If you’re a meat-lover or even an egg-eating vegetarian, the brunch world is your oyster, so to speak. However, when you’re vegan, your dine-out brunch choices contract considerably. Thankfully, some Coastal Virginia proprietors and chefs are working to change that. Following are just a handful of our favorites.
Deli Brunch
Yorgo’s Bageldashery
Order: They’ve got bagels with assorted vegan cream cheese, vegan breakfast sandwiches and a phenomenal vegan burrito with tofu scrambler, hash browns and vegan chili on a jalapeno-cheddar wrap (vegan cheese just 75 cents more).
2123 Colonial Ave., Norfolk, 757-623-6609, YorgosBageldashery.com
Bakery Cafe Brunch
Kahiau’s Bakery and Café
Order: Get your fill of breakfast biscuit sandwiches, deviled eggless eggs, eggless salad, Chix salad, assorted pastries and fresh-brewed, 100 percent Hawaiian coffee.
3712 S Plaza Trail, Suite 101, Virginia Beach, 757-340-0071, Kahiaus.com
My Vegan Sweet Tooth
Order: Choose from bagels, doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, quiche or shepherd's pie as you sip a special tea blend by Green Leaf & Pebble Tea Spa or iced Fair Grounds mocha java cold brew coffee.
3916 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, 757-279-4789, MyVeganSweetTooth.com
Diner-Style Brunch
Charlies Café, Riverview
Order: Go savory with their vegan omelet, southwest tofu scramble or even biscuits and gravy—or sweeten things up a little with a stack of vegan pancakes.
4024 Granby St., 757-962-7701, CharliesAmericanCafe.com
Brunch in a Bowl
Zeke’s Beans and Bowls
Order: The acai bowls are fresh and fantastic (we’re especially fond of the North Pole Bowl), the kale salad is always a winner, and you can get any of their signature poke bowls and simply substitute tofu for tuna (it even saves you $2).
800 Granby St., Norfolk, 757-963-5220, Facebook.com/ZekesNfk
616 Norfolk Ave., Virginia Beach, 757-963-5155, Facebook.com/ZekesVB/
Super-Charged Brunch
Fruitive
Order: Every single item on their menu is 100 percent plant-based, certified organic, kosher, sustainable and homemade, so you really can’t go wrong. From sensational smoothies to superberry bowls, waffles wraps and sandwiches, Fruitive is the place for healthy, flavorful fare.
Ghent: 1501 Colley Ave., Norfolk, 757-500-4564
Hilltop: 1624 Laskin Rd., Virginia Beach, 757-351-0559
The Main: 100 East Main St., Norfolk, 757-266-3227
Host your own vegan brunch with this Savory Slice of Summer Tart Recipe, and be sure to see more brunch options in our three part Brunch feature.
Betsy DiJulio
Betsy DiJulio is a full-time art teacher, artist and curator with side hustles as a freelance writer, including for Coastal Virginia Magazine, and a vegan recipe developer, food stylist and photographer. Learn more on her website thebloomingplatter.com.
