Here’s Another Theory – They Don’t Reciprocate

 After all, if I take a vegetarian friend out to dinner, every single restaurant has a vegetarian option, but when did a vegetarian restaurant ever serve steak for non-vegetarian diners?

Ask anyone who frequents plant-based establishments – whether they are vegan, vegetarian or simply trying to cut down on meat – and it is likely that they will have seen a favourite spot go under in recent years. Many of my London favourites, such as Rudy’s Vegan Diner, Halo Burger and Neat Burger, have closed, while friends across the country have lamented their own losses: The Glasvegan in Glasgow, Veggie Republic in Liverpool, Jungle Bird in Birmingham.

And why is this? 

There seem to be two popular theories as to why so many apparently successful plant-based restaurants are closing. Some argue that the hospitality industry as a whole is struggling; others say that the never-ending, oversimplified discourse about protein and ultra-processed foods has driven people away from veganism.

The elephant in the room that they are avoiding is surely the lack of choice - if you want to take a group of friends out for a meal, where do you go?  Somewhere everyone can get what they like, or somewhere only vegetarians can?

But, despite the negativity, interest in veganism is still on the rise, with environmental and health concerns now considered more significant contributing factors to giving up animal products than animal welfare.

But there are people for whom the penny has dropped: 

Then there was the news last month that the New York-based Eleven Madison Park (EMP), the only plant-based establishment in the world with three Michelin stars, would be putting meat back on its menu this autumn. The head chef, Daniel Humm, explained: “The best way to continue to champion plant-based cooking is to let everyone participate around the table.”

Hurrah! Yes? Apparenetly not, Reader: 

Unsurprisingly, this announcement did not go down well with EMP’s nearly half a million followers.

Why? It seems they are less concerned with going to a restaurant that serves the food they like, and more concerned with going to a restaurant that doesn't serve the food they don't like. Bizarre behaviour.