Photo: @kupfurtandkim
Summary of of 30 vegan restaurants in Toronto, including bakeries, fine dining, and non-vegan restaurants with great options!
Full-Service Restaurants:
Awai
(Photo: blogTO)
My favourite vegan restaurant I have ever been to! This is fine dining and is on the pricier side but is food like you’ve never had before! There is a new fixed menu every night which changes. Prepare to be dazzled and bring all your non-vegan friends and family!
Away Kitchen + Cafe
A sister restaurant to Awai. A cute cafe with 2 locations on Queen W and College W. During the day they serve delicious lattes (of all sorts), homemade bagels with house made cream cheese, salads (which I have yet to try) and of course desserts! I had the cinnamon bun, which was delicious!
At night they have a dinner menu featuring amazing pizzas, salads, charcuterie and even vegan cheese fondue! Very reasonable prices, would recommend! (Try a pizza)!
Stella Resto (Now closed!)
A vegan italian pop up on until Jan 31! If you are in Toronto you should definitely go! A small menu so you can try it all. Everything is creamy and delectable (approved and enjoyed by 4 picky non-vegans)!
Rosalinda
A spin on vegan Mexican food! Delicious! Order a bunch to share, as the sharing plates are smaller portions and can get a bit pricier. Favourites: Roasted Eggplant, Cauliflower Tostada, Chilaquiles Verdes, CHURROS!
Hello 123
Affordable, versatile and delicious! Loved by many of my non-vegan friends (they go more than me). Definitely one of my favourite vegan spots! Amazing bowls, dishes, fun cocktails and delicious brunch!
My Favourites: Loaded Sweet Potato, Spicy Bap, Paleo Lettuce Wraps, Breaky Bowl
Planta
A Toronto classic and one of the first all vegan gourmet vegan restaurant! I remember being so excited when this opened and now it’s crazy to think how many there are just 2 years later! Great dinner and amazing brunch! I think still one of my favourites (maybe because it’s what I’m used to). A bit on the pricier side so recommend getting a bunch of little things to share (to try it all). Although their menu keeps changing I have tried lots!
Dinner Recommendations: Cauliflower Tots, Lettuce Wraps, Thai Noodle Salad, Calzone
Dessert Recommendations: Chocolate Terrarium, Sinful Brownie
Brunch Recommendations: Tofu Scramble, Banana Pancakes, Avocado Toast
Live Organic Food Bar
A mix of raw and cooked mains. Great for a lunch with other vegans (or people that like vegan food)! Really yummy and unique salads and good smoothies, juices and elixirs! Locations in Annex and Liberty Village.
Fresh Restaurants
(Photo: Curiosity Toronto)
Another Toronto classic, with a new gorgeous location on Front st. (I swear the food tastes better because it’s pretty inside even though it’s the same food). A good mix between ‘junky/heartier’ food such as bean burgers, veggie tacos, poutine and lots of healthier salads and bowls to choose from. Also serves brunch and delicious dessert!
To Try: Grasshopper
Vegan Junk Food
Virtuous Pie
Started in Vancouver and just opened a Toronto location! A quick order and sit down restaurant with simple and gourmet pizzas, a few salads and delicious ice cream and cookies! One of my favourites because its the perfect mix between fast food (junky feeling) without making you feel gross, plus I love pizza! Would definitely recommend! Non-vegan approved!
My Favourites: Ultra-violet, Stranger Wings, Grandma Pie, Ice Cream Sandwiches!
Planta Burger
Photo: Planta burger IG)
The BEST veggie burger you will ever eat! Tastes greasy (without being too meaty) and have AMAZING toppings!
Favourites: California Burger, Original Burger, Firehouse Burger
Mythology
Photo: @mythologydiner
Vegan ‘diner’ style food. A sit down restaurant but with ‘junkier’ food. I liked it because it had more options than traditional fast-food and unique things you wouldn’t get any where else! Menu items include things like: burgers, mac and cheese, poutine, wings but also french onion soup, calamari, cobb salad and pancakes (on the dinner menu)! I need to go back to try their famous brunch!
Vegandale Brewery
Photo: @vegandale
In my opinion the food here is too fried and junky! I felt a bit sick after I ate here. But if your looking for true vegan greasy grub this is your place. There is little on the menu other than burgers and different types of fries. But it is a cool space with different beer! And attached to a vegan ice cream parlour (below)!
Cosmic Treats
A fun place in Kensington market with delicious ice cream and treats, as well as some fast food. Potentially just like it because of their wide ice cream selection… but I also tried the breakfast platter which was good! If you are looking for quality food, you could probably find somewhere else better in Kensington. But if you are looking for good vibes and fun desserts, at least pop in for an ice cream sandwich or brunch!
Hogtown Vegan
Photo: @hogtownvegan
Greasy vegan pub food, yummy, but not for everyday very rich and greasy. If you’re into that try it out! I liked the Caesar salad, poutine and deep fried oreos!
Boon Burger
photo: @boonburger
Located in Oakville, Burlington and Barrie (so not really Toronto). Great variety of burgers, kind of like The Works, except vegan! Fresh ingredients, (less greasy tasting) burgers with a variety of patties and toppings to choose from!
To try: Bloomers, Apiecolpyse Now, Parka Food Co
Ethnic Vegan Food
Saigon Lotus
photo: blogto
Really delicious Vietnamese food! I tried vegetable pho, curry soup, steamed mushroom dumpling, fresh rolls and a noodle dish and they were all amazing! Defiantly a place to take your non-vegan friends! Dishes come family style so order to share.
Vegetarian Haven
Diverse selection of vegan asian dishes. Haven’t had a chance to try much but the buddhas delight and pad thai were yummy! Would love to go back and try more.
To try: Ital Vital, Salem Ethiopian
Bakeries & Dessert
Cinnaholic
Photo: Blog TO
BEST. CINNAMON. BUN. IN. TORONTO. I’ve had them all (from all the bakeshops below). This store is like vegan Cinnabon, you can customize with different toppings, everything is vegan. Dreams do come true. Also there is very minimal vegan branding which I love because I think it spreads a positive message for vegan skeptics to come true and be pleasantly surprised!
Tori’s Bakeshop
Photo: blog to
Located in the beaches (yay) and distillery district Tori’s has a wide variety of baked goods (good cupcakes, cookies and cakes for order). Lots of gluten-free options and a few healthy treat options. Also just a nice place to stop in for a tea or hot chocolate. Dear to my heart because it’s close to my house, my go to place to pick up goodies before I go somewhere!
Sorelle & Co
(Blog TO)
Gourmet bakeshop in Yorkville, also a location in vaughn and a pick up location in the PATH. All gluten-free, soy-free, everything-free. To be honest, I think the baking is better at other shops, BUT it is a really nice place to stop for tea and a treat. You can get high tea and just a lovely overall aesthetic, feels like a tea party!
Bunner’s Bakeshop
photo: blog to
Iconic Toronto vegan bakeshop in Kensington they have everything you need! Try their vanilla cupcakes, maple tahini cookies and supersonic cookies!
Not Your Mother’s Ice Cream
@notyourmothers
New to Vegandale, a decedent vegan ice cream shop with some crazy toppings. I was a little nervous at first, but I had the chocolate one with all-dressed chips and it was surprisingly good! You can get all their crazy combos in cups, cones or milkshakes. It’s a bit too decadent to be your go-to ice-cream spot but very fun to try! They also just have plain soft serve.
To try: Copenhagen Vegan Bakery, Through Being Cool Vegan Baking.
Non-Vegan Restaurants (with vegan options)
District Eatery
@districteatery
A cool restaurant with fun cocktails and many vegan options on King West (they even have vegan dessert and brunch). Also many non-vegan options! I’ve tried: District bowl, coconut curry, kale Caesar, quesadilla, hummus trio, and zoodles (the last three were my favourite)!
Tabule
Photo: BlogTO
Middle Eastern restaurants with tons of vegetarian and vegan options (naturally). All the dips appies, falafels and cauliflower are great!
Pai
A funky Thai restaurant in the entertainment district with many options that can be made vegan! A restaurant when you sit on the floor at tables!
Lola’s Kitchen
Now closed apparently 🙁
Koh San Road
Another great thai restaurant with a whole separate vegan menu!
To Try: Parallel Foods, Il Fornello (New vegan menu), Pizza Libretto (Vegan Cheese), Farm’r, Sneaky Dee’s (Nachos), Fat Pasha
Quick Bowls & Cafes
Hibiscus Cafe
@hibiscuscafe
Really cute cafe in Kensington (next to Bunner’s Bakeshop). Famous for their crepes and crazy ice cream flavours! I love their 42 ingredient salad and yummy soups as well! Also delicious lattes and baked goods. (Vegetarian Cafe, mostly vegan options)
Urban Herbivore
@urbanherbivore
One location in the eaton centre and one in Kensington market. They have a set menu or custom where you get to pick grains, greens, 6 toppings and dressing. A pretty good deal and my go-to shopping/quick downtown lunch.
Thrive Organic Kitchen
Photo: @thecolourfulveggie
Another cute cafe just outside of Kensington. I have only been there once so I have not tried a lot but they have lots of salad and bowls, many raw options as well as breakfast and cooked options!
Kupfurt & Kim
One of my favourite bowl spots in Toronto! Everything is vegan and gluten-free. I like the Spadina location because everything tastes better in a real bowl not a takeout container! The bowls are all very unique and filling, also have great smoothies/bowls and healthy(ish) baked goods.
My favourite: Oaxaca, Cauliflower Tahini Bowl, First Canadian Place Bowl, K&K Paleo Bowl
(I was not a fan of their pesto quinoa bowl but that could be personal preference, because I found it too garlic-y)!
Leave a Reply