Grab the gang and feast together on these vegetarian-, vegan- and omnivore-friendly menus.
Navigating Toronto's restaurant scene is deliciously simple, whether you're a dedicated vegan or a consummate omnivore. In addition to a thriving vegan cuisine scene, many of Toronto's non-veg restaurants have embraced plant-heavy menus, too.
Here are nine great places to feast on plant-forward eats.
Hawker
Elevated small plates, seasonality and farm-to-table freshness define Hawker, a plant-based hotspot in eclectic Kensington Market. Book their six-course tasting menu if you can. You’ll dine at the bar counter overlooking the open kitchen, feasting on painstakingly crafted dishes inspired by the micro season, such as oyster mushrooms in smoked corn broth, or a fermented forced-rhubarb tart.
Constantine
In The Andorre House, the modern Mediterranean menu at Constantine has several dishes with vegetables at the centre, including the Maitake Mushroom and a dedicated section of vegetable-only sides, like potato rösti or heirloom carrots.
The large 145-seat dining room, located right by the bustling Downtown Yonge neighbourhood, is ideal for hosting a celebration or dining with a larger group.
Avelo
Tucked away in a historic home within walking distance of 2SLGBTQ+-centric Church-Wellesley Village, Avelo elevates plant-based dining with a rotating tasting menu of five or eight courses.
The quaint 22-seat dining area offers an intimate high-end experience with smaller amuse-bouche plates and savoury flatbread-style pizzas, but you'll want to make a reservation in advance.
Parallel
Producing their sesame seed tahini in-house, Parallel has an extensive menu of hummus that are all vegan, and adorned with vegetables, oils and herbs.
Set on the revitalized industrial Geary Avenue just southwest of Midtown, dine in on their hearty salads or share meze dips that are all vegan or vegetarian.
If you're hungry for an entree, the Mushroom Mix on Crispy Za'atar Pita with housemade sesame butter is so delicious that you'll want to bring one home from their pantry at the front of the restaurant.
Pai
Under the direction of Nuit and Jeff Regular, Pai serves cuisine from northern Thailand that highlights the complex flavour profiles.
The 80-seat restaurant in downtown’s Entertainment District features market-style dining in a cozy, cavernous environment.
The menu has a range of tofu-based dishes, like garlic tofu, and the option to request vegetarian or vegan versions of dishes like their seasonal mango slaw, khao soi, pad see ew, or curries.
Fat Choi
Fat Choi is a plant-based “permanent pop-up” inside Soos, an otherwise omnivore restaurant on the trendy Ossington strip.
What’s on the Fat Choi menu? Flavour-forward Malaysian cuisine inspired by Malay, Chinese and Indian influences. Choose between dishes like 20-ingredient Prosperity Tossed Slaw, or wok-charred rice noodles with seitan and king mushrooms, or sit back and let the experts take over by opting for the Feed Me tasting menu.
Maha’s
The Egyptian brunch spot and MICHELIN-Recommended, Maha's, invites you into their homey restaurant a few paces north of eclectic Gerrard Street to enjoy savoury plates made fresh to order.
For vegans, there are several sandwiches, including the Betengan made with roasted eggplant and bell peppers, the Foole & Taameia served on a pita, or the vegetarian Arnabeet made with deep-fried cauliflower dusted with cumin and coriander.
If you’re planning on swinging by Maha’s for brunch, arrive early, as the line can often extend down the block.
Fresh
With locations across Toronto, including Old Town, Danforth Greektown and Etobicoke, Fresh has been one of the go-to vegetarian and vegan dining options for over two decades. Share a basket of onion rings coated with puffed quinoa before diving into one of their signature bowls, house-made veggie burgers or superfood salads.
The Chulo
Sink your teeth into momos (hearty Nepali dumplings), curries and noodle dishes at The Chulo, a local-fave Himalayan restaurant in the university district Annex neighbourhood. Sample a little bit of everything with the Vegetable Thali Set, a complete meal with black lentils, cauli aloo, an additional side, pickles, rice or naan and dessert.
This story has been updated with new details since it was first published in January 2023.
