Okay, look. We know we’ve been reporting some pretty sad news lately. Restaurant closures have become a regular part of the news cycle, and it’s been disappointing for vegan diners across the country.
But it’s not all downhill for the plant-based industry. We’ve pulled together 19 of the most exciting vegan restaurant openings of 2026 as a reminder that the movement is still full of energy and potential.
From Denver to New York City and beyond, find the full list here.
Craving more good news? We’ve got you. Read on for new dairy-free ice cream, treats at Walmart, Target, and Whole Foods, and a new festive vegan latte.
Piiper’s new vegan flavors are perfect for festive baking. | Piiper
Stock up on Piiper’s vegan holiday frosting flavors at Target
Planning to spend a lot of time baking up a storm this holiday season? Then you’ll probably be interested in Piiper’s new vegan festive frosting flavors: Cookie Butter, Peppermint Chill, and Ginger Snap.
All of the new vegan flavors are already on the shelves at Target, alongside the brand’s non-seasonal offerings, so make sure to stock up ASAP.
Yummallo’s dehydrated marshmallows are smaller and crispier than its classic version. | Yummallo
Yummallo’s dehydrated vegan marshmallows are coming to Walmart
Specialty confection and baking product brand Yummallo is launching its vanilla-flavored vegan dehydrated marshmallows at Walmart. The retailer already stocks the brand’s classic vegan marshmallows, but the dehydrated version is smaller and crispier, making it perfect for hot cocoa and holiday cookies.
According to Big Box Vegan, the gelatin-free marshmallows are already listed on Walmart’s app and are expected to hit shelves very soon.
Van Leeuwen’s new vegan offering tastes just like creamy, indulgent pumpkin pie. | Van Leeuwen
Van Leeuwen’s latest seasonal offering? Vegan Pumpkin Caramel Marshmallow Ice Cream
The good marshmallow news just keeps coming.
If you happen to live near Van Leeuwen’s Flavor Lab in Brooklyn, we have some very good news. You can be among the first to try the ice cream chain’s latest festive, pie-inspired vegan offering: Pumpkin Caramel Marshmallow Ice Cream. Yep, it’s real, and it features velvety pumpkin ice cream with swirls of caramel and pieces of vegan marshmallow.
For now, it’s available only at the Brooklyn Flavor Lab, but the company has hinted that a wider launch could be on the horizon. Watch this space. We’ll let you know if that happens.
Whole Foods now offers a range of dairy-free horchata options, including its own-brand 365 offering. | Whole Foods Hype
Whole Foods adds a limited-edition oat and coconut horchata
Horchata is the perfect festive drink, thanks to its creamy, velvety texture and sweet flavor. Of course, you can make your own from scratch, but it’s arguably far easier to just grab it from the store. Let’s be honest, the holidays are busy enough.
If you’re craving a sip of horchata over the holidays, Whole Foods Market has several dairy-free options, including Califia Farms’ Cinnamon Horchata Milk, Rice Dream’s Horchata with Cinnamon, and the retailer’s new limited-edition 365 Horchata, made with oats and coconut.
Gregorys Coffee’s dairy-free gingerbread lattes are made with housemade gingerbread sauce. | Gregorys Coffee
Gregorys Coffee has vegan gingerbread lattes for the holidays
Earlier this fall, we were thrilled to report that most of Gregorys Coffee’s seasonal drinks were vegan. Unfortunately, its holiday lineup isn’t quite as robust, but it still has two dairy-free drinks by default: the Gingerbread Latte and the Iced Gingerbread Latte. Both are made with housemade gingerbread sauce, vanilla syrup, espresso, and oat milk.
For the past few months, the chain has also been bringing back one of its most beloved plant-based croissant sandwiches: the Vegan Deluxe. Well, now it’s called the Vegan Supreme, but it’s still just as hearty, packed with vegan sausages, Violife cheese, and vegan eggs.
For more plant-based stories like this, read:
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
Here at VegNews, we live and breathe the plant-based lifestyle, and only recommend products we feel make our lives amazing. Occasionally, articles may include links where we might earn a small commission, but in no way does this effect the editorial integrity of VegNews.
