Plant City Providence, the ambitious vegan food hall that helped raise Rhode Island’s profile in plant-based dining, will close its flagship location after nearly seven years. The beloved downtown Providence establishment will serve its final meals on February 8, bringing an end to a chapter that drew diners from across New England and earned repeated local accolades.
In a message to patrons, founder Kim Anderson and the Plant City leadership team said prolonged disruption related to the Washington Bridge failure led to a “sustained drop in foot traffic,” especially during key early dinner hours. They noted that, despite adaptive efforts, the resulting traffic challenges ultimately proved insurmountable for the business model.
“We are sorry to share this news as Plant City and its mission are so dear to us. It has been a place to gather, to joyfully share plant-based food, and to build a community rooted in kindness and care for people and the planet.”
Plant City
Acclaim for Plant City
When Plant City opened in 2019 as a 10,000-square-foot two-story vegan food hall and marketplace—anchored by concepts from internationally known chef Matthew Kenney—it quickly garnered attention for its scale and ambition. The space featured multiple kitchens, a coffee bar, retail market and communal areas, and was touted as the world’s first plant-based food hall of its kind.
In its opening year, Plant City swept notable local honors. It was named Best New Restaurant and Best Healthy Restaurant by Rhode Island Monthly and was recognized by the Providence Journal as Best New Restaurant and Best Vegan Restaurant in the state.
The Plant City team expressed deep gratitude to its employees, crediting them with serving guests “with professionalism and heart,” as well as to the Providence community that supported the restaurant over the years. While the Providence location is closing, Plant City is not disappearing entirely. Plant City’s Barrington venue and the Warwick drive-through will continue to operate, carrying forward many of the hall’s menu favorites.
As one chapter closes, Plant City’s founders emphasized their continued commitment to Rhode Island and to climate-focused work. For Providence diners, however, the loss still lands heavily—a reminder that even beloved institutions aren’t immune to forces far beyond the kitchen.
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