Black-Owned Vegan Restaurants to Try in DC, DMV
On June 11, 2021, D.C. resumed operation with restaurants at full capacity. The COVID-19 pandemic has hurt many Blacked-owned businesses throughout the DMV, with the pandemic “aggravating existing inequalities”. However, with the reopening, these businesses will have a chance to re-amplify their businesses. While some restaurants have been doing delivery or takeout only, others have been operating with limited capacity dining, and some have even been closed most of the pandemic. But all of that has just changed, and those who have been long awaiting a nutritious soulful vegan meal will now be able to excite their tastebuds once again. Here are some of D.C.’s top Black-Owned vegan restaurants.
1. Khepra’s Raw Food Juice Bar
Located in northeast D.C., this plant-based juice bar serves up hearty vegan meals like “almond hempburgers”, “curry cabbage” and “sunfried plantains”. They also serve detox juice cleanses for you to rejuvenate and cleanse your body. Khepra’s is open for takeout and delivery.
Marketed as “Vegan with Soul”, this Mt. Rainier restaurant is sure to make your mouth water. They serve up vegan soul food, with meal plans and catering options available. Everything on their menu is vegan, with some menu items including “‘Seafood’ Mac”, “‘Crab’ Crakes” and “Cookies N’ Cream Cheesecake”. They are located in both Mt.Rainer MD, right on the border of D.C., and Baltimore, MD. They are open for pick-up and delivery, with limited indoor seating.
Nu-Vegan Cafe is where “nutrition meets compassion”. Located in Howard University, in College Park, and Richmond, VA on Georgia Ave, this vegan soul restaurant is family-owned and even has a food truck. Some menu items include “Vegan Fried Steak”, “Vegan Fish Sandwich” and “Red Wine Kale”. Their locations are open for takeout, delivery, and dine-in.
Turning Natural’s mission is to “bring better [food] choices to communities that are underserved.” and they are doing just that. This reasonably-priced juice bar specializes in natural juices and smoothies, with names like “Mikale Jackson”, “J Coal”, and “Nipsey Blue”, honoring prominent Black figures. You can have your drink with a vegan pastry, salad, soups, or any one of their various vegan menu items. Their juice cleanses are some of their most popular menu items, with three different cleanses available. They have five locations in Anacostia, Capitol Heights, Shaw, and District Heights Maryland, with a location opening soon in Takoma, D.C. Their locations are open for take-out and delivery.
Located in Mount Rainer, MD just minutes from D.C., this 100 percent vegan restaurant is sure to satisfy your tastebuds. With the menu changing every day of the week, you will never run out of vegan options to try. Their Friday menu, for example, is complied of vegan-fired chicken, teriyaki tofu, vegan curried goat, vegan fish scampi, and vegan quesadillas, just to name a few. Everything on the menu is also gluten-free, except for the gluten-free except the veggie fried chicken, and fish. On Saturday and Sunday, they serve a hearty vegan brunch as well. They are only available for takeout and delivery.
This 100% vegan bakery serves up some of the tastiest desserts and baked goods in the DMV. Located near Georgia Ave, this bakery has vegan, soy-free, nut-free, and gluten-free options that are sure to satisfy not only your mouth and stomach but your eyes as well. They make custom cakes and other baked goods, perfect for birthdays and holidays. They are only open for pickup and delivery, and most orders must be placed in advance.
Herbal store, tea shop, and cafe all in one, this is the one-stop-shop for herbal and plant-based junkies. Home to a plethora of herbs and herbal remedies, their motto is “Decolonizing Your Tounge”. They serve healing tea blends along with foods like vegan apple pie and vegan samosas. In addition, they even sell aromatherapy, body care, and jewelry. What do they not have? They are open for delivery and takeout.
Gangster Vegan aims to “Opening the possibilities of a happier and healthier life experience” for its customers. They serve up fresh-pressed juices and smoothies, along with vegan meals like their “‘Diry South’ BBQ Bowl”, “‘Swiss Beets’ Beets Burger” and “Bonita Applebaum” apple pie. Gangster Vegan is not only plant-based but gluten-free, soy-free, and raw as well. Their unique vegan dishes will surely add some new flavors to your tastebuds. Located in Riverdale, MD just minutes from D.C., as well as Baltimore, MD, they are open for takeout and delivery, as well as indoor and outdoor dining.
9. Spizzy
Spizzy, is a juice bar and all-day brunch spot located near Georgia Ave in Maryland. Their menu pays homage to predominantly Black local DMV neighborhoods, with smoothies named “Bowie”, “Largo” and “Temple Hills” just to name a few. They make vegan waffles, acai bowls, and Caribbean favorites like their lentil patties. They are open for delivery and takeout and are still operating at a limited capacity.
10. Sweet Sosumba Jamaican Vegan Café
This Georgia Ave vegan Jamacian cafe is D.C.’s first Jamaican Vegan Café. They put a vegan twist on classic Jamaican favorites like their “Jerk Chick’n”, “Curry Coconut Chickpeas” and “Raw Callaloo Salad”. Not only are they vegan, but also soy-free, and gluten-free, using non-hydrogenated oils and all organic ingredients. They are temporarily closed, set to open on June 21st, 2021.
11. Sankofa Video Books and Cafe
Open since 1998, this book and video store doubles as a café that serves a plethora of vegan options. Their breakfast menu includes “Ful” and “Scrambled Tofu”, while their dinner and lunch menu has vegan pizzas, wraps, and more, named after prominent Black writers like Ava DuVernay and Ousmane Sembène. If you like your food served with a good book, this is the place for you. They even sell handmade jewelry and homeware made in the motherland. Grab your tickets here to their Father’s Day paint night celebration. They are available for take-out and have outdoor seating.
What’s your favorite Black-Owned vegan restaurant in the DMV? Comment Below.
