We stopped by for dinner. I got the chili bowl and jabini pasta. My sister got the kush salad and a chili bowl also. They sell different vegan dishes and most have what they call kush in them. It seems to be some sort of grain, but I really don't know. But I do like it. They have Alfredo, nachos, Mac n cheese, desserts, and smoothies. Some of the food is reasonable and some is pricey. A few desserts were $10-$15. I wanted to try them, but not for that price. We placed our order and looked around the store. They have updated the store/restaurant, so it's a more modern vibe. You can read books or hang out inside, so that's cool. The restroom was clean. There was plenty of seating to dine in. The store side sells books, crystals, jewelry, and more!! The cashier and cook were both very friendly!! I'm not vegan so I stick to what taste familiar to me to be safe. The chili is good, you wouldn't even know it's vegan. Definitely get the vegan nacho cheese to kick it up a notch. It also comes with chips. The alfredo came with veggies and kush. I'm glad it was saucy. I got it fully loaded so it came with a hash brown on top also. It was pretty good, but could use a little more seasoning to elevate the taste.. The last time I ate here the portions were a little larger, they seem to be noticeably smaller this time, so that's the only difference I've noticed. The kush usually confuses my stomach for a few days afterwards. It also may make you feel full faster but, I think it's worth trying. If your a vegan you should check them out, but even if you're not you can probably find something to try! Check them out!! read more

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Jikoni Café's superpower is Jikoni Kush, a super-nutritional non-hybrid grain from Africa. It serves various savory dishes, including nachos, burritos, pizzas, sandwiches, and salads. I can't wait to try this delight during my next visit. Over the past few years, my lactose intolerance has ramped up, which makes each chance to indulge in one of my all-time favorite treats--milkshakes--feel like a true celebration. With an incredible 15 flavors to choose from, I couldn't resist the Bakoko (butter pecan ice cream) temptation. It was amazing--rich, smooth, and creamy, all made from almond milk! Each sip brought back such sweet nostalgia, reminding me of the butter pecan ice cream my parents adored. And let me tell you about the sweet potato cheesecake--it whisked me right back to my Southern grandmother's kitchen, blending the comforting embrace of her baking with the delightful taste of cheesecake. I savored these heavenly desserts for nearly a week, relishing every moment! read more

Jikoni Cafe is such a hidden gem! The food is full of flavor and very satisfying! I got the half pocket with Jibini (alfredo sauce) and the Peach Cobbler shake! Very filling! Inside it's a very peaceful atmosphere! I called in my order and it was ready upon my arrival! There are plenty of vegan and natural products to purchase as well. read more

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Man hands down, I can't lie to you, this was one of the best meals I've ever had in the 757 ...... I got a full Jikoni Kush salad, and I got the rasta sauce with it (DEFINITELY FIRE) , and man... it was just amazing, through and through... On top of that, the whole thing I got was vegan (so it's a great place for all the plant-based people out there)... I also got some of their Vegan Iced Kahawa / iced coffee, and it was delicious and rich... The vibes in the space are great, there's a very cool shop and seating area, with a chess setup, all sorts of great books on the shelves to read through, and good music in the space. To top it off, the people are warm and welcoming, and it's good vibes all around. I 1000% recommend checking it out. One of the best places I've been to in the whole 757. You'll love it!!! read more

I go here too often. Their options are endless. I love the chicken salad Jikoni sandwhich and the red velvet milkshake. Also their NY cheesecake is the best I've ever tasted. No lie. Everyone is super nice and sometimes they have small events. Whole menu is vegan but would taste good to everyone. My non vegan fiancé has liked everything he's tried of mine read more

Awesome customer service. Very flavorful and filling!! Definitely will go back to try something else.

Great vibe. A chill spot to eat and study/read a book. The Swahili pizza was hearty enough for two people. It was bland in flavor though, thankfully it had mushrooms and some alfredo sauce in some parts of the pizza for flavor. I've also gotten the Samaki Salad Sandwich in the past. I think the kush really needs a lot of flavor because it can be very bland. After eating kush, I do feel light and healthy. The pasta ended up being tossed out. It had a huge glob of sauce on top and lacked flavor. The shake was good, I've never had a bad dessert from this place. Although I am unsure if/when they make their own vs selling them from an outside vendor. read more

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Soooo you know how those hole in the wall - suspect restaurants are the best tasting food you'll ever have...well this is it! My son wanted to try this place out since he's going vegan on me and heard good things about this place. When we walked in, we both weren't sure we were at the right place. The first part of the restaurant is a store. There's a lot of holistic products which is cool because those are hard to find. Stuff like books, hair products, vitamins, soap, oils, stones and etc. For the food- I love the sandwiches and salads. They use grain as the meat substitute. It's very hearty and you will definitely get full off of it. The sandwiches and salads that I've had so far is topped with a choice of a sauce. The sauces used are very good and flavorful and plenty to sauces to choose from. With a full vegan menu it's definitely worth a nice drive to this part of town to get good food. So I challenge for you to try it out too! read more

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Best shakes hands down! Me and my Dad had the Karanga and Bakoko. I wish I got a picture of them, but we guzzled them down so fast! 5/5 recommend the Vegan Shakes. It's also a really pretty shop inside, as well. read more

The food was just not tasty as the way they describe them in their menu. Idk, the platters are large and filling but the taste is bland. I generally avoid leaving low feedbacks but cmon, experiment with some basic seasoning or two, there is a disconnect somewhere. read more

Jikoni Cafe - Pizza - Vegan Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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I was craving milkshakes one afternoon, and I especially craved vegan milkshakes. I came across this on Ubereats and absolutely fell in love with the flavor selection. I had to place an order in bulk for myself. So I did, I shared amongst others, had multiples for myself. And the milkshakes very absolutely delicious. I thought the flavors were so new and trendy and the creation of the flavors were so yummy I couldn't believe I got my order's worth and more. I can't wait to order the shakes again! read more

Had the day off with my daughter and we were looking for a good lunch spot after spending the morning at the botanical gardens. I had two goals. One, I wanted to take my daughter (vegetarian) somewhere to eat where she didn't have to hunt for food she could eat on the menu. Two, I had read about Jikoni Cafe a while back and was eager to sample their vegan offerings. We walked into the cafe and it smelled of sage, palo santo, and frankincense. They sell books related to higher consciousness, justice, spirituality, and history. Reggae music provided the soundscape and I knew we were in for a treat. We placed our orders and sat at a table adjacent to a free library. The peak of the experience was the arrival of our order. I got the Rasta Pocket, and my daughter got the Beast Burrito and a Spring Solstice Smoothie. The food was absolutely amazing. Full of flavor, spice, and soul. The blend of their jerk sauce with their special "Alfredo" was fantastic. This is going into our regular rotation of food stops now that we're getting back out more post-pandemic. Came back here a week later with my girlfriend. Couldn't stay away from the Rasta prep of their Jikoni Kush. I did the salad this time instead of the pita because, strategically, I knew I'd get more sauce on top of my bowl. My calculation paid off. I plan to branch out into the menu on my next visit. Love this place!! read more

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While trying to figure out what to eat for lunch at work, I was discussing with a coworker about how I recently dined at a "Vegan Cafe" in NYC and was in the middle of saying "Why doesn't Hampton Roads have one?" when I remembered Jikoni Cafe. It was close and also a Black-owned business, so I was 110% down to grab some food from here for lunch, especially since the Yelp pictures looked so lovely. Most of the dishes here incorporate Kush, which is a cornbread dish that's similar to stuffing. They use it to make pizza, nachos, pasta, and pitas pockets. In addition, they have an assortment of different vegan shakes and smoothies. I got 1/2 of a jibini kush pocket, a small order of their nachos, and a tunda (blueberry cheesecake) shake. The sandwich was delicious, I absolutely loved the nachos, but honestly, the shake was just okay to me because it had a taste of protein powder. My coworker liked her smoothie though, so I will go for one of those next time. Overall, the Jikoni Cafe makes good vegan food that anyone can enjoy. read more

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Great vegan Sweet potato pies!! Nice atmosphere and a clean and friendly place. Pies were expensive, but totally worth it! read more

If you have legs go! What are you waiting for just start walking and try everything they are amazing and know what they're doing ! Smoothie was amazing. Love this gem if you're vegan and love good wholesome food try it read more

Jikoni Cafe - Jibini Pasta - Vegan Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

What a great vegan cafe!! Great stores with some good also. They had a great menu and everything was vegan so it made it easy for us to pick some stuff out. We went with the pizza and nachos! We also got a "tuna" sandwich as well!! We topped it off with a Cocoa Bean milkshake!! Great staff with awesome service!! Definitely recommend this place for a great vegan experience read more

Jikoni Cafe - Great selection of vegan food - Vegan Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

I found this restaurant on line and decided to give it a try. Although, it was a different place than I expected, the atmosphere was quite friendly and inviting. The food was delicious. If I lived in the area, I would certainly make another visit and try something else on the menu. I had the Jikoni Kush Sandwiches. A place worth going to. Another thing I liked was that they didn't use any type of oil in the food. read more

If you want to try vegan food but your afraid. This is the place you need to go! My husband had a lunch break before hIs next class so we decided to go here. We ordered kush pockets. I had the Rasta pocket and he had the Tamu Thai pocket. They were soooo GOOD!! So flavorful! Not to mention healthy for you.. We didn't know what to expect. They have vegan milkshakes made with almond milk. I'm lactose intolerant so I had to try this vegan milkshake. I haven't had a milkshake in over 16 years due to being lactose intolerant. Baaaabaaay !!!!! That milkshake was AWESOME!!! I was hooked after the first sip! I had a salted caramel with chocolate chips in it. All vegan. I couldn't believe that it taste so good! I love the vibe of this place. It makes you feel at ease. Their are many books available to read while you wait food your food. If your in a hurry I suggest you call ahead. The staff is very friendly and helpful. They were very knowledgeable of the menu items. This place is on my list to visit regularly!!! read more

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Absolutely amazing and delicious food!! Highly recommend salted caramel chocolate shake! Also the burrito supreme was fantastic! read more

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I loved this place! I didn't get too much to eat but the smoothie was delicious and the atmosphere of the place was very nice the music was a little too loud to take a professional call but I think that was exactly how they wanted it, chill vibes, chess games, books , and art. I did have nachos which were good and yummy just wish they had more vegan "cheese". Would go again! read more

Food is off the chain, thankful for this place. Love the Alfredo bowl loaded. Tons of fresh food. May wait a bit but I expect this for fresh, incredible food. Don't miss out, try this place. I can't get enough. Staff also goes above and beyond read more

I ordered the Liquid Congo and I was very satisfied with the consistency. The flavors of the fruits were balanced. I was given a larger size than I expected too. Then came the Coco Habanero Jakoni Kush Pocket. I ordered without even knowing what it truly was because I really liked the vibe of the place. Kush is a protein from Africa that supposedly has more protein than a steak. I had sliced avocado on it too but that was extra. Overall I genuinely enjoyed it. It's good for my body so I'm on board. This is an amazing spot to eat and relax. There is art on the walls. So much to look at and learn from. It's a great place to expand your mind and have a cup a tea. They have products produced with African resources and there is much to choose from. Soaps, body butter, facial moisturizers, CBD oil. Books for sale. I was most interested in the jewelry selection. It focused on rocks, stones, crystals from the earth in raw form and polished. It's a great place for vegan shakes. I will be returning. read more

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One of my friends and I wanted to eat at a plant based spot, and Jikoni was closest to where we were at. Yooo, thank goodness for proximity because this place is dope. It's a food/shake/lounge/shop spot. You can tell it's part of the mission to educate and enhance the culture, and I'm about it. The smell of incense hits you as soon as you walk in the door, and you know immediately it's a laid back vibe. Order at the counter and they bring your food out. The jikoni kush they use in most dishes ain't no joke. These dishes will fill you UP and they are delicious. So much flavor! I got the chili and my friend got pasta and a shake (I don't remember the specifics of each). As much as I loved my chili and her pasta, I still think about that shake. I don't understand people who recoil from plant based desserts- "It's VEGAN? No thanks!"- because let me tell you, these mf shakes will change you. I think my eyes rolled back in my head a little bit when I sipped it. I honestly don't know why I haven't been back for a shake yet, and now that my drive home goes past Jikoni, I think it'll end up being a weekly thing for me. Check them out because they know how to throw down in the kitchen, and supporting local businesses is the move. read more

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Best vegan food I have had in a while! The food was healthy and fresh. Smoothies were AMAZING. 10 out of 10 will go again. I highly recommend this place. The book store and art work were very interesting. I love the passion behind the owners. read more

Jikoni Cafe - Vegan Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Lowkey spot. Definitely easy to miss if you aren't familiar with the area. It's a nice storefront with a cafè inside. Smoothies and many vegan food options! If you are down to try out new things I would give it a go. They also have art for the culture and a book nook area. read more

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This by far is the best vegan restaurant I've been to in Virginia . I was traveling and looking for somewhere new to eat and I stumbled across this gem. The nachos were immaculate and I also had the Kush stuffed pita with Alfredo & jerk sauce. Everything was absolutely amazing. I also got the pineapple upside down cake that I am currently eating which made me pause and say you need to write a review. Great job to the cooks and the young man who took order. They have absolutely amazing service and food. read more

The food is top tier and the environment and vibe is unparalleled. Drea was so helpful and made my girlfriend and I the best lunch. We ordered the 1/2 pocket Rasta. It's their #1 pocket and I know why!!!! Left my mouth watering from the sauces. Even when I was full I had to have one last bite because it was THAT. GOOD. We also tried the chili which is serviced with tortilla chips and the spices are spot on! I could eat a pot full. So delicious! To drink we tried the cbd lemonade and it was exactly what we needed. Definitely would recommend if you love a tart healthy pick me up! Seriously whether you're vegan, vegetarian, or a full blown carnivore this place is for you! Not to mention their VAST library of books you're welcome to peruse. And their stones, books for sale, they are truly a resource. Such a great find! Will definitely be back soon. Norfolk is lucky to have such a treasure. Please never change! read more

Jikoni Cafe - Library area - Vegan Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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This place is a hidden gem & the only thing I'm upset about is I didn't find it sooner. Atmosphere is light, food is hearty and delicious. Dine in allowed with social distancing & mask. read more

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As an African American i have, for the entirety of my life, wanted to have easy access to my cultural roots and be able to indulge in it like other cultures do here in the US. It's been easier said than done many times, but Jikoni provides that experience through food and more. But if you're reading this- you came to read about the food... So without further delay let's get to the point! 35th St in Norfolk is wide open for parking so no worries there. You may have to walk down the block a bit but it won't be far. The cafe/bookstore/meeting place is small and discreet, you could miss it if you're not paying attention - so pay attention! If you don't want to look like a rookie, when you walk in go up to the counter, grab a menu and find somewhere to sit down. There's no wait staff or anything like that; just a person doing the cooking, taking the orders, bringing the orders out and changing out payment. The atmosphere is casual, a celebration of African American art, culture, knowledge and history. There are items for sale all around, exhibits, and people in spots all around the bookstore conversing casually. There's enough room to feel comfortable, but not big by any means. Pricing is excellent. I fed myself and my wife for under $30 and left satisfied. And now to the food. This is the best Vegan/ Vegetarian food in the area- hands down. The only place that could've rivaled was Quenna's and that's been long gone for years now. My wife had loaded nachos and i had a loaded kush pocket with a sweet bourbon sauce over the top and a fruit smoothie...and of course a ginger beer because if there's ginger beer I'm drinking a ginger beer lol. The dishes here at Jikoni are thoughtfully conceived and very well prepared and it shows because everything was fresh and delicious. I will be back - often- to try the test of the menu. And pick up some books read more

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Really tasty and large portions. We also had the Chilli which was good as well. Forgot to take a picture of the shakes but they were delicious! Service was friendly and fast. Nice vibe. read more

Jikoni Cafe - Nachos - Vegan Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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I have not been here in at least a year and a half-maybe two since transitioning to vegan. At that time they were just "okay." Now Jikoni has stepped it up! The new (to me) menu was exciting and offered some different options. I order the Jerk Rasta Pocket. Delish! The alfredo jerk sauce was yummy and complemented this dish so well. My husband also enjoyed the nachos. Service was excellent and fast. I WILL BE BACK! Would recommend this to vegans and non-vegans alike. read more

Jikoni Cafe - Nachos! - Vegan Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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When I am at establishment that claims to be vegan I let my guard down and assume all the food there is vegan. I got halfway through a bean pie before realizing that the label says it has eggs and milk in it. That's NOT VEGAN. In addition to that disappointment my party waited about 40 minutes for 3 pockets 1 smoothie and a shake. My Chai shake was very good. I would go back for it. My brother threw his $9 smoothie away. The pockets are OK, but not very tasty. The best part of the is the potatoes in the bottom. I had the African Bourbon pocket and the sauce on top was incredibly salty. It tasted like it was supposed to be a marinade and not something you eat straight. The main reason I'm leaving this review is the desserts with egg and dairy in them, I feel violated. read more

Jikoni Cafe - They sell desserts with egg and dairy. - Vegan Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

At the restaurant, I ordered the beast burrito and it was sooo filling and delicious. They pack it well with meat, cheese, sour cream, avocado, taco sauce...all the fixings you'd normally put in a burrito. They also sell clothes and natural handmade products such as shea butter, soap, and more. The service is good and welcoming. The ambiance is comfortable and relaxing. 5 read more

Delicious food and dope ambiance. What more can you ask for?! Eating plant based doesn't mean abandoning all flavor/taste. This place got it right! read more

Masterful use of an ancient non hybrid grain from Africa, the restaurant creates substantial and flavorful meals, smoothies and milk shakes. The most ardent of scepticisme and die-hard carnivores will be won over by their menu offerings. read more

Probably one of the BEST milkshakes I've ever had! I'm not vegan by any means, but this was so delicious! read more

Jikoni Cafe - Tunda (cheesecake) Milkshake - Vegan Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

First time trying this establishment and I was very impressed. The gentleman that helped me was very patient in explaining what they offered. He had great customer service. I enjoyed both meals. They were large and filling. read more

Jikoni Cafe - Vegan Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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My first vegan spot i ate at since transitioning to the plant based life, and i will say the food was AMAZING!!! Staff was friendly. The environment has a beautiful mellow vibe read more

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The shakes are to die for. I usually get the kush curry pocket and the portions are HUGE. The atmosphere is super chill and I love the shop attached to it. The service is really great too. I come here whenever I have time and am close by. read more

Their wraps are amazing and their house cashew base sauce is even better! Not to mention best vegan milkshake I've ever had! Be prepared to wait a little because everything is made fresh, but it's definitely worth the wait. read more