On a recent trip to Denver, Colorado I visited Nooch Vegan Market. It’s an all-vegan grocery store with vegan specialty items, snacks, and cruelty-free goods.
Outside of airport layovers and one meal passing through on a cross-country road trip, I havenβt gotten to spend a significant amount of time in Denver until last week.
Let me tell you, in addition to stunning landscapes, beautiful artwork, and a vibrant downtown area, Denver is no slouch when it comes to vegan fare.
I was able to hit up several places on my must-eat list. Yet there are still enough that remain that a few return trips will be required!
Iβm starting my Denver highlights with Nooch Vegan Marketβ¦
Nooch Vegan Market
Last summer I heard about the opening of Nooch, an all vegan market in Denver. My first thought was, βI wish Iβd thought of that!β
Sure, Iβd had no plans on the horizon of opening a vegan market. But you really couldnβt ask for a more perfect name.
For those of you who donβt know, nooch is the nickname for nutritional yeast flakes. It has something of a cult following amongst vegans.
Nooch is an inactive yeast, not to be confused with brewerβs yeast. Itβs high in B vitamins. And it has a wonderful, cheesy flavor that works well in sauces, gravies, dips, sprinkled on pasta with marinara, or as a cheesy topping on popcorn.
So when I arrived in Denver and needed to pick up some items that I forgot at home and to stock up on a few treats for the hotel room, Nooch Vegan Market called to me.
It is small in size, but they pack a lot into their space. Itβs clean and well organized.
(Update: Since this posting, Nooch has moved to a different location.)
They have so many specialty products that before Iβd only see online like What a Jerky made from Soy Curls, Denver Seitan Company Wraps, Victoria Vegan Vodka Sauce, chocolate Easter candies and bunnies, and donuts from Beet Box.
They also have a large selection of books, t-shirts, bath and body products, frozen items, and even a small amount of organic produce. The prices were consistent with what youβd expect to find at a natural grocery store.
I picked up some travel essentials like shampoo and conditioner. Of course, I couldnβt resist picking up a few bars of chocolate as well, and one of their Nooch bags that asks that age old question, βWhere do you get your protein?β
Like going to a vegan restaurant and delighting in being able to order anything off the menu, winding my way through the products at Nooch tickled me as well.
It would be a fabulous place to put together a care package. No label reading necessary! Or for a person who was thinking about going vegan but confused about where to start, Nooch would be a fabulous asset since they could buy anything in the store.
Barb@ThatWasVegan?
I go to Nooch at least once a week, and the Ludacris is the BEST sandwich ever! I don’t want to know how many calories are in it because I always eat the entire thing… it’s soooo good!
Cadry
Oh, man! Now I REALLY feel like I missed out!
Kristy
I’ve never been to an all vegan store, but I can imagine it must be awesome to not have to read any labels! And I always feel much more satisfied with my purchase when I know it’s going towards a vegan business. Yay for Nooch!
Cadry
Agreed! There’s a vegan store in Rancho Cucamonga, which I’d like to visit when I’m in Southern California. I don’t know what else there is to do in Rancho Cucamonga, but it could be worth the drive anyway!
Sarah
Sounds awesome, and I like Ludacris too π This reminds me of my favorite little health grocery store in my in-law’s home town in Puerto Rico! If I get back there any time soon I’ll have to do a full report!
Cadry
Please do! I’d love to hear about it!
Somer
What a fun store! I think we all wish there was one in our neighborhood! π
Cadry
Absolutely! Barring that, maybe we’ll all have to move to Denver! π
Somer
Can you imagine us all in one big vegan commune! Haha!
Cadry
Ha! How handy would it be to drop by each other’s houses to ask, “Can I borrow a cup of nutritional yeast flakes?”
Somer
Or take turns making dinners… massive potlucks. It would be epic!
Cadry
I’m going to request that you bring your vegan brie! π
Somer
It’s on!
Ashley F.
I haven’t had a chance to hit up Nooch yet, but Watercourse is my jam! OMG, that place rocks my socks π Breakfast burrito all the way!
Cadry
Oh, I love a good breakfast burrito! I’m sorry I missed it since I went there for dinner. I was able to have breakfast at City O’ City, though, and that place is amazing!
An Unrefined Vegan
I’ve been reading about this place and am so danged jealous! I lived in Boulder for 5 years (pre-vegan days) and it’s a wonderful place to live plant-based – – but there sure wasn’t a Nooch! And a vegan food van…swoon.
Cadry
I know! There are so many cool vegan options in Denver. Plus, there seems to be a general awareness even at non-vegan restaurants and establishments of what vegan means. I so appreciate that! I had really wanted to make it to Boulder on this trip, but there was a blizzard on the day we planned to go. Everything I’ve heard about Boulder sounds very inviting.
Michelle
What an amazing store! And how can you go wrong with anything named after Ludacris? That brought a big smile to my face…and a song in my heart.
Cadry
Absolutely! It only would have been better with the addition of some gobots and robots! π
Mel
What a perfect name for the store! I love checking out the goodies in vegan stores when travelling.
Cadry
Yes! Isn’t it the best name? Visiting new vegan stores and restaurants is one of my favorite parts about travel too!
Doug
Nooch and Vegan Van are both really amazing…we’re incredibly lucky to have them here in Denver!
Cadry
You certainly are lucky! I’m bummed that I didn’t have a chance later in the trip to eat at Vegan Van, as I’d thought that I would. Next time for sure!
Caitlin
how fun! i wish there was a nooch in the philly area! i love that they sell herbivore t shirts!
Cadry
No kidding! I would so love one in my area as well. What a terrific resource for folks in Denver to be able to access so many vegan specialty products!