India’s First All Vegan Food Court Opens in Chennai, Two More To Open Soon

08 December 2021

Chennai is one of many cities that are embracing veganism more quickly than ever before. The first all-vegan food court in India opened recently in Chennai. Cafe 28 Chennai is run by Dhaval Chandarana. Earth Story, an all-vegan business in conjunction with Kalpavrukshapazhamudhir Nilayam and Green Goddesses, kicked off the opening with a vegan fest.

It is no ordinary vegan food court, for you will find a variety of delicacies. The food court has food stalls hosted by many vegan small businesses in partnership with Cafe 28 Chennai. From cold-pressed juices to tiramisu brownies, smoothies, burgers, pizzas, vegan shawarmas, Malaysian street food, gelatos, and more!

TO MAKE CHENNAI THE MOST VEGAN-FRIENDLY PLACE IN INDIA

It is amazing how there are so many vegan food businesses in Chennai. Besides food, the Cafe also recently hosted a clothing drive where people could come and deposit clothes and fabrics that are not being used anymore. This collaboration with India Wasted, a startup that gives 360 waste management solutions, lets people come to the Cafe and deposit their old or unused clothes. The Cafe also recently hosted an Open Mic party where art enthusiasts could come and share the platform to perform stand-up, music, art, theatre, and poetry.

“Cafe 28 Chennai was so spontaneous. I have wanted to open a vegan cafe for a very long time, and I must say, the opportunity just came in, and I did not want to miss out on it. It took around a month to set the place and make the brands comfortable with the store and the space. When Kalpavrukshapazhamudhir Nilayam reached out to me with the pitch, my only say was that it should be all vegan if I am running it,” says Dhaval, founder of Earth Story and Cafe 28 Chennai.

STALLS BY SOME OF THE BEST VEGAN FOOD BUSINESSES IN CHENNAI

Some of the best homegrown businesses in Chennai have put up their stalls in Cafe 28 Chennai. Aside from these, Auroville-based Gelato Factory is also a part of the Cafe that sells authentic Italian gelato scoops. Gelato Factory added 18 additional vegan flavors to cater to the vegan audience. Pachcha Kaththi, Chennai’s first fully vegan takeaway, has a food stall that sells Indian, Indo-Chinese, South Indian, and fusion meals. 

“There are five brands as of now that are operating through Cafe 28 Chennai. They are Gelato Factory, Fabulous Lyf by Soul Garden Bistro, Wrap Man by Pachchah Kaththi, Aakariya, and Eat with Lilly.”

Dhaval also plans to open Earth Story soon to sell pastries, macaroons, jelly cakes, and other vegan desserts. The store will be set up by Christmas or January. 

Aakariya, another vegan food and catering service in Chennai, sells wholesome plant-based pizzas. The pizzas also have ragi and potato bases. Some of them have cheese from sunflower seeds which makes them nut-free. If you are looking for delicious and flavorful vegan pizza, this is the place for you. Eat With Lilly sells gourmet burgers, salads, smoothies, and waffles. All their dishes are plant-based, zero-cholesterol, organic, and homemade.

These are some of the very few ones to mention. The cafe space aims to have more than just-food. The dedicated space is all set to explore the possibilities of both food and bringing the vegan community together. The Cafe is located at R A Puram Chennai.

it's more than just food - a space to build a vegan community and opportunities

Cafe 28 Chennai will not be open just for food but much more. The space plans to have weekend events like pop-up shows and other food stalls to allow other vegan businesses in the city. The Cafe will invite chefs who can come and put up their stalls on the weekends. The place also recently hosted a cloth donation drive where over 100 people walked in to donate clothes for charity. Once Cafe 28 Chennai sets up and becomes a success, Dhaval plans to open two more such cafes in Kilpauk and Nungambakkam.

You must visit Cafe 28 Chennai, India’s first all-vegan food court if you are in Chennai. You can also reach out to Cafe 28 on their Instagram to put up a stall of your own on the weekends!

“My only goal behind this initiative is to make Chennai the most vegan-friendly place in India,” adds Dhaval.

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