Dining-out on vegan deliciousness.

As much as I love a home cooked meal, I also love dining in a cozy atmosphere and indulging in delicious food. Whenever I’m traveling, the first thing I always do is Google restaurants with vegan options in the area I’m traveling to so I can research some of the top places to eat. Because besides the adventure you are about to go on the food is top priority. I always want to make sure that I’m going to a “must try” vegan spot. Since I currently live in Rhode Island, I’m going to start by sharing my own must-try-vegan-spots close to home. 

#10 - Knead Doughnuts

Mmmmm vegan doughnuts. If you are a Rhode Islander reading this, then 50% of you are saying, “Yes! Knead is the best”, and the other 50% are screaming, “What?!? PVDonuts is the best.” Knead has this perfectly traditional fluffy doughnut and PVD is a brioche style doughnut. I prefer the fluffy doughnut, what can I say. It is a everlasting debate in this state on who has the best doughnut. Personally, I LOVE Knead. I love a fluffy doughnut. These bring back that nostalgia as a kid going to a local doughnut shop and getting a giant doughnut. Knead is the kind of place where they have taken the classics to 100. They offer fresh vegan doughnuts daily ranging in a variety of flavors with some flavors switching out from time to time. The vegan vanilla and vegan jelly seem to be the staples. The vegan vanilla is my favorite. Simple and perfection. They just started making a vegan coffee and strawberry glazed at the moment which I might just have to go out and try tomorrow.

#9 - Wildflour Vegan Bakery Cafe

Wildflour is the only completely vegan bakery cafe in the state and is one of my favorite places to grab a quick smoothie, sweet or savory treat.

My must try list:

• Sillyantro smoothie - I love the kick of ginger in this. If you are looking for a milder, slightly sweeter green smoothie try the Rainforest. You won’t be disappointed.

• Savory Knot - Just give me all the carbs. I need to learn how to make this at home. It’s just as it sounds. A savory twist of fresh bread in muffin form with hints of herbs, pepper and olive oil.

• Soba Noodles with cabbage and a garlic chili dressing - This is one of my favorites to grab on the go for lunch if I’m running late and need something quick.

• Now for the sweet treats. Where to start? Some of my favs are the chocolate chip cookies, lemon crinkle cookie (I think only available in the spring/summer), chocolate peanut butter brownie, whoopie pie with various fillings depending on moods or season.

Wildflour is a great place to chill maybe even bring a non-vegan friend!

#8 - The Grange

Cozy atmosphere with lots of reclaimed wood, eclectic furniture, and mason jars. Also, they serve brunch every day. If you haven’t noticed from my Instagram, I love brunch. The menu is a combination of vegan and vegetarian food. They are very accommodating to creating pretty much every dish into a vegan dish. Which is honestly a really nice feeling.
Some of my must try foods include:

• The kimchi tofu burrito

• General Tso’s tacos

• Simple Greens - Not to be overlooked. So simple fresh and flavorful. Recommend getting an order to share at the table.

• My top pick at The Grange has to be the oyster mushroom po boy sandwich. Crispy oyster mushrooms with classic slaw, bread and butter pickles, vegan remoulade, and lettuce on a pretzel roll served with homemade potato chips.

Is your mouth watering yet?

#7 - Like No Udder

Like No Udder started off as this magical vegan soft serve food truck that I would find now and then in the summer. A couple years ago they opened a shop, but you can still find their truck at special events in the area. They have been honored by Vegnews and BuzzFeed as having the best vegan soft serve in the state. I can absolutely concur they got it right. Best soft serve vegan or not. The storefront is a must-see destination and they also have homemade churned ice cream, vegan snacks, treats and the vegan cheese brand Violife.
My must try combination is a waffle cone with your favorite vegan ice cream flavor and then topped with soft serve. You can thank me later.

#6 - Rebelle Artisan Bagels

I grew up in a small hippie town in a valley where coffee and bagel shops were abundant. When I first moved to RI for my freshman year of college, a good homemade boiled bagel was something I craved. That craving never got satisfied until last year when two bagel shops popped up in Providence. Rebelle came out on top for me. The decor is simple, clean with small fresh bouquets of flowers on perfectly instagramable tabletops. What really makes them special compared to other bagel shops is when you order a bagel they don’t toast them they warm them up. So each bagel is warmed with a chewy center and feels like it just came straight out of the oven...sigh. They have some great pre-made vegan options such as The Vegan Dream and eggplant and squash. My favorite combo that seems to be my go-to is an everything bagel with Rebelle’s homemade cashew cream cheese, tomato jam and jalapeños. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and spicy sprinkled with everything bagel seasoning. It is my everything bagel.

#5 - Troop

Troop is co-owned by one of my favorite people in the world, Sean Larkin. Sean is one of the most genuine guys plus is the master brewer in the Rhode Island area and owns Revival Brewing. His beers are a must try for any craft beer lover. I promise you won’t be disappointed, but back to the eats. Troop is this little gem on the west-side of Providence. The atmosphere is a relaxed environment with an 80’s and 90’s hip hop vibe. The food is set up tapas style with some small plates to share and entrees. The menu includes several vegan veggie small plates, but my all time favorite are the street noodles. If I could eat this every day I would be a happy person. The Asian inspired flavors are everything you want wrapped in a giant bowl of love.

#4 - Den Den Café Asiana

Den Den is on historic Benefit Street in Providence. If you are visiting the area it’s definitely a beautiful walk down colonial New England. The restaurant vibe is lots of exposed brick with a hip industrial feel. They make some of my favorite go-to warm comfort food. Growing up with a Filipino mom who insisted rice should be included in every meal of the day, I feel right at home. The must try is the hot stone bibimbap with tofu. If you are not familiar with it bimbimbap consists of a large bed of rice with various veggies and protein topping of your choice. Naturally I pick tofu. The stone bowl is heated on hot flames so it creates this crispy layer of rice on the bottom of the bowl. So so good! You get to choose between a spicy or citrus garlic soy ginger sauce. I love them both depending on my mood. The soft baked tofu stew is another favorite of mine. It comes in another hot clay pot thats boiling when they serve it to you with tofu, vegetables in mild yet flavorful broth. It does come with a side of rice too. They actually give you a raw egg you can poach yourself in it, but I just ask for it minus the egg. This dish is my favorite during the long, dark, and cold New England months.

#3 - Rasoi

I’m embarrassed to say I only really discovered the amazing foods of Indian cooking last year. If you were like me and haven’t discovered the delicious blend of full flavors from Indian cuisine, don’t worry you can now run to Rasoi. Indian cuisine is generally very vegetarian/vegan friendly. Dining in is great, but take-out on a Friday night when you just want to watch a movie is the best thing. They have an entire vegan section on the menu. Here are my Friday night take-out must haves:

• Cauliflower 65 - Sweet and spicy perfectly fried cauliflower

• Potato and pea samosa - Just as good as my Indian friend’s mom’s homemade ones.

• Saag tofu - spinach with garlic, tomatoes, spices and tofu

• Aloo Gobhi - potatoes and cauliflower

• Chana masala - stewed chickpea dish 

• Avial - cauliflower, plaintains, carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes in a coconut broth

Rasoi is just a couple spots down from Wildflour bakery. I’ve been known to stop there and grab dessert after, which is never a bad idea. Actually as I’m writing this Mat just asked me if I wanted Indian for dinner Friday. Haha, it’s become a monthly tradition.

#2 - AS220

My lovely friend Jess spoiled me on my last birthday and insisted she take me out to AS220 for lunch. I still can’t believe it took me so long to go here. Truthfully, the spot was once a taqueria that made the best black bean and sweet potato grilled burrito I ever had and still miss to this day. I was so heartbroken when they closed that the stubborn Taurus in me couldn’t bring myself to go back. I know I’m ridiculous… AS220, if you are reading this, I am truly sorry my stubbornness was holding me back from tasting all the delicious food you make. I have yet to try everything on the menu, but I will get there. It’s just amazing comfort food in a very relaxed artsy and music environment. You order your food at the counter and then find a cozy seat by the window or grab a drink at the bar while you wait, which the food comes up pretty quick. The restaurant is attached to a music venue so if you’re going when a show is going on, it does get a little busy. The eggplant parm sub I got was the best vegan eggplant parm I’ve ever had. The buffalo seitan sandwich and vegan reuben are also delicious. My friend Jess and her husband are frequent visitors to AS220 so she is very friendly with chef and he gave us a taste of his new vegan ravioli dish that made birds sing. Risotto cakes, roasted chickpeas were also all 10’s. Honestly, any vegan dish you get here won’t disappoint.

#1 - Nice Slice

My number one vegan destination in Providence is Nice Slice Pizzeria. I feel like if you asked most non meat eaters and vegetarians what they could miss the most, it would be pizza. Trust me when I say Nice Slice has got you covered. I first discover Nice Slice during my college years as a late night place to grab a bite. Originally on the popular Thayer Street in Providence and now on the west side on Westminster St., they serve NY style thin crust pizza by the slice and usually will have a great variety of vegan slices on hand. My husband and I love ordering from here. Here are a couple of my favorite build your own combinations:

Traditional red sauce, vegan cheese, spinach and vegan meatball
BBQ chicken with pineapple, red onion and vegan cheese
Buffalo sauce, vegan chicken, broccoli and vegan cheese

Pizza is just one of those things you can never get enough of. Nice Slice has filled my pizza void and rightfully has earned my number one vegan spot to visit in Rhode Island.

Hope you loved my top 10 local favorite vegan places to check out when visiting Rhode Island. There are so many great places to check out in the area so let me know some of your favorites that didn’t make my list. Whether you are vegan, vegetarian, or a meat eater, I know these local restaurants will satisfy any savory or sweet craving you may be having.

Leave me a comment with some of your favorite spots near you that I must try.