7 Must-Try Vegan Meals around the City
Eating a plant-based diet might sound limiting or lackluster, but Richmond’s restaurants go to show that going without meat or dairy doesn’t mean giving up on fun, flavorful food.
As someone who has been vegetarian for more than 10 years (and vegan for eight), I have seen the restaurant and food industries significantly expand their offerings of plant-based options, much to my delight. I mean, even Burger King and Starbucks are offering meatless options now!
The stars of the show for me, though, have always been the local hole-in-the-wall spots. Here are seven of my favorite must-try vegan meals around RVA!
by Rachel Dawson, Contributing Writer
Vegan Chicken Salad Sandwich at Fresca on Addison
This homemade vegan chicken salad with arugula is served in a freshly baked organic whole wheat pita (or a gluten-free wrap, my personal choice) and comes with your choice of a side (I’m partial to the potato salad). It’s a great afternoon lunch. Fresca’s entire menu is vegan, so you can’t go wrong here!
Location: 22 S Addison St (The Fan)
Hours: Found here
Potachos at Kreggers At Hand
Get the potato-nachos shareable either to enjoy with friends, or make a meal out of it just for yourself. These spiced chips are topped with jackfruit, black beans, vegan cheese, mango pico de gallo, jalapeños, black olives, and a cilantro lime crema — and they are to die for.
Location: 2614 W Cary St (Carytown)
Hours: Found here
Hipster at Pizza & Beer of Richmond
This is, hands down, my favorite pizza in RVA — and as someone who is gluten-free on top of being vegan, a good pizza is hard to come by! You’ll have to make a few modifications, but I promise it’s worth it. Get the Hipster, but hold the bacon, sub vegan cheese, and take off the honey (unless you’re cool with that). It’s delicious!
Location: 2553 W Cary St (Carytown)
Hours: Found here
Tofu Lettuce Wraps at Sticky Rice
These lettuce wraps have tofu stir-fried in a teriyaki sauce with shiitake mushrooms, water chestnuts, carrots, and onions, and they are garnished sprouts and scallions. I highly recommend ordering these, a bucket of tots, some edamame, and the tofu bites for a delicious plant-powered meal.
Location: 2232 W Main St (The Fan)
Hours: Found here
Vegan Tacos at Don’t Look Back - Triple
I love grabbing a basket of chips, salsa, and guac; ordering a house margarita; and mixing up my taco selection every time I visit DLB. Vegan options to choose from include: bean tacos (with either black or pinto beans), potato tacos, and, my personal fave, TVP tacos (AKA “textured vegetable protein”).
Locations: 3306 W Broad St (Scott’s Addition)
Hours: Found here
Vegan Quinoa Burger at Boulevard Burger & Brew
This is one of the best vegan burgers around — a house-made quinoa and lentil patty topped with tomato, cilantro, sriracha, vegan mayo, and a vegan onion ring. Get a side of tater tots or fries to complete the meal, and don’t forget to try a vegan milkshake to top it all off! My choice? Mint!
Location: 1300 N Arthur Ashe Blvd (Scott’s Addition)
Hours: Found here
Mak Muang Hin Maktan at Sabai
Sabai is my go-to for authentic Thai food, and I love that most of their dishes can easily be made vegan (and gluten-free, too). This dish is a stir-fry with roasted cashews, snow peas, carrots, bell peppers, onions, scallions, and mushrooms — add tofu for some additional protein. The cocktails are amazing here, too. I love the Sabai Punch!
Location: 2727 W Broad St (Downtown)
Hours: Found here
