By Taylor Helle
For the third year, Portland vegan dining will be enhanced as restaurants across the city debut new vegan dishes encouraging locals to go vegan for the month of January. Created by Vegans, Baby founder Diana Edelman and organized by Portland Vegans, this plant-based initiative aims to introduce locals to the vegan lifestyle through an immersive and community driven experience.
With the generous support of local participating restaurants, locals will be able to dine out around the city and find amazing vegan food options. This will hopefully encourage participants to go vegan after the month or even consider a more plant-based diet. The event also helps to introduce new spots to vegans who dine out, while showcasing diversity around the city.
“I am so excited to enter into the third year in Portland in partnership with Portland Vegans,” says Edelman. “The city has such a dynamic vegan dining scene and I am thrilled to have an event here that encourages people to dine out during the month and give restaurants–both vegan and vegan-friendly–a try for a good cause.”
Throughout the event, a portion of the proceeds from all featured vegan dishes will be sent toward aiding Life of Riley Dog Rescue, a foster-based dog rescue in Oregon. Life of Riley is a nonprofit that functions entirely off of donations and volunteers, with the goal of finding loving, forever homes for dogs that are facing the fate of an overcrowded, high-kill shelter.
The month itself is supported by Veganuary, a nationwide, non-profit campaign sponsored by ACE Natural, a green and socially responsible NY-based food distributor. Hundreds of thousands of people in the US partake in the Veganuary global challenge every year, providing a sense of community and accountability for participants as they navigate the month.
Those who would like to explore incorporating vegan recipes into their home cooking can visit the Veganuary website for easy access to vegan inspiration. Additionally, they can also subscribe to the Veganuary mailing list to receive delicious recipes, celebrity cookbooks, nutritional advice and coaching emails throughout the month.
For locals to further engage in the event, they can follow along through @portlandvegans on Instagram, where vegan eats around the city are showcased. The account will be sharing information on participating restaurants for Vegan Dining Month 2023 and posting mouthwatering pictures and videos as the month continues. “This is my fourth year participating in Vegan Dining Month with Vegans, Baby,” says Instagram account owner, Bunny, “and it is always such a blast to connect with and spread the word about the many amazing dining establishments Portland has to offer!”
Portland restaurants also benefit from engaging in this experience. It’s an opportunity for Portlanders to support local restaurants, as well as provide participating locations the ability to further connect with the community and learn about the plant-based demand as they debut brand new vegan dishes.
The restaurants participating in Portland Vegan Dining Month include Spoons on 13th, CoKiea’s Kitchen, Wicked Kitchen, Top Burmese (four locations), Homegrown Smoker, The Mocking Bird, V3, Pizza Thief and Kati Portland. For a full list of Portland Vegan Dining Month restaurant partners and menus, visit .Â
The Mac Daddy Burger from Homegrown Smoker. Photo by Portland Vegans.
