The Rise of Plant-Based Restaurants in California

In today's society, adopting a vegan diet or adhering to more plant-based nutrition is growing in popularity. Because of this, people are now searching for restaurants that offer whole vegan or plant-based menus, including appetizers and desserts. California, in particular, seems to be leader in opening these types of restaurants across the nation.

Plant-based diets and eateries that promote plant-based nutrition are becoming more and more popular as a result of global warming implications and people taking more control of their health. According to current market research, the popularity of plant-based and vegan diets have increased over the past ten years, especially in Western nations. Between 2018 and 2020, the dollar sales of plant-based foods increased in the United States by 43%, growing about 2.5 times faster than the overall food market. As a result, upmarket restaurants now offer completely vegan and plant-based meals and we are seeing this specifically in California.

A recent study by Nestpick Global Services found that Los Angeles is the most vegetarian-friendly city in the U.S. based on the affordability of plant-based protein products and the number of vegetarian restaurants and businesses. California’s organic and plant-based foods industry was worth $3 billion in 2019 with more than 6,900 specialty food businesses in the state, according IBISWorld.

Restaurants, like Café Gratitude, are making adjustments to their business practices to cater to the needs of vegan consumers by offering enticing substitutes for animal goods on their menus, such as burgers, pizza, and coffee. Due to the broad availability of meat and dairy replacements, a benefit of dining in plant-based restaurants is having a greater range of healthy meals to choose from. Not only are more restaurants offering vegan options, but many are also actively promoting sustainability and eco-friendliness. By offering vegan options, many restaurants are increasingly attempting to draw customers interested in sustainable practices.

Café Gratitude’s adapts this way of living with our mission to be sustainable. We offer food that’s as-close-to-the-farm as possible, resulting in nutrient dense, satisfying and healthy meals.
Our commitment is that our food, service and environment awakens you into a state of gratitude. We strive to source the highest quality, nutrient dense ingredients from local farmers and the best artisan producers. We believe food is medicine.

Visit one of our several locations in California or order meal plans to enjoy plant-based food in the comfort of your own home.

References:

Retail sales data: Plant-based meat, eggs, dairy | GFI. (2021). Gfi.org; Good Food Institute. 

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