Although Virginia is technically considered part of the south, the capital city of Richmond is a largely liberal hub with plenty of tattoo shops, small businesses, safe spaces, and of course… vegan restaurants!
You can find vegan options at almost any restaurant within the Richmond city limits, and there are even a handful of 100% plant based dining options in Richmond.
Check out some of these top vegan restaurants in Richmond, VA for a meat-free meal!
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Top 5 100% Vegan Restaurants
NuVegan Cafe
- Address: 417 W Grace St, Richmond, VA 23220
There’s no doubt whether this restaurant offers vegan options, it’s right there in the name! NuVegan Cafe is a local, black-owned business that features 100% vegan comfort food. This cafeteria style restaurant features a hot bar where you can order menu items a la carte or as a meal with your choice of sides.
Some of their most popular, can’t miss items include their chick’n drummies, vegan fried steak, and macaroni and “cheese.”
NuVegan offers dine in service, but their dining room is small, so I always opt for take out or delivery,
Fresca on Addison
- Address: 22 S Addison St, Richmond, VA 23220
This locally owned and operated restaurant features a fully plant-based menu with healthy items made fresh daily.
Since their opening in 2010, Fresca has expanded their menu to include items like curried butternut squash soup, a lentil burger, and their vegan chicken salad sandwich. This small spot features a no-frills dining area with a small patio space outside.
They have limited hours and are only open from 12pm-6pm, so plan accordingly.
Ipanema Cafe
- Address: 917 W Grace St, Richmond, VA 23220
Ipanema Cafe has been Richmond’s premiere vegan spot since 1998, and has recently come under new ownership. This local, black-owned sandwich shop and bar is located in the basement of a small building in the heart of the VCU school district on West Grace Street.
It’s a nice, quiet place to grab dinner and drinks with your friends.
Hang Space
- Address: 8002 Buford Ct, North Chesterfield, VA 23235
You’ll have to head about 10-15 minutes outside the city of Richmond to hit up this vegan spot, but it’s definitely worth the drive! Hang Space is a fully vegan comfort food restaurant located in Richmond’s southside neighborhood of Bon Air.
When opening this restaurant, the owners’ main goal was to introduce vegan food to a new part of the city and create a community space where people could come together over a meal.
They offer menu items like a vegan version of the popular Chik-fil-A chicken sandwich, beyond burgers, and a chick’n parmesan sub. Of course no trip to Hang Space is complete without their Pad Thai fries – you won’t find anything else like them in the city
Philly Vegan
- Address: 1126 Hull St, Richmond, VA 23224
If you can’t tell from the name, Philly vegan is a 100% vegan Philly Cheesesteak shop! This local, black-owned business recently celebrated their grand re-opening after having to move locations, and we’re so glad that they’re back and better than ever.
This shop offers signature items like cheesesteak egg rolls, traditional cheesesteak subs, and their popular cheesesteak loaded french fries. Make sure you wash it down with one of their dairy-free milkshakes
Restaurants Offering Vegan Options
Sticky Rice
- Address: 2232 W Main St, Richmond, VA 23220
This sushi restaurant offers a huge menu of meat-free options from sushi rolls to noodle bowls and Beyond burgers. If you’re a sushi fan, make sure you check out their vegan “tuna” sushi or their Veganzilla roll with all the toppings!
Their most popular menu item is their bucket of tater tots appetizer, which is quite literally a metal pail filled to the brim with tots and their special house-made dipping sauce in regular or vegan options.
Check out the Sticky Rice event calendar for entertainment nights like trivia, Blingo (their own version of bingo), karaoke, and more!
After 9pm on Friday and Saturday night, the staff picks up all of the chairs and the restaurant turns into a full out bar complete with patrons dancing on the tables to the best musical hits from the 80s and 90s.
Gwar Bar
- Address: 217 W Clay St, Richmond, VA 23220
You may be surprised by the decor of this restaurant, but it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise if you’re familiar with the local RVA heavy metal band, GWAR. Although the loud music and interior design can be off putting for some, the friendly staff/patrons and the delicious food make up for it!
GWAR Bar’s food menu features meat-free items like their tofu sandwich, vegan sloppy joe, and deep fried seitan with your choice of sauce.
The bar gets crowded quickly on Friday and Satruday nights, so make sure you get there early to enjoy your food before waves of customers arrive.
City Dogs
- Address: 1309 W Main St #4851, Richmond, VA 23220
If you’re a fan of hot dogs, make sure you check out City Dogs at one of their two locations in RVA. City Dogs offers their signature hot dogs with a variety of toppings and a soy dog can be substituted with any order to make your meal meat-free.
The average price for each hot dog is only around $3 each, so you have the option to mix and match your toppings. Grab a pitcher of beer to go with your meal and find a seat on their spacious patio to enjoy an evening with friends.
Cobra Cabana
- Address: 901 W Marshall St, Richmond, VA 23220
This hipster hangout opened their doors in 2018 and quickly become a popular spot for vegan food enthusiasts. Cobra Cabana’s menu features vegan bar eats like buffalo tufo, a meat-free chick’n sandwich, and even a “lobster” roll!
Their newly renovated patio has become a popular watering hole for locals and the quaint indoor dining area/bar is the perfect place to grab some food and drinks with friends.
Harrison Street Cafe
- Address: 402 N Harrison St, Richmond, VA 23220
If you’re looking for the best vegan breakfast in town, you have to give Harrison Street Coffee Shop a try! This cozy coffee shop has been meat-free since 2000 and features popular items like their french toast, vegan breakfast burrito, and.
The cozy atmosphere and laidback vibe make this shop the perfect place to grab a morning coffee and relax with a good book or a friends or two.
