Are you searching for non-leather vegan shoes, belts, wallets, purses, and other items in the USA, Europe, Canada, and other places? If so, you might want to check out VRG’s Guide to Leather Alternatives: https://www.vrg.org/nutshell/leather.php

photo from 17 Plant Based

The Vegetarian Resource Group maintains an online Guide to Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurants in the USA and Canada. Here are some recent vegan restaurant additions. The entire guide can be found here: www.vrg.org/restaurant

To support the updating of this online restaurant guide, please donate at: www.vrg.org/donate

Here are some new additions to VRG’s guide:

17 Plant Based, Hilton, 1710 Orrington Ave., Evanston, IL 60201

17 Plant Based seeks to celebrate our connection with “the world around us” and “empower” and “uplift” through their menu offerings. Leek Soup includes potato, Swiss chard, and sourdough croutons. Red Endive Salad combines avocado, arugula, pickled onion, and mustard vinaigrette. They have Shared Plates such as Lentil Rillettes with grilled sourdough; Mushroom Polenta with shallots, cashew, and pickled Fresno chili; Kale Pancake offering potato, mushrooms, and red endive; Chickpea Lentil Curry and grilled Beetroot Steak featuring parsnip purée, asparagus, onion chips, and chimichurri. Cocktails have enchanting names like Garden After Rain Mojito with Flor de Caña 12 yr Rum, Passion Fruit, simple syrup, and Sparkling Water; Seventeenth Bloom with Prairie Organic Vodka, Grapefruit, and Lavender Syrup; or Botanic Interval with Mijenta Tequila Blanco, Lime Juice, Celery Syrup, and Sparkling Water. Mocktail Pearline blends pear Juice, ginger syrup, Something and Nothing Ginger, and Key Lime Soda. Desserts include Apple Panna Cotta with caramelized apple and toasted almonds or Chocolate Bar showcasing ganache, banana sponge cake, pineapple confit, and passionfruit coulis.

Coffee Beer, 4142 SE 42nd Ave., Portland, OR 97206

Coffee Beer offers a menu subject to change which might include rotating Sandwich options, “cooked fresh” Breakfast Burrito with seasoned, baked tofu, roasted potatoes and vegan cheddar; pinto Bean Cheese Burritos with steamed rice and vegan cheddar; Fiery Fiesta featuring sautéed veggies, vegan chik, steamed rice, hot sauce, and lime; and Phat Dawgs (Weiners and Franks). They also serve various Coffee Drinks (Hot or Iced) like Mocha, iced Cospresso (a double shot of coffee with Coca-Cola or Gingerale), Cappuccino, Latte, Cold Brew with all sorts of Flavored Syrup options like Lavender, Cardamom, Hazelnut, Caramel, and Pistachio to note a few, as well as Hot Cocoa, Turmeric Thai Tea, Ginger Spice Chai, and more.

Himalaya Vegan Organic Restaurant, 1425 York Ave., New York, NY 10021

Their menu changes daily; however, enjoy dishes such as yellow split pea vegetable soup; red lentils with onion and ginger; collard greens and kale with onion and shiitake mushroom sauce; coconut pie; key lime pie, etc.

MidnighTreats, 10 South Payne St., Alexandria VA 22314 and 4513 College Ave., College Park, MD 20740

The philosophy at MidnighTreats is “…we believe in kindness—to the planet, to animals, and to our customers.” Focused on environmental stewardship, they note their use of “compostable cups, cornstarch utensils, aluminum water bottles, and paper straws…” Aiming to craft treats from scratch that are not “overly sweet,” they offer Monster Cookies and standard size Munchie Cookies. Some cookie varieties are Wild-Berry Pop-Tart, Chocolate Pretzel, Birthday Bash—a soft cookie with rainbow sprinkles, Cinna-Roll – a warm cinnamon cookie drizzled with vanilla, and Brownie Cookie which aims to combine brownie fudginess with the chew of a cookie. They have Cookie Pies too such as Cookies n Cream Pie featuring a deep-dish cookies n cream cookie with “homemade” vanilla icing and oreo cookie pieces. Cookie Butter Pie is a snickerdoodle cookie topped with cookie butter and lotus Biscoff cookie crumbs. Both Cookie Pies and Gluten-Free Cookies are baked to order and must be ordered on the website at least 30 minutes in advance. They offer iced Oat Milks and Oat Milk Teas “…similar to Boba teas” in flavors like Strawberry, Mango, and Brown Sugar. Yeast Donuts options include Classic Glazed, Chocolate, and flavors such as Salted Caramel and vanilla iced, Chocolate Cookie Donuts. Simpson fans, there’s even a Homer Donut! Cookie Nachos are small, crunchy cookies made for dipping, paired with two sauces. Nachos are baked to order and so require 30 minutes of prep time before pickup. Some Nachos Cookie Flavors include Chocolate Chip, Red Velvet, Snickerdoodle, and Brownie. Dipping Sauce possibilities are Vanilla or Chocolate Icing, Cookie Butter, Vanilla Sprinkles and Salted Caramel.

Peach and Pine Café, 454 Lake Ave., St. James, NY 11780

Peach and Pine Café focuses on “Scratch Made,” “Fresh Baked,” “Cruelty-Free,” vegan comfort food. Follow them on Social Media for their changing menu. While it varies often, here are some savory possibilities which have appeared on the menu: Cheddar Jalapeño Scones, French Onion or Spinach Artichoke Danish, Baked Ziti Croissants, Margarita Pizza Brioche with creamy garlic sauce, and many more. Sweet Treats have included a myriad of Croissants, Danish, Brioche, Scones, Cupcakes, Cake slices, Cookies, and more in varieties like Poached Plum, Cinnamon Cardamom, Almond or Pain Au Chocolat Croissants, Wild Blueberry Cheese Brioche, plus various Raspberry confections such as Pistachio Custard, several Dark Chocolate baked goods like Hazelnut, Cherry, Salted Caramel, German Chocolate, Mint, and more.

Pride Enjoy, 6302 NY-25A, Ste. 2, Bldg. C, Wading River, NY 11792

All baked goods are made from scratch. Everything is proclaimed vegan and free of gluten, nuts, and artificial coloring. Most popular items include Large Rainbow Cookies, Mini Petit Four with Chocolate Cake, Vanilla Crème and a Chocolate Shell, Cinna-bun Cookie with Cinnamon swirl and Cream Cheese Frosting, individual size Classic Crumb Cake, Raspberry Linzer Bar, fudge-frosted, Large Fudge Brownie with ganache, Vanilla frosted Donut and Caramel Filled Cookie Cup which may be Chocolate Chip or Double Chocolate per availability. They also have Vanilla Cupcakes, Chocolate Chip, Black n White or Sugar Cookies, Red Velvet Cake, Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins and more. While they don’t take Cake orders, Bakers Choice Cakes (serving 8-10 people) may be on hand in flavors like Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry Frosting with Vanilla or Chocolate Cake. Likewise, Large Cookie Assortments may be available in Double Chocolate, Chocolate Chip, Sprinkle Sugar, Oatmeal Raisin and more. They sometimes have Holiday menus as well.

Sorry I’ve Got Plants, 333 Bay St. (The PATH), Toronto, ON M5H 2R0 Canada

Aiming to provide “healthy eats,” to start the day, they offer a Breakfast Burrito, ‘Steak’ and Huevos with seasoned rice, just egg, ‘steak’ bits, salsa, corn, poblano, black beans, pea sprouts, tofu ‘feta,’ and parsley; Avocado Toast with pico, pea sprouts, and vegan parm–with or without additional “egg” scramble; and Banana and Almond Butter toast with hemp hearts, chia seeds, and cinnamon–both toasts on Sourdough. For Fresh Salads, Greek Gyro Bowl showcases house greens, ‘steak bits,’ olives, Greek dressing, chickpeas, pico, and tzatziki. Hearty Hummus Bowl has house greens, hummus, falafel, tahini vinaigrette, and tomato. Both include quinoa, tofu ‘feta,’ cucumber, parsley, pepitas, and toum. ‘Chkn’ and Avo Caesar offers house greens, buffalo ‘chkn’, avocado, caesar, chickpeas, broccoli, ‘bacun’ bits, vegan parmesan, and croutons. One of their Grains and Greens Bowls is Chipotle Bowl with seasoned rice, black beans, chipotle, lime sr ‘cream,’ salsa, corn, poblano, ‘cheese,’ guac, tofu ‘feta,’ house greens, parsley, jalapeño and your choice of protein. Wraps and Sandwiches include ‘Chkn’ Shawarma tortilla with quinoa, hummus, toum, tahini vinaigrette, cucumber, pickled turnip, pickles, tomato, tofu ‘feta,’ and 5 Spice Bánh Mì tofu, with mushroom pate, pickled carrot, daikon, cucumber, cilantro, spicy mayo, and jalapeño on a baguette. Two of their Smoothies are Blackberry Cherry with blackberries, cherries, and almond butter and Tropical Mango Glaze with pineapple and strawberry glaze. Both include banana, oat milk, coconut milk, apple juice, vegan yogurt, and coconut whip. Some Grab and Go Bowls are ‘Chkn’ Greek Herb featuring marinated chickpeas, cucumber, tomato, kalamata olives, tofu ‘feta’, herb ‘chkn,’ shallot, tofu ‘feta’ and Greek dressing and Green Goddess Bowl with falafel, corn, poblano, quinoa, cucumber, roasted broccoli, marinated chickpea, house guac, tofu ‘feta,’ parsley, and green goddess. They also offer Meal Kit Delivery Service.

Dave’s Killer Bread now offers sandwich rolls in two varieties: 21 Whole Grains and Seeds had volumes of texture and flavor to offer, folding sunflower seeds, oats, millet, and flax seeds into each bite. Sandwich Rolls Done Right are a more thoughtful, wholesome approach to plain white bread, with a hint of sweetness for balance.

Read the review here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2026issue1/2026_issue1_veggie_bits.php

To subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only, visit: www.vrg.org/member

This cookbook is filled with 52 creative vegan taco recipes, one for every week of the year. Read Vegan Journal’s review of this book: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2026issue1/2026_issue1_book_reviews.php

To subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only, visit: www.vrg.org/member

photo from No Whey Chocolate

Easter falls on April 5^th in 2026; however, you might want to shop for vegan Easter treats now!

Here’s some online shops offering vegan Easter Chocolate and Candy:

Coracao Confections: https://www.coracaoconfections.com/search?q=vegan+Easter

No Whey Chocolate: https://nowheychocolate.com/easter-chocolate/

Natural Candy Store: https://www.naturalcandystore.com/category/vegan-candy

Lake Champlain Chocolates: https://www.lakechamplainchocolates.com/seasonal-chocolates/vegan-easter-chocolate/

Yum Earth: https://yumearth.com/collections/easter

By Alya Swerling, VRG Intern

Amid the hum of a busy Bryant Park, Le Botaniste feels like a calm oasis for anyone craving healthy and flavorful food. On my recent visit, I had the pleasure of trying the Tibetan Mama, while my friend opted for the seasonal miso soup. Both dishes were outstanding, with all of the ingredients clearly being fresh.

The Tibetan Mama is a vibrant bowl bursting with flavor, featuring a mix of fresh vegetables, grains, and aromatic spices, blended into a delicious sauce, served with kimchi and quinoa. Each bite offered warmth and a gently, not overwhelming, spice that graced my taste buds. The seasonal miso soup my friend ordered contained silky tofu cubes, tender greens, and thinly sliced vegetables. My friend states that it was “light yet nourishing… and oddly complements your dish [the Tibetan Mama].”

     Le Botaniste’s staff was also exceptional. From the moment we walked in, each team member was warm and genuinely welcoming. Their energy made the experience much more enjoyable, and they answered all my questions about the ingredients in the Tibetan Mama. In a city where dining can sometimes feel rushed, this level of care can set a restaurant apart from others.

The atmosphere of the restaurant also complemented the staff’s warm demeanor, and, of course, the food. Bright, airy, and inviting, our surroundings provided a peaceful environment to enjoy a meal. I saw friends, family, and solo diners, a restaurant that was perfect for any group. Adding to the charm were the art displays and paintings, as well as the puns and jokes scattered throughout the restaurant. One standout piece was the hanging carrot sculpture, which added a playful and creative touch that made the cafe feel very whimsical.

For anyone exploring plant-based options in NYC, Le Botraniste is a must-visit! It’s a place where healthy food doesn’t feel like a compromise, service is genuine, and each dish is crafted with care, right in front of you. I’m already planning my next trip to try their next seasonal offerings.

For information on  Le Botaniste various locations, see https://lebotaniste.us/

To find other vegetarian and vegan restaurants in the U.S. and Canada, go to https://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php

A winner of VRG’s 2025 College Scholarship wrote an article for Vegan Journal on Vegan Beauty Products. Alexandria Wolfe in 2024 was selected as the national winner of the Teen Miss Earth USA Pageant.

Read her article here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2026issue1/2026_issue1_vegan_beauty_products.php

To subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only, visit: www.vrg.org/member

Three Farmers crunchy roasted fava beans and garbanzo beans are generously seasoned with a diverse range of flavors, from the basic Sea Salt treatment to trendy Dill Pickle, and even a deceptively cheesy Zesty Cheddar.

Read the review here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2026issue1/2026_issue1_veggie_bits.php

To subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only, visit: www.vrg.org/member

Friday, July 31, 2026 to Monday, August 3, 2026.

For details, see https://www.humaneworld.org/en/events/taking-action-for-animals/schedule-of-events

If you attend, please be sure to stop by The Vegetarian Resource Group booth and say hello.

Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik

Debra Daniels-Zeller offers a variety of recipes featuring root vegetables in her article titled Vegan Roots. Enjoy these recipes: Rosemary Roasted Roots; Orange-Marinated Beets; Carrot-Rutabaga Coleslaw; Tomatoes and Lentils with Carrots, Turnips, and Kale; Mashed Celeriac-Potatos with Roasted Garlic; Jerusalem Artichokes with Caramelized Onions; Curried Parsnip Soup; and Sweet Potato Dip. Find the article here:

https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2008issue4/2008_issue4_vegan_roots.php

To subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA, see: https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php