Really interesting menu with lots of food I want to try. I was only visiting but loved the food and the atmosphere of the restaurant. Super friendly customer service. read more

Delicious Indian food, that I have never tried before! No table service, except delivery. Limeade & house chai fantastic also. Eclectic Indian decor, casual ambiance. read more

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This place should definitely be supported as it stands for a lot of great causes. It also has an electic offering of Indian fusion foods. I got a tofu dosa, which was lacking flavor and a bit dry, but I think it's because it heavily relies on the sambar and chutney. The portions were filling for the price. I wouldn't be particularly drawn here as a repeat customer for the food, but it's a cute place to take visitors. read more

Gold Lion Community Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I usually eat-in because the cafe is spacious, usually quiet, with a big window. it's a comfortable spot to hang out, eat, read, and just decompress. the pink chai here is my favorite. the staff is all friendly, the menu has a huge variety, but i've only tried a couple things. the vegan sausage and egg biscuit, "chicken" and waffles, and pancakes are so good. haven't tried the indian food or anything outside of breakfast, because for the prices I want to stick to what I like. I do wish it was just a little cheaper, or that they offered drink refills for a reduced price. a nearby cafe, my total is $11-18, but here it is always $18+ for my single food and drink. if you enter your number at the register they occasionally text with deals. I do love gold lion overall :-) read more

Gold Lion Community Cafe - Kashmiri Pink Chai small - Cafes Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Ok, this cafe was giving Bohemian vibes. It was almost like a collab between Housing works Bookstore & a hookah lounge in nyc. Staff was super friendly and energetic. I would keep coming back for Hyderabadi House Chai everyday if it were somewhere in central Jersey. Anytime you mix cardamom, ginger and cinnamon with milk, you will be healed of ill-thoughts... then add some jaggery, oh! It was enlightenment. read more

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Wow what an experience! Dinner and a poetry performance. My (vegetarian) bro and I went Friday for dinner. We both had an iced house chia - so amazing. Not too sweet thankfully, lots of flavor. We both had a classic samosa. Man the spices were on point! For dinner I had the burrito with tofu scramble. It was giant! The tots were just ok. They tasted like the grease they were cooked in. My bro had the French quarter dip. He thoroughly enjoyed it with his fries. When we were wrapping up, an open mic was starting. Lots of good performers! Would definitely go back but maybe on comedy night next go round. read more

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I can't wait to go back and try more things! If you're looking for vegan pulled pork bbq ... this is your spot! Also lots of Indian-inspired recipes that I'm looking forward to trying. The matcha latte was by far the best I've had in all of Richmond!!!! The service was great. Quick and polite + knowledgeable on vegan options (the whole place is vegetarian). Atmosphere is nice and open, with a stage for entertainment and some lounge type seating. read more

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This place is incredible. Had such a great experience here. Calling themselves a community café was not just for show, this place really is very community oriented. They often hold community events here. The staff are just plain LOVELY. Really delightful humans. Even on my first visit, they made me feel like I was one of their old friends. It's a beautiful and bold Indian based restaurant. And the food is fantastic! I got the spicy 'beef' samosa. It was massive! Made fresh. They were slammed at the time, and the food came out super quick considering! The flavors are bold and seasoned perfectly, it has a nice kick to it. They have an amazing looking coffee beverage menu. I didn't try it today since I was there at dinner time, but will definitely be back to try stuff off that menu. Oh, and they're a great spot to check out if you are vegan or vegetarian! But I would highly recommend this place to anyone in the area. They definitely left a strong positive impression. read more

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On the hipster to hippie scale of vegetarian restaurants, this one is very hippie. I got takeout because I had places to be, and I was glad I did because the neighborhood was not the best and it wasn't a place I really wanted to sit inside either; not the most welcoming environment. They offer a mix of American and Indian vegetarian cuisine. My idli did come with sambar, but it was a tiny portion so I ran out of sambar and chutney (in general, these sides are usually more than needed at most Indian places, not less). Fortunately, I had a salad dressing for my salad so I used that to flavor up my idli. The salad contained a lot of nice ingredients and I was glad I ordered it. The chai had a nice cardamom flavor. On a macro level, I'm glad someone's bringing vegetarian cuisine to this part of Richmond. On a micro level, I wasn't convinced it was the best place I could have gone for my needs. read more

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Meh overall. The staff and customers were not inviting, awkward, and honestly a little mean. We felt judged from the moment we walked in because everyone was there on their laptop and not talking to each other. The barista was judging my partner for not knowing what a chai latte looked like. The samosa was really good, but really small for $5. That was the best part of the meal honestly. Got the butter chicken and the rice was absolutely the last of the batch, it was super dry and you could see the pot indent in some of it. The burger was absolutely not homemade and seemed like a frozen burger patty. Between the lack of an ambiance and the less than stellar food we will not be back. We had such high hopes for this place given all of the good reviews, but not worth going all the way to the south side again. read more

I am totally in love with this spot and the owners!!!! Not only do they serve amazing Indian inspired vegetarian food and drinks, but they also really care about community. The cafe serves meals to those in need and raise awareness about important topics such as LGBTQ+ and Palestine, but also showcase local artists! They host a lot of events like drag shows so definitely check out their calendar or social. I loved the Hyderbadi House Chai and the Guava Gold smoothie!! Both were perfectly flavored and sweetened. We were obsessed with the Buddy's Dosa, Keema Samosa, Breakfast Samosa, and Chaotic Quesadilla. The keema honestly tasted better than regular beef!!! The tofu scramble were an excellent substitution of eggs. I will be coming back to this place every time I'm in Richmond! read more

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I've been coming to Gold Lion since they opened. I hate to drop the rating but the last 3-4 times I've been here, anyone working the register has been either completely dismissing or rude. No Hello, no nothing. Just looking inconvenienced and annoyed. And this has been everyone other than Matt or Nafis. Plus I know the unhoused population finds respite here, but it's really difficult to read or work or have any peace here because of that. read more

A nice community place with a variety of Indian vegan treats. The environment is fun and ambiance gives one a friendly feeling. Various events are hosted here and the service is friendly and efficient. We had the breakfast platters that come with onion dosas, idlis and vadas, with a couple of chutneys. read more

Gold Lion Community Cafe - All Star Breakfast - Cafes Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Masala bagel my love. And the literal best dirty chai I've ever had!!! And the people are nice :)

lovely atmosphere, kind staff and many veggie options for those looking for it. The food was delicious. Street parking is available. read more

Gold Lion Community Cafe - bar area - Cafes Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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This place, i must say, is a must try for everyone who likes vegan, flavorful food with a twist that is a fusion of Indian and American cuisine. It's a small cafe bar style restaurant with a rugged yet calm atmosphere, but don't let that fool you, the food is simply too good not to review. They have transformed traditional American breakfast items like the bagel sandwich to a Masala bagel which was so good with a light kick of the tamarind chutney. And the side tots were the best ive tasted, both crispy and melt-in-the-mouth feel. The traditional masala dosa was so delicious, the right balance of crisp and softness for the dosa. Loved the sambhar so much that my only regret was not getting a spoon to finish it. The starter samosas with the 2 chutneys was my favorite. There's even the regular breakfast items like French toast and egg biscuit sandwich if your group wants to go the conventional way(which my kid usually does) The owner was very sweet and kind and we loved hearing his story of how he and his partner started this business in RVA. And we cant wait for them to start their second location in Lakeside with a great cause in mind to serve the community. I was very impressed with their ideas, and we as a community should definitely support such businesses. I will surely visit them again to try more items in their menu. read more

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I support veganism. I support vegans. And I don't want to get into a discussion about if being a carnivore or vegan is better for the environment. (Some say that the production of vegan/plant based products is actually as or more harmful to the environment...whoops. Going there...). But I think we can all agree: judgements around either choice are unnecessary. You are not a better human than I bc you choose not to eat meat. So my point: the young woman who took our breakfast of order couldn't help herself. Instead of welcoming my curiosity about meatless products or vegan cheese, she copped an attitude and during the whole experience of ordering breakfast I felt judged. It was unsettling and annoying. And as for the food. It was okay. Just okay. My French toast was burned. My "fruit" was canned chopped peaches complete with the syrup. Not very healthy. Hubby's dosa was decent. But our afore-mentioned cashier forgot the cheese and hot latte we ordered. Maybe she was too busy forming judgments to hear our order precisely. Not mind blowing by any stretch and with the negative vibe I got....could not wait to leave. Vegans need to calm down. read more

Nice meal and great ambiance! The Chai latte is also delicious!! i would definately go there again!! read more

A true hidden gem in RVA - this place is so quaint, cute, and unique. Their food selection, especially being a coffee shop, is so creative and fun. Also the staff is just super friendly - and consistent, as I went here a lot when I was working in Manchester and almost always had the same cashier who was always so happy to see me. Love the communal feel of this place - the open mic nights, or other various events I have seen them setting up for when I am there - it just all seems so fun. Very welcoming vibe with some reliable coffee and kickass decor and artistry (some of it even for sale) as well. Somewhere I anticipate frequenting the rest of the time I live in Richmond! read more

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Friendly, quick service, great food, 70's ambience, could be cleaner. Enjoyed the oat milk chai, medu vadha, samosa and masala dosa with sambar and coconut samanthi read more

Gold Lion Community Cafe - Masala dosa with sambar and coconut chutney, and oat milk chai - Cafes Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

It may not look like much from the outside, but this place is a vegetarian and vegan gem! The food is excellent, hot and fresh and very tasty. The chai was the BEST I've ever had, and I'd drive all the way to Manchester just for that. Service is fast and friendly. Order at the counter, pick your table and your food will be there before you know it. Went for brunch on a Sunday, and it was quiet but steady. Ordered the dosa breakfast and it was stuffed with a yummy spiced potato and pea mix. The coconut chutney was so good I found myself eating it straight from the container. Prices are reasonable. They have lots of events open to the community, so check their socials and join in! This is a welcoming space with a very "living room" feel. Will definitely be back! read more

I've been on the hunt for a specific dish I remember eating at another restaurant that has since closed. I was so happy the dish was on their menu. It was delicious ! We drove about 35 minutes across town, and it was absolutely worth it. The food is amazing -- but what made the visit even better was the people. The owner, the chef, and the staff were all so kind and welcoming. read more

What a great refresher of a business that took the place of the notorious "Brewers" (if you know, you know). They offer a variety of coffee, food and even tea. The customer service was awesome and even though this establishment is still new, I really hope it stays consistent. The food is good but it took a long time to come out - hopefully they can tweak that to make it a little more efficient. PROS: - Nice ambiance - Not overpriced - Great customer service CONS: - Long wait for food read more

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Was super excited to try this coffee shop and have been anticipating their opening! The pineapple smoothie was rich and refreshing. We also ordered samosas which were great portions. We did hope that they would have a little more seasoning to them but the sauce it comes with really brings out a good fresh flavor. This establishment is new and there are a few small things that could be improved on but overall it's great. I would say it was pretty quite so maybe playing some background music would make dining in a little more cozy. Also they were out of quite a few items and some I was looking forward to trying but I will get them next time! Counter service was very friendly, food took a few minutes to come out but nothing crazy long. Check this place out if your looking for a safe space and somewhere to hang with friends or study (: read more

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I only got a picture of the ambience because the food drinks and vibes were so good. The events here are phenomenal and the staff is super friendly and helpful. read more

Gold Lion Community Cafe - Ambiance - Cafes Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

This place is amazing!!!!! The coffee, the vibes, the food and the menu will have you coming back for more! So happy to have Gold Lion here!!! I enjoyed a hot vanilla latte which was prepared w love and passion which made it one of the best lattes I've ever had! The space is so great and available for events! The service was phenomenal and the owners are bopping around! Can't wait for my next visit!!!! read more

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This is a cute Indian community cafe and my first time dinning! I enjoyed their chocolate, croissant, crispy spring rolls, and their mango smoothie with my friends. I definitely enjoyed the vibe! read more

I love all of the cool events that Gold Lion Cafe hosts! I am a vegetarian who lives in Richmond, Virginia. I am curious about turning vegan. I have eat at Gold Lion's a few times since they have opened their restaurant in Richmond, Virginia. I have enjoyed the food. As a vegetarian, I ordered the vegan pancakes, which were free of any animal products and vegan. I absolutely loved them! I returned a few months later to Gold Loins, a vegetarian restaurant in RVA, that I eat at a few times. I had a "tofu" scramble, made with tofu. So delicious! I just don't give five stars because the servers are a bit unfriendly. I would not say the servers are mean or rude. The Gold Lino Serving Staff are professional and prompt. But, they are slightly "unfriendly." Maybe it's just me? Thank you! read more

I have way too many great things to say about this place and the people making it happen. For the food: Their menu pulls from Indian, Japanese, and American cultural influences and maintains intentional authenticity within the fusion they curate. They are entirely vegetarian and very vegan + sober-friendly. They maintain a nut-free space to protect those with allergies, too! For the atmosphere: I've had the amazing privilege of making connections with multiple folks on the team, including the owners Nafis and Matthew-- a pair of warm, genuine, and kind individuals. With Gold Lion they have created such a friendly, relaxed, and inviting space. They have taken the time to learn about Richmond and continue to make careful choices to support it. This place is also undoubtedly safe for queer, trans, and gnc folks. They're here for the queers & they are deeply invested in RVA. I've never seen anything built up with intention quite like this-- we are so lucky to have them here. I could not recommend this spot enough. read more

This spot is your average cafe. I am impressed with the amount of vegan options. I ordered a chocolate chip muffin which was good, and then I ordered a plan bagel with vegan cream cheese. The bagel tasted like your average store bought bagel, but the cream cheese was so bad that I almost think they did not give me vegan cream cheese. It had a hummus consistency and nutty taste. Very strange. The staff was great and it was empty when I went in on a Thursday morning. read more

We had a cold brew which tasted like toilet water and a lavender americano which tasted like cheap lavender essential oils from the store. Very chemically and both gave instead acid reflux. We couldn't finish either beverage. The cafe was dirty and the floors were sticky. The only reason I'm giving a 2 instead of a 1 is that the tea my wife also got was good. I'm surprised by all the good reviews here, so maybe it was just an off day for them? Either way, there is definitely room for improvement. read more

I am so excited to be able to review Gold Lion cafe. We came on opening weekend with my parents and had a lovely time. Even with the normal opening weekend shakes, they rocked our our brunch with no troubles. This weekend we are able to return again. We were about 20 minutes early for the ramen, but the owner was kind enough to work with the kitchen to have a bowl for us. The Thukpa Ramen was fantastic. Plentiful, warm flavors, just perfect for fall weather. I had the Seitan Surpreme, which was...fine. It is really just a deli sandwich, not worth 14 bucks. That being said, the last time I visited we had the BBQ sandwich which was amazing. Aside from the food, I really enjoyed the patience of the staff as well as their genuine interest in how we enjoyed our food and drinks. The owner was a pleasure to meet and we are eager for our next visit. Would recommend without reservation, 5/5. read more

Gold Lion Community Cafe - Thukpa Ramen - Cafes Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I was sad that the reviews here didn't match my experience, I needed a quick vegan lunch and I got a smoothie and a meatball sub. The service was amazing but the smoothie was just concentrates and tasted like sugar and fake fruit flavor(I couldn't drink it but I hate sending food back), and the meatball sub had unmelted vegan cheddar which was so sad bc I love meatball subs and that ain't no meatball sub. I was confused bc the cashier said vegan mozzarella and I got that :( if ur out of something that's ok but what the heckin dog is that bruh, if there were more sauce and actually melted mozzarella it would've been delicious though read more

Wonderful food and a great vibe inside! I wish they had the specialty drinks on the menu available but still was okay

So grateful to have a place that is warm and inviting. The food is great and the owners make you feel like family. They host community events that feature fun and education. I visit at least a couple times a week. read more

This was an unexpected foodie find south of the river. I didn't even think to take pictures. Me and my gal friends (ages 60+) decided to try this place because of its vegan options. Great coffee house vibe! I'd stop by anytime to grab a coffee. Definitely Give the food a try! They have a nice bit of variety. All of us found something we liked and will be coming back! The owner, the chef, and the barista were all welcoming and chatty. Helped us make decisions, answered questions and were very genuine. I think we are all going to be great intergenerational friends! Thanks Gold Lion! See you soon! read more

What a wonderful place to sit and read or do some work! Thoughtfully designed space with a great chai latte! Will definitely be back (:

Glizzy is the best veg hot dog ever. Wish it was permanently on the menu even after summer.

I ate here for the first time today and thoroughly enjoyed my meal. The Hyderbadi House chai latte was delicious, the Keema Samosa was SOOO good and the vegan meat was both juicy and flavorful, the Chutney Cheeze Burger was a perfect veggie burger with nice flavors and the Masala Salad was tasty and light. The restaurant was decorate in a fun and welcoming way. The staff were kind and helpful. I can't wait to come back to try more! read more

I love this place! The food is terrific and the atmosphere cozy and welcoming. I've had the classic samosa, golden milk chai and desi lo mein. Each was out of this world! The owner strives to make his guests feel at home and encourages you to mingle and make new friends. I encourage you to try Gold Lion Community Cafe for the food, drink and friendly vibe! read more