Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Ovo
American
Delivery
Take-out
Non-veg

Serves meat, vegan options available. Eclectic, homey atmosphere. Veg choices include fried artichoke sub, vegan chili, and buffalo tofu sandwich. Open Wed-Fri 10:00am-5:00pm, Sat-Sun 9:00am-2:00pm.


53 Reviews

First Review by smylly

mgilmore

Points +437

Vegan
17 Aug 2024

Many vegan options

They have so many vegan options it’s hard to choose. The vegan chicken and waffles is a Korean take on the classic dish and it blew my mind. My husband thoroughly enjoyed his Nashville sandwich. The quality of the seitan is fantastic.

ElMath

Points +712

Vegan
28 Dec 2025

So many options!

So many options plus you can have breakfast for dinner!! Got the gyro and it was delicious and the soup special was tomato bisque which tasted just like a regular tomato bisque. The orange soda cake was delicious and dense and sugary and delightful. For sure gave me a little sugar coma though and doesn’t really taste like orange.
Chai French toast was good but not enough food.

Updated from previous review on 2025-12-28

SeanRush

Points +18

Vegan
30 Oct 2025

Must see Richmond! cute local dinner!

Love the aesthetic and the several vegan options, my partner is gluten-free and vegan so it was cool that they had options for her as well. I got the burger and fries with some soup of the day! Can't go wrong! If I'm in Richmond again I will return! ❤️

Pros: Friendly, Many options, Specials

Cons: Slower kitchen, One of two cooks

Librahi

Points +513

Vegan
28 Oct 2025

Excellent Food, Rude Staff

The food and options for vegans are excellent. It’s one of my favorite spots in Richmond as far as the food goes. But the staff aren’t super friendly (a couple in particular) and they make it impossible to order food to go. They never answer the phones and don’t have a simple way to order online.

Mon&Brooke

Points +23

Vegan
18 Jul 2025

So many vegan options!

We heard about this place from a friend and checked it out!
We had very tasty deep fried tofu sandwiches. The portions are great!
The service was excellent

FoodMotivated

Points +205

Vegan
13 Jun 2025

8÷2x1 stars

So many vegan options! Loved it so much we went here back to back (evening and breakfast service). We had the french toast, nachos, breakfast burrito and a pancake.

LilMsVegan

Points +2085

Vegan
10 Jun 2025

Quick and delicious

Ordered food to go. Packaged carefully so not to squash the food. Everything arrived in tact and hot, ready to eat! Love their breakfast items as the lunch/ dinner items. Comfort food!

ANewDay

Points +254

Vegan
01 May 2025

Good range of options

Hard to find vegan breakfast options at restaurants sometimes so I appreciate them being a long time staple in Richmond. Some dishes better than others. I will say sometimes the flavor is off. It tastes like it was cooked with bad water. They are also pretty much always packed on the weekends, especially when VCU is in session. Although they are busy with dine in, they really should try to improve their to go ordering system and service. The last time I came in to pick up an order, I had to stand there for over 15 minutes by the server register at the bar before anyone even acknowledged me. They were literally walking around me and looking at me and not one server said hi or spoke to me. I turned around after awhile and saw a line of people had formed behind me I think they were also picking up orders. Sad. I don't order from here as much as I would because of the funky bad water taste and poor/unfriendly service.

Updated from previous review on 2023-09-24

Gymdiva

Points +44

Vegan
05 Feb 2025

Great Breakfast

I'm visiting family in VA and had been driving all night and was hungry. Came across this little gem when I did a search on vegan food near me. Service was great. The waitress acknowledged us right away. When I got the menu I thought it was going to be 1 or 2 vegan items. I was pleasantly surprised there were many vegan items on the menu. From soup, pancakes to cheesesteaks. I had the tofu scramble with vegan chorizo. It was delicious! There were savory pieces of potatoes, black beans and the tofu was scrambled perfectly. To top it off they had a vegan biscuit! Whattt! I had to taste that and it did not disappoint. They offered vegan butter and it topped of the flaky softness of it. The prices are reasonable especiallyfor the amount of food they serve. I'm from NY so vegan restaurant can be pricey. I'm visiting for a couple of days so I will definitely be back. I want to try other items on the menu.

Pros: Food, Price, Vegan options

Cons: None

ElissaBVegan

Points +3507

Vegan
23 Jan 2025

Very Vegan Friendly!

Lots of vegan options, plus a full special menu for Vegan Food Week. Yummy food and friendly service. Great atmosphere. #Veganuary

Pros: Lots of vegan options, Tasty food, Fun atmosphere

Plant Powered Eater

Points +591

Vegan
03 Jan 2025

Fabulous Breakfast on Trip

We made a point of stopping here while passing through Richmond on a trip because we’ve learned Richmond is far more vegan friendly than our hometown. It was such a luxury to have so many vegan choices! In our hometown, most restaurants we visit may have one vegan options, or we’re forced to overpay by asking the restaurant to remove meat, gettin stripped down menu items. At 821 Cafe, my husband enjoyed a hearty breakfast sandwich, I loved a very creative, savory faux chicken and waffle dish—one of the best meals I’ve had in a while. They had just eggs for sandwiches and a tofu scramble—also vegan biscuits (but I didn’t notice any vegan gravy), as well as vegan pancakes & French toast. The daily menu board had a great-sounding soup. I didn’t peruse the menu for other meals, but based on our breakfast experience, I’d return in a heartbeat for any meal. This cafe is in the VCU area and could potentially be busy at times; we visited during semester break. There were only a few other diners when we arrived shortly after opening time, but the cafe was filling as we left. The waitress was friendly, understood vegan needs, and had other vegan suggestions in town.

Pros: Wonderful food, Creative menu offerings, Friendly, helpful waitress

DanielleConnolly

Points +93

Vegan
23 Oct 2024

busy breakfast

the food was very solid and it was large portions. which was nice with the pricing being on the normal/high side. it’s a very busy place on a sunday morning with limited seating. luckily we didn’t have to wait, but i believe lots did.

cstein40

Points +355

Vegan
23 Sep 2024

Lots of options

On the plus side there are lots of options. The food is good - especially the vegan chicken and waffles and vegan wings, friendly over worked servers. On the negative -the food was worth the long wait but ty the entry process is flawed. Same number of guests randomly selected, no information to where you were on the list. Vegan chili was really boring. That said, I'd go back to try more vegan options.

TheTofuTyrant

Points +2183

Vegan
17 Mar 2024

FANTASTIC FOOD!!!

Wow the vegan wings, the vegan chili, the vegan pancakes, the vegan sandwiches… SO GOOD!!!! If you eat here get the wings they are soooo tasty!

Updated from previous review on 2024-02-18

Pros: So many vegan options , Delicious , Awesome service

sadiebrennon

Points +24

Vegan
21 Dec 2023

My go-to

I love this place. They have a vegan sausage egg and cheese biscuit and it’s huge and delicious. And they always have new vegan specials. If they have vegan cake when you’re there- get it.

Heavymetalfever

Points +28

Vegan
18 Jun 2023

Options for everyone

Richmond classic! This is a great place to go for casual brunch or lunch with friends. They have been offering vegan options for a long time and have some solid choices on the menu. They usually have a vegan special of the day and often have cake from a vegan-friendly local bakery so sometimes there is a vegan cake of the day. I wouldn’t expect mind-blowing gourmet dishes- it’s a diner style menu but they do it well. It gets really crowded for brunch and lunch on the weekends so you might have to wait a little while to get a table. There’s a couple tables outside but it’s mainly indoor seating in a small space.

Pros: Lots of options , Rotating specials

Cons: Styrofoam for take away drinks

HungryVeganinDC

Points +81

Vegan
26 Apr 2023

Moldy fruit

I am allergic to mold and I had an allergic reaction to the fruit they served me. Also they don’t clean the kitchen area properly- there are years worth of dirt built up.

Pros: Lots of vegan options, Delicious food, Good prices

Cons: Filthy in the back

ElectricRara

Points +220

Vegan
11 Jun 2022

Good vegan options

Lots of options for breakfast & lunch. Half of my family is vegan & there was something for everyone. Cute local spot with an outdoor patio.

eleutheromaniac

Points +130

Vegan
25 May 2022

Best breakfasts

This place serves the best breakfasts I’ve had since going vegan. The traditional American breakfast reinvented as totally vegan. They offer meat/dairy options but I don’t have any fear of cross contamination; the restaurant understands the concerns of their vegan patrons. They serve great lunch, dinner, desserts, and drinks as well but I think their breakfasts (served all day) stand out the most.

Pros: Amazing food, Lots of vegan options, Pricing

Cons: Parking can be difficult, Long waits during peak hours

Regan4

Points +51

Vegan
09 Apr 2022

Absolutely delicious

Lots of vegan options and some vegetarian. For people who are vegans or vegetarians there is something for you too. I got the special they had which was a vegan Nashville hot friend chicken on waffles with creamy cole slaw. It came with a side but I couldn’t even eat the side I was so full. I would totally go there again.

Pros: Vegan options, In door seating

CatherinePhelpski

Points +26

Vegan
19 Dec 2021

Great options

Lots of options ranging from breakfast to lunch, alcoholic beverages, and sides.

Pros: Variety of vegan options , Cost is reasonable, Delicious!

Cons: Can take some time to get in and then to get food

seitanicritualz

Points +55

Vegetarian
22 Oct 2021

Solid vibe

Great vibes solid food, tofu scramble was pretty average but the sausage biscuit was killer.

lmhewitt

Points +90

Vegan
21 Aug 2021

Good for veg-omni mix

My brother is omni, nephew is Vegetarian and I am Vegan and Gluten Free. Good choices for nephew items that were Vegan and GF were limited. I got a tofu scramble.

Pros: Had a GF Vegan option, several Vegan options.

Cons: Limited GF

dkpanthera

Points +80

Vegan
18 Jul 2021

Delicious vegan options

Fried Chick’n sandwich is REALLY good.

macyb

Points +112

Vegan
28 Dec 2020

My RVA go-to

I love 821- I go about once a week! My favorites are the chick’n satay kabobs with a peanut sauce, vegan caesar salad, chick’n sandwich, and they have different vegan cakes every week which are always incredible!

Pros: Many vegan options , Cheap, Location

ponchoswindow

Points +818

Vegan
06 Nov 2020

Always delivers

Fried artichokes.

CarleciaStewart

Points +18

Vegan
03 May 2020

Delicious Food & Great Service

Took a little bit of time to get our food but that’s only because they were packed with orders (COVID-19). The app wouldn’t let me give them 5 stars

Pros: Great Variety, Amazing service , I was so hungry I forgot to take a picture




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