Plant-based pizza does not necessarily have widespread availability across Toronto, so when Vancouver import Virtuous Pie landed here back in 2018, meatless eaters and those looking for healthy pizza options welcomed it with open arms. Unfortunately, the beloved vegan pizza joint is the latest in a string of restaurants forced to shut down as a result of financial struggles due to COVID-19.
Founded in Vancouver, the entirely plant-based spot was opened by Rob Milne and his sons Ben and Alex, all passionate vegan foodies with a vision for a welcoming, inclusive space serving up delicious, handcrafted, locally-focused food. The menu focuses on meatless versions of classic dishes like caesar salad, mac n' cheese and garlic knots, plus a list of plant-based pizzas featuring hand-stretched, three-day dough and artisanal nut-based cheeses. They even have dairy-free ice cream for a sweet ending to your meal.
On their Instagram page, the restaurant cited uncertainty about the future as the main push to close their doors, and noted that this was not an easy decision to make. They will remain open for the rest of the week for pickup and delivery through DoorDash, Uber Eats and Ritual, so be sure to grab one of their delectable pies before it's too late.
While they are heartbroken to leave their Toronto community behind, their BC and Portland locations will remain open, so be sure to stop by if you're visiting the west coast sometime in the future.
