Amelie CameronOne of the biggest changes I’ve recently made in my life is switching mostly to a vegetarian diet. However, given my busy schedule, I’m always left with very little time to cook some amazing dishes on my own.
Lucky for me, Toronto has a very active vegetarian dining scene and is home to many vegetarian restaurants. Here are some of the most amazing ones I always keep coming back to!
| How much do vegetarian restaurants in Toronto charge for their dishes? The price to eat at a vegetarian restaurant in Toronto can vary widely depending on the type of restaurant and the dishes you choose. Usually, you’ll need to pay $20 per person for a casual dining experience in a vegetarian restaurant. |
How We Chose
1. Punjabi Chaap Corner
Address: 38 Elm St Unit 06A
Phone number: +1 416-598-3787
Business hours:
11:00 AM – 12:00 AM (SUN-THURS)
11:00 AM – 1:00 AM (FRI and SAT)
As someone who loves Indian food, I find myself visiting Punjabi Chaap Corner from time to time. As their name suggests, they focus on soya chaap, a dish known for its meat-like texture that mostly resembles lamb meat.
Their menu is packed with tasty options like Malai Chaap, Achari Chaap, and Chur Chur Chaap. However, my personal favourite is their Amritsari Chaap, as it features perfectly grilled soya chaap marinated in a tangy, creamy sauce.
It’s also usually served with mint sauce, which balances out the tangy sauce with its refreshing and cool taste.
Thankfully, it’s very easy to enjoy their dishes, as they have 12 locations in the GTA. My only major complaint is their slow customer service, especially during peak hours.
As tasty as tasty gets
“Very friendly service. Am not a vegetarian and was initially turned off by lack of meat, but after one taste I realized I didn’t need meat to enjoy their authentic food. As tasty as tasty gets.”
-Ghyslain Sabourin, Google Reviews
Amazing food at a great price
“Great little place, it’s all vegetarian but if my wife didn’t tell me, I would have no idea!
We had the Chaap Biryani and the Crispy Cheese Corn Momos that was recommended by the gentleman at the front, and it was amazing! Great staff, amazing food at a great price, and a comfortable little place to grab a bite.
Now please excuse me while I finish the rest of this great dish! Make sure you come check out a locally owned place and support local businesses!”
-Peter Ly, Google Reviews
2. PLANTA
Address: 1221 Bay St.
Phone number: +1 647-812-1221
Business hours:
11:30 AM – 9:00 PM (SUN-WED)
11:30 AM – 10:00 PM (THURS-SAT)
PLANTA is my first thought whenever I’m looking to entice a non-vegetarian friend to try out vegetarian dishes. Opened in 2016 by Chef David Lee, this restaurant is all about serving plant-based dishes in a stylish setting.
The best thing about this place is its highly varied menu. They have everything, from pizzas and pasta to sushi and burgers, but the real star is their house burger.
This dish features a plant-based patty that’s perfectly seasoned and topped with all the classic fixings—lettuce, tomato, pickles, and a special house-made sauce that gives the burger a creamy texture with a hint of spice and smokiness.
Another reason why I keep coming back to this place is its customer loyalty program, which lets me earn special discounts the more I dine here.
Unfortunately, they do tend to price most of their dishes a bit higher than average.
If you love plant based food, then this is the must try location!
“If you love plant based food, then this is the must try location! The restaurant is right near the subway and Bloor St, so it’s hard to miss it. 🙃
The service is great and pretty fast. We tried fried mushrooms, nachos and two salads. It was delicious and the flavours were so interesting! My favourite is Kelp Caesar and Chicken fried Mushrooms. 🤩
I would suggest you book in advance.”
-Maria Gavrilova, Google Reviews
This food blew me away
“Tried Planta for the first time today. I’m not plant based but WHOA! This food blew me away. Depth of texture and flavour, beautifully presented.
Our server Jeff was extremely knowledgeable and his recommendations were spot on. He guided us through the entire menu and made specific suggestions, each one we loved!
We ordered 6-7 different dishes, and each one was equally amazing! Will definitely be back again and recommend.”
-Nicole P, Google Reviews
3. Avelo Restaurant
Address: 51 St Nicholas St
Phone number: +1 647-643-3132
Business hours: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM (WED-SUN)
Whenever I’m in the mood for a fine dining experience, I look no further than Avelo Restaurant. Housed in a charming Victorian townhouse, this restaurant offers a seasonal tasting menu that changes regularly, ensuring I always have something new to try out whenever I visit this place.
Throughout all of my dining experiences here, the one that stood out to me the most was my lion’s mane mushroom dish. It has that meaty texture and flavour that’s topped off with a generous serving of rich vegan cheese. Its delicious blend of mild spice and creamy taste certainly left me craving for more!
Aside from their mouthwatering dishes, another amazing thing about Avelo Restaurant is its exquisite bar. It features signature cocktails and aged wines anyone should try at least once.
Sadly, getting a seat here is so hard since they’re a reservation-only establishment.
The most incredible food experience I’ve ever had
“I’m speechless, but I’ll try to summarize the most incredible food experience I’ve ever had. The 8 course tasting, the organic wines (which are hard to find in Ontario!), the fact that everything is vegan, so magnificent. Worth every single penny. The food is spectacular, so delicious, filling, so well presented and carefully crafted. The service was impeccable, with every dish thoughtfully explained. So delicious, thanks for making our celebration so special!”
-Mare D, Google Reviews
The food was amazing and so unique/creative
“Avelo is amazing! We had the 8 course tasting menu and I’m so glad that we did it all. The food was amazing and so unique/creative. The plating of the food was also so beautiful. We were celebrating our anniversary and the staff helped make that really special for us.
There was also a bar upstairs that we would love to go back and try next time we are in town!”
-Coley & David Williams, Google Reviews
4. Gia Restaurant
Address: 1214 Dundas St W
Phone number: +1 416-535-8888
Business hours:
5:00 PM – 10:00 PM (MON-THURS)
5:00 PM – 10:30 PM (FRI and SAT)
A restaurant I keep coming back to whenever I’m in the mood for some Italian cuisine is Gia Restaurant. Recognised by the Michelin Guide, this place has quickly become popular thanks to its cosy and simplistic dining atmosphere.
Currently, they offer a range of tasty dishes like warm olives, spinach ravioli, and eggplant parmesan. Out of all of them, the one dish I keep coming back to is their lion’s mane bistecca.
This 8 oz mushroom steak is served with mini potatoes, rapini, and a rich mushroom demi-glace. As you might expect, it has that meat-like taste with some hints of nutty and earthy flavours mixed in. It’s juicy, flavorful, and so satisfying that you won’t even miss the meat.
However, do take note that most of their dishes are priced way above average. Consider looking for other options first.
Amazing food and great atmosphere
“Amazing food and great atmosphere and decor, I had a great time at Gia. The focaccia might have been my favorite, super fluffy and crispy at the top, served warm. The lion’s mane mushroom steak was also delicious. Will be coming back!”
-Michelle Li, Google Reviews
Amazing food, super friendly service and nice atmosphere
“Amazing food, super friendly service and nice atmosphere. My friend who wasn’t vegan couldn’t tell that it was all vegan and vegetarian food. We both loved it. The baby gem salad was the star of the meal.”
-Mindy Tsang, Google Reviews
5. Thien Tam Asia
Address: 2907 Dundas St W
Phone number: +1 416-368-1368
Business hours: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM (MON-SUN)
Thien Tam Asia is one of the best vegetarian restaurants for those who are looking to enjoy a taste of Asia. They’ve become widely known for their impressive menu, which showcases the best of Vietnamese, Thai, and Japanese cuisines.
Personally, I’m a huge fan of their Thai green curry. Imagine a creamy, coconut-based sauce that’s rich and aromatic, with just the right amount of spice to give it a kick.
Now, combine that with a healthy mix of vegetables, tofu, and jasmine rice. The end result is a meal filled with flavour and texture that’ll definitely leave a mark on your tastebuds.
And the best part? It’ll only cost you $16.95! They even offer free add-on dishes for takeout orders that cost at least $50.
Sadly, they’re a bit slow with preparing their dishes. Expect to wait at least 30 minutes before your meal is served.
Great place for vegans and vegetarians to get food
“An absolute gem in Toronto 🌿 Great place for vegans and vegetarians to get food and flavourful Thai/Vietnamese food! The dishes are delicious and the portions are huge! Highly recommend and will come back.”
-Natasha I, Google Reviews
The menu is extensive and the food we ordered tasted so good
“The menu is extensive and the food we ordered tasted so good, esp. the tom yum soup and the papaya salad. The restaurant is clean and cosy. Highly recommend!”
-Chien Nguyen, Google Reviews
