the city of brotherly grub: my favorite vegan spots in Philly
My first blog post featured my favorite plant-based restaurants I’ve visited in the U.S. This post narrows a bit, focusing specifically on my favorite plant-based restaurants in Philly. I’m using the term “restaurant” loosely, though, including some delis and cafes that I simply cannot omit from the list. If you’re looking for something new to try, are transitioning to a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle, or are somewhere in between, I’ve got you covered. Check out these vegan spots that do not disappoint!
Grindcore House: Grindcore Coffee House -- a bakery and cafe -- is truly a vegan heaven. They have two locations, one in South Philly and one in West Philly, and it’s straight up dangerous that I can walk to the one on 4th street. They focus on breakfast sammys, but everything on their menu is so delicious that you simply can’t go wrong. I’ve introduced Grindcore to many of my non-vegan friends who will vouch for its scrumptiousness -- they have become Grindcore groupies for life. If I had to pick a favorite menu item, it would be either the Cuban Breakfast Sandwich or the Costmo Breakfast Sandwich with an iced coffee + oat milk creamer on the side. BRB placing an order now.
V Marks The Shop: V Marks The Shop is a vegan deli and cheese shop located in South Philly and man oh man do I love it there. They have the most amazing vegan cheeses that taste like the real deal and we’ve had quite a number of cheese boards + wine nights thanks to V Marks’ amazing selections. Some of our favorite cheese wedges we’ve gotten from V Marks come from Conscious Cultures and Herbivorous Butcher. Check them out for all your plant-based needs!
Batter & Crumbs: Another plant-based bakery that will knock your freaking socks off is Batter & Crumbs, located yet again in South Philly. Not only do they have bangin’ drinks like the Maple Oat Latte, but they also sell pastries and savory treats that they make in house and source from other vegan bakeries. If you’re in the mood for something savory and sweet at the same time, check out their Spinach Jawn. It’s a massive block of phyllo dough stuffed with spinach and probably butter. Not sure what the heck is in there but every time I order it I go back for more. They also have a super trendy indoor seating area if you need a place to write, read, or meet up with a friend.
Bar BomBoń: My go-to restaurant to take out of town guests, Philly friends, or as a spontaneous date night is Bar Bomboń. It. is. amazing. there. A Puerto Rican vegan joint that serves their food tapas style, you cannot go wrong with anything on the menu. I recently went for a friend’s birthday and we ordered about 10 different things, rolling out of the restaurant with our bellies and take-out containers full. I can’t go there without ordering the cauliflower tacos and the side of sweet plantains, but their chips & queso, peruvian yuca, and chik’n club are other fan favorites. Right in Center City near Rittenhouse Square, it’s a hoppin’ spot with a really cool vibe.
Vedge: Oh Vedge, how I love you so. This upscale vegan restaurant in the Gayborhood gives you fancy and flavorful at the exact same time. Their menu is constantly changing, and I am surprised every time with the amount of amazing they pack onto every plate. Due to covid, they have recently converted the alley next to their restaurant into a sparkling outdoor dining space that gives me “Midnight in Paris” vibes, though their indoor dining has also opened back up. Vedge can be a bit pricey, so if you can’t swing a larger bill, grab a copy of their cookbook, which I refer to now and then to recreate my own Vedge experience at home.
The Tasty: Their name says it all. The Tasty is a retro diner in Passyunk that, in my opinion, puts regular diner food to shame. Nobody believes me when I say you can’t tell it’s vegan, but… you can’t tell it’s vegan. We recently picked up their Deluxe Breakfast Burrito and French Toast to eat in Columbus Park next door, and both were gone in less than 10 minutes. Guess I’ll just have to go back for more.
P.S. & Co: P.S. & Co. has a very special place in my heart. When I first moved to Philly I lived in Center City, only 3 blocks from this gem of a vegan cafe. I went there constantly, usually to pick up an Elvis shake (peanut butter, banana, cacao, and Brazilian nut milk) + whatever tempted me from their display case of sweet treats. You can have a sit down meal or grab something to go, but their flavors never waver.
So, that’s it… for now. I have a million more plant-based places I love, but if I continue writing I will be ordering from every restaurant in the city. If, for some reason, this hasn’t quite satisfied your vegan craving, hit me up and I’ll send you the rest of my list!
