It was so nice to go somewhere and not have to worry about whether something is vegan or how it was prepared. Please support this local, family-owned business! They work their tails off so we can enjoy a meal without compromising our values.

sinas

Points +85

Vegan
20 Nov 2023

Some of the best in Charlotte

If you can get in the door, you will be rewarded with some of the best vegan food in Charlotte. We are lucky to have them!

Definitely try the fried mushroom appetizer and the crème brûlée’!

sharonrader

Points +174

Vegan
28 Oct 2023

Great vegan options beyond compare

Delicious and savory food, delightful wait staff

Pros: Amazing non alcoholic beverage selection, Great brunch selections , Soothing atmosphere

wwortiz1

Points +17

Vegetarian
20 Aug 2023

Amazing Experience!

We had a very difficult time choosing from the menu as everything sounded wonderful. We truly enjoyed the use of wood in the decor (tables especially). Very nice ambience. Our hostess was super nice, friendly, and knowledgeable of the menu. We have been trying to visit the establishment for months and finally had the opportunity to walk in on a Saturday during brunch time. Can’t say enough about the food. Everything we ordered was utterly delicious! Highly recommend and will definitely be back!!

Pros: Delicious Healthy Food, Very Reasonable Pricing, Great Atmosphere

Cons: Parking, NA, NA

LigeiaSmith

Points +614

Vegan
23 Jun 2023

AMAZING vegan food

I stopped here on my way from Charleston to Linville and I am SO glad I did.
I got the New England chowder and the golden beet fried ravioli. Amazing amazing!!!

Lots of parking as it’s surprisingly in a strip mall, friendly service and welcoming friendly atmosphere. I would go out of my way to eat here again!

Pros: Good quality fiud, Welcoming, For the animsls

Cons: It’s not next to my house. Lol

lucianf

Points +284

Vegan
09 Jun 2023

One of the best you’ll ever try

If you’d have to pick one vegan restaurant choose this and you won’t be disappointed. Chef Barry is preparing delicious meals every time. My top: shiitake bacon, clam chowder (using cashews as a base) and pretty much everything is new on the menu. You can’t go wrong.

AndrewVoss

Points +139

Vegan
04 Jun 2023

Awesome Bruch Spot

Stopped by on Saturday for brunch. The vibe is great. I highly recommend the po-boy sandwich. Dessert is also worth getting! 😊

dalen

Points +298

Vegan
28 Apr 2023

Good

I enjoyed the food, especially the oyster mushroom plate. The waitress was nice, and the whole operation was surprisingly efficient for only having one chef and one waitress with all of the tables and quite a few of the bar seats full. They even gave a list of vegan options and a sanctuary in Charlotte too with my receipt. Lovely place, you can tell they really care about the cause.




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