PLANTA Closes All Toronto Locations

Edited by The VEGPRENEUR Team

PLANTA, the upscale plant-based restaurant chain that helped define Toronto’s vegan dining scene, has officially closed all of its Canadian locations.

The brand confirmed that its Yorkville and Queen West restaurants have permanently shut down, marking the end of nearly a decade of operations in the city where the company first launched.

Founded in 2016 by chef David Lee and entrepreneur Steven Salm, PLANTA quickly became one of the most recognizable names in plant-based dining. Known for its elevated atmosphere and viral dishes like watermelon ahi nigiri, Bang Bang Broccoli, and the PLANTA Burger, the restaurant helped bring vegan cuisine into Toronto’s mainstream food culture.

According to statements shared by the company, the closures were driven by ongoing financial and operational pressures, as well as a broader strategic decision to focus on growth in the United States. While the Canadian locations have closed, PLANTA’s U.S. restaurants remain open across cities, including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.

The news follows months of reports surrounding the company’s financial struggles. Earlier this year, coverage emerged detailing bankruptcy proceedings and liquidation efforts tied to parts of the business, highlighting the growing challenges facing premium plant-based restaurant concepts in today’s market.

PLANTA’s closure also reflects a larger shift happening within Toronto’s vegan dining scene. While plant-based eating continues to grow overall, many consumers are increasingly prioritizing affordability and casual dining experiences over luxury vegan concepts. Industry observers have pointed to rising operating costs, changing consumer habits, and increased competition as ongoing pressures for restaurant brands in the sector.

For many diners, PLANTA represented more than just a restaurant. It became a cultural touchpoint for modern plant-based dining in Canada and helped prove that vegan food could attract mainstream audiences, trend-driven consumers, and high-profile attention alike. Its departure marks the end of a major chapter for Toronto’s plant-based food scene.