Looking for a place to get a meatless meal in Toronto? Look no further than these places that serve some of the best vegetarian and vegan food in town.
Vegetarian Shelter
Tucked away at Baldwin Village Vegetarian Haven serves up comforting and flavorful Asian-inspired vegan cuisine. Local and organic ingredients are used wherever possible and the extensive menu covers everything from soups and salads, to wraps, curries, and noodle dishes. Some of the best options include the tofu drumsticks made from crunchy seitan and the miso meatball soup plate filled with vegetarian meatballs, rice noodles, and mushrooms. They also serve fresh organic pressed juices, organic kombucha mixes, and smoothies with almond milk.
There is a lovely patio for when the weather warms up.
Cool
You can’t have a list of Toronto’s best vegetarian restaurants without including Fresh. With four locations throughout the city and a legion of longtime fans (both vegetarian and non-vegetarian), this place draws crowds for a reason. The food is tasty, colorful, and gets to your table quickly. Opened in 1999, Fresh gave Toronto a new perspective on vegetarian food, namely that it could be as tasty as it is healthy. Hearty rice and noodle dishes, salads, sandwiches, wraps, and burgers make up the bulk of the menu and you can also get fresh-squeezed juices, smoothies, and shakes.
Hibiscus Cafe
Kensington Market’s little Hibiscus Café serenely serves some of the tastiest vegetarian fare in town. Everything on the menu at this family-owned operation is also gluten-free and they are known for their buckwheat crepes that come with a variety of sweet or savory fillings. Soup, salad and homemade vegan, soy-free desserts round out the menu. Hibiscus is famous for its dairy-free ice cream, which can be served in a gluten-free cone.
Live Organic Food Bar
This colorful spot in Dupont and Spadina has been serving creative vegan meatless, sometimes raw, gluten-free, or sugar-free meals for over a decade. The menu is extensive, with salads, wraps, burritos, hamburgers, rice dishes (or quinoa), and raw dishes. One of your best bets is the raw combo which allows you to try several of the raw items. But no matter what you get here, the flavors are brilliant, and the veggies abound. They also have an extensive list of juices and smoothies, as well as a cocktail menu.
In the summer, try sitting in the cute backyard.
urban herbivore
There are three Urban Herbivore locations in Toronto and you can find fresh, fast and tasty vegetarian food at each of them. Everything you get is made from scratch and is free of preservatives, additives, or, as they describe in their philosophy, “ingredients you can’t pronounce.” All of their packaging is 100 percent biodegradable and they use local organic ingredients whenever possible. The menu is divided into soups, casseroles, sandwiches and custom salads and bean bowls. Freshly squeezed juice and baked goods are also available.
Plant
Brought to you by Chase Hospitality Group and Chef David Lee, Planta is (as the name implies) a plant-based restaurant. Everything on the innovative vegan menu is made without the use of animal products, and the elegant setting makes it a great option for anyone looking for a unique, veggie-focused meal. Choose from a variety of colorful vegan salads and pizzas, as well as appetizers and entrees that make vegetables the star.
Copper y Kim
There are several locations in this casual plant-based restaurant serving healthy and wholesome food. Almost everything they serve is made in-house, from sauces to pickles to curries, and most of the menu is made up of rice bowls filled with greens, greens, plant-based protein, and flavorful sauces. They also offer smoothies and smoothie bowls for quick but energizing breakfasts.
Hogtown Vegan
If you want comfort food but don’t want that food to contain animal products, Hogtown Vegan is the place to be. The cozy spot serves up items like burgers, mac n cheese, and poutine, all without meat, dairy, eggs, or any other meat products. Even longtime carnivores are often won over by its great taste and innovative dishes typically based on meat.
