Often cited as the world’s most diverse city, Toronto is bursting with culture, creativity, and incredible food – and the plant-based scene is no exception. To help you navigate the city’s vegan offerings, Phoebe Iris (@eastldnvegan) has curated a list of unmissable spots. Get ready to eat your way around Toronto!
Top tip: All branches of Tim Hortons (an affordable and popular Canadian coffee chain ) offer plant-based milks, so you can always enjoy a plant-based coffee while you’re exploring the city!
Bad Attitude Bread
Tucked away in downtown Toronto, this fully vegan bakery boasts an impressive array of sweet and savoury pastries. Their counter is a feast for the eyes, piled high with pesto parmesan buns, cinnamon rolls, croissants, loaded focaccia, scones, and countless other tempting treats. Be sure to try their dills in a blanket – tangy pickles and melty cheese wrapped in golden, flaky pastry. If you’re in the mood for something sweet to sip, the Oreo iced cappuccino is a must!
Tsuchi Cafe
Bringing a taste of Japan to Canada, Tsuchi takes its name from the Japanese word for ‘soil’, a nod to the café’s commitment to wholesome, high-quality ingredients. It’s the ideal spot to satisfy your matcha cravings, although you’ll also find excellent coffee, fresh sandwiches, and beautifully crafted baked goods, including some deliciously decadent fruit tarts. And don’t miss their signature weekend special: Kare Pan – a flavourful curry encased in soft bread dough, coated in crisp breadcrumbs, and deep-fried to perfection.
Stefano’s Diner
Toronto’s first fully plant-based diner, Stefano’s is famous for its hearty deli-style subs. A sister restaurant to the Michelin-recommended pasta spot Gia, the light and welcoming space has a classic diner feel with a chic modern twist. The menu showcases both vegetables and meat substitutes, all reimagined with Stefano’s unique spin on things. The weekend brunch menu will leave you spoilt for choice, with highlights such as plant-based brie, brioche French toast, and eggs Benedict made with mung beans. And of course, their subs are a must-try: options include Stefano’s Italian, Eggplant Parmigiana, and the popular Meatball.
The Hogtown Vegan
Craving comfort food? Hogtown has you covered! There’s plenty to choose from: juicy burgers, loaded nachos, creamy mac ‘n’ cheese, and Canada’s national dish, poutine. The poutine features crispy fries with seitan and cheese, smothered in rich gravy and topped with crunchy onions. Hogtown also gives back: the proceeds of their donation box, which supports a rotating selection of animal sanctuaries, is currently helping to fund the Story Book Primate Sanctuary.
Planta
The popular restaurant chain Planta has two locations in Toronto: Queen Street and Yorkville. Focusing on seasonal, sustainable dining, Planta offers a variety of sushi, salads, and pizzas. Standout dishes include Eggplant Unagi, Spicy Crab Rolls, Hawaiian Pizza, and Bang Bang Broccoli. The restaurants have an upscale feel, making them a great choice for celebratory meals.
Try the Veggie Challenge!
Join the ProVeg Veggie Challenge and try eating more plant-based for 30 days. It’s better for your health, better for the planet and better for animals. Get a healthy start with your personal Challenge. We’ll help you along the way with free tips, recipes and support.
Bunner’s Bakeshop
Located in the vibrant heart of Kensington Market, Bunner’s comes highly recommended by locals for its plant-based, nut-, soya-, and gluten-free baked goods– including muffins, brownies, cheesecake, bread, and another Canadian staple: Nanaimo bars. Named after the city of Nanaimo, these bars feature three layers: a wafer and coconut crumb base, a custard icing centre, and a rich chocolate ganache topping.
Buddha Vegan Restaurant
Located in the heart of Toronto’s Chinatown, Buddha’s is the go-to spot for plant-based Chinese food. Order a takeaway or dine in at their cosy restaurant, where you’ll be surrounded by handwritten messages of love on the walls, with one declaring, “Buddha’s is the reason I moved back to Toronto!”
The menu features favourites such as dumplings, lamb skewers, ginger beef, ma po tofu, and seafood chow mein. Don’t miss the lemon chicken: crunchy battered mock chicken in a sweet, zesty sauce, which pairs perfectly with the preserved olive leaves, ginger, and chicken fried rice. Portions are generous, so expect to have leftovers!
Bloomer’s
With five locations across Ontario, including two in Toronto, Bloomer’s is a mainstay in the city’s thriving plant-based bakery scene. They’re best known for their doughnuts, with flavours like apple fritter, Boston cream, and Canadian maple. The bakery also offers an extensive gluten-free menu, featuring cupcakes, cookies, pot pies, and bagels served with soya cream cheese. Whether you dine in or grab a take away, Bloomer’s is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Good Rebel Vegan Grocer
Vegan paradise! This fully plant-based supermarket has pretty much everything you could imagine – from chocolate (vegan Lindt Lindors!) to faux meats, sauces, seasonings, and an enormous cheese section boasting over 100 varieties. There’s also a good selection of beauty and household goods. If the choices feel overwhelming, the friendly staff are happy to offer their recommendations. Be warned though, you’ll never look at regular supermarkets the same way again!
For more plant-based travel recommendations, check out our guides to Lisbon, Utrecht, Barcelona, Shanghai, Rio, Prague, Paris, Berlin, Budapest, London, Madrid, New York, Cape Town, Chiang Mai and Amsterdam.
Phoebe Iris
Freelance Writer
