Using TripAdvisor data, a study from Lucky Days has found Victoria is the best city in B.C. for vegetarians and the second best in Canada. Plant-based food lovers say they have seen a growing popularity in vegan and vegetarian options.
The study used data to determine the number of vegetarian food establishments in each Canadian city, including restaurants, bars, dessert parlours and BԪַquick biteBԪַ establishments. The number of establishments, as well as their TripAdvisor and Google review ratings, were then used to create an index that scored each city out of 100, with Victoria scoring a 78.05, just behind Niagara Falls, which scored 81.73.
Jordan Reichert, a co-founder of the , said though some businesses closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, plant-based restaurants are making a comeback in the city.
BԪַVegan restaurants have continued to open, which is really exciting to see,BԪַ Reichert says. BԪַBigger cities like Vancouver or Toronto are always going to have many more options, but for the size of (the city), Victoria is in pretty good shape for getting a variety of plant-based options at both vegan-exclusive restaurants and also omnivore restaurants that offer both vegan and non-vegan options.BԪַ
According to the study, Victoria boasts 275 establishments offering a BԪַdiverse rangeBԪַ of vegetarian and plant-based cuisine, along with 13 vegan and vegetarian dessert parlours, and Reichert says the number will continue to grow as more and more residents choose to eat plant-based foods.
BԪַCertainly around Vancouver Island and around the region, weBԪַve seen tremendous growth of veganism and plant-based options at restaurants,BԪַ he said. BԪַMore and more people are concerned about the environment, theyBԪַre concerned about how we treat other animals. Veganism just makes the most sense If weBԪַre trying to build a sustainable society, a society that takes into consideration not just the environmental impact of eating meat, but also the ethical impact of killing other animals.BԪַ
Throughout the year, the Vancouver Island Vegan Association holds a number of events to promote plant-based foods and the vegan lifestyle, including Vegmas, Thanksliving, and Vegtoria.
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