Richmond Nabs a Spot on PETA’s ‘Top 10 Most Vegan-Friendly Cities’ List

PETA Honors Virginia’s Foodie City for Grand Selection of Cruelty-Free Grub

For Immediate Release:
April 20, 2016

Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382

In recognition of Richmond’s continued success at feeding residents’ hunger for delicious and hearty plant-based cuisine, PETA is once more placing the city at number 10 on its list of the Top 10 Vegan-Friendly Cities in the U.S. This year’s awards were kicked off by Paul McCartney, who presented top honors to Portland, Oregon. A photo is available here.

“Richmond’s vegan cuisine covers every craving, from Buffalo ‘wings’ and banh mi sandwiches to ‘chicken’ cheesesteaks and ‘meatball’ subs—all 100 percent meat-free,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA applauds the city’s bustling vegan scene, which satisfies bellies, preserves the environment, and saves animals from suffering.”

Among Richmond’s best vegan-friendly spots is Phoenix Garden Vegetarian Restaurant, a noodle shop with crispy fried mock-shrimp and tender vegan drumsticks. Strange Matter, a beloved arcade and music venue, serves quirky standouts like the Revenge sandwich—with “ham,” jackfruit, and field roast between two gooey grilled “cheeses”—and Strange-lets, a variety of tofu scrambles with toast. Decadent vegan desserts abound at newcomer bakery Raw Enlightenment—the city’s first raw vegan outfit, which creates scrumptious sweets like Strawberries N’ Cream hearts and White Chocolate Roses—and For the Love of Chocolate, an iconic candy shop that has charmed mouths for generations and now overflows with vegan confections, including “dozens of choices” in the self-serve jars.

Beyond hit-the-spot dining, Richmond’s vegan scene includes advocacy group VeganRVA, a resource hub promoting a strong vegan community in the city.

Rounding out PETA’s list are Los Angeles; New York; Detroit; San Diego; Nashville, Tennessee; Honolulu; Seattle; and Austin, Texas.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.