We may be the smallest state, but our hunger for plant-based food and community is ever-flourishing!
Where do I even start? Perhaps with the best places in the city to grab some vegan grub!
Best Vegan Food:
1. The Grange – This vegetarian restaurant has a rustic, yet refined vibe and offers unique brunch and dinner menus that change with the season. They source much of their ingredients locally, creating delicious juices, cocktails, and desserts on top of their incredibly flavorful food selection. The Grange hosts live music, comedy, and they even have vegan wing night every Wednesday!
2. Wildflour Vegan Cafe & Bakery – Recently renovated, Wildflour has doubled in size and serves the community as Rhode Island’s only 100% vegan bakery! They serve fresh juices, smoothies, coffees, teas, baked goods, takeaway grub, gf options, and a small lunch menu. I recommend their cookies, they are to die for! Their savory scone is good too.
3. Pizza J – If you need a good handmade pizza, Pizza J is the place for you! With homemade vegan ricotta and mozzarella for no extra charge, thin crusts, and vegan wings, you’re sure to walk away satisfied and entertained (they often have old cartoons playing alongside their classic pinball machines).
3. AS220 – You may know of AS220 as a venue for music and artists of all kinds, but did you know they have quite an impressive vegan menu at their bar/restaurant? From mac & cheese (best in the city!) to a seitan reuben, this funky food spot is a must-visit, for sure.
4. Julian’s – With old school cartoons playing in the bathroom, how could you not love Julian’s? They have lots of vegan options on their brunch and dinner menus, including french toast, create-your-own tofu scramble, and a vegan tasting board, along with a funky selection of beers from all over.
5. Hudson Street Deli – Need a good vegan breakfast sandwich or want to create your own dream sandwich/wrap/grinder/salad/sauteed kale bowl?! Hudson Street Deli has lots of plant based protein options and kombucha on tap. You can even order and prepay online if you’re in a rush, how convenient!
6. Garden Grille – This well-known vegetarian restaurant has recently gotten a makeover and it’s well worth a visit to check it out. With a totally refreshed interior, the vibe of Garden Grille is much brighter, yet still cozy and intimate. Bonus: it’s right next door to Wildflour, so you can grab free coffee if there is a wait or some treats to go after your meal!
7. India – You can’t dismiss Indian food as some of the best plant-based food in Providence! India has the coziest, most welcoming vibe of any restaurant I’ve been to around here. They have a huge menu, a very happy happy hour with $5 GIANT margaritas everyday from 3pm-6pm, and a 20% off your tab deal if you sit at the bar (except fri & sat after 6pm). Catch their free henna and their weekend brunch menus for even more fun!
8. Like No Udder – The most scrumptious vegan ice cream, soft serve, floats, hot cocoa, and vegan snacks you’ll find in Providence. I can’t even begin to describe the vibe of this little place. Rainbows and kittens. That’s all I’ll say.
Those are the places I prefer to go to for delicious noms (besides Whole Foods haha). 😉
Don’t get me wrong, there are many other places that offer vegan options! These are just the places I believe you should visit first if you are in the area.
What about the vegan community?
If you are interested in expanding your vegan awareness, making friends, sharing recipes and food recommendations, or keeping up to date with veg events going on in RI… Rhode Island Vegan Awareness on Facebook is the page you definitely want to be a part of! Like No Udder often has collaborative events with vegan bakers, cheeze makers, etc. and their events are posted on this page for all to see. There are also volunteer opportunities, meet-ups, and current events related to cruelty-free life being shared constantly.
There’s also the Rhode Island Vegan Lady Gang for all the vegan ladies out there and the Rhode Island Vegetarian and Vegan Meetup Group. Both on Facebook, both worth being a part of.
Always look on Instagram! Instagram is becoming the most used social media platform and can offer a TON if you just dig. Searching and following hashtags, people, and places that are involved with veganism will expand your network faster than you think. Posting about your lifestyle and your favorite aspects of living plant-based will attract a following that resonates with you.
What does the future hold?
That’s what I’m thinking too. I’ve recently come up with the idea of organizing a vegan singles mixer. We all know how hard it can be to find someone that shares the same values as you (and let’s be honest, especially dudes). Wouldn’t it be great if us single, plant-based folks could gather with some tunes, delicious food and drink, and get to know each other on a deeper level? Stay tuned, cause this might actually happen. 🙂
I’m envisioning a huge expansion of veg-friendly menus, plant-based businesses, and healthy food options all over Providence and Rhode Island. I’ve lived here for 4 months and have already experienced massive change. We are living in a beautiful time, people! More and more of us are becoming aware of the benefits of being aware of health conscious diet restrictions, allergens, etc.. so let’s celebrate this! Support your local farmers, small businesses that offer vegan foods and products, and bring your friends into the light of plant-based living. They just might learn something that will change their life.
~ Kayla
Feminine Boutique Blog 