Desmond's Island Soul Grill

4.5 ( 517 reviews )
Checking... 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM See Hours
$10–20
977 Reon Dr STE 102, Virginia Beach, VA 23464, United States
+1 757-963-2681

Desmond's Island Soul Grill in Virginia Beach is a true gem for vegan cuisine. Customers rave about the vibrant flavors and unique dishes that elevate plant-based dining to new heights. Chuck Wharton’s take is particularly enthusiastic: he praises the lentil empanadas and piping hot arepas with plantains, calling the pumpkin curry “out of this world.” Rachele Wharton echoes this sentiment, referring to the restaurant as the best vegan spot in Hampton Roads, highlighting the "explosions of flavor" found in every dish.

Popular choices like the Rasta pasta with BBQ jackfruit and a twist on classic mac and cheese showcase the creativity of the kitchen. Brianna B. notes the personal touch of the owner and staff, who make dining feel like a home away from home. The beautiful presentation and friendly service further enhance the overall experience, making it a memorable outing. Don't miss the banana pudding — a delightful end to a delicious meal that’s hard to believe is vegan!

Overall, Desmond's Island Soul Grill delights customers with its warm ambiance and a diverse menu that caters to even the most discerning vegan palates. It’s a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a flavorful culinary adventure!

Amenities and More

  • Accessibility
    • Has wheelchair-accessible car park
    • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
    • Has wheelchair-accessible seating
    • Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • From the business
    • Identifies as Black-owned
    • Identifies as veteran-owned
    • Identifies as women-owned
  • Service options
    • Has outdoor seating
    • Has no-contact delivery
    • Offers delivery
    • Offers takeaway
    • Serves dine-in
  • Highlights
    • Serves great dessert
  • Popular for
    • Popular for lunch
    • Popular for dinner
    • Good for solo dining
  • Offerings
    • Serves comfort food
    • Serves healthy options
    • Quick bite
    • Serves small plates
    • Serves vegan dishes
    • Serves vegetarian dishes
  • Dining options
    • Serves lunch
    • Serves dinner
    • Has catering
    • Serves dessert
    • Has seating
  • Amenities
    • Has gender-neutral toilets
    • Has toilet
    • Has Wi-Fi
    • Free Wi-Fi
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
    • Cosy
    • Trendy
  • Crowd
    • Family friendly
    • Good for groups
    • LGBTQ+ friendly
    • Popular with tourists
    • Transgender safe space
  • Planning
    • Accepts reservations
  • Payments
    • Accepts credit cards
    • Accepts debit cards
    • Accepts NFC mobile payments
    • Credit cards
  • Children
    • Good for kids
    • High chairs available
  • Parking
    • Free of charge street parking
    • Free parking lot
    • Plenty of parking

Reviews For Desmond's Island Soul Grill

Chuck Wharton
Jun 28,2025
WHOA! Desmond’s is AMAZING! I was excited as soon as I walked in the door. The aroma instantly makes you want to eat. We started with the lentil empanadas and were blown away. Instantly our favorite ... for two minutes until the arepas were brought out piping hot and perfectly seasoned. Arepas were served golden brown with delicious plantains highlighting the filling. Pumpkin curry was out of this world. Mac & Cheese is a delicious twist on an old comfort food. Definitely not your grandma’s recipe! Banana pudding was the perfect end to a delicious meal. The staff is very welcoming and friendly. Service was prompt and the dishes were presented beautifully. Take a chance, get out of your box and try Desmond’s!
Robert Sawyer
Jun 12,2025
Delicious Rasta pasta with BBQ jackfruit. And the rice was nice. Definitely want to try some other dishes. Great variety of vegan food. Friendly and fast.
Rachele Wharton
Jun 9,2025
Wow!! The food here is hands down the best vegan food in Hampton Roads!!! So many great options - all with their own unique flavors, aromas, and texture! All the reviews recommended the lentil empanada; Mac n cheese; and arepa with jackfruit and plantains. So we ordered them, alongside pumpkin curry and rice and its peas. We could not believe the explosions of flavor in every bite. Everything we tried was absolutely delicious. Get your adventure on here today! You will not regret it!! Oh, and don’t forget to save some room for the banana pudding! It is absolutely delicious; so much so, it’s hard to believe it’s vegan!
Brianna B
Jun 4,2025
This place is amazing, the food is so good, full of flavor and you can tell she cooks with love. I went 2 days in a row because I wanted to try everything. I had the Rasta pasta (10/10), Krab cakes, collards (10/10), curry chickpeas, cabbage, and the jerk jackfruit sandwich (10/10). Might I say everything was delicious, especially to be vegan.The owner and staff made it feel like we were at home. Great service. I would highly highly recommend everyone to this place. Don't forget dessert
Kianna
May 28,2025
First time trying Desmond’s and it was absolutely delicious! I’ve been Vegan for a little over a year and I’ve struggled finding good Vegan food. Desmond’s has this and some! I’m so picky about my food (), so I have to give props when due. Food: DELICIOUS Service: EXCELLENT Ambiance & Decor: BEAUTIFULLY done Order: Rasta Pasta w/Jerk Jackfruit & Collard Greens During my visit the restaurant was ran like a well oiled machine with beautiful communication and teamwork. Very well done!
Anne J
Apr 11,2025
My mom and I had lunch here and we have no regrets. Everything we ordered was magnificent, so delicious. We have been trying more vegan spots recently and honestly what caught my attention was de GT flag, I ran over so fast lol. It was a bit of a wait but worth every minute. I highly recommend it and we will definitely be by again. Felt welcomed and the music was definitely what I expected lol. Only critique is a bit more communication to your dine in customers, a little “hey everything is cooked to order so it’ll be a wait” “your food is being prepped rn or will be ready on 10/15mins” etc it helps levitate us feeling antsy or inpatient. provide a lil snack, like some chicken foot or cassava chips.
Dr. Aprilfawn White
Mar 24,2025
Absolutely phenomenal! Desmond’s is a true culinary gem in the Virginia Beach/Norfolk area—a rare find where flavor, creativity, and quality come together perfectly. While many local spots rely heavily on salt, Desmond’s takes a more refined approach, using bold, exotic spices that elevate every dish without overwhelming the palate. I tried the guava lentil balls, pumpkin curry, roti, channa, and cabbage, and every single bite was packed with flavor and clearly made with care. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, do not skip the banana pudding—it’s the perfect finish to an unforgettable meal. The customer service is also top-tier: warm, welcoming, and attentive. Just remember, this is high-quality food, not fast food—so I recommend calling ahead to place your order. This authentic place deserves all five stars, a must-try!
Rehanon Wood
Mar 18,2025
This place is magical! The Rasta pasta was delicious, the guava lazed lentil balls were the best food I’ve ever tasted! The krabcake was chefs kiss! All the sides were delicious! You’ve got to check them out!

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