Hampton Roads, VAVegan

Coastal Virginia Magazine's Powered by Plants feature flagged Desmond's Island Soul Grill for its barbecue jackfruit, the pulled, saucy plant-based stand-in for pork. The Virginia Beach kitchen runs an island-and-soul menu with vegan builds throughout. Order the bbq jackfruit and pair it with the sides. It shows the metro's vegan cooking working comfort-food angles rather than just salads, and it is worth the Beach-side trip.

Palm Tree Vegan & Juice Bar earned a Powered by Plants nod from Coastal Virginia Magazine for its vegan oxtail and callaloo, dishes that carry Caribbean roots into a fully plant-based kitchen. Based in Hampton, it pairs the mains with fresh juices. Order the vegan oxtail and a callaloo side. One of the Peninsula's anchors for meat-free island cooking.

Coastal Virginia Magazine's Powered by Plants coverage named Vegan Planet Cafe for its mushroom chik'n and cauliflower wings, the kind of crave-driven plates that win over skeptics. The Granby Street spot in Norfolk keeps a comfort-forward vegan menu. Order the cauliflower wings to start and the mushroom chik'n as a main. A reliable city option for plant-based food that eats like the real thing.

Beyond Vegan Cell Food made Coastal Virginia Magazine's Powered by Plants roundup for plant-based chicken and waffles, a full vegan take on the brunch classic. The kitchen sits on Portsmouth's High Street. Order the chicken and waffles as the signature and build out from there. It gives the Southside a dedicated vegan comfort spot across the river from Norfolk, and it is a worthwhile Portsmouth stop for the cuisine.