Thank you for joining me on this exciting new chapter for Veggie in the 6ix! Whether you’re a long-time follower, a subscriber to the V6 newsletter, or you’ve discovered us through the Vegan Restaurants booklet, I’m thrilled to have you here.

However you found your way, I’m glad you did—because there’s so much in store! This newsletter will land in your inbox Every Thursday (with occasional exceptions) to keep you connected to all things vegan in Toronto.

My goal is for this newsletter to become your go-to source for vegan news, events, and happenings across the city. While I strive to cover it all, I know I might miss a few things here and there—but as this community grows, so will our shared knowledge and connections.

Now, let’s dive into this week’s updates!

Week of Jan 29 - Feb 4:

News:

• New School Foods has introduced a plant-based salmon fillet that replicates the look, taste, and cooking experience of traditional salmon, including its Omega-3 content (newschoolfoods.co).

  Previously available only at Stefano’s, Bar Avelo in Toronto has recently added a "Fish & Chips" dish to their menu, featuring the salmon fillet.
  

  Animal Liberation Kitchen also had a soft launch of a salmon dish served with Serbian-inspired creamy spinach and boiled baby potatoes for their brunch : (Saturdays 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM & Sundays 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM). Hopefully it will be a permanent fixture.

• Planta has recently updated its menu to include an expanded selection of sushi rolls. New additions feature several items like the Spicy Crab Hand Roll, Volcano Roll, and the Red Dragon Roll featuring carrot salmon and pickled watermelon.

  

  Volcano Roll

  In addition to sushi, Planta has introduced a plant-based steak option utilizing Chunk Foods' steak. Chunk Foods creates vegan steaks using ingredients like soy, wheat, beets, and coconut, through fermentation to deliver a juicy and tender meat alternative. chunkfoods.com

  Don’t forget that Planta offers special promotions on select days:

  • Maki Monday: After 5 PM, enjoy unlimited maki rolls for $29 per person or individual rolls for $9 each.

  • Pour Decision Wednesday: All day, indulge in half-priced wine, available by the bottle or glass.

  • Weekday Happy Hour: Monday through Friday, from 3 PM to 6 PM, enjoy $9 'tinis and cocktails, $8 wine, and snacks starting at $5.

  • Weekend Brunch (until 4pm)

    $30 for endless brunch cocktails.
    

• University of Toronto Café Adopts All-Vegan Menu for Veganuary

  In January 2024, the University of Toronto's Gerstein Science Information Centre's café, La Taula Verde, transitioned to a fully plant-based menu to celebrate Veganuary. The café offers a variety of vegan options, including soups, grab-and-go snacks, entrées, and beverages. Chef Nancy Manotas, leading the initiative, emphasized her interest in longevity foods and plant-based diets.

Events:

• Toronto Vegan Drinks – Dry January Special
  📅 Date: Friday, January 31, 2025, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  📍 Location: Dosa Mahal, 9 Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto

  🥗 A social gathering for Toronto's vegan community, featuring delicious South Asian vegan cuisine at Dosa Mahal. This Dry January-themed event will focus on great food and conversation in an alcohol-free setting. Name tags will be provided to encourage mingling, and guests are encouraged to support the venue by purchasing food and drinks.

  🎟️ RSVP here: Meetup Event Page

• Winterlicious 2025 is set to take place from January 31 to February 13, offering Torontonians a chance to enjoy prix-fixe menus at over 230 participating restaurants. This annual culinary event provides an excellent opportunity to explore the city's diverse dining scene at various price points.
  
  For those seeking vegan options, approximately 38 restaurants are offering vegan menu items during this year's Winterlicious, including Bar Avelo and Hawker. For a full list of participating restaurants and their menus, you can visit the official City of Toronto Winterlicious page: toronto.ca

• Odd Burger Vegan Pizza – Limited Time Launch

  📅 Available Starting: January 31, 2025
  📍 Where: Odd Burger locations, Odd Burger App, SkipTheDishes, Uber Eats, and DoorDash

  🍕 Odd Burger is introducing freshly made personal-sized oven-baked vegan pizzas! The 8" pizzas come with traditional pizza sauce, dairy-free mozzarella, and four delicious topping options:

  • Cheeze

  • Pepperoni

  • Plant-Meat Lovers

  • Hawaiian

  ⏳ Limited time only! Available while supplies last at participating locations. Terms and conditions apply.

  🎟️ Order in-store or online!

• Vegan Brunch Pop-Up & Sunday Funday Trivia
  Date: Sunday, February 2, 2025, at 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
  Location: Left Field Brewery, Leslieville
  Details: Enjoy a delicious vegan brunch by Sausage Party while testing your knowledge with fun trivia games at this lively pop-up event. Great food, great company, and a chance to win prizes! Admission is free, but space is limited. (eventbrite.com)

Activism:

• Movie Night at the Lab

  📅 Date: Friday, January 31, 2025, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

  📍 Location: Wishbone Animal Rights Lab, 600 Bay Street, Suite 305, Toronto, ON M5G 1M6

  🎬 Event Details: Join the Wishbone Animal Rights Lab for an evening of thought-provoking cinema focused on animal rights and veganism. The event aims to educate and inspire discussions on compassionate living.

  🍿 Refreshments: Complimentary vegan snacks and beverages will be provided.

  🎟️ Admission: Free; donations to support the Lab's initiatives are appreciated.

  For more information and to RSVP, please visit the Wishbone Animal Rights Lab's event page.

The Toronto Vegan Restaurants Guide 2025

World Vegan News:

• 🌍 Veganuary 2025 Participation Statistics

  Veganuary has seen significant growth since its inception in 2014. In 2024, over 1.8 million people officially participated in the challenge. Additionally, more than 2,100 new vegan products and menu items were launched globally during Veganuary 2024. The movement has expanded to over 228 countries and territories, reflecting its increasing global reach.

These developments highlight the growing interest in plant-based diets and the impact of initiatives like Veganuary in promoting sustainable and health-conscious eating habits.

In the Near Future:

*(more info will come closer to the dates)

• Vegan Soap Making Workshop
   📅 Date: Friday, February 7, 2025, at 7:00 PM
  📍Location: Studio Mooi
  Details: Learn the art of vegan soap making in this hands-on workshop.

  🎟️ Tickets start at $156.75.

• The Winter Chocolate Show
  📅 Date: Saturday, February 8, 2025, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  📍 Location: Appel Salon, Toronto Reference Library

  🍫Details: A celebration of artisanal chocolate featuring a marketplace, tastings, and seminars. Vegan-friendly exhibitors will be present—stay tuned for details!

  🎟️ Tickets available now: thewinterchocolateshow.com

• Brown Sugar Bakery Valentines Popup at ALK

  📍Location: 100 Broadview Ave

  Details: Feb 9th Sunday - 10 AM to 2 PM

• Vegan Speed Dating Event

  📅 Date: Wednesday, February 12, 2025, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM EST

  📍 Location: Online (via DateNight AI platform)

  Details: In partnership with PETA, DateNight AI is hosting a virtual speed dating event for compassionate, plant-based individuals seeking meaningful connections. Price is $15 if registered by Friday, February 7, 2025, at 11:00 PM EST; $20 thereafter. Event page

Do you have a business or event that you think should be listed? Email us at [email protected] to submit a request.