# Swanky Plant-Based Eateries Toronto's 'Planta' Serves Up Sophisticated Veggie-Heavy Meals By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2016-12-22 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/planta References: [torontolife](http://torontolife.com/food/restaurants/planta-vegetarian-carrot-hot-dogs-chase-hospitality-david-lee-yorkville/) & [facebook](https://www.facebook.com/plantatoronto) While most vegetarian and vegan eateries stick to salads and faux-meat patties, 'Planta' offers something entirely different. Instead of bland tofu and simple sandwiches, this plant-based eatery serves up sophisticated [plant-based dishes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plant-points). Planta is a plant-based restaurant located in Toronto's chic Yorkville neighborhood. The restaurant itself features an ultra-hip interior, with soaring ceilings, colorful plates and [Instagram](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lemon-drop-smoothie)-friendly decor. However the menu is the restaurant's real draw, with a wide range of [vegetarian and vegan dishes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aw-canada) dreamed up by superstar chef David Lee. Some of the standout dishes include the '18 Carrot Dogs' featuring smoked carrot 'sausages' on yellow tumeric buns and the 'Young Thai Coconut' filled with coconut pudding and passion fruit sorbet. Even the drinks boast a plant influence with cocktails featuring ingredients such as aloe, beets and agave nectar. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.0/10 - Popularity: 36% | Activity: 17% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Gourmet Plant-based Dining:** Innovative plant-based restaurants are emerging, catering to those looking for refined and elevated dining experiences without meat. - **Sophisticated Vegetarian Cuisine:** Professional chefs are creating complex plant-based dishes that challenge the notion of vegetarian cuisine as 'bland' or 'simple.' - **Instagrammable Plant-based Restaurants:** Plant-based restaurants are focusing on trendy decor and aesthetics that cater to social media-savvy diners. ### Who This Affects Most - **Restaurant Industry:** In an increasingly health-conscious world, restaurants have the opportunity to appeal to plant-based diners searching for upscale, flavorful plant-based options. - **Hospitality Industry:** Hotels and resorts with restaurants can attract health-conscious travelers by offering upscale plant-based dining experiences with modern decor and Instagram-worthy aesthetics. - **Food and Beverage Industry:** There is a growing demand for plant-based foods that are flavorful, upscale, and well-conceived, providing opportunities for innovation and expansion within the food and beverage industry. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [African-Inspired Vegan Cuisine](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/afrobeat-kitchen.md) - [Plant-Based Coupon Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plantbased-coupon.md) - [Soft-Pink Wellness Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yorkville-village.md) - [Evolutionary Toronto Dining Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-drake-hotel.md) - [Elevated Vegan Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/community-resto.md) - [Alternative Protein Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/neat-burger-2.md) - [Multi-Sensory Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selva-toronto.md) - [Limited-Edition Meatless Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chikn-parm.md) - [Plant-Based Halloween Steakhouses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegan-cannibal-steakhouse.md)