Toronto is known for being a culinary powerhouse. Next to New York, we have some of the most famous chefs and restaurants on the continent, leaders and innovators in the field of cooking. Our city is an understated one, but anyone from Toronto knows just how amazing it is and just how seriously many of us take our health. In recent years a number of vegetarian restaurants have opened, some are more well known that others, but all are worth a try.
Hogtown Vegan
Hours: Mon-Fri Noon to 11pm, Sat 11am-3pm and 4pm-11pm, Sun 11am-3pm and 4pm-10pm
Address: 1056 Bloor St W
Phone: 416-901- 9779
Website: http://www.hogtownvegan.com/
Hogtown is one of the most popular “down to earth” vegan restaurants in Toronto, offering simple, no-frills vegan comfort food at a reasonable price and open seven days a week for brunch, lunch, and dinner. You would be hard pressed to find a time when it isn’t packed with customers, but that’s no reason to stay away from this gem. Just make sure to get their with plenty of time to spare, as they don’t take reservations. Hogtown is one of the best places to take someone who has qualms about going vegan, as this place makes plant-based alternatives of well known dishes like Philly Cheesesteaks, Roast beef sandwiches, and fish and chips.
One Love
Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-9pm, Sat 11am-6pm
Address: 854 Bathurst St
Phone: 416-535- 568
Website: http://oneloveveg.tel/
To anyone who says vegetarian food has to be boring and flavorless, One Love says otherwise. This brightly painted, hard to miss establishment on Bathurst serves up some of the best Caribbean inspired vegetarian food in the entire city. What they might lack in interior design and ambiance, they more than make up for in food quality. This is definitely a hidden gem of a restaurant. The Pumpkin Rotee is a must try, as is the Callaloo.
Veghed
Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-7pm
Address: 1199 Dundas St W
Phone: 416-841- 6673
Website: https://www.facebook.com/VEGHED-1489222554679880/
A good place for anyone looking for a lunch during work or for something to take home for dinner. Veghed has massive portions and specializes in nutritionally dense foods and smoothies. This place is also frequented by a lot of vegetarian bodybuilders and people who are conscious of what they are putting in their body but don’t have a lot of time to meal prep.
Bolt Fresh Bar
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-9pm, Sat-Sun 9am-9pm
Address: 1170 Queen St W
Phone: 416-588- 8103
Website: https://www.boltfreshbar.com/
Being Vegetarian comes with the stigma that you need to prep all your meals and that getting a quick bite to eat it pretty much impossible. Bolt challenges that idea by being a quick service vegetarian establishment that focuses on smoothies, salads, and some of the city’s best Acai bowls. Bolt focuses on whole, nutritionally dense foods that are easy to eat on the go, but no less delicious. Their smoothies are an excellent way to start your day.
Grasshopper
Hours: Mon-Fri Noon to 9pm, Sat-Sun Noon to 10pm
Address: 310 College St
Phone: 647-340- 3666
Website: http://grasshopperrestaurant.ca/
If you live in the city, there is a better than average chance you’ve heard of Grasshopper. This unassuming, quaint restaurant serves up some of the best vegetarian food Toronto has to offer and the decor makes it one of the best rainy day spots possible. They quite the variety of offerings, including filling dishes like Vegetarian Chili and Quinoa Mac ’N Cheese. No matter your tastes, you’re going to find something amazing here.
The Goods
Hours: Mon-Tue 9am-8pm, Fri-Sun 11am-6pm
Address: 1255 Dundas St W
Phone: 647-340- 4663
Website: https://thegoodsisgood.ca/
Originally an office food delivery service, The Goods has upgraded itself into a full fledged quick service restaurant that maintains a home cooked aura. The goal of its owners is to supplement a vegan diet with home made, raw superfoods. You can order online from an ever-rotating seasonal menu consisting of salads, smoothies, and soups and it’ll be ready for you when you want to pick it up. I’ve never had an unsatisfying soup from The Goods.
Kupfert & Kim
Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-7:30pm
Address: First Canadian Place, 100 King St W
Phone: 416-504- 1233
Website: http://www.kupfertandkim.com/
A takeout-only restaurant located in the PATH, this establishment is frequented by a lot of younger Bay Street business types. Serving up fresh wholesome food and juices, this is an excellent place to try if you’re in the area, but it’s not really in a location where it would make sense to go just to visit the restaurant. This is the embodiment of vegetarianism going mainstream, a bright and modern chain store that stands with the best of them in terms of quick service eats.
Woodlot
Hours: Mon-Sun 5pm-10pm
Address: 293 Palmerston Ave
Phone: 647-342- 6307
Website: http://woodlottoronto.com/
This dinner-only establishment in Little Italy isn’t strictly vegetarian, but it does have a dedicated vegetarian menu, so you don’t need to carefully read every dish to make sure you can eat it. It is a bit on the higher end in terms of decor and price, but every dish is well crafted and delicious. The menu changes with the season, but the fresh made gnocchi are almost always an excellent choice. Bring your non-vegetarian friends and family – they’ll find things on the menu to suit their tastes.
Cafe 668
Hours: 5pm-9pm Daily
Address: 885 Dundas St W
Phone: 416-703- 0668
Website: http://www.cafe668.com/
This is one of those rare places that’s so good, it transcends dietary proclivity. The unassuming outside gives way to a beautiful interior. The restaurant serves up vegetarian food with an asian flair, making use of tofu as a source of protein. The service is excellent and the menu is varied. The dishes are large, vibrant, and nutritional, such as the Fresh Mango Salad and Curry Pad Thai. Rarely have I had room for dessert while eating here. This is a down to earth, excellent place to eat.
Hibiscus Cafe
Hours: Tue-Sun 11:30am-6pm
Address: 238 Augusta Ave
Phone: 416-364- 6183
Website: http://hibiscuscafe.ca/
Like a lot of places on this list, our last entry is quiet and unassuming. But don’t be fooled – Hibiscus has some of the freshest food in the city. Not only is the menu vegetarian, but it’s also gluten-free. Found in the Kensington Market area, this is a great plae to stop for a bit to eat during a day of shopping. In the Summer, try their dairy-free ice cream in a gluten-free cone.
If anyone is interested in seeing a list of ALL the vegan restaurants in Toronto I put this together: https://veggieinthe6ix.com/vegan-restaurants-toronto/