7 of Our Favorite Gluten-Free & Vegan Dessert Spots in RVA
It’s tiiiiiiiime. Mariah Carey is beginning to defrost, family events are popping off, and we’re going to need a reset on January 1, because we’re officially entering into comfort food season! And this means delicious desserts — yum.
We know with certain diets, you can’t just waltz into any bake shop or restaurant and expect to find something that fits your lifestyle. But whether you’re gluten-free, vegan, or both, Richmond has you covered. Here are seven spots where you can find the best gluten-free and vegan desserts in town.
— by Alie McArdle, Contributing Writer
Minglewood Bakeshop
Minglewood is known for their 100% vegan baked goods. They have a mix of cupcakes, scones, cakes, oatmeal cream pies, and more. They also offer custom orders as well as an array of pay-by-the-slice cakes. If you’re in the mood for a pick-me-up as you pick out dessert, they serve coffee all day, too. You truly cannot go wrong with Minglewood, and you’d never be able to tell the difference between their offerings and other bake shops’.
Location: 3337 W Cary St (Carytown)
Hours: Found here
WPA Bakery
WPA Bakery has been an RVA staple for years, serving up your sweet-tooth cravings and other must-try menu items. They typically serve vegan items like muffins and cake, and you can find gluten-free and vegan donuts on their menu every Sunday.
Location: 3414 Semmes Ave (Swansboro)
Hours: Found here
Sugar & Twine
If you’re in Carytown during the morning, you know you’ll see a line to order at the Sugar & Twine window. And that’s for good reason. Their selection of baked goods leaves customers raving, and we love a good macchiato to go along with whatever we snag. Stop in and pick up something swee;, they have both gluten-free and vegan options.
Location: 2928 W Cary St (Carytown)
Hours: Found here
Pearl’s Bake Shoppe
Satisfy your craving with high-quality confections at Pearl’s Bake Shoppe. Here, you’ll find gluten-free options labeled for your convenience. They also offer custom orders and specialized cakes to impress your guests for special occasions.
Location: 5811 Patterson Ave (Willow Lawn)
Hours: Found here
Sugar Shack
I’ve got a sweet spot for Sugar Shack Donuts. They always have multiple vegan options, and they go all in on making sure you don’t feel left out on the good tastes. The spot has vegan Samoa cookie donuts (YUM) among other flavors. Their selection tends to rotate, so you should find something new to try each time you pop in.
Location: 1001 N Lombardy St (The Fan)
Hours: Found here
Proper Pie Co.
Who doesn’t love pie? (If you raised your hand, well… can’t relate.) Proper Pie Co. has been serving the Richmond community for years. They’ve often made special pies that cater to vegan folks with both savory and sweet flavors. They clearly label options on their menu and frequently rotate flavors, too. Be sure to stop in and order a handmade pie ASAP — you won’t regret it.
Location: 2505 E Broad St #100 (Church Hill)
Hours: Found here
Off The Wheaten Path
Off The Wheaten Path is a 100% dedicated gluten-free (and dairy-free!) bakery. They specialize in a myriad of offerings, including breads, cakes, cupcakes, and pies. They also offer dinner rolls, cinnamon rolls, cakes, and more. Did we mention it’s all TOTALLY gluten-free?! Stop in when you need to stock up on some goods or snag some desserts for a party.
Location: 8167 Beatty Farm Dr (Mechanicsville)
Hours: Found here
Craving something else?
