The number of vegan-friendly local restaurants in this small city is quite surprising. I moved here (from Petersburg) in 2015 because of the number of outstanding vegan options.
There are 61 restaurants on this list and 4 food trucks.
This list is subjective and not all-inclusive. I’ve only included places that I would recommend to others. I prioritized restaurants that have clearly labeled vegan options on their menus.
I’ve organized the list by area. You can click the link to the map to figure out which part of Richmond you’re in and what restaurants are nearby.
I’ve also included photos of the food I’ve eaten at each restaurant.
Restaurants by Region
Central Richmond
City Center
1. Chop’t Creative Salad
901 E Cary St, Richmond, VA 23219
website / vegan-friendly menu with poor labeling
This is the only chain restaurant on this list. If you find yourself in the City Center area of Richmond, this is probably your best bet. There are a few other restaurants with vegan options in the area, but I don’t recommend them.
Limited hours: Closed on the weekends and closes at 3pm during the week
Vegan dressings: House vinaigrette, white balsamic vinaigrette, sesame ginger, Mexican goddess, lemon tahini,
Shockoe Bottom
2. Bottoms Up Pizza
1700 Dock St, Richmond, VA 23223
website / vegan-friendly menu with clearly labeled “vegan items”
Special Toppings: Vegan cheese, vegan sausage, vegan pepperoni, vegan ground beef, vegan chicken
Note: The gluten-free crust is not vegan; it contains eggs
3. Oak & Apple
1814 E Main St, Richmond, VA 23223
BBQ restaurant with BBQ jackfruit
Some vegan items are labeled “veg” on the menu
The sides aren’t labeled. The tea braised collards are delicious and vegan.
West Richmond (not West End)
Jackson Ward
6. Cheddar Jackson
522 N. 2nd St, Richmond, VA 23219
V = Vegan
VO = Vegan option available
All cookies and muffins are vegan
7. Buna Kurs Ethiopian Cafe
402 1/2 N 2nd St Suite A, Richmond, VA 23219
V = vegan
Other items can be prepared vegan upon request. The owner is knowledgable and accommodating.
10. Govinda
812 W Marshall St, Richmond, VA 23220
website / all-vegetarian and vegan-friendly menu
Indian cuisine
You can order vegan Indian-style plates that come with seven items
Appetizers aren’t labeled
Most of their vegan desserts are clearly labeled
11. Hot for Pizza
1301 W Leigh St, Richmond, Virginia 23220
Some vegan options are clearly labeled, but many are not
Special Toppings: Vegan meatball, vegan sausage, vegan cheese
12. Sugar Shack
1001 N Lombardy St. Richmond, VA 23220 (they also have a location in North Chesterfield)
Vegan donuts and burgers
Vegan items clearly labeled “Vegan”
Fan
13. 821 Cafe
825 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23220
Breakfast is served all-day
Lots of vegan options that are clearly labeled
14. Barrio Taqueria + Tequila
2229 W Main St, Richmond, VA 23220
Vegan items and options clearly labeled: V = Vegan & VO = Vegan Optional
15. Fresca on Addison
22 S Addison St, Richmond, VA 23220
Meditteranean cuisine + a few American sandwiches
16. Goatocado
1823 W Main St, Richmond, VA 23220
Ramen broth and all dressings are vegan
Their tofu is cooked beautifully
When ordering online, select “no cheese”
Vietnamese and Japanese bowls are vegan (no modifications necessary)
17. Harrison Street Cafe
402 N Harrison St, Richmond, VA 23220
website / all-vegetarian menu (also vegan-friendly)
Vegan options clearly labeled
18. Idle Hands Bread Company
407 Strawberry St, Richmond, VA 23220
The menu changes regularly since items are baked fresh
They sell out quickly, so go early
Vegan pastries are typically available
19. Ipanema Café
917 W Grace St, Richmond, VA 23220
website / all-vegetarian menu (also vegan-friendly)
Vegan items and options are clearly labeled “Vegan” or “VO”
20. Lamplighter Coffee Roasters
116 S. Addison St. Richmond, VA 23220
website / vegan-friendly menu
Coffee shop with some vegan pastries and sandwiches
Vegan items are clearly labeled with “Vegan” or “V”
21. Nate’s Bagels
21 S Allen Ave, Richmond, VA 23220
They vegan cream cheese and vegan cheddar cheese
Can note “vegan” when ordering online
Mox w/ the Works is a sandwich with carrot “lox” - get it on a bagel to make it vegan
22. Roastology
Not open - moving to Scott’s Addition
Coffee shop with several vegan pastries and sandwiches
Vegan options are clearly labeled and V = Vegan
23. Roots Natural Kitchen
939 W Grace St, Richmond, VA 23220 (they also have a location in the West End)
website / vegan-friendly menu (VCU)
Pesto Vinaigrette, Greek Feta, and Caesar dressings are NOT vegan (allergen guide)
24. Sticky Rice
2232 W Main St, Richmond, VA 23220
Vegan options are clearly labeled: VE = Vegan, VO = Vegan Option
25. The Hop Craft Pizza & Beer
1600 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23220
Special Toppings: Vegan cheese, vegan pepperoni, vegan Italian sausage
Vegan ranch dressing is available too
Vegan items are clearly labeled: VG = Vegan
Carytown
26. Carytown Cupcakes
3111 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221
They typically have at least 2 vegan flavors that are clearly labeled
27. Chewy’s Bagels
3138 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221
Vegan items clearly labeled with “vegan” or “v”
They have vegan butter and vegan cream cheese (housemade)
They’re open until they sell out
28. Ellwood Thompson’s
4 N Thompson St, Richmond, VA 23221
website / vegan-friendly grocery store with a cafe and prepared foods
They have a small hot bar with tofu, a deli case with prepared vegan options that are clearly labeled, vegan sushi, and vegan prepared foods.
They also have Billy Pasta, a pasta bar. The only vegan pasta is the gluten-free pasta. The marinara and the corn, tomato & basil sauces are vegan.
29. Mellow Mushroom
3012 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221 (they also have locations in Short Pump and Midlothian)
website / vegan-friendly menu (scroll to the bottom to see vegan specials)
They offer tofu, tempeh, and vegan cheese
30. Minglewood Bake Shop
3337 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221
website / ALL-VEGAN bakery menu, deli menu
ALL-VEGAN bakery that also sells prepared foods and snacks
Menu changes daily
31. Sen Organic Small Plate
2901 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221
Vegan items are clearly labeled “Vegan” or “Optional: Vegan”
32. TBT El Gallo
2118 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23220
(they also have a location inside Hatch Local Food Hall - 400 Hull Street, Richmond, VA in Manchester)
Elevated Mexican street food
Vegan cheese available
V does not equal Vegan, but you can order a vegan version
If you’re ordering online, they have a helpful box that you can check to “Make it Vegan”
33. The Daily Kitchen and Bar
2934 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221 (they also have a location in Short Pump)
Vegan items clearly labeled: V = Vegan, VO = Vegan Optional
34. The Mantu
10 S Thompson St, Richmond, VA 23221
website / vegan-friendly menu - appetizers, soup + salad, entrées
Modern Afghan cuisine
They have vegan mantu
You can get vegan versions of some of the vegetarian dishes
Museum District
36. North End Juice Co
718 N. Cleveland St, Richmond, VA 23221 (they also have a location in Church Hill)
They serve juice, smoothies (+ smoothie bowls), avocado toast, burritos, wraps, and bowls
Plant-based protein available for smoothies and smoothie bowls
Vegan options not clearly labeled
West End
37. Organic Krush Lifestyle Eatery
410 Westhampton Way, Richmond, VA 23173 (University of Richmond Campus in the Well-Being Center)
Vegan items are clearly labeled with “V”
38. Charles’ Kitchen
10835 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23233
Dishes in the Vegetarian/Vegan section of the menu are all vegan
Side dishes aren’t labeled
39. India K' Raja
9051 W Broad St #5, Henrico, VA 23294
website / vegan-friendly menu (PDF menu notes vegan items)
Vegan items have the V+leaf symbol
Over 30 vegan items on the menu
40. Silver Diner
10890 W Broad St, Glen Allen, VA 23060
website / vegan-friendly menu (flexitarian)
P = Vegan
Short Pump
42. Ginger Juice
7021 Three Chopt Rd, Richmond, VA 23226
Sells juices, soups, salads, avocado toast, bowls, and smoothies
43. Chicago’s Pizza with a Twist
3641 Cox Rd F, Richmond, VA 23233
Separate Plant-Based Pizza Twist menu offering vegan sauce, meats, and cheese for pizza and vegan wings
East End
Church Hill
44. Liberty Public House
418 N 25th St, Richmond, VA 23223
Dishes with the V+leaf symbol are vegan or have a vegan option
45. Pizza Bones
2314 Jefferson Ave, Richmond, VA 23223
Special Toppings: Vegan cheese and vegan pepperoni
Dessert: Vegan ice cream from Charm School.
46. Slurp! Ramen
2416 Jefferson Ave C1, Richmond, VA 23223
VG = Vegan, VGO = Vegan Option
Ask for vegan noodles if you order the miso ramen
47. Proper Pie
2505 E Broad St #100, Richmond, VA 23223
Rotating menu of New Zealand–style pies with sweet & savory fillings
They typically have at least one savory pie and two or three sweet pies that are clearly labeled
48. Riverbend Roastery
2623 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23223
website / vegan-friendly
Coffee shop with sandwiches and pastries
They offer one vegan sandwich and typically have 2 or three vegan pastries (selection changes daily)
49. Soul N’ Vinegar
website and vegan-friendly menu
Vegan items aren’t labeled, but the staff is knowledgeable and can tell you.
The falafel bowl, collard greens, spring rolls, and focaccia are vegan.
Union Hill
50. Union Market
2306 Jefferson Ave, Richmond, VA 23223
Small food market with a cafe
Some vegan items clearly labeled in the name or in the description
Fulton Hill
51. Blue Atlas
418 N 25th St, Richmond, VA 23223
website / vegan-friendly seasonal menusVegan dishes are clearly labeled, with several offering vegan options.
Every few months, they have a “Vegan Takeover” dinner with an all-vegan menu.
North Richmond
52. Smash Burger
1600 Brook Rd, Richmond, VA 23220
Facebook Page / vegan-friendly menu
Vegan burgers, cheeseburgers, and chopped cheese sandwiches
East Highland Park
53. Ruby Scoops Ice Cream & Sweets
120 W Brookland Park Blvd, Richmond, VA 23222
website / vegan-friendly
Menu rotates regularly
Vegan items are clearly labeled
Scott’s Addition
54. Boulevard and Brew
1300 N Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23230
Vegan options clearly labeled in the “Veggie Options” section of the menu
There sides aren’t labeled
They also have the Beyond Meat burger and offer vegan buns and Texas Toast
55. Don’t Look Back - Triple
3306 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23230
Vegan items clearly labeled: V+
Items with vegan options not labeled
56. ZZQ Texas Craft Barbeque
3201 W Moore St, Richmond, VA 23230
Vegan options not labeled
Smoked seitan sandwich and the slaw is vegan, but you need to ask for it to be on vegan bread (not the bread they typically use)
All of the sides are vegan except the potato salad and mac and cheese
South Richmond
Manchester
57. Philly Vegan
1126 Hull St, Richmond, VA 23224
Philly cheesesteaks, burgers, egg rolls, nachos, milkshakes, and more!
58. Gold Lion Community Cafe
Forest Hill
59. Charm School Study Hall
4930 Forest Hill Ave, Suite D, Richmond, VA 23225
Soft serve walk-up window
They always have two vegan flavors that are clearly labeled on the menu
They also offer vegan toppings that are clearly labeled
60. WPA Bakery
3414 Semmes Avenue, Richmond, VA 23225
Everything is baked fresh daily, so options change
Vegan items are clearly labeled with a “V”
Chesterfield
61. NAPA Kitchen and Wine
15825 WC Main St, Midlothian, VA 23113
Vegan items clearly labeled: VG
Menu items with vegan options are clearly labeled: VGO
Food Trucks
62. 1115 Mobile Kitchen
website / vegan-friendly menu / instagram
Vegan options are clearly labeled “Plant-Based”
63. River City Wood Fire Pizza
website / vegan-friendly menu / instagram
Vegan pizzas are clearly labeled
They make their own cashew cheese and offer vegan pepperoni and vegan chorizo
65. Tiny Vegan Food Cart
All-vegan food cart featuring lentil-based dishes.
Brick-and-mortar take-out location coming soon.