WASHINGTON, D.C.
Wow! Dani, you went hard with me during our three days together in the city, eating at as many vegan restaurants as we could. I’m so sorry that you missed the best one! NuVegan Cafe was a very close second, but HipCityVeg in D.C.’s Chinatown neighborhood edged out the others with its super satisfying, perfectly grilled wrap, fall-inspired shake, and homemade sauces that put the meal over the top.
With one location in Washington, D.C. and four in Philadelphia, I just might have to take my first trip to The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection soon. The food at HipCityVeg is fresh, vegan, and often local and organic, and all of their packaging is entirely compostable. Here you can enjoy healthier versions of all your favorite fast foods like burgers, fries, and milkshakes guilt-free and without the itis!
Curry Tofu Wrap, Sweet Potato Fries, and Pumpkin Pie Shake
Inspired by her father’s dramatically improved health after switching to a vegan diet, Nicole Marquis founded HipCityVeg in 2012. She wanted to offer the world delicious plant-based food in a form that people have always loved. With the chain already a huge success and expansion plans in the works, it’s obvious that Nicole is a kick-ass businesswoman and I’m so glad to have come across her story while writing this post. (She and I are the same age which makes me even more awestruck.) But as if that wasn’t impressive enough, Nicole also owns two other Philadelphia restaurants, Bar Bombón and Charlie Was A Sinner—both 100% vegan as well!
So let’s get back to that Curry Tofu Wrap. Oh my, it was amazing! Curried organic tofu, sprouts, spinach, tomato, and cilantro-white bean purée. Grilled and savory. It’s served with a homemade cucumber raita that brings all the different flavors into a delicious balance. I ordered a side of sweet potato fries with sriracha aioli. 👌🏼 And to wash it all down, I sipped on their seasonal Pumpkin Pie Shake. The entire meal was one of the best I’ve ever had!
712 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
HipCityVeg, we will meet again. And when we do, I gotta try your Philly Steak Sandwich—pulled steak, grilled onion, mushroom, and organic ketchup on a long roll; Buffalo Bella Burger—crispy portabella, celery slaw, tomato, and buffalo sauce; and Crispy HipCity Ranch Sandwich—battered chik’n, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, and peppercorn ranch (hold the onion, and yes, I would like to “buffalo it!”).
Pro Tip: The Broad St location has breakfast options available 7am-11am. So many great choices, but I’d probably go with the Southwest Breakfast Wrap first—tofu scramble, black beans, organic corn, pico de gallo, avocado, and chipotle crema. 🤤
For more deliciously kind vegan food in Washington, D.C., check out Fare Well!
