Die Pie reopens with vegan menu and community-focused events in Edmonton
Chef Neil Royale stands in front of the Die Pie sign. (Photo by Lucy Gordon/Edmonton Edge)
After closing its doors in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, chef Neil Royale reopened his popular vegan restaurant, Die Pie, in early 2023 at its new location, 11817 105 Ave NW, offering authentic Neapolitan-style pizza to cater to the dietary needs of Edmonton’s community.
Royale is dedicated to reconnecting with locals and aims to make Die Pie more than just a dining spot. “People in the area want to be able to go out and do things, and it’s great to host events that allow people to do that,” Royale said. Since reopening, Die Pie has become a gathering space, hosting game nights, comedy evenings, and encouraging social gatherings.
Despite the challenges of running a restaurant, Royale says he remains committed to building strong connections with customers. He says he views feedback as a vital tool for improving the dining experience.
According to Royale, he has learned to “view [feedback] as an opportunity to make [our] products and [the customer’s] experiences better,” he said. He says interacting with the public online taught him the importance of remaining neutral and using feedback to better cater for the community’s needs.
Royale’s passion for vegan cuisine has had a lasting influence on both the restaurant’s patrons and its staff. Former Die Pie chef Taylor Snell, who recently moved to Vancouver, reflected on her time working at the restaurant. She said Royale supported her passion for plant-based food.
“Other chefs won’t take you seriously and you will always have to be trying to prove yourself. Working with Neil, [it] shows me that that isn’t the case… He definitely taught me that it doesn’t matter the style of cooking as long as you are doing it to the best of your abilities and with love, care and dedication.”
Snell says she continues to carry forward the same attitude towards cooking that Royale did, wanting others to feel like they are a part of something great.
Die Pie continues to serve the Edmonton community, offering a variety of gluten-free and vegan options for residents.
