Bar Bombon: What’s Vegetarian Editorial Review

Bar Bombon is one of the best reasons to visit Rittenhouse Square. It’s a 100% plant-based Latin and Puerto Rican restaurant where every single dish on the menu is vegan, and the kitchen uses no animal products at all. If you’re looking for a fully vegan dining experience with real flavor, this is the place.

What’s vegan and vegetarian at Bar Bombon

Everything. The entire menu is vegan, full stop. Bar Bombon uses plant-based proteins made from non-GMO soy and organic grains, plus housemade tortillas. You won’t find a single animal product on the menu, which means you don’t have to interrogate your server or scan ingredient lists. Owner Nicole Marquis, who also founded fast-casual chain HipCityVeg, built the concept around Puerto Rican family recipes she grew up eating, and then made them entirely plant-based. Gluten-free options are clearly marked on the menu as well, so that’s covered too.

Signature dishes to order

The buffalo cauliflower tacos are the fan favorite. They’re deep-fried with buffalo sauce, refried black beans, and avocado, and they hold up against anything you’d find at a non-vegan taqueria. The hearts of palm ceviche is a clever dish that nails the texture and brightness of the original. Vegan Spanish meatballs with romesco sauce show up as a shareable starter and are worth ordering. For a heartier option, the double chorizo burger and the Cubano sandwich are both popular with regulars. The tres leches cake is the dessert to get, and it travels well enough that people order it for birthdays. The full bar runs cocktails and a happy hour (Mon-Wed 5-6pm, Thu-Fri 3-6pm), which makes it easy to make a full night of it.

How to order

You can make reservations through OpenTable, which is the move on weekends and Friday evenings. The restaurant also offers dine-in, takeout, delivery through Uber Eats and DoorDash, catering, and private events. Weekend brunch runs Saturday and Sunday until 3pm, and it’s one of the more popular times to visit. If you want the outdoor patio (which is dog-friendly), arrive early or call ahead, especially in warm weather. The bar gets busy during happy hour, so the front section fills up fast.

What to watch out for

The space is compact. On a Friday night or weekend brunch, it gets crowded, and the noise level rises with it. A few recent reviewers have flagged inconsistency, specifically some dishes coming out with less seasoning than expected. Salad portions have been called small relative to the price. The price point is mid-range for Philadelphia, with most entrees around $14-16, so it’s not a budget stop. That said, the happy hour deals bring the cost down if you’re flexible on timing.

Is Bar Bombon worth it?

Yes, especially if you’re in Philadelphia and want a fully vegan meal that doesn’t taste like a compromise. Bar Bombon has been open since 2015, earned a spot on OpenTable’s 50 Best Restaurants for Vegetarians in America, and ranks in the top 2% of Philadelphia restaurants on TripAdvisor. The concept works because it starts with genuine Puerto Rican culinary tradition and rebuilds it plant-based, rather than layering vegan substitutions onto generic dishes. Non-vegetarian dining companions tend to leave satisfied, which is the real test. It’s a reliable pick for a date, a group dinner, or a solo stop at the bar.