Nosh, cocktails, imbibes and the other bachelorette lifestyles are often intertwined with Democratic, progressive politics and Columbus culture.
I spent winter 2026 with Tariq Ali’s catalog and a beer bong.
Spring is Sprung.
Columbus Vegan Dining Week is April 19-25th.
- Please elaborate about Columbus Vegan Dining Week.
Columbus Vegan Dining Week (CVDW) is a citywide celebration of vegan and plant-based dining during Earth Week. It highlights local restaurants across Central Ohio offering great vegan options — whether that’s a full vegan menu or a special plant-based feature. It’s a fun way for the community to explore new spots and support local restaurants during the week.
- Who organized Columbus Vegan Dining Week?
CVDW is organized by about a dozen local Columbus Animal Advocates volunteers. We are also partnering with Pro Animal Future for this event as well.
- Why did you choose Earth Week?
Great question. Animal agriculture is a leading cause of climate change and environmental destruction. The amount of land and resources needed to support the current food system is unsustainable. By highlighting plant-based entrees, we aim to raise awareness of the environmental impact one’s meal choices have. By focusing on the wide variety of plant-based options offered by the participating restaurants, we hope to show Columbusites that a great dining experience can be had while simultaneously minimizing one’s environmental impact.
- Which restaurants are participating in Vegan Dining Week?
For an up to date list of participating restaurants, please visit CVDW’s website at cbusvegweek.com
The current list includes:
- 4th & State
- 6-1-Pho
- Blackend Coffee Co.
- Can’t Believe It’s Vegan
- Dirty Franks
- Falafel Kitchen
- Fibonacci’s
- Flavors of India
- Good Energy Café
- Happy Little Treats
- Hidmona Eritrean Café
- Indian Oven
- Lemongrass Fusion Bistro
- Mazah
- Mezzo
- Mikey’s Late Night Slice
- Monster Baby Donuts
- Neehee’s Indian Vegetarian Restaurant
- New India Restaurant
- Park Service Coffee
- Patty Cake
- Pierogi Mountain
- Portia’s Café
- Seitan’s Realm
- The Pastry Factory
- True Food Kitchen
- Two Dollar Radio HQ
- Vida’s Plant Based Butcher
- Vitality Juicery
- Woodhouse Vegan
- Yellow Springs Brewery Taproom
- SŌW Plated
- Are these Plant-Based establishments doing anything special in terms of food?
Most of the participating restaurants are not fully plant based. Some establishments are offering a vegan special or prix fixe menu for the week, while others are offering a discount for specific plant-based options.
- I’m familiar with the majority of restaurants you mentioned, Seitan’s Realm, Vida’s Plant Based, Portia’s, Patty Cake, Blackened etc.
This is great to hear! The restaurant business is highly competitive, so any awareness or publicity these restaurants receive helps ensure that they are able to provide our community with an abundance of plant-based options.
- I haven’t eaten Hidmona Eritrean Café.
I (Matt) also have not eaten there yet myself. As we began the process of inviting restaurants in the Columbus area to participate, we were each introduced to businesses some of us were unfamiliar with. CVDW offers a great opportunity for curious diners to explore different cuisines in a fun and sustainable way.
- Where is Eritrea?
Eritrea is located on the southwestern shores of the Red Sea, due east of Sudan and north of Ethiopia.
- What should people eat?
Plants! At Hidmona Eritrean Café specifically, there is a variety of options to choose from. Eritrea’s cuisine is predominantly influenced by regional African traditions such as injera, nibs, lentils, while also drawing influence from its Italian colonial history with pastas, sandwiches, and pizza.
- What’s a Fitfit?
Fit-fit (or fir-fir) is a traditional Ethiopian and Eritrean breakfast dish made from shredded flatbread (injera or kitcha) mixed with a spiced sauce, often served with onions or yogurt.
- What’s Fata?
Fata is a popular Eritrean dish made with a spicy tomato sauce served over chunks of crusty bread.
- Please compare an Alicia, Hilbet, and Shro?
Admittedly, I cannot compare any of these items as I have personally never tried them. I look forward to having an opinion.
I’m a music writer. Veganism used to be a Dead Prez and/or Drop Dead party. I wrote for a website called Vegan Columbus while Berae McClary and Beth Binkovitz were running Vegan Columbus. Berae moved. At some point she didn’t renew Vegan Columbus?
Vegan Columbus isn’t just a DIY underground thing now. I view the growth of vegan culture as a positive because people are eating plant-based diets, and the amount of food choices increased.
IF EVERYONE BECAME VEGAN THE WORLD BE A BETTER PLACE.
Columbus is a progressive, liberal city.
I think our vegan options reflect the politics of Columbus.
I’ve seen people disappointed with Vegan Columbus’s apolitical or even Trumpian climate. Do you think Robert Kennedy represents Columbus, Ohio?
Though this is indirectly related to the topic of Columbus Vegan Dining Week, I will mention that The American Heart Association (AHA) and the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, led by Robert Kennedy Jr. of the 2026 Trump administration, differ on dietary priorities. While both oppose ultra processed foods, the AHA (per their 2026 Scientific Statement) recommends plant-based proteins, contrasting with MAHA's endorsement of red meat, full-fat dairy, and beef tallow.
I’m quoting a portion of a February 1, 2026Taylor Moon post current Vegan Columbus Facebook.
LEFTIST VEGAN DISCORD
…..a lot of folks were interested in some sort of sub group, so I made a
Discord….
Please consider joining if you want to meet and chat with other ethical vegan with similar values..
Those Values include
- anti ICE
- Pro Palestine
- Anti racism
- Anti sexism/ pro feminism
- Anti homophobia .
- Anti transphobia
- Anti xenophobia
- Pro vaccines and masks
- Anti Trump
- Anti selective/white/conservative veganism
Do you think ICE is productive for vegans and veganism?
This question is unrelated to CVDW. However since you asked, I will say that it is not yet clear how the actions of ICE will impact vegans directly or the broader vegan movement. They are loosely related but intersect around the targeting of undocumented workers, some of whom are children, in slaughterhouses and farms. Veganism is fundamentally an anti-oppression, animal liberation movement. One can easily draw similarities between the behavior of ICE today and that of non-human animal exploiters. In a nation where we are presumed innocent until proven guilty, it makes sense why people are opposed to ICE detaining people without due process. To me, the same logic applies to the billions of innocent animals the US cages and exploits to death each year. All liberation movements are interconnected, and in essence, none of us are free until we are all free.
I like the mainstreaming of plant-based dieting and veganism for health, animal rights, and dietary reasons. I don’t think we should allow Trump supporters to control conversations in any subculture…especially subcultures of leftist origin. Would you agree or disagree with Taylor’s view of veganism?
Veganism is fundamentally an anti-oppression, animal liberation ideology. This is consistent with the notion of other anti- “isms”. Veganism tends to be practiced by more left-leaning people than right-leaning people and I personally find this trend to be consistent with the broader trend of leftists prioritizing ethical consistency. That being said, non-human animals do not care about the political leanings of their oppressors or allies. They simply want to be free from exploitation and harm.
Who are your favorite vegan musicians?
I have recently been discovering more vegan musicians and those who have songs related to the topic of animal liberation. Prince’s Animal Kingdom is a recent addition to my playlists.
My current favorite vegan musician is Moby. I have always loved electronic music and grew up listening to songs like Porcelain, and Why does My Heart Feel So Bad?. I also recently read his memoir Then It Fell Apart which only made me appreciate Moby so much more. The work he is doing for animals today is impactful and that alone has earned him my #1 spot.
I must also mention Billie Eilish. She unapologetically uses her platform to oppose factory farming, promote vegan fashion, and demonstrates consistency and intersectionality with other justice movements. She stands apart from a sea of celebrities who consistently fail to platform worthy causes.
Does vegan food sell the plant-based culture?
This is an interesting question. Technically speaking, food in itself is not vegan; people are. I do believe that the practice of eating a plant-based diet makes for a convenient and logical pathway to eliminating additional forms of animal exploitation from one’s life such as using animals for clothing, experimentation, and entertainment. If I had one wish for the plant-based food scene, it would be to encourage diners to make the connection between their meal choices and issues beyond personal health. Though plant-based diets are amongst the healthiest diets one can practice, I see these health benefits as side effects of a bigger cause – animal liberation. My primary motivation for maintaining a vegan lifestyle is because I am against the unnecessary exploitation of others. The health and environmental benefits of doing so are compelling bonuses.
