From Seedlings to Culinary Blooms: A 20-Year Journey of Vancouver's Vegan Eateries

Introduction

Vancouver, a city known for its vibrant food scene, has witnessed a remarkable growth in vegan-specific concepts over the past two decades, beyond the mere offering of vegan options in traditional eateries.

From a humble couple of pioneering fully vegan establishments in the early 2000s to a boom of over 40 dedicated vegan eateries in the 2020s, the city's vegan scene has evolved significantly, offering a diverse range of vegan dining experiences for foodies and conscious consumers alike.

This article explores the data and three stages of progress of vegan eateries in the City of Vancouver and Metro Vancouver from 2005 to 2024, uncovering:

• Stage 1 - The Early Seedlings (2005-2009)
• Stage 2 - Growing Popularity (2010-2019)
• Stage 3 - Blossoming in Challenges (2020-2024)
• Trends and Key Insights
• Opportunities for Future Growth

The data was collected from the Vegan Eateries in Metro Vancouver table as of August 2024. The term eatery in this article is broad and can include any place that prepares and sells meals for consumption, whether the food is eaten on-site, taken out, or delivered.

Three Stages for the 20-Year Growth of Vegan Eateries in Vancouver

Below are two line charts tracking the yearly vegan eateries opening numbers, closing numbers, and total active vegan eatery numbers in the City of Vancouver and Metro Vancouver.

The two charts reveal a striking similarity in the three number patterns, suggesting that the growth of vegan eateries is primarily concentrated within City of Vancouver, with surrounding cities playing a less significant role.

As of August 2024, Metro Vancouver has 58 operational vegan eateries (Chart 2), with 47 (roughly 81%) located within the City of Vancouver (Chart 1).

Stage 1 - The Early Seedlings (2005-2009)

The early 2000s marked the rise of vegan-specific concepts in Vancouver, with two pioneering businesses leading the way: Tama Organic Life Takeout (1995) and Eternal Abundance Cafe (2003).

Both eateries launched from vegan organic stores and had deep roots in the community, which helped their growth, resilience, and longevity. Instead of expanding, they prioritized sustainability, becoming the city's longest-running vegan dining operation.

In the late 2000s, three new vegan eateries debuted, capturing the vegan community's attention: Gorilla Food Raw Restaurant (2007) in downtown Vancouver, OrganicLives Raw Restaurant (2009) in Vancouver, and Karmavore Cafe (2009) near New Westminster's historic waterfront. After trying Gorilla Food and OrganicLives' creative dishes, many dinners were inspired to join the raw vegan movement.

Although vegetarian restaurants such as The Naam and The Foundation were popular among local vegans for their 100% plant-based options, these pioneering vegan eateries provided a unique and welcoming atmosphere where vegans could truly feel at home, relax, and nourish themselves.

Stage 2 - Growing Popularity (2010-2019)

The 2010s marked a pivotal era for Vancouver's vegan scene, characterized by a surge in new establishments and a shift in public perception. This growth was driven by increased awareness of environmental issues, animal rights, and the health benefits of plant-based diets.

A 2015 study indicated that approximately 5% of Canadians adhered to some form of plant-based diet, with 0.3% identifying as vegan.^[1] By 2018, a Dalhousie University survey found that 2.3% of Canadians were vegan, with British Columbia reporting nearly 4% vegan residents.^[2] This growth paralleled the expansion of vegan establishments.

Local vegan restaurateurs also benefited from a variety of locally produced innovative vegan products, including vegan cheese, vegan burger patties, vegan meats, and vegan honey from brands like Big Mountain Foods (1987), Happy Veggie World (1995), Earth’s Own (1996), Gardein (2003), Avafina Organics (2007), Daiya (2008), Mindful FÜD (2015), Blue Heron Creamery (2018), and No Meat Factory (2019). These products not only helped reduce the carbon footprint but also lowered ingredient costs.

Key years of growth—2011, 2015, and 2018—contributed to a consistent upward trend in Vancouver's vegan scene. By the end of 2019, veganism had gained mainstream acceptance, with 47 active vegan eateries in Metro Vancouver, 34 of which were in the city itself (Chart 1 and Chart 2).

Vancouver's vegan scene diversified with a variety of offerings, including restaurants, cafes, bakeries, pizzerias, juice bars, salad bars, food trucks, catering, and meal delivery services, many with gluten-free options.

Full-service and fast-casual vegan dining emerged with establishments like Meet on Main (2013), Virtuous Pie (2015), and Chickpea (2017), showcasing the sophistication and appeal of plant-based cuisine.

Vancouver's vegan scene also embraced international flavors, offering Vietnamese, Chinese, Indian, Middle Eastern, and Ukrainian cuisines, reflecting the city's multicultural character.

The decade saw a boom in vegan bakeries and cafes, totaling 21 by 2019. Notably, Catfe (2016) catered to both vegan and cat enthusiasts, adding a unique twist to the scene.

The 2010s also witnessed the expansion of vegan eatery chains in Vancouver, including Meet, Vegan Pizza House (2011), and Kokomo (2017). Additionally, the Whistler-based franchise chain The Green Moustache (2013) expanded into Metro Vancouver.

An interesting trend was the conversion of vegetarian restaurants to fully vegan menus, such as Paradise Vegetarian Noodle House (2003/2011, now Nam Vegan Express), Veggie Bob's Kitchen (1978/2016), and Panz Veggie (1985/2017).

Women entrepreneurs started to play a significant role, with a dozen women-founded vegan eateries opening, particularly in bakeries and cafes.

By the end of the decade, Vancouver had firmly established itself as a vegan-friendly city, with a diverse and vibrant plant-based culinary landscape catering to varied tastes and preferences.

Stage 3 - Blossoming in Challenges (2020-2024)

The 2020s proved to be a hard period for Vancouver's vegan scene, echoing Dickens' famous paradox: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."

On one hand, veganism continues to soar in popularity. It was reported that the number of vegans in Canada increased by an astounding 84% between 2018 and 2020, with 4.6% of the population (approximately 1.7 million Canadians) identifying as vegan by 2020.^[3] This growth spurred a phenomenal expansion in vegan products and services.

Conversely, the food service industry faced huge challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 dealt the initial blow, followed by a cascade of issues: crop reductions due to extreme climate events, soaring inflation, rising interest rates, and diminished consumer spending in 2022. It created a harsh economic environment for all eateries. Yet, Vancouver's vegan eateries demonstrated remarkable resilience.

In 2020, despite 6 pandemic-related closures, 13 new vegan establishments opened. This trend continued in 2022, with 11 closures offset by 12 new openings, reaching the total number of vegan eateries in Metro Vancouver to a 20-year peak (Chart 2).

Adapting to rising commercial rents and shifting dining preferences, several new vegan establishments emerged as food trucks and take-out only services. Notable examples include:

• Food Trucks: Coco Van Ice Cream Rolls (2020), Planted Love Food Truck (2022), Veg Out (2023), and Good Dogs Plant Foods (2024)
• Take-out Establishments: Khoe (2020) and Operation Sunshine (2021)

The vegan scene continued to innovate, with new vegan concepts attracting both vegans and non-vegans through creative dishes and stylish atmospheres. Standout newcomers included:

• Coco Van Ice Cream Rolls (2020): Thai-style coconut rolled ice cream
• Nettea (2022) and Whisk Matcha Cafe (2021): Vegan bubble tea and matcha soft serve
• Cofu Pressed Sushi (2021): Vegan pressed sushi
• La Bakeria Bakeshop (2022): Traditional Mexican concookie and concha
• The Bunny Cafe (2021): North America's first rabbit adoption cafe

Upscale vegan dining also flourished, with restaurants like Qi (2020), MILA (2020), and Vegan Shoku (2023) earning recognition from Google reviews. Nightshade (2022) was awarded a 2022 MICHELIN Bib Gourmand, while, Folke (2022) received recognition in the 2023 MICHELIN Guide.

However, 2023 and 2024 saw a slight decline, with closures marginally exceeding new openings for the first time in two decades. Despite this, Vancouver's vegan scene remains robust, with a strong foundation for continued growth and innovation in the face of ongoing challenges.

Trends and Insights

Demand for Vegan Cuisine

Overall, the growth trend indicates a strong and increasing demand for vegan cuisine in Vancouver over the past decade. This rise is driven by greater awareness of the benefits of a plant-based diet, especially among younger generations who prioritize health, environmental sustainability, and ethical considerations. The global vegan movement, celebrity endorsements, and social media influences are likely to further boost the vegan population, driving continued demand for plant-based food services throughout the 2020s.

This trend is further supported by a survey conducted by Leger Marketing Inc., published in July 2024, which examines Canadians' spending habits and dining preferences. The survey reveals that 88% of Canadians seek value-priced menu options, with 50% doing so more frequently than a year ago. Additionally, one in four Canadians have dietary restrictions or preferences, which are becoming increasingly important considerations. Notably, Canadians aged 18-34 are more likely than those aged 35 and older to prioritize dietary requirements such as dairy-free, vegetarian, or vegan options.^[14]

Geographical Distribution

The City of Vancouver, with an estimated population of 732,000 in 2023, remains the epicenter of the vegan movement, hosting 81% of the region's active vegan eateries (Chart 3). Metro Vancouver's estimated population is 2.97 million in 2023.^[5] As veganism becomes more mainstream, we may see a trend toward expanding vegan eateries into suburban areas. With more people moving into Metro Vancouver (by 2030, the population is expected to reach approximately 3.2 million^[9]), surrounding cities like Richmond, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey, and Maple Ridge could present opportunities for new vegan establishments.

North Vancouver Insights

North Vancouver, with a population of estimated 94,000^[5], has three active vegan eateries, making it the second-largest market in the region. However, it also has the highest closure rate, with 6 out of 9 vegan eateries closing, 5 of which shut down since 2020, primarily among cafes and bakeries opened before 2020 (Chart 3). This suggests that North Vancouver has been particularly affected by the pandemic and economic challenges in the post-pandemic era. Increased traffic congestion and higher gas prices may also deter visitors to North Vancouver.

Market Dynamics and Eatery Closures

Chart 2 shows that there are 58 active vegan eateries as of August 2024 in Metro Vancouver ( 40 closed among 98 vegan eateries opened or converted in recent 20 years). The vegan eatery scene has become highly dynamic and volatile since 2020 (11 closed before 2020 and 29 closed since 2020). While there were almost equal numbers of openings and closures (12/11) in 2022, closures exceeded new openings in 2023 and 2024, signaling growing market strain.

Among 58 active vegan eateries, there are 30 opened before 2020, while 28 newly opened after 2020 (Chart 6). The close rate of pre-2020 opened is 40% (20/50), and close rate of post-2020 opened is around 25% (9/37) in 2020s, based on Chart 6 and Chart 8 .

Economic disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, higher inflation, shifting consumer preferences, reduced dining spending, rising costs of rent, labor, food and supply chain issues have amplified challenges, leading to a significant turnover in the industry.

Restaurants Canada reported in Feburary 2024 that "62% of restaurants are operating at a loss or barely breaking even – up 9% from July 2023 when it stood at 53%. This is compared to 10% pre-pandemic... It also leads to a notable upsurge in closures in 2023, with bankruptcies up 44% – the highest annual figure in a decade."^[13]

This trend serves as a cautionary note for newcomers to carefully evaluate their business plans.

Chart 4 shows vegan restaurants (compare with other eatery types such as cafes, bakeries and food trucks), have experienced a total closure rate of 51% over the last 20 years (19 closures, 18 active restaurants currently).

Chart 5, Chart 6, Chart 7, and Chart 8 show that the close rate of vegan restaurant type in pre-2020s is 32% (8 closures, 17 active as of December 2019, additional 6 closed since 2020s), while the close rate for newly opened restaurants in post-2020s is 41.7% (5 newly founded closures, 7 newly founded active as of August 2024).

Despite numerous openings and closures, a minimal net increase in the number of active vegan restaurant establishments from 17 in 2019 to 18 in 2024 suggests:

• Sustaining long-term success and maintaining stable growth in the vegan restaurant sector remain a challenge.
• The rise in closures, especially for newly opened restaurants in 2020s (41.7% closure rate), reflects that it is difficult to survive with the heightened volatility in current market conditions.

Chart 4 and Chart 6 show that pre-2020 established cafes had the highest closures (9 in 2020s, and 3 closed before 2020), while the 8 newly opened vegan cafe in 2020s are all active now. This likely indicates that older established cafes had higher overhead costs and struggled to adapt to the economic disruptions and shifting market dynamics.

Vegan bakeries have been relatively resilient, with fewer closures compared to other eatery types. Only 1 newly opened bakery closed post-2020, and 3 pre-2020 bakeries closed, indicating stronger performance in this niche. It may also suggest that customer preferences are evolving.

The data suggests an uptick in vegan food truck openings, the food truck model likely offers more flexibility and lower risk, allowing it to navigate the current market conditions better.

Despite the high closure rate for restaurants, the overall growth in vegan eateries suggests that the vegan entrepreneurs are adapting to challenges, by exploring more flexible, agile, lower-risk business models like cafes, bakeries, takeout, and food trucks, to satisfy the increasing appetite for plant-based dining options.

This trend mirrors the broader restaurant sector, where many restaurants struggle to survive. Yelp data indicates a slowdown in new restaurant growth, while pop-up shops and sweet shops continue to show significant expansion in recent years. This shift underscores a wider industry adaptation to evolving market conditions and consumer behaviors.^[8]

Chart 5 shows the similar percentages of recent openings across restaurants (26%), cafes (30%), and bakeries (23%), which indicate balanced growth in the vegan food service sector, catering to various dining preferences.

Despite challenging economic conditions since 2020, the vegan eatery sector has shown remarkable resilience, indicating strong consumer demand and business adaptability.

Recent Growth Plateau

The vegan market in Vancouver has experienced steady growth since the early 2000s, with notable new opening spikes in 2011, 2020, and 2022. However, the total number of active eateries has plateaued and slightly declined since 2022, suggesting challenging economic conditions.

This trend mirrors the entire Canadian food service sector in 2024. Restaurants Canada Q2 Report reveals that "The first half of 2024 has been difficult as the combined impact of fewer visits and high operating costs are hitting all at once. Running a restaurant has never been more costly."^[12]

The data in Chart 2 might suggest potential market saturation for vegan eateries. However, considering that vegan establishments represent only 2.1% of the 2,827 active eateries in Vancouver as of 2024 (according to Gossnappy's report)^[4], there appears to be significant room for growth in the vegan sector. The low percentage indicates that the vegan market is far from saturated and could expand further to meet increasing demand for plant-based dining.

Cyclical Patterns

A cyclical pattern of growth spurts followed by periods of consolidation or slight decline is evident. This trend is particularly noticeable in the total number of active eateries and new eateries around 2022 to 2024, mirroring a similar decline in 2013 and 2014, as shown in Chart 2. If this pattern holds, we can anticipate further growth spurts in the coming years.

Converted Vegan Eateries Over Time

This pattern, though a minor contributor to growth over the last 20 years (the light blue lines in Chart 2), suggests there is still significant potential for converting traditional eateries to fully vegan in the coming decades.

Women-Founded Businesses

Women play a significant role in Vancouver's vegan eatery landscape:

• 45% of active establishments (26 out of 58) are women-founded.
• 42% of these (11) opened since 2020, indicating recent growth.

The high percentage of recent women-founded eateries suggests increasing opportunities and interest in the vegan sector among female entrepreneurs. This trend also highlights the role of diversity in driving innovation within the industry.

Chart 9 reveals interesting patterns when comparing women-founded counts versus men-founded counts.

• Women dominate vegan bakeries (7 vs. 4)
• Men (including couples and teams where the number of men equals or exceeds women) dominate vegan restaurants (12 vs. 6)
• Almost equal representation in vegan cafes (7 vs. 8)
• Higher representation in vegan delivery services (2 vs. 1)

The patterns suggest that bakeries may offer a more flexible entry point and lower overhead costs for women to start a vegan business, with a lower failure rate.

The success of women in these niches could inspire more female entrepreneurs to enter the vegan food sector, further diversifying the market.

Eatery Types and Menu Evolution

Restaurants, cafes, and bakeries dominate the vegan eatery landscape, comprising 76% of total establishments (Chart 4). Recent years have seen a shift towards fine dining, fast-casual food, and fusion cuisines, with menus evolving from simple, health-oriented dishes to more gourmet, innovative, and culturally diverse options.

Technology Adoption

Most vegan eateries have established an official website, and almost all have a presence on social media platforms, primarily Instagram and Facebook. This indicates that social media is a crucial marketing tool for small businesses, facilitating customer engagement and interaction.

Vegan eateries leverage user-generated review platforms like HappyCow, Abillion, Google Reviews, and Yelp to enhance visibility and credibility. Google My Business is crucial for attracting local diners, while HappyCow and Abillion serve the vegan community specifically. Abillion has gained popularity for dish-specific reviews in recent years. These platforms offer free marketing and customer feedback, helping vegan establishments build their audience and loyalty.

In recent years, many restaurants, cafes, and bakeries have partnered with online delivery platforms like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Skip the Dishes for local delivery. Some establishments also utilize online reservation systems such as OpenTable, demonstrating their adaptability to digital platforms in response to market challenges.

Opportunities for Future Growth

As Vancouver's vegan scene continues to evolve, eateries can capitalize on the following opportunities:

• Expand to Underserved Areas: Vegan eateries should explore expansion into high-traffic, underserved areas with less competition, such as Burnaby's Metrotown, Coquitlam Center, Richmond shopping centers, and the Lougheed Mall area.
• Franchise Opportunities: Vegan restaurant owners can unlock growth by offering franchise opportunities to new vegan entrepreneurs. For example, Buddha-Full has begun franchising this year. With over 40 vegan opportunities available globally, several franchises stand out as promising options for consideration.
• Educate and Engage: Hosting free educational events, such as cooking classes, nutrition workshops, or sustainability talks, can build a loyal community around vegan dining. These initiatives could be funded through vegan advocacy grants and other funding programs.
• Business Coaching: Vegan business owners can enhance their skills and strategies by utilizing resources like Vegan Business Tribe and Vegan Mainstream, which provide specialized coaching for vegan entrepreneurs.
• Employee Training: Offering employee training programs, particularly in adapting to new work environments, can improve operational efficiency and employee retention. B.C.'s Employer Training Grant^[6] can help cover these costs.
• Collaboration and Partnerships: Strengthening partnerships between vegan businesses, local farmers, and suppliers can support the local food system and reduce costs. Notable examples include Sweet Digz Farm, a vegan-organic CSA farm in Richmond, offering the potential for ethical and sustainable local partnerships. The collaboration between Whisk Matcha Cafe and Level V Bakery for online and in-store sales demonstrates successful synergies within the vegan business community.
• Innovation and Experimentation: To keep up with evolving dining experience preferences and stand out in a competitive market, vegan eateries must embrace innovation. This not only helps attract a broader audience but also allows businesses to adapt to emerging food trends. For example, after extensive menu experimentation, Loving Hut Express introduced its Sunshine Teriyaki Burger and Crispy Chick'n Burger in 2011, featuring Gardein's black bean patty with homemade cheese and sauces. These innovative offerings quickly captured the attention of local food enthusiasts and were considered some of the best vegan burgers in town.
• Diverse Menu Offerings: To attract a broader customer base, vegan eateries can leverage global flavors and culinary innovation, introducing novel or fusion menu options that cater to a wide range of tastes. This is very important in Metro Vancouver, as its population comprises 41.8% foreign-born and 53.1% Canadian-born residents, as well as 5.1% non-permanent residents, based on the 2021 Census.^[10] For instance, Level V Bakery's unique vegan mooncakes, offered during the Mid-Autumn Festival season, successfully fill a niche market, as noted by its founder in an interview with Veg Networking Canada.^[11] Similarly, introducing authentic vegan steamed soup buns, currently unavailable in Metro Vancouver, could attract new customers seeking fresh options.
• Technology Integration: Consider adopting technologies to automate business process and improve productivity. These can include: software for project management, staff scheduling, inventory management, customer relationship management, knowledge sharing, and table ordering system; robots for routine tasks; self-service solutions to reduce operational costs. For example, more U.S. restaurants are using ordering kiosks and iPads this year, as the trend reported by Yelp.^[8]
• Media Exposure: Expanding media outreach through Vancouver’s platforms such as The Georgia Straight, Daily Hive, Vancouver with Love, Vancouver Is Awesome, and VEG Networking Canada can enhance brand visibility and attract a broader audience.
• Funding Sources: Funding helps with cash flow, growth and expansion, marketing and technologies, and unexpected expenses. Vegan business can apply for Government Funding for Vegan Restaurant Business^[7], various private vegan investors, and crowdfunding platforms for small businesses.
• Collective Purchasing Initiative: Establish a collaborative buying network for vegan businesses, incorporating an ERP inventory system. This initiative focuses on sourcing local vegan ingredients (producer-to-table) and eco-friendly packaging, aiming to reduce material costs, streamline supply chains, and minimize food waste. Such a collective approach can enhance sustainability efforts while improving overall operational efficiency and profitability for participating businesses.

Conclusion

Vancouver's vegan eateries have come a long way from their humble beginnings and have evolved into a vibrant and diverse cornerstone of the city's culinary scene. As the demand for plant-based dining continues to grow, these establishments are poised to lead in innovation, sustainability, and community engagement. The journey from seedlings to culinary blooms is a celebration of the compassion, resilience, and creativity of Vancouver's vegan entrepreneurs.

Disclaimer

This data analysis study was designed and conducted independently by Yuveganlife.com, with no affiliation or involvement with any other organizations.

The data used in this study may not be 100% accurate or complete.

Vegan Eateries in Metro Vancouver as of August 2024

Reference

1. Plant-based dietary practices in Canada: examining definitions, prevalence and correlates of animal source food exclusions using nationally representative data from the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey–Nutrition, 2020, NIH
2. Survey finds B.C. leads Canada with the largest number of vegetarians and vegans, 2018, The Georgia Straight
3. How Many Vegans Are There in Canada? [2020 Survey], 2021, VegFaqs
4. How Many Restaurants Are In Vancouver - Report, March 14th, 2024, Gossnappy
5. British Columbia Population Estimates, Government of British Columbia
6. B.C. Employer Training Grant, WorkBC 7. Government Funding for Vegan Restaurant Business, Canada Startups 8. Yelp data reveals rise in self-service in fine dining restaurants and nationwide increase in tipping fatigue, 2024, Yelp 9. Metro Vancouver Growth Projections Table, 2021, Metro Vancouver 10. Focus on Geography Series, 2021 Census of Population Vancouver, Census metropolitan area, 2021, Statistics Canada 11. Monica Tang, Level V Bakery Interview, October 5, 2023, Veg Networking Canada 12. Restaurants Canada Q2 Report: Costs Sore, While Traffic Trails Off, June 25, 2024, Restaurants Canada 13. Challenges for the Restaurant Industry Persist into 2024 after Record Breaking Bankruptcies, February 22, 2024, Restaurants Canada 14. Dining Out Trends, July 24, 2024, Leger Marketing Inc.
15. A list of up-to-date vegan eateries in Metro Vancouver maintained by Yuveganlife