Verdine - Houston's Newest Vegan Restaurant that is Mouth-Wateringly Delicious

THE DAY HAS COME! Hold your vegan horses, Verdine has opened its doors to the Houston public and is now serving delicious, inventive vegan food to the world!! I’ve only been a little bit excited about this day. So I’m now SUPER excited that everyone can now fawn over the amazingness that Chef Stephanie has created.

Verdine’s food truck roots

I’ve been a fan girl since the Ripe Cuisine days. You might recognize the name from the Houston’s vegan food truck that popped up at farmer’s markets around town. I first discovered the goodness that is Ripe Cuisine back in 2014 at the Wednesday Downtown Market. An immediate convert–one of her veggie burger combos made it onto our Top Veggie Burgers in Houston list–I’ve loved watching the evolution of her company and brand to what it is today!

The Ripe Cuisine food truck was so popular, that Stephanie Gorbon eventually rebranded to Verdine in 2018 anticipating the restaurant. The name “Verdine” comes from the Latin and French words for truth and green. Both are at the heart of what the restaurant is promises to deliver in its food.

The Houston Heights brick-and-mortar

The new restaurant is located in the new Heights Waterworks complex by Hopdoddy. The building itself is a refurbished city of Houston public works building with large industrial windows, high ceilings, and original brick from the 1920s. The outside patio overlooks massive blue pipes that were once key functioning parts of the Heights. The design of the space emulates the fresh, clean food that they serve without being a stereotypical vegan green. Antique mirrors adorn the walls with a main color pallet of white, light blue and exposed wood. The only green in the restaurant is from live plants and–of course–the food!

What to order at Verdine

Starting with a soft opening in May, Verdine now serves the Houston vegan food truck favorites and new inventive items for lunch, dinner and brunch. It’s got a bar with beer and wine and a solid coffee menu.

I’ve gone twice to Verdine since it’s opened and loved every bite. Favorites on the menu include the sesame orange cauliflower (it’s going to ROCK YOUR WORLD) and the Krabby Patty–so good I ordered it both times I went! The Krabby Patty is a jackfruit-artichoke “crab cake” burger with garlic aioli with spring mix, tomato, dill pickle, red onion, herb-marinated tofu feta, sweet herb tahini dressing, on local wheat bun. Heavenly.

The Mac N Cheese, which of course isn’t actually cheese, is a solid choice–just don’t expect your typical mac and cheese flavors. You can’t go wrong with any of the other burgers on the menu–especially the Bistro Burger with a lentil-walnut-mushroom patty.

I need to come back for the “La Tabla” at happy hour which is a non-dairy cheese board with housemade pickles, olives, and gluten free crackers featuring Cashew Mozzarella, Herb Chevre, Sharp Cheddar, Soft Cured Gouda, and Tofu Feta.

Vegans and non-vegans alike are sure to leave Verdine satisfied and converted to the green, honest style of eating. Stephanie is constantly trying out and adding new items to the menu based on seasonal ingredients, so check-in regularly to see what the team is cooking.