Vegan-friendly
American
Beer/Wine
Take-out
Brazilian
Full-service restaurant offering vegetarian and vegan food. Example of food may be curried tempeh sandwich, tofu sandwich, sweet potato fries, and cachapas (sweet corncakes), and different cake options. Located below stairs, with patio, and full bar in the evening and booths. Est. since the 2000s. May 2021 reported no longer serving fish. NOTE: Possibly fully vegan - please verify and let HappyCow know. Reported closed March 2025.
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- Outdoor seating
- Accepts credit cards
- Free Wi-Fi
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Last update on 07 Mar 2025 by craigmc
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48 Reviews
First Review by 441dave
CColors
Points +191
Cafeteria food? - Edit
I was disappointed with the quality of food. I ordered the 'famous vegan reuben sandwich' which was greasy (tempeh was a bit hard), sweet potato fries (over cooked) and salad (luckily delicious dressing). My friend ordered bean and rice (very bland) with salsa (from can?) and tortilla chips (overly fried). Maybe its a better choice besides food at the university?
Read morePros: great service , decent prices
Cons: in a basement
Guest
JohnGardner
Points +664
Cozy atmosphere, good food - Edit
I brought two groups of non-vegans here, neither group opted for the lone carnivore dish and everybody was happy with their dinner. Even the desserts are vegan, nice to have the option, and very good too!
Read moreGuest
AshleyBoutwell
Points +137
mostly good - Edit
Some things I've tried are a little weird but they change their menu pretty frequently.
Read morePros: lots of vegan options including dessert!
Guest
YumVeganCookies
Points +74
Really good vegan food - Edit
This place is sometimes a little pricey for the serving sizes, but the food has been very tasty overall. We like the # of vegan options they offer and the vegan desserts are yummy! Service staff have been friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere is darkish, but nice. Sometimes it can lean toward the noisy side, but we've also been there when it was quieter.
Read morePros: a good # of vegan options, friendly waitstaff, great vegan desserts!!
Cons: nearby parking can be hard to locate, there is no actual menu to point to at your table, sometimes noisy
Guest
J609
Points +67
GOOD - Edit
Probably my favorite place to go in Richmond. Not 100% vegetarian, but almost everything can be made vegan. Good consistent service, and the food is all pretty decent. Vegan desserts too.
Read morePros: Food, Service
Guest
shineonyou
Points +984
We got delivery- Good food! - Edit
We actually got delivery from Ipanema, so I can only review the food, but it was really good. Everyone liked what they got. I had the chicken-fried tempeh. It was good, I would definitely recommend it for someone who isn't sure if they like tempeh but wants to give it a shot or another shot- I thought this was a good use of it.
Read moreDelivery was cash only.
Updated from previous review on Friday November 13, 2015
Guest
Ejl500
Points +53
came for the slider special- great meal! - Edit
We love Ipanema! This week is sandwich week in Richmond. The tofu slider special was great. My daughter had the jackfruit bbq which is always good. My wife had the chick pea humus wrap which was very very good. The star of the show was the chocolate creme brûlée! Awesomeness.
Read moreGuest
eleutheromaniac
Points +130
Laid Back Dining - Edit
Ipanema is a little restaurant that sits unassumingly among other buildings and shops on W Grace St. It's tucked away on the sub-level of a historic building. Though modest in appearance, the food and beverages are quite remarkable.
Read moreTheir daily menu is written on a chalk board when you first walk in. They do offer certain dishes on the regular, even if you don't see them on the board. There is something comforting in having a menu that changes with the seasons - I suspect this is the reason they are able to keep their prices so reasonable.
I usually get the hummus and tofu sandwich with sweet potato fries. It's amazing! If you like tea, they have a large selection and brew some of the best by the pot.
With it's low hanging ceilings and very dim lighting, the place has a cozy feel. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. The staff is very friendly and knowledgable about their menu. If you have an allergy or want somthing prepared a certain way, they will work with you to get it right! Instead of staring at you blankly when you mention words like 'vegan' or 'gelatin.'
Pros: Vegan friendly; easy ordering, Quality food, Reasonalbe prices
Cons: Serves fish
Guest
roxette521
Points +132
Hit or miss, but still a favorite - Edit
This place used to be a bit of a gamble, mostly with seasonal dishes. The mainstays are always good, but something new could be pretty bad - too salty, overcooked, too sour, or just way too many ingredients. However, I feel that lately they have gotten more consistent, and my last two meals here were great. They have also turned down the music during dinner, which is much appreciated. The service is always very nice here, despite the hipstery clientele. I also enjoy just coming here to drink or listen to music, as their bartenders are usually professional and the wine selection is excellent.
Read moreThe desserts deserve a separate mention because they are superb, with several vegan options. I often get a salad and a pie for dinner.
Pros: Delicious, Friendly service, Cool atmosphere
Cons: Can be busy on weekends, Getting new items is risky
Guest
eray13
Points +40
yum!! - Edit
amazing!
Read morePros: excellent, good service
Guest
Poundie
Points +19009
Very nice, relaxed place - Edit
This place seems geared towards students. It is located in what looks like a bar, and has a relaxed atmosphere. The food is mostly vegetarian or vegan (with only a few fish dishes). The pricing is reasonable, food is generally good, and the service was excellent, with knowledgeable waiters.
Read morePros: Good service, relaxed atmosphere, good tasting food
Cons: not gourment
Guest
pentagoth79
Points +104
Fantastic Caesar salad! - Edit
Mostly vegetarian but they do serve fish. My favorite is the vegan Caesar salad with grilled tofu. But everything I've had has been great. They have a nice selection desserts too with vegan ice cream. The place is in like a finished basement and I love it! It's really neat. It's small though so if you go during the busier times then plan to wait.
Read morePros: Vegetarian, Yummy, Desserts
Cons: Serves fish, Small
Guest
john m
Points +18
Unique environment, great food - Edit
I keep coming back for the BBQ tofu. That with the greens is one of my favorite meals in Richmond.
Read moreThe deserts are killer, too - the pies are as good as any pies anywhere.
The outside seating is great at the right times of the year, and when there aren't too many smokers.
Pros: deserts, beers, friendly staff
Guest
maynard7
Points +5573
Prices high, and food disappointing - Edit
The menu is only written on a chalkboard as you walk in, so study it carefully. If you can't make up your mind after talking to the waitress at your table, you'll have to walk back up to the front and look at it some more.
Read moreWe ordered the Cheese Plate appetizer for $7.95. This was a good deal and included 3 or 4 different types of cheeses, along with lightly toasted bread, some almonds and dates.
I ordered the Kung Pao Tofu for my entree. The other choices on the menu were too strange-sounding for me. After talking to the waitress about the other choices, I settled on the tofu dish. When she placed it on the table, I was immediately disappointed. There were some tofu cubes, carrots & broccoli served over brown rice, but it was all swimming in a sauce that I would describe as teriyaki-like, and nothing like I've ever gotten in a Chinese restaurant. The whole thing was just a soupy mess. I asked the waitress for a small plate of brown rice, and then I lifted off the tofu and veggies that were saturated in this sauce and put it over the plain brown rice. I could not believe this dish costs $14.95, especially considering how little it costs to prepare, let alone the presentation.
I was dining with a friend who is not a vegetarian, and he ordered the salmon which came with potatoes and snowpeas. He said the salmon was cooked perfectly, and he was completely happy with his meal. This is the same thing that typically happens in a non-vegetarian restaurant; the meat-eating diners get great meals and the vegetarians get something that's uninspired at best. For a restaurant that serves vegetarian food with only a fish alternative, I was expecting more.
My friend also ordered a cocktail that was on the table card and it cost $10 (small cocktail). Wow; I never thought Richmond, VA could support such high drink prices!
I ate here a couple years ago, and the food wasn't that memorable. I thought I would try it again as I was looking forward to a healthy meal, but I was let down again. Twice was enough for me. I'm rating this restaurant as 3 stars (fair) only because my friend said his fish meal was great. If I had eaten alone, I would only have given 2 stars (needs improvement). The prices are high for what you get, and the presentation and flavors were below average on the vegetarian meal.
Pros: Nice staff, Brown rice
Cons: Food wasn't good, Prices high, Parking difficult
Guest
sbthax
Points +83
Great Food - Edit
In Richmond shopping, and decided to have dinner at Ipanema. I arrived just as they were opening for dinner. Very laid back atmosphere, and friendly waitress. As someone else said in an earlier review, the only menu is on a chalkboard. I ordered enchiladas, which were not vegan (included dairy cheese and sour cream), but when I asked, the waitress quickly said they could veganize using vegan cheese, and just leave out the sour cream. Dinner was fabulous, and too much for me to finish. I'd seen others comment on the desserts, and after hearing the list of many vegan desserts offered, I decided to take a piece of chocolate cake with peanut butter and chocolate icing home. It was also delicious. I will definately be visiting again the next time I am in Richmond and hungry.
Read moreDinner and dessert, with tip was about $25. Not cheap, but it was delicious, and a joy to have such a fabulous vegan meal that I didn't have to make myself.
Guest
meredith
Points +556
For everyone - Edit
My husband, not even a vegetarian, will eat here and he loves it. I, a vegan, eat here and love it. They usually have vegan desserts too.
Read moreI wanted to give it FIVE stars/cows, but Happy Cow won't let me b/c they serve fish.
Guest
Kangarupe
Points +194
Local favorite, great Vegan food. - Edit
I visited Ipanema yesterday, it was the second time I had been there, but first time visiting looking for dinner. As everyone has noted already, the atmosphere is great, and the wait staff is nice. They don't have menu's, just the chalkboard which is annoying but eh...a mild irritant (call it part of the ambiance if you will). One complaint though, I was sitting for a good 10 or 15 minutes before I decided no one was coming to see if I wanted anything, and therefore had to go up to the bar to order the food (don't know if this is standard though, not a local myself, but I don't think it is)
Read moreThe food though.... phenomenal
I got some sort of homestyle plate of bread, collards, mac'n'cheez, and bbq seitan. It was really really really good. The plate was shining porcelain before it was taken away. I was slightly confused as to why my dinner was going to cost $12 beforehand, but my confusion was quickly eradicated...it was worth every penny. The best meal I have ever had as a Vegan in Richmond, VA. Trailed closely by my tempeh artichoke sandwich at Harrison St. Cafe.
Pros: Atmosphere, Excellent food
Cons: Not for a budget meal
Guest
mrotown
Points +59
I wish they'd get rid of the fish - Edit
This place, located in a basement, has great atmosphere. From the booths to the lighting to the cool screenprinted art on the walls it's a very cool lookign place. The waitstaff is all very friendly and helpful in answering questions about ingredients. I was told by my dining companions that the beer list was extensive without being exhausting and was filled with great picks. The menu has plenty of vegan options, but it also, disgustingly, has a fish item. Other than the fish the only downside was the lack of menus. Diners are required to go look at the chalkboard by the front door to review the menu. Great place. It would be a 5 if they got rid of the fish. I wish we had something like this in my city.
Read morePros: alcohol
Cons: fish
Guest
ewinslow
Points +21
Great place - Edit
Not only is the food good and creative, the staff is also very friendly. Great beer and wine to drink also and desserts! It has a nice funky atmosphere. Highly recommended.
Read morePros: food, atmosphere, staff
Cons: not too cheap
Guest
ahaus829
Points +77
Not cheap, but worth the drive! - Edit
My BF and I went to a concert in Richmond last night (we live 1.5 hrs away), and stopped by Ipanema beforehand. The place was full of pretty people--the waitress said we could wait for a booth, but we accepted a small two-top in a back corner. Our dinner was delicious (lentil soup, vegan caesar salad, hummus & oven dried tomato sandwich with sweetpotato fries), and we both enjoyed the rhubarb strawberry pie for dessert (it was almost as good as the one my grandmother makes!). Some of the entrees were a touch more expensive than we were expecting, but our bill ended up being pretty reasonable. They had some great organic teas/wines on the menu that we'll have to try next time!
Read morePros: Great vegan desserts!, Funky/nice atmosphere, Good portion sizes
Cons: Initial order took a while..., Entrees were a touch expensive, Small soup portions
Guest
441dave
Points +64
Save Room For Pie - Edit
The entree's are really excellent, but the vegan pie crust is excellent. It rivals any pie crust regardless of ingredients (I'm talking to you, lard.) Comfortable atmosphere. Friendly staff.
Read morePros: pie
Guest
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