HipCityVeg: What’s Vegetarian Editorial Review

HipCityVeg is the best all-vegan fast-casual option in Philadelphia, and it’s not close. Founded in 2012 by Nicole Marquis, a restaurateur and plant-based advocate, it takes the American fast-food playbook, burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, cheesesteaks, and shakes, and executes the whole thing without a single animal product. The flagship sits at 127 S 18th St in Rittenhouse Square, with a second Philly location in University City and outposts in Washington DC. Every item on the menu is vegan, so you don’t have to ask questions or dodge hidden ingredients.

What’s vegan and vegetarian at HipCityVeg

The entire menu is vegan, with no exceptions. HipCityVeg describes itself as 100% plant-based and tree-nut free. The restaurant uses non-GMO soy ingredients and, where possible, local and organic produce. Vegetarians will find everything fair game. Gluten-free diners have solid options too, with gluten-free buns available for the burgers and menu items labeled for gluten content. The restaurant is not a dedicated gluten-free facility, but it keeps an in-store allergen guide and staff are trained to help you sort through the options.

Signature dishes to order

Start with the Crispy HipCity Ranch, a fried plant-based chicken sandwich with ranch sauce, the kind of thing Chick-fil-A fans order on reflex except entirely vegan. The Ziggy Burger is the other essential, a Beyond Meat patty stacked with organic tempeh bacon, provolone, lettuce, onion, pickle, and special sauce. It’s the one people describe to their omnivore friends to make them curious. The Philly Cheesesteak with grilled plant-based steak and oyster mushrooms is the local flex. On the drinks side, the Groothie is a green smoothie that lands better than it has any right to, and sweet potato fries have their own loyal following. The banana whip is the dessert to know about.

How to order

HipCityVeg is counter service. You walk in, order at the register, grab a number, and your food comes out fast. The Rittenhouse location is open daily from 10:30am to 10pm. You can also order online for pickup or delivery through DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. If you want to eat in, the space is compact, so expect a wait for a seat during the lunch rush. The Meal Deal option, an entree plus fries and a drink, is worth it for the value. Parking in Rittenhouse is difficult, but the restaurant is walkable and well served by transit.

What to watch out for

Vegetarians and vegans have nothing to avoid, since the whole menu is plant-based and tree-nut free. The things to flag are price and seating. A Ziggy Burger or Philly Cheesesteak runs $16 to $18 before fries and a drink, which puts a full meal in the $22 to $25 range, fast-casual pricing for a sit-down appetite. Portions have drawn some criticism in recent reviews. Seating at the Rittenhouse location is limited and gets crowded on weekday lunches. If you have celiac disease, note that this is not a dedicated gluten-free kitchen even though gluten-free options are labeled.

Is HipCityVeg worth it?

Yes, especially if you’re eating with a mix of vegetarians and omnivores. HipCityVeg has won the Best of Philly Award three times, earned a StarChefs Rising Stars Concept Award in 2019, and holds a 4.5 on TripAdvisor and a 4.7 on Google across thousands of ratings. The Infatuation calls it what you’d get if you told Chick-fil-A to grow up and eat more vegetables, which is the right frame. It’s not fine dining. It’s a place where you can get a genuinely good vegan burger or fried chicken sandwich without any awkward substitutions. For Philadelphia vegetarians and vegans, it’s a go-to, and for anyone curious about plant-based eating, it’s one of the most approachable entry points in the city.