My Current Vegan Favorites in Richmond
By Abby Reasor
If you ask for vegan and vegetarian restaurant recommendations in Richmond, the most common response you’ll hear is: “have you been to Ipanema Cafe?” Sure, Ipanema is a great spot located right in the heart of VCU. The restaurant has been serving Richmond’s vegetarian scene since 1998, but it isn’t the only place for herbivore happy hour. There are plenty of spots throughout Richmond with vegan-friendly options across a variety of cuisines. Your tastebuds definitely will thank you for trying them out!
My favorite fully plant-based restaurant in Richmond is Fresca on Addison, located at the intersection of Cary Street and South Addison. Their dine-in space is limited, so I would pick up some takeout on a sunny day and find a warm spot outside to enjoy your meal. You have to try something with the house-made pita bread; it is like eating a perfectly pillowy cloud of dough. 
A new favorite of mine is Minglewood Bake Shop, located in Carytown. They offer a fully vegan variety of sweet and savory baked goods, and they also bake a lot of gluten-free goodies. My preference is the Oreo peanut butter brownie, but I am biased because that flavor profile was basically made for me.
There are plenty of spots throughout Richmond with vegan-friendly options across a variety of cuisines. Your tastebuds definitely will thank you for trying them out!
Minglewood Bakeshop is also known for their chicken pot pie, which is so sought-after that you have to pre-order it on Wednesdays for pickup. Between the pot pie and their baked goods, Minglewood Bake Shop is doing a great job of “veganizing” your favorite desserts and comfort food.
If you are going out to dinner with a group of omnivores, Mom’s Siam on the other end of Carytown is also a great spot for Thai food. Their fried tofu “popcorn” is beyond crispy and makes a great appetizer for the table (or just yourself. I’ve done it.). This tofu is perfect for dipping, so I recommend asking for some extra sauce options to add more flavors to the equation.
You can choose tofu as your protein for a variety of dishes at Mom’s Siam, such as their different stir frys. They also have a separate vegetarian section on their menu with great choices for those more adventurous with spicy food.
Head on over to Barrio Taqueria and Tequila, where you can find three vegan tacos on their menu. I tried the Buffalo cauliflower taco on my last visit and the depth of flavor blew me away! On my next visit I will be opting for the fried avocado taco. My vegan bestie ordered that one on our last outing, and I might have been a bit jealous when our server brought it to the table.
821 Cafe is also another omnivore-friendly establishment right near the Cary Street Gym. Treat yourself after your next workout! As a self-proclaimed “breakfast person,” the vegan chai French toast was the ultimate breakfast-for-dinner experience. They have plenty of savory choices as well, like the vegan fried chicken sandwich, tofu po’boy and buffalo tofu sandwich.
Take a study break and get some food with your Honors College buddies! I think that eating locally should count as engagement points – you are exploring Richmond, supporting the community and trying something new. Even if you aren’t vegan or vegetarian, it still makes a positive impact on the environment when you choose the plant-based option at a restaurant or in the grocery store. You’d be surprised how much better vegan food has gotten in the past few years, and it continues to become more affordable as demand increases. Don’t believe me? Eat plant-based at just one restaurant this month and see how it goes. You may be surprised and impressed by Richmond’s ability to make plants taste good.
Photos courtesy of Abby Reasor