Pune on my plate: City’s vegan cafe culture takes root as more people embrace plant-based eating

Located in Koregaon Park, Chafa Cafe & Studio has established itself with a carefully curated vegan menu that features plant-based alternatives to popular dishes. “We have a lot of customers who come in specifically looking for vegan food,” says its manager Manish Choudhary. “Our almond milk lattes, smoothie bowls, and vegan pizzas with cashew cheese are some of the bestsellers. On average, we serve about 100-200 customers a week, out of which nearly 30 per cent pick vegan options.”

The cafe’s calm ambience, with both indoor and outdoor seating, makes it a favourite among professionals and fitness enthusiasts. The customer base is predominantly between the ages of 30 and 45, with many adopting veganism for health benefits rather than just ethical reasons.

Chafa’s menu boasts a variety of vegan and gluten-free dishes. Their smoothie bowls, priced between Rs 395 and Rs 445, are a popular breakfast choice while their vegan pizza with cashew cheese starts at Rs 575. Their almond milk lattes are priced at Rs 250, and a hearty vegan Buddha bowl costs around Rs 525.

Zen Cafe: customising vegan options

Known for its simple yet elegant atmosphere, Zen Cafe, also located in Koregaon Park, mostly attracts artists, writers, and working professionals.

“Vegan diet is still rising in the city. Although we don’t have a set vegan menu, we offer to customise food on demand,” says the cafe’s manager Prashant. “A lot of them prefer plant-based meals, so we make sure to have a variety of vegan options, including tofu, pasta, ravioli, and mousse cakes.”

They receive around 200-250 customers a week, with a significant number requesting vegan meals. The demand has grown so much that they are considering expanding their menu to include more options free of dairy and gluten.
Zen Cafe’s crispy tofu zenwich (vegan), priced at Rs 425, is a crowd favourite while their avocado and beetroot hummus zenwich and pesto avocado open zenwich cost Rs 575 each. Customers can also opt for pesto bell pepper paneer zenwich at Rs 425 or peri-peri chicken zenwich at Rs 450.

Rising demand for plant-based meals

The rise of veganism in Pune’s food culture is led by growing health awareness among individuals between the ages of 30 and 40 who are looking for better digestion, weight management, and overall wellness. Influence by foreign visitors, especially those at the Osho International Meditation Centre, has also popularised plant-based meals. Moreover, rising environmental consciousness is also key in making many people take to sustainable eating habits, reducing their reliance on animal products.

Chef Priyanka Vaidya, who promotes plant-based South Asian cuisine, believes that vegan food is more than just a trend. “Many people assume vegan food is boring, but Indian cuisine has so much variety that can be made completely plant-based without compromising on flavour,” she says, adding, “Pune’s food culture is evolving, and the demand for vegan options will only increase.”

Explaining the health benefits of a vegan diet, particularly for people in their mid-30s to 40s, nutritionist Dr Yusuf Khambatta says, “Switching to a whole-food, plant-based diet helps reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol, and manage weight better. Many of my clients in Pune have thus seen significant improvements in their energy levels and overall health.”

On the other hand, Avanti Damle, a dietitian and nutritionist practising in Pune, believes in a slightly different approach for Indians. “Although veganism has several health benefits, it also puts a lot of restrictions on people. In a country like India, where the food is rich in spices, natural probiotics are important. Vegan food can limit that. A more ideal option would be to go for a lacto-vegan diet where one can include probiotic foods like yoghurt and buttermilk,” Damle says.