Vegan Practically

No question about it: the restaurant business is tough at the best of times. And these are not the best of times. Earlier this year a report out of Dalhousie University said about 4000 Canadian restaurants could close in 2026.

But Planta? Both Toronto locations of this beloved vegan restaurant were busy every time we went. And with the Yorkville location virtually across the street from us, we went a lot.

There was no official announcement or warning. On the May long weekend the Toronto Vegan group started circulating word-of-mouth news from Planta staff that the restaurant would be closing in four days. Both the Yorkville and Queen locations would serve their last tables on Tuesday, May 19th. People protested that someone had to be wrong! There was a collective processing of this terrible news happening all through the weekend.

I was grieving the loss of my mother but felt compelled to at least get some take-out on the Monday, Planta’s second last day. Sadly, the circumstances made it impossible to enjoy.

Before the end of regular hours on Tuesday they must have run out of food because someone posted that they had gone to have a last meal only to find a handwritten sign on the door that said, “Closed. Sorry for the inconvenience.” The sign is still there. I have walked by it a few times since and I always feel a pang of disbelief.

But Planta is not alone. Rise Above Pizzeria in Hamilton served its last pizzas on May 30. They posted “ONE LAST NIGHT” on their Instagram. The post said that “Due to *gestures broadly at everything* but mostly the economic situation and the current state of the neighbourhood we’ve made the difficult decision to close our doors after 7 years.” Apparently they were packed that last night. Someone said, “too bad they weren’t supported that way before the end.”

If you have favourite vegan restaurants, support them. The business is tough, and if the demand isn’t there then there is no way they will survive. The resurgence of meat-eating is making for an even tougher vegan-only market. It’s absolutely depressing how unapologetically focused on animal products food culture is almost globally (certainly in Canada where I live).

If you’re in the Toronto area, here are some other suggestions now that you can’t go to Planta anymore: Fresh (multiple locations), Stefano’s, the Vegan Danish Bakery, Bellona (vegetarian with a large number of vegan options), Greens, King’s Cafe, La Vegana, Avelo, Hawker’s, Kupfer and Kim, Tenon Sushi, Sushi Momo, Bunner’s Bakery, and Bad Attitude Bakery. And I’m sure I’ve left out a lot, including omni places that have dedicated and diverse vegan menus, such as Evviva, Beertown, and Il Fornello.

We will miss Planta, but we will support the businesses that are hanging in there.