Why you need to visit these 10 amazing vegan restaurants in Canada

Photo courtesy of Roughage Eatery

Restaurants for top vegan food in Canada

With thousands of vegan restaurants across its provinces and territories, Canada is one of the most vegan-forward countries in the world. You can find delectable plant-based fare in small towns and big cities alike, with Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver as some of the most vegan-friendly.
 
From Mexican eateries to globe-trotting menus, here are 10 vegan restaurants from across Canada that you shouldn’t miss.

Photo courtesy of NAAM Restaurant

The NAAM Restaurant - Vancouver, British Columbia

As Vancouver’s oldest vegetarian restaurant, The NAAM Restaurant has been serving an eclectic array of plant-forward dishes for over five decades. Founded in 1968, the ambiance is still as vibrant as the fresh, natural foods. Enjoy dining on the patio or inside listening to live music.
 
You'll find everything from pancakes and scrambles in the morning, to wraps, quesadillas, burritos, big salads, and more later in the day into the night. The tofu and tempeh are locally made and organic, and most of the ingredients are Canadian, including the maple syrup and blueberries. While everything here is vegetarian, nearly everything can be made vegan. Even the beer and wine selection is vegan.

Photo courtesy of Avelo

Avelo - Toronto, Ontario

Toronto's Avelo proves that plant-based fare can be high-end, exciting, and delicious. Set in a Victorian building that originally served as a worker's townhome in the 1880s, the intimate room only seats 22 and can feel like a private dinner party with just the right crowd. 
 
The always-evolving menu often changes daily — and you won't know until you're seated — featuring seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. You might find things like pumpkin gazpacho, gnocchi with baby kale, or black rice risotto in red wine sauce. The chef can accommodate special dietary requests with 48 hours notice. If you really want to amp up the meal, get a wine or zero-proof drink pairing with your multi-course menu.

Photo courtesy of Gaia's Urban Eatery

Gaia's Urban Eatery - Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

This is the kind of vegan restaurant that non-vegan eaters can get behind. Gaia’s Urban Eatery is a casual, fun spot for vegan fare with global flair. Named after the Greek goddess Gaia, considered an early depiction of Mother Earth, the restaurant operates on the belief that vegan dining can help humans live in harmony with nature.
 
Chef Pierre El Hajjar's globe-trotting vegetarian and vegan menu features tastes and flavors from the Mediterranean to North Africa, Asia, the Middle East, South America, and everywhere in between. You'll find rolls and wraps, bibimbap bowls and Cajun jambalaya, big salads, dips, pizzas, and more.

Who was voted the best?: Best Vegan Pizza (10Best Readers' Choice Awards 2023)

Photo courtesy of Roughage Eatery

Roughage Eatery - Winnipeg, Manitoba

When you're craving plant-based comfort food, Roughage Eatery is just the vegan restaurant you wish you could find in every neighborhood. The menu is full of fresh, creative twists on beloved dishes, like macaroni and cheese, hearty lasagna, or crispy tofu bites on creamy mashed potatoes with corn, gravy, and melted "cheeze." 
 
What's really great about Roughage is its commitment to giving back to the community and supporting important social issues and causes, like the Black Lives Matter movement, LGBTQIA2+ rights, and more.

Photo courtesy of Parka

Parka - Toronto, Ontario

Plant-based comfort food is what Parka is known for, along with its commitment to making the planet a better place for future generations. The menu features natural whole foods that don't compromise on flavor and fun.
 
Using locally sourced ingredients, some of Parka’s most beloved dishes include tempeh "bacon" wraps, cauliflower “wings,” and ultra-creamy macaroni and cashew cheese. Each meal is made with an eye toward sustainability.

Who was voted the best?: Best Restaurant Chain for Vegans (10Best Readers' Choice Awards 2023)

Photo courtesy of Chau Veggie Express

Chau Veggie Express - Vancouver, British Columbia

While only open since 2011, the history of Chau Veggie Express is long. Born out of the first Vietnamese deli in Vancouver (and Saigon many years before that), Chau serves modern, vegan Vietnamese fare. Community-focused and family-friendly, the restaurant was designed to offer a peaceful, nurturing environment along with a delicious meal.
 
One of the city's best vegan restaurants, some of Chau's specialties include Vietnamese crepes, pungent papaya salad, soul-affirming soups, rice bowls, and vegan sushi. Juices, teas, broths, and more are offered as well.

Photo courtesy of Animal Liberation Kitchen

Animal Liberation Kitchen - Toronto, Ontario

Toronto's Animal Liberation Kitchen might be small, but it's big on purpose. There's no pressure to adopt a vegan lifestyle; instead, the mission here is to simply offer delicious meat-free alternatives as a more sustainable way of eating.
 
You'll find comfort foods that anyone can enjoy, from vegan gyros to smokey macaroni and cheese, salads, and sweet treats like muffins, cookies, and scones. 

Photo courtesy of The Abbey Cafe & Gallery

The Abbey Cafe & Gallery - Fredericton, New Brunswick

As its name implies, The Abbey Cafe & Gallery is a cozy, comfortable vegan restaurant for plant-based dishes and lovely local art.
 
Located in the heart of downtown Fredericton, the menu consists of vegan versions of traditional cafe foods such as soups, paninis, all-day breakfast, and more. Locally roasted Whitney Coffee fills your cup, and there are a few local beers, too.

Photo courtesy of La Bartola

La Bartola - Toronto, Ontario

The first vegan restaurant in Canada to earn a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand distinction, La Bartola features some of the best Mexican fare in the country, vegan or otherwise. A Mexico City native, chef and owner Ivan Castro creates beloved Oaxacan dishes without meat and dairy. It's all so fantastic, you won't miss it.
 
Some of the Mexican specialties include vegan aguachiles made with trumpet mushrooms and hearts of palm; vegan birria consomme with jackfruit and chickpeas; fantastic tacos and quesadillas; and roasted plantain tamales with red mole. Guests can enjoy mezcal, Mexican beer, tequila, cocktails, or mocktails, and desserts are not to be missed.

Photo courtesy of The Coup Restaurant

The Coup - Calgary, Alberta

Going strong since 2004, The Coup puts sustainability first in everything it does. From compostable packaging to sourcing locally grown ingredients, the vegetarian restaurant is known for both its ethical practices and deliciously diverse menu.
 
You can't go wrong with things like sweet potato and chickpea falafel, eggplant unagi nigiri, and hot pot with udon noodles. While not entirely vegan, the seasonally changing menu features many plant-based and gluten-free options, and the kitchen will easily accommodate special dietary requests. You'll also find vegan cocktails, beers, and wines.