Veganism is on the rise and its presence in Philadelphia is becoming more visible. Over the past few years, there has been an increase in vegan businesses around the city, providing customers with plant-based alternatives.

Next time you go out for lunch, consider visiting these Black-owned vegan restaurants to get your fix.

The Nile Cafe

Known for serving vegan soul food, The Nile Cafe offers a flavorful array of food such as the popular “BBQ Chicken” with okra, tomato, and corn. There is a selection of vegan baked goods, vegan ice cream, and numerous beverages to pick from. Entrees such as the pepper steak and roast duck are actually made out of either soy or wheat.

Aside from food, visitors can also shop for books and clothing or attend health classes. The Nile Cafe is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at 6008 Germantown Ave.

Hibiscus Cafe

Located right off Baltimore Avenue in West Philadelphia, this cafe lures customers in with its relaxed, friendly atmosphere and island vibes. The vegan cheesesteaks have everyone’s mouths watering and ready to try. The superfood smoothies even have cute menu names such as Date Night, Super Powers, and Brain Storm.

Hibiscus Cafe is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. at 4907 Catharine St.

Atiya Ola’s Spirit First Foods

This family-owned restaurant combines food with faith. Atiya Ola’s Spirit First Foods aims to “assist the Divine, Sacred Earth families to return to spiritual, mental, and physical health and wellbeing,” according to their website.

Customers can order a selection of raw food in multiple platter sizes. You can also try the stir fry, wraps, salads, burgers, sandwiches, and soup of the day. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at 310 S. 48th St.

Linda’s Vegetarian Village

Come in and try some vegan cheesecake, vegan falafel burger, southern beans, or cauliflower mash as you browse through books on health and wellness. Are you only able to stop in for a quick visit? Grab some juices to take with you!

Every second Monday of the month at 10:00 a.m., visitors can also attend a free herbal hour/healthy eating class. Linda’s Vegetarian Village is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m at 6381 Germantown Ave.

The Flower Cafe at Linda’s

Not far from The Nile Cafe is the Flower Cafe at Linda’s. Their specialty is vegan and vegetarian foods, but salmon and chicken are available for any meat eaters. Their veggie burger is a popular option, as well as the black-bean soup.

The cafe is open Wednesday and Thursday from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Friday from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. at 48 Maplewood Mall.

Holistic Health Cafe

Holistic Health Suite promotes healthy eating, drinking, and thinking while providing a community space for visitors to transform themselves. One of their services includes the Holistic Health Cafe, where customers can pick vegetarian and vegan-friendly food options in the form of smoothies, salads, soups, sandwiches, and wraps. Treat yourself to some of their many tea services including tea parties, tea tastings, tea toasts, and tea classes.

You can stop in at the cafe on Thursdays and Fridays from 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m and Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at 6802 Old York Rd.

All The Way Live

Open for business since 2008, the mother/daughter Germantown establishment serves vegan/raw food. Popular menu items include the lasagna, young coconut cream banana pie, wild rice, chickpea chili, and spaghetti.

Don’t feel like going out? You also have the option of ordering their meals on UberEats.

All The Way Live is open Thursdays from 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., and Sundays from 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Stop in at 6108 Germantown Ave.

*Sources include 2019 Black Biz Directory, Marilyn Kai Jewett of Progressive Images Marketing Communications on behalf of Beech Community Services, a division of The Beech Companies.    

array(4) {
  [0]=>
  object(WP_Term)#7987 (10) {
    ["term_id"]=>
    int(3649)
    ["name"]=>
    string(10) "germantown"
    ["slug"]=>
    string(10) "germantown"
    ["term_group"]=>
    int(0)
    ["term_taxonomy_id"]=>
    int(3657)
    ["taxonomy"]=>
    string(8) "post_tag"
    ["description"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["parent"]=>
    int(0)
    ["count"]=>
    int(4)
    ["filter"]=>
    string(3) "raw"
  }
  [1]=>
  object(WP_Term)#7988 (10) {
    ["term_id"]=>
    int(782)
    ["name"]=>
    string(5) "vegan"
    ["slug"]=>
    string(5) "vegan"
    ["term_group"]=>
    int(0)
    ["term_taxonomy_id"]=>
    int(786)
    ["taxonomy"]=>
    string(8) "post_tag"
    ["description"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["parent"]=>
    int(0)
    ["count"]=>
    int(63)
    ["filter"]=>
    string(3) "raw"
  }
  [2]=>
  object(WP_Term)#7989 (10) {
    ["term_id"]=>
    int(785)
    ["name"]=>
    string(10) "vegetarian"
    ["slug"]=>
    string(10) "vegetarian"
    ["term_group"]=>
    int(0)
    ["term_taxonomy_id"]=>
    int(789)
    ["taxonomy"]=>
    string(8) "post_tag"
    ["description"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["parent"]=>
    int(0)
    ["count"]=>
    int(26)
    ["filter"]=>
    string(3) "raw"
  }
  [3]=>
  object(WP_Term)#7985 (10) {
    ["term_id"]=>
    int(1414)
    ["name"]=>
    string(11) "West Philly"
    ["slug"]=>
    string(11) "west-philly"
    ["term_group"]=>
    int(0)
    ["term_taxonomy_id"]=>
    int(1424)
    ["taxonomy"]=>
    string(8) "post_tag"
    ["description"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["parent"]=>
    int(0)
    ["count"]=>
    int(6)
    ["filter"]=>
    string(3) "raw"
  }
}

Siani Colón is a Philly-based journalist, born and raised in the city, focused on community-based reporting. In her free time, she volunteers with the Tacony Creek Park. View all posts by Siani Colon