Eating vegan is one of the best things you can do for the environment. Although there are plant-based options at Constantine here at The Anndore House, Toronto is full of fabulous strictly vegan restaurants. Here are a few to check out.
Apiecalypse Now!
Specializing in pizzas, salads and sweets, the people behind Apiecalypse Now! worked farmers’ markets and veg fests in and around Toronto until they were able to open a permanent location. The focus is on creating vegan food that will satisfy anyone, vegan or otherwise.
To try: the Thundergun Supreme Poutine (with fries, Buffalo not-chicken, banana peppers, hot sauce and vegan cheese) and vegan mozzarella sticks.
735 Bloor Street West (at Bloor and Christie)
One Love Vegetarian
One Love Vegetarian is a little bit of Caribbean in the heart of the Annex. With only a few tables, this resto deals mainly in takeout, and the menu is small enough that you could practically order the lot.
To try: Jamaican spiced pumpkin roti, and the corn soup (a thick, comforting mixture of coconut milk, carrots, pumpkin, potatoes, peas, Jamaican bird pepper and corn).
854 Bathurst Street (just north of Bloor and Bathurst)
Planta
Planta perfectly captures the taste and texture of traditional non-vegan dishes in astoundingly creative ways. It’s the kind of place to bring a meat-eater and say, “trust me, you won’t know the difference.” And they won’t.
To try: the Carrot Hotdog
1221 Bay Street (at Bloor)
Fresh
This Toronto institution has been expanding over the 20 years of its existence and now boasts five well-chosen locations. Fulfilling a mission to prove that a plant-based diet can be satisfying, energizing and craveable, Fresh makes food in-house, daily, from whole, natural ingredients. The menu is completely vegan friendly though dairy options are available.
To try: falafel tacos and the buddha bowl.
326 Bloor Street West, 147 Spadina Avenue, and others
Parka Food Co.
The folks at Parka Food Co. want to change the way people eat by making it fun and easy to eat well. They focus on comfort food classics reinvented as plant-based, wholesome indulgences. At the same time, they’re committed to sustainability, and have even hired an outside company to compost their to-go cups (as the Toronto recycling/composting program does not do this).
To try: the burger made of crispy potato filets, tartar sauce, coleslaw, guacamole and dill pickles, and the sundried tomato and olive mac and vegan cheese.
424 Queen Street West (just west of Spadina Avenue)
Tori’s Bakeshop
Tori’s Bakeshop is an eco-friendly, all-natural organic bakery in the East End that offers a wide variety of dairy-free, egg-free, casein-free and refined sugar-free treats. These bakers are super careful about sourcing their ingredients and packaging, and about minimizing the waste their business produces.
To try: the lemon cupcakes with “cream cheese” icing and the gluten-free campfire corn loaf.
2188 Queen Street East (near Woodbine)