Vegandale Food & Drink Festival Lands in Miami for the First Time

In recent years, Miami's restaurant scene has seen the sprouting of many vegan, vegetarian, and plant-based options. The highlight is the annual Seed Food & Wine Week, offering four days of vegan events in November.

This Saturday, July 13, the Magic City will host the inaugural Vegandale Food & Drink Festival at Virginia Key Beach Park. Having popped up in cities such as Chicago, Houston, and New York, the Toronto-based event is traveling south this year to show Miami what vegan life is about.

The all-day event will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and early-bird tickets are still available for $10 each until July 10. Bring the whole family for a day of delicious food, drinks, arts, entertainment, and fun. Tickets grant admission, but food and drinks from the various vendors are sold separately.

What began as a Toronto street collective of vegan businesses presented by the hospitality and event company the 5700 Inc., Vegandale is now in its fifth season of taking the festival on the road to cities across America. Vegandale is coming to Miami "to show Floridians how to live large without exploiting animals."

Vegandale president Hellenic Vincent De Paul says an afternoon at the event might change perceptions of what a plant-based lifestyle is about. “People often think that veganism is a diet with only salads. We’re out to prove that veganism is rooted in justice for animals and that you can still enjoy all your favorite comfort foods without exploiting animals.”

Guests can expect a wide variety of delicious dishes from more than 50 local and international vendors, including Toronto's Mythology, Los Angeles' Southern Fried Vegan, New York City's Eggloo, Portland's Snackrilege, New Orleans' Vegan Wit-a-Twist, and many others alongside local favorites such as Planta and Bunnie Cakes.

Be sure to look for a festival-exclusive item from Vegan Junkie Miami: the rainbow Balvin burger. It looks worth trying — and snapping a pic for the 'gram.

Wash it all down with various vegan craft brews, wines, and spirits. Purchase crafts and fashion from vegan shops from Los Angeles, New York, and other cities selling unique goods made without animal products.

Vegan influencer John Lewis (Badass Vegan) will host the main-stage activities, which will include various DJs, games, and giveaways throughout the afternoon, along with some massive art installations on display around the park.

Whether vegan, vegetarian, or carnivore, everyone can enjoy an afternoon of noshing on savory and sweet eats, lounging with friends and family, sipping refreshing drinks, and browsing the shops.

Vegandale Food Drink Festival. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 13, at Virginia Key Beach Park, 4020 Virginia Beach Dr., Miami; vegandalefest.com. Tickets cost $10 to $30 via vegandalefest.com/miami/tickets.