What is a Vegan Restaurant?

1. What is a vegan restaurant?

Vegan restaurants eschew animal and animal-derivative products, including all meats, butter, dairy, gelatin, and honey. The focus is on whole food, plant-based ingredients such as seasonal fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, and grains and legumes. 

Vegan chefs are known for their progressive and bold techniques and for making nearly everything from scratch, from cashew cheese to zucchini noodles. The landscape is diverse, encompassing high-end white-tablecloth establishments to fast-casual lunch spots. 

Almost all reflect their “green” philosophy not just in their marketing and menus but also in the design and layout of their restaurants. Plants, textile artwork, leafy patios, and light-filled minimalist décor are common design elements.

2. What is the history of vegan restaurants?

The tofu boom of the 1980s inspired a handful of entirely-vegan restaurants to open in cities like London, New York, and Los Angeles. 

But the vegan dining scene is still popular. It wasn’t that long ago when the media declared 2019 “The Year of the Vegan.” 

The explosive growth of vegan-only restaurants is largely thanks to recent breakthroughs in high-tech “meat” technology. In short, faux meat has never tasted so good. At the same time, chefs have refined their plant-based techniques, approximating the flavor and texture of cheese, pasta, bread, and other crave-worthy foods.

3. What is typically on a vegan restaurant menu?

Though there are many different price points and cooking styles, you can count on sophisticated labor-intensive dishes gracing most menus. 

Vegan chefs are famously innovative, recreating popular non-vegan dishes with nut cheeses, seitan bacon, tofu chicken, and jackfruit pork. The exact menu items will depend on the type of restaurant, but as a rule of thumb, casual lunch spots typically offer grain-based bowls, stir-fries, and salads. 

Sit-down restaurants with large kitchens provide more cutting-edge fare. Chefs often source produce from local farms or on-site vegetable gardens where they can grow specialty microgreens or edible flowers. 

The beverages are equally healthful, eschewing sodas in favor of flavored waters and tonics. Libations often include organic and biodynamic wines, kombuchas, and microbrews.

4. How do you start a vegan restaurant?

Though veganism is rising, only an estimated 6% of U.S. consumers identify as vegan. Finding potential customers will be critical because it is still a niche market. 

Market research is the most important step in opening a vegan restaurant. You’ll want to find out where vegans and vegetarians live, how old they are, their income level, how often they eat out, and how much they spend on restaurants. 

Remember that many omnivores often eat at vegan restaurants to reduce meat consumption or to break up the usual dining routine. Get to know your local competition to ensure you’re offering a new and original experience.

5. How much does it cost to start a vegan restaurant?

The estimated startup cost for a restaurant falls between $175,500 and $750,500, according to data from RestaurantOwner.com. But the actual amount varies depending on many factors such as location, renovations, equipment, labor, and utilities. 

Consumable costs may run higher for vegan restaurants, which often tie their identity and concept to extremely high-quality ingredients. Expect to pay more per pound for local, organic produce than you would for vegetables from a wholesaler. 

Many vegan restaurants also sell eco-friendly food products and vegan cookbooks, which can be a great way to increase profits.

6. Most popular types of vegan restaurants

The most popular restaurants provide indulgent dishes that were once off-limits to vegans because of the use of animal products. Think pizza, buffalo wings, Philly cheesesteak, carnitas tacos, and ice cream. 

Vegan renditions of comfort food dishes allow diners to indulge in cravings while staying true to their ethical and nutritional philosophies. Expansive menus with international influences and varied dishes are a welcome departure from the limited dining options of the past. 

Conclusion 

Being on the leading edge of a growing industry comes with significant risks but also the potential for big rewards. As more people consider the meat industry's impact on their health and the environment, demand for vegan dining will continue to grow.