Virtuous Pie is officially open for business!
This Canadian-born, plant-based pizza joint has had its eye on Victoria for their newest location for over a year now.
On Friday evening evening, the restaurant celebrated its official soft-launch and Victoria Buzz was invited to attend.
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Founded in Vancouver’s Chinatown, by vegan owner Rob Milne, Virtuous Pie has been making a name for itself in the Canadian plant-based food scene. Since the 2015 opening, the pizzeria has expanded to Portland, Toronto and now Victoria. The Victoria location will be the fifth in the franchise.
When asked what they are most excited for their new location, most of the management provided the same answer:
“We want to help spread awareness surrounding plant-based diets. We want people to know that they can eat delicious food, cruelty-free and environmentally-friendly.”
At approximately 2,300 square feet, the new Victoria location is their largest to date, boasting a full sized patio, a bar and lounge area, and a full-service dining room.
Located at 530 Pandora avenue, Virtuous Pie is bound to be the newest vegan hot-spot for downtown Victoria visitors.
With the addition of the Victoria location comes the franchise’s first full cocktail program. The Victoria Virtuous Pie team has hired a beverage developer to perfect their new cocktail menu, and are “excited to share it with Victorians!”
They even have their own twist on a Victorian classic – the shaft – for which they use cold brew coffee.
A sampling of their vegan take on spicy buffalo pizza did not disappointed. “It’s kind of the pizza we’re best known for!” said Simone, a member of management at the pizzeria.
Had we not previously known this was a plant-based pizza, we wouldn’t have been able to tell! To achieve this near-miraculous effect, Virtuous Pie subs out chicken for fried cauliflower, which serves as a close substitute.
The eatery offers a multitude of pizzas, ranging from Margherita, to Sweet Pepper and Sausage. Almost all of the pies feature house-made cashew mozzarella as their dairy substitute.
Aside from the array of vegan pizza options, the menu also includes Mac and Cheeza, again, made with cashew mozzarella, Cauliflower “chicken” wings, and slow-roasted balsamic brussel sprouts.
And patrons can also walk away with a tub of vegan ice cream on the way out.
Their new location features many west-coast inspired details – not just their shafts!
The Virtuous Pie team commissioned local artists to adorn their walls with paintings. Pictured above is a piece by local artist, Jennifer Forberg. The painting adds to an already sleek and stylish, yet simple ambience.
Their opening comes at a time when plant-based foods are hitting an all-time high in popularity. In August 2019, Insight West released a survey stating that almost 25% of Canadians are currently considering making the shift to a plant-based diet.
With more and more plant-based restaurants like Virtuous Pie hitting the Victoria food scene, things will only get easier for Islanders who wish to adopt a plant-based diet.
Virtuous Pie Victoria
- Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. - Location: 530 Pandora Ave
