If you are a meat eater, you might think “vegetarian,” and your mind conjures images of sad salads and bland bean sprouts. You might even think of eating a meal at home before a dinner out with your veggie friends, just in case.
Think again.
Toronto’s plant-based scene is turning out dishes so bold, so flavourful, you’ll forget there’s no meat on the menu. Step aside, granola-crunching purists. This is a list for the skeptics, the carnivores, the ones who demand a meal with guts.
Some are white-tablecloth temples, others are hole-in-the-wall legends, but all deliver food that’s alive, creative, and deeply satisfying.
We’ve fought through the noise, bypassed the boring, and curated a hit list of the best vegetarian restaurants Toronto has to offer.
Where to go, for real
These 15 spots are where Toronto locals spend money and chefs go on their nights off. The menus are tight, the flavours hit hard, and every pick earns its place.
This list covers it all, from Michelin-recommended showstoppers to decades-old, family-run institutions. With such a beloved food scene, it’s no wonder Toronto’s veggie restaurants meet the mark, too.
Read on to eat like you’ve been in the know for years.
1. Gia Restaurant
Signature Dish: Ricotta Gnocchi. Silken clouds of ricotta, barely kissed by the pan, drowning in a light, bright tomato sauce.
Vibe Check: Intimate, buzzy, and refined. Minimalist but warm, with the kind of service that anticipates your needs before you do.
Address: 1214 Dundas St W
Why It Made the Cut: It’s fine dining without the pretension. Gia proves that Italian classics can be elevated without a single slice of cured meat. It’s a Michelin-recognized game-changer.
2. Planta Yorkville
Signature Dish: Ahi Watermelon. Forget tuna. This is watermelon compressed and marinated to mimic raw fish, served over crispy rice with a spicy mayo kick.
Vibe Check: Upscale and see-and-be-seen. High ceilings, lush tropical greenery, and a chic crowd in the heart of the city’s poshest neighbourhood.
Address: 1221 Bay St.
Why It Made the Cut: They make viral, craveable food that just happens to be vegan. Thanks to them, fish-free sushi has never been more accessible. Visit during happy hour (3 pm-6 pm Monday-Friday; 8:30 pm-close Sunday-Friday) for $9 rolls.
3. Avelo
Signature Dish: The five-course tasting menu. There’s no single dish because the menu is a moving target, an ever-changing exploration of what plants can do.
Vibe Check: Posh, quiet, and hyper-focused. This is a special-occasion spot in a Victorian townhouse. The dining room is a theatre, and the food is the star.
Address: 51 St Nicholas St
Why It Made the Cut: Avelo is for the adventurous diner. It redefines plant-based cuisine as a high-art form, using foraged and seasonal ingredients to create a truly unique experience.
4. Fresh
Signature Dish: The Ultimate Cheeseburger. A dense, flavourful house-made patty on a toasted bun with all the fixings. It’s the kind of burger that makes you question why you ever needed beef.
Vibe Check: Casual, clean, and reliably comfortable. It’s the friendly workhorse of Toronto’s vegetarian scene, with multiple locations and a menu that’s never let anyone down.
Address: Multiple locations across Toronto
Why It Made the Cut: They’ve been at this for over two decades. Fresh is the bedrock, the place you go when you need a dependable, delicious, and filling meal. It’s the OG for a reason.
5. The Hogtown Vegan
Signature Dish: Southern Fried “Chicken.” A plant-based doppelgänger so convincing you’ll do a double-take. Crispy, golden, and served with a comforting side of mac and “cheese.”
Vibe Check: Laid-back, unpretentious, and full of soul. It feels like a cosy diner, serving up comfort food that warms you from the inside out.
Address: 382 College St
Why It Made the Cut: This is the answer for anyone who says they can’t live without comfort food. Hogtown Vegan proves that greasy, satisfying classics can be made without a single animal product.
6. Kupfert & Kim
Signature Dish: Oaxaca Bowl. A medley of quinoa, black beans, corn, and avocado, all tied together with a smoky chipotle lime dressing. It’s a clean, flavourful reset button for your taste buds.
Vibe Check: Fast-casual, no-nonsense, and efficient. The kind of spot where you can grab a quick, healthy lunch that’s actually good.
Address: Multiple locations across Toronto
Why It Made the Cut: They mastered the art of fast, healthy, and delicious food. Kupfert & Kim make convenient meals that have you feeling full and fuelled on the go.
7. Hawker
Signature Dish: Mushroom Wings. They’re a masterclass in texture, with a deep-fried crunch giving way to a rich, earthy interior, served with a sweet chili sauce that pulls it all together.
Vibe Check: Quaint and quirky, located in the bustling heart of Kensington Market. It’s a tiny, underrated, art-lined space, perfect for one-on-one connections and small gatherings of friends.
Address: 291 Augusta Ave
Why It Made the Cut: Formally known as TVX, Hawker brings a fresh, Southeast Asian-inspired take on plant-based cuisine. It’s a flavour trip worth taking.
8. Saigon Lotus
Signature Dish: Vegan Pho. A rich, fragrant broth built on a foundation of spices and vegetables, served with rice noodles, tofu, and fresh herbs. It’s soul-soothing in a bowl.
Vibe Check: Simple, modest, and comforting. The focus is on the food, not the frills. It’s a quiet escape from the city.
Address: 6 St. Andrew St, Kensington Market
Why It Made the Cut: Saigon Lotus nails the essence of Vietnamese cuisine without the meat. The pho is a revelation, a dish that shows how deep flavour can come from unexpected places.
9. Fat Choi
Signature Dish: Roti & Daal. A flaky, buttery roti that you’ll want to eat by itself, served with a spiced lentil stew that’s rich and deeply satisfying.
Vibe Check: It’s a pop-up inside Soos, so the vibe is an extension of that. Cool, casual, and a bit of an “if you know, you know” feel.
Address: Inside Soos at 94 Ossington Ave
Why It Made the Cut: It’s a prime example of a plant-based menu that elevates comfort food. Despite being a pop-up, it demands as much, if not more, attention than the main event.
10. Buddha’s Vegan Restaurant
Signature Dish: General Tao’s Veggie Chicken. The sauce is a perfect balance of sweet and tangy, clinging to a mock meat so well-textured that you’ll be scratching your head.
Vibe Check: No-frills, old-school, and authentic. It’s a neighbourhood staple that has been quietly serving up incredible food for decades.
Address: 666 Dundas St W, just west of Kensington Market
Why It Made the Cut: Buddha’s has been a vegetarian Chinese food staple for 30 years. It’s always been about making good food, and it shows.
11. The Udupi Palace
Signature Dish: The Dosa Selection. With over 60 varieties of dosas, paired with aromatic sambar and a selection of chutneys, they are a masterclass in South Indian flavor and texture.
Vibe Check: Warm hospitality and a community hub. Established in 2001, The Udupi Palace is a fixture in the bustling Gerrard Street Indian Bazaar.
Address: 1423 Gerrard St E, Little India
Why It Made the Cut: The Udupi Palace is celebrated for its authentic South Indian cuisine. Its longevity and mastery of its craft demonstrate a deep commitment to good food and community connection.
12. Stefano’s Diner
Signature Dish: Meatball Sandwich. A hearty, messy delight that captures the essence of classic Italian diner food without the meat.
Vibe Check: Classy Italian diner. A unique blend of casual comfort and sleek design, it is a place to grab a satisfying sandwich or some arancini in an Instagram-worthy setting.
Address: 1265 Dundas St W, Beaconsfield Village
Why It Made the Cut: As the younger sibling of Gia, Stefano’s takes plant-based Italian classics and serves them with a fun, diner twist.
13. Tenon Vegan Sushi
Signature Dish: Plant-Based Salmon Sushi. This spot has managed to create a tasty salmon substitute for vegans and vegetarians to enjoy meat-free and fish-free sushi, beyond the typical vegetable rolls.
Vibe Check: Relaxed and accessible. Sit down for a laid-back meal with reliable service in the small but cozy dining room.
Address: 487 Bloor St W
Why It Made the Cut: Tenon Vegan Sushi fills a critical gap in the market by offering a high-quality, dedicated plant-based sushi experience. It provides a reliable destination for a cuisine often challenging to navigate for vegans and vegetarians.
14. King’s Café
Signature Dish: Teriyaki Black Pepper Veggie Steak. Surprisingly believable mock-meat steak cutlets served with teriyaki sauce and steamed vegetables.
Vibe Check: Decades-old staple. Located in the heart of Kensington Market, it emulates the warmth of an established, no-frills institution that has been serving the community for decades.
Address: 92 Augusta Ave.
Why It Made the Cut: Since 1996, King’s Café has been a testament to the staying power of traditional, plant-based Asian cuisine. It is a historical landmark of Toronto’s vegetarian scene, with an extensive menu and the ability to recreate everything from wonton soup to steak.
15. Bellona
Signature Dish: Lemon Pesto Cream Pasta. A vibrant, creamy pasta dish with a bright, zesty flavour. The pesto is rich but not heavy, and the delicate citrus notes make every bite fresh and invigorating.
Vibe Check: Romantic and cozy. A warm, inviting space with a sophisticated, intimate feel. It’s a perfect spot for a date night or a special dinner.
Address: 276 Jane St and 680 College St
Why It Made the Cut: It’s an ambassador for elevated, plant-based Italian without being pretentious. Bellona proves that vegan Italian food can be both authentic and innovative. They focus on fresh, house-made ingredients that are truly craveable.
Getting hungry?
Bookmark this list before you lose it. The only wrong move is sticking to the same old spot. Toronto’s too good a food city to play it safe.
These spots are the kind you’ll want on hand when someone asks where to go, and you’ll look like the one with good taste. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner, share it with your crew and start planning your next meal.
Skip the chains, dodge the mediocre, and eat like you actually live here.
The Toronto veg scene, demystified:
What are the most upscale vegetarian restaurants in Toronto?
Impress your date at Gia with dreamy ricotta gnocchi, Planta Yorkville for ahi watermelon sushi, or Avelo for a one-of-a-kind tasting menu.
Will I actually leave feeling full?
Short answer: yes. But knowing what to order is key. Luckily, our list does not include any sad salads. Hit Fresh for their Ultimate Cheeseburger, or Udupi Palace for a dosa the size of your forearm.
I don’t want tourist traps. Where do locals go?
Kensington Market regulars swear by Hawker for mushroom wings and King’s Café for black pepper veggie steak. Buddha’s on Dundas is old-school and still serving some of the best General Tao’s in town.
Can I take a date to a vegetarian spot without it feeling weird?
Yes. In fact, showing off your knowledge of Toronto’s diverse food scene would be a guaranteed green flag. Go to Bellona for romantic vibes, Gia for a cozy but classy night, or Avelo for a dinner they’ll brag to their friends about.
I eat meat, will I still like this list?
Yep. These restaurants cook with flavour first. Take one bite at any of these spots and you’ll stop asking where the meat is.
Get a taste of Toronto.
Toronto’s vegetarian scene is loud, inventive, and unapologetic. This isn’t a city where “vegetarian” means settling for the side salad or pretending fries count as a meal. Every bite here tells a story of tradition, rebellion, and chefs who refuse to compromise flavour for ideology.
Toronto’s market is now mature enough to support high-end, chef-driven concepts. It also makes room for highly specialized, niche cuisines and meticulously crafted comfort foods that hit with pure nostalgia.
Chefs are riffing on global cuisines, aunties are passing down guarded family recipes, and young upstarts are making dishes that punch way above their price point. It’s a patchwork of influences that only a city like Toronto could pull off.
This list goes beyond the trends or Instagram fodder. Skip the chains, grab a friend, a date, or go solo, and taste the vegetarian side of the city.
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