The menu commits fully to vegan soul food rather than treating 'vegan' as a side note — BBQ cauliflower and jerk tofu standing in for the usual soul-food proteins, fried grits, and crab cake tacos that swap the crab for a plant-based stand-in without apologizing for it. It's been reviewed well enough and consistently enough (The Infatuation, South Side Weekly, Travel Noire's Black-owned-vegan-restaurants coverage) that it's become a genuine reference point for what vegan soul food in Chicago can look like, not just a novelty. The restaurant has also run a satellite stall at Pullman's One Eleven Food Hall at points, though that stall's current status wasn't confirmed in research.
Chef Emmanuel has bigger plans too — a 2025 ABC7 report covered his proposal for a four-restaurant 'vegan village' food hall at 79th and South Shore Drive, community-funded and still in development as of that reporting, not yet an open business. No current hours, happy hour, or Instagram handle were confirmed for the South Exchange Avenue restaurant itself — call ahead or check majani.biz before planning a visit.
No photos yet — be the first to add one.
Have a photo from a recent visit? — customers and business owners both welcome.
Know about a deal here that's not listed? Add it below — we'll verify and publish it.
to suggest a special.
Think Majani deserves Iconic/Notable or Super Gem status? Tell us why.
to nominate a gem.
Every restaurant, dive, diner, bakery, and beef stand that made its way onto the show — plus an interactive map of every stop.
The Chicago Specials Score: member votes plus our own editorial judgment, updated as new spots earn their place.
Every real, verified Chicago event worth planning around — browse month by month, from this weekend to next summer.
Chicago