Toronto’s culinary scene has long been a melting pot of global flavors, but the ever-evolving world of vegan cuisine is what keeps even longtime locals on their toes. With chefs constantly reimagining what plant-based food can be—drawing from diverse cultural influences and seasonal ingredients—the city offers a fresh, exciting take on vegan dining that’s anything but predictable. Here are 12 hot spots that deserve a visit next time you’re in town.

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1Planta Yorkville

The original location of a growing family of restaurants, Planta Yorkville is renowned for its upscale dining in Toronto’s chic Yorkville neighborhood. Signature dishes burst with creativity and bold flavor: cult-favorite Bang Bang Broccoli is lightly battered, perfectly crispy, and drenched in a spicy-sweet chili glaze, while the Kelp Caesar reinvents the classic with briny, mineral-rich kelp noodles, smoky mushroom bacon, and a creamy, umami-packed dressing. Pushing the boundaries of possibilities, brunch enthusiasts can tuck into Chunk Foods steak topped with velvety eggs and a punchy chimichurri sauce.

Hawker's Toronto God’s WorkHawker’s

2 Hawker’s

Located in the heart of Kensington Market, Hawker’s Southeast Asian–inspired menu is both inventive and deeply satisfying. At the core of Hawker’s offerings are eclectic small plates showcasing layered flavors and comforting textures—like God’s Work, combining romano beans, pine nut cream, and a caramelized red pepper pâté, and Starry Night, a simple biriyani with cashews and smoked poblano crema. Savor the experience with the Resonance, a stunning cocktail that combines fruity and floral flavors with fresh strawberry juice, Earl Grey, lavender syrup, and tequila.

Sushi Momo platter TorontoSushi Momo

3 Sushi Momo

Montreal-born Sushi Momo brings an elevated all-vegan sushi experience to Toronto, thanks to Chef Christian Ventura, a Mexican-born sushi chef who decided to align his career with his vegan values. The menu dazzles with creative rolls and small plates, and the sleek, minimalist setting and artful plating make it as much a visual feast as a culinary one. Go for the Mr. Crunch, a crispy, umami-packed bite of king oyster mushrooms and truffle sauce, or the Delhi Futomaki, bursting with vegan shrimp, tempura crunch, and fragrant Japanese curry.

Avelo PaellaAvelo

4 Avelo

A refined dining destination housed in a historical Victorian townhouse, Avelo offers an intimate and immersive experience of five- or eight-course seasonal tasting menus that change daily. Dishes like the cauliflower mushroom with a silky sunflower seed roulade and tempeh with a 30-ingredient mole highlight the restaurant’s commitment to innovative vegan cuisine. For those seeking a more casual experience, Bar Avelo upstairs offers a curated cocktail list and an à la carte tapas menu featuring small plates like the deep-fried salmon filet with crispy layered potato pavé chips.

Taqueria-Vegana-TorontoTaqueria Vegana

5Taqueria Vegana

Serving up bold, flavor-packed Mexican street food, Taqueria Vegana is anything but ordinary. Try the Capeado trio: deep-fried oyster mushroom tacos in a crunchy rice seaweed batter topped with fresh slaw and a smoky, creamy morita mayo. If you feel like sharing, order the Impossible Nachos, piled high with spiced Impossible chorizo, melty mozzarella, hearty pinto beans, and a dollop of silky tofu cream—and finished with fresh pico de gallo, bright cilantro, and tangy pickled jalapeños for the perfect balance of flavor, heat, and crunch.

_La-Vegan-Toronto-Ethiopian-spreadLa Vegan

6 La Vegan

A beloved gem in Toronto’s vibrant east end, La Vegan celebrates the bold, comforting flavors of Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine. The menu’s star is the vibrant veggie combo platter—a generous spread of aromatic stews, spiced lentils, and sautéed vegetables, all scooped up with spongy injera. Warm up with rich dishes like tofu zigni (a spicy stew), shimbra asa (baked chickpeas in spicy sauce), and dinich wat (potatoes in berbere sauce). Unwind with a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, where green coffee beans are roasted and brewed at your table, accompanied by freshly popped popcorn.

 Guerrilla Burger and cone Guerrilla Burger

7 Guerrilla Burger

In a city overflowing with burger joints, Guerrilla Burger makes its mark with flavor-loaded vegan handhelds stacked high with craveable toppings like jerk coleslaw, kimchi, grilled pineapple, and housemade mac and cheese. Pair your burger with sides like the loaded chili cheese fries or zesty kale Caesar. Next, grab a chimney cone from Eva’s Original Chimneys, located in the same space, where cinnamon-sugar pastry shells are filled with soft serve and topped with options like Oreo, berry compote, or spiced apple pie filling.

Stefano's-Diner-Meatball-SandwichStefano’s Diner

8 Stefano’s Diner

First offered as a weekly sandwich pop-up within vegetarian hot spot Gia, Stefano’s Diner has since evolved into a standalone eatery featuring an array of classic handhelds such as Filet O’Fish, a meatball sub, and eggplant parmigiana. Fall in love with the muffaletta, featuring vegan mortadella and smoked provolone complemented by roasted red bell peppers and a zesty olive tapenade, all nestled between slices of housemade focaccia. Don’t miss the mozzarella sticks with melty centers that stretch with every bite.

Fresh-Toronto-Quinoa-Onion-RingsFresh Kitchen + Juice Bar

9Fresh Kitchen + Juice Bar

Fresh Kitchen + Juice Bar has been at the heart of Toronto’s plant-based movement for over two decades, growing from a single juice-focused café into a citywide staple. With multiple locations across the Greater Toronto Area, Fresh blends comfort food with clean eating, offering everything from saucy rice bowls and stacked vegan burgers to cold-pressed juices and superfood-packed smoothies. Start with the crispy, handcrafted Quinoa Onion Rings with chipotle mayo for dipping, and then dig into the hearty Protein Bowl with grilled tofu steaks, tempeh bacon, marinated black beans, and a bold lemon dressing.

Sorry-I’ve-Got-Plants-Cobb-saladSorry I’ve Got Plants

10Sorry I’ve Got Plants

Sorry I’ve Got Plants is a cozy, low-waste takeout café shaking up fast-casual dining. Here, sustainability meets serious flavor—think smoky Tofu Halloumi Sandwiches, zesty Chickpea Salad Wraps, and bold, satisfying Buffalo ‘Chkn’ Caesar Bowls, all crafted with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The café’s playful, health-forward approach is also seen in its at-home meal kits—ready in under 20 minutes—making it easy to bring that same creativity to your own kitchen. Rooted in community and committed to a lighter footprint, this hidden gem proves that conscious eating can still be craveworthy.

Caked Coffee Strawberry CakeCaked Coffee

11Caked Coffee

Just steps from Toronto’s lush High Park, Caked Coffee is a cozy, family-run coffee shop where community and indulgence meet. Owners Supreet Arora and Raman Gill, former insurance brokers turned bakers, serve up small-batch treats like molasses-kissed cinnamon rolls and layered cake jars in flavors like Biscoff and coconut cream. The housemade chai lattes, steeped with warming spices and frothed oat milk, are rich, aromatic, and the perfect balance of comfort and kick.

Everything-Bagel-Bun-Bad-Attitude-BreadBad Attitude Bread

12 Bad Attitude Bread

Bad Attitude Bread might be Toronto’s most irresistible vegan bakery, serving up butter-laced, European-style pastries with a rebellious twist. Founder Logan Dunn’s talent shines in every bite of the fan-favorite Everything Bagel Bun with its swirls of creamy mozzarella and tangy cream cheese. Load up a box of goodies to go, including the flaky Cheddar Bay Biscuits—an homage to Red Lobster’s classic—and the Seasonal Cheesecake Braid, a golden brioche oozing with creamy cheesecake filling and finished with a glossy layer of seasonal fruit.

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