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Boomers are surprised by how vibrant vegan dining can be. New places serve rich, plant based food with real flavor and community.
They tell tales about first bites at unexpected restaurants that changed how they see vegan meals, with warmth, fun, and real surprise.
Chicagoโs Spirit Elephant and Deep Dish Scene

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In Chicago, retirees love Spirit Elephant and vegan deep dish pizza from Kitchenโฏ17. One bite of crispy plant based crust and they ask, How is this even vegan? It feels local, bold, and totally worth the journey.
Men & Beasts, Echo Park, Los Angeles
This new LA spot makes modern vegan Chinese classics like kung pao tofu and seitan wings. Boomers visiting Echo Park find warmth in every bite and something familiar enough to feel at home.
Kale My Name, Chicago and L.A.
With homestyle vegan bowls, Kale My Name feels honest and homely. Residents past sixty share stories of finding comfort in plant based soul food they didnโt expect to love. Itโs cozy, hearty, and expanding fast.
Off the Griddle, Portland
Portlandโs Off the Griddle serves vegan burgers and retro diner flair. Boomers say it reminds them of classic diners, with waffles and burgers, but plant based. The fun atmosphere keeps them coming back.
Vedge, Philadelphia Fine Dining
In Philly, Vedge offers elegant vegan tasting menus inside a historic townhouse. Boomers visiting say they feel pampered by vegetables, flavorful, refined, and quietly impressive.
Portlandโs Food Cart Culture
Portlandโs vegan food carts fill boomers with wonder. They wander pods tasting everything from vegan mac bowls to meatless chili. The casual setup feels welcoming and endlessly interesting.
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Mexico Cityโs Vegan Street Food Scene
First timers might not expect vegan huitlacoche tamales or blue corn tacos to impress. Boomers who try them find flavor that shocks, in a good way, and they go back for more.
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Plant, Asheville
In the Blue Ridge Mountains, Plant cooks with feeling. Seasonal produce becomes smoky mushroom steaks or bright lemon tofu. Boomers visiting Asheville say it changed their idea of vegan food forever. One called it โthe coziest fancy dinner Iโve ever had.โ
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Virtuous Pie, Vancouver
Vegan pizza? Boomers were skeptical until they tried this. With shops in Vancouver, Toronto, and Portland, Virtuous Pie does crusts just right, wild toppings, and creamy oat based gelato. Retirees swing by for a slice and leave with full hearts and a pint to go.
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Cafe Sunflower, Atlanta
This cheerful cafรฉ has been around since the โ90s, quietly converting skeptics with crispy โshrimpโ tacos and rich sesame noodles. Boomers often say, โI came for the grandkids. I stayed for the food.โ Itโs plant-based Southern comfort, served with a smile.
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Crossroads Kitchen, Los Angeles
This isnโt your hippie cousinโs vegan cafรฉ. Itโs elegant, candlelit, and dressed like old Hollywood. Boomers love the upscale vibe and chef crafted dishes. The lasagna? Shockingly rich. The wine list? Impressive. Itโs proof that vegan dining can be grown up, glamorous, and deeply good.
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The Acorn, Vancouver
Vancouverโs Acorn makes vegetables feel like fine art. From fried maitake to delicately plated beet tartare, itโs a favorite among retirees with refined palates. Boomers say they came for the view, but this spot made them stay for the dinner and the joy.
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Veggie Galaxy, Cambridge, Massachusetts
This retro diner serves all day breakfast, vegan burgers, waffles, and shakes. Boomers who grew up with classic diners feel right at home. They enjoy stacked sandwiches and creamy milkshakes, smiling like itโs 1965 again, only this time, itโs all plant based.
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Boomers are quietly joining vibrant vegan scenes all over the world. These spots feel welcoming, flavorful, and surprising. Each bite carries community, curiosity, and real human connection on a plate. Itโs not just about eating differently, itโs about living well, together, with joy.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the authorโs opinion based on research and publicly available information.
15 Canned Goods Boomers Still Buy That Gen Z Would Never Touch
Open a Boomerโs pantry, and thereโs a good chance youโll find a tower of canned goods, some familiar, some slightly mysterious, and all shelf stable.
For Gen Z? That same shelf feels like a time capsule. Some cans they avoid entirely, others spark viral curiosity.
Read it here: 15 Canned Goods Boomers Still Buy That Gen Z Would Never Touch
How to Save $100+ Every Month at the Grocery Store
From planning your meals to avoiding sneaky upcharges in the snack aisle, hereโs a realistic guide to trimming your food budget without adding stress to your week.
Read it here: Things Moms Waste Money On (and Donโt Even Know It)
Is Walmart+ Still Worth It in 2025? The Truth After 3 Years
Is the new Walmart Plus worth the annual fee or is it just another failed version of Amazon Prime? I spent my own money trying this service out for 12 months and counting. I have a lot to say about the benefits and drawbacks in this Walmart+ honest review.
Read it here: Is Walmart+ Worth It? Honest Review 3 Years Later!
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