Fill up on the healthy side! These Toronto vegetarian and vegan patios offer fresh flavours, global inspo and filling meals to tempt plant-based foodies and omnivores alike.
Patio season means you get to try out a world of flavours in Toronto’s best summer months. It also means you get to try out something new. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian or even a true-blue meat eater, Toronto’s vegetarian and vegan restaurant scene is one you’ll want to check out. I’m talking comfort food (like you can’t believe that’s not a "real" burger), to filling healthy salads that get you glowing, to crazy delicious brunch options—all on some pretty great patios. Here are some of Toronto’s best patio options for vegetarian or vegan food.
Fat Choi
Fat Choi is one of those spots that’s perfect for a pre-night-out snack and cocktail. Their plant-based menu is mostly sharable small plates, and brings on tons of flavour and spice. The rotating menu keeps your taste buds on their toes. On their typical menu, you can’t go wrong with the 20-ingredient Prosperity Salad with a yuzu plum dressing for a burst of freshness, the red chili cauliflower and broccoli (with lemongrass turmeric chili toss, peanut, sesame), and the refreshing smashed cucumber salad. I’m also currently swooning over the special Papaya Noodle Salad and the Murtabak (stuffed roti).
Hello 123
Want to mix plant-based eating with brunch? Hello 123 is the spot to do it, because a vegan or vegetarian brunch might just be the best way to ease into plant-based dining. Hello 123 (a sibling to another plant-based Toronto hot spot, Kupfert & Kim) has the perfect trellis-covered patio space to dine on a boozy, colourful brunch. The chic white patio is calling out for some Instagram or TikTok-friendly content creation, so come hungry and prepped for a mini photo shoot. Then take a pick from their huge menu—from Eggs Benny and smoothie bowls, to a kimchi burger and the perfectly cool-for-summer watermelon ceviche. The food is so vibrant, bright and filling you won’t even miss the real bacon (also because tempeh bacon is yummy—give it a go!).
Planta
Planta is one of those friendly vegan spots that can sway even your meat-loving friends. And it’s been a Toronto mainstay for years now. Aside from their beautiful plant-based dishes, the interior of Planta restaurants also wows, so no surprise that their patio situation is also on point. All Planta locations across Toronto have opened up their patios, but my favourite will always be the Queen Street West location. I’ll be there on weekends for their Dim Sum Brunch… or on a week night noshing on the vegan sushi, Thai creamed spinach, noodles and pizza—basically I’ll be eating the whole menu!
La Bartola
Mexican but vegan style! La Bartola is run by Chef Ivan Castro who found his passion for cooking during his childhood in Mexico City. Think tacos made from braised hibiscus flowers, jackfruit “Al Pastor” tacos, and black bean atole—not to mention some super refreshing cocktails. My current favourite is the Jardin de Frida made with Mezcal, triple sec, lavender syrups, lime and agave. You can squeeze in some extra taco and cocktail time this summer thanks to their sidewalk set-up, or on their back patio. Cheers!
Eat Nabati
In the heart of Kensington Market you’ll find Toronto’s first 100% plant-based Middle Eastern restaurant, and it is definitely not one to be missed! The name Nabati is an Arabic adjective that means “made of plants” or “plant-based”. On the menu you’ll find vegetarian shawarma, falafel, Za’atar cauliflower (one of my faves!), and veggie kofta. You can get everything in either a pita or in a bowl. Oh, and do not pass up on their incredibly creamy, dreamy custards—often with fresh fruit flavours that hit perfectly for summer. Their patio isn’t large, but the flavour and the food portions are, so go hungry and go early!
Fresh Restaurants
Easily Toronto’s most classic vegetarian and vegan restaurant, the Fresh locations are always bursting with people, good food and quinoa onion rings that will change your life. All their Toronto locations have patios open: Fresh on Crawford, Fresh on Spadina, Fresh on Eglinton, Fresh on Hurontario and Fresh on Bloor. Bowls of grains, noodles, rice, veggies, tofu and tempeh always make a satisfying meal—-but you also can’t go wrong with the burgers and the smoothies. And trust me, you will want that order of onion rings!
