About VeganSpots

How it works

For each region we cover, we import every food place from OpenStreetMap and Overture Maps, and regional open data where it exists (in Montréal, the city’s food establishment permits). Most of these places have nothing vegan, or haven’t been checked yet: they stay off the map, but search still finds them.

An AI agent then checks places one by one: their own website and menu first, then reputable sources such as vegan guides and local news. It decides whether a place is 100% vegan, vegetarian, has vegan options or has nothing vegan, and lists what to order. A level is only set with a source that says so, and a dish is only listed when its source names it.

Chains are researched once: what holds at every location (vegan options, dishes, menu, website) is shared by all of them, and each location keeps its own address, hours and phone.

Every detail records where it came from and when it was last checked, and the place page shows it. Places on the map are checked again regularly, and sooner when something is uncertain or a visitor reports a problem.

Help keep it right

Suggest a place we’re missing, or report one that changed (closed, new hours, no more vegan options): the agent checks it again right away, and a suggested place is added once a source confirms its vegan food.

Reviews and meal confirmations are checked before they’re published.

Corrections can also go upstream: our team can send a verified fix back to OpenStreetMap, reviewed by a person each time, so every map that uses it benefits.

Open data and credits

The place data is open: anyone can download it under the Open Database License (ODbL). It is built on © OpenStreetMap contributors, with places and details from © Overture Maps Foundation and, in Montréal, the food establishment permits of the Ville de Montréal (CC-BY 4.0).