Are you in Vancouver and looking for some animal-free culinary options? You'll find plenty of delicious meals in the city to satisfy even the most gourmet vegan palate, but not all of them are prepared at exclusively vegan restaurants. Vancouver's dining destinations tend to be fairly vegan-friendly and are happy to customize dishes to suit your particular dietary needs.
With hearty dishes such as portobello stroganoff and vegan mac 'n' cheese, Meet on Main is a gluten-free and vegan restaurant that caters to those who don't want to sacrifice flavour. The meals are delicious, and the rustic design of the place is charming enough to warrant a visit all on its own.
Chinese food with a vegetarian twist is what you'll find at this restaurant, though many of the dishes are vegan as well. The staff are friendly, the food is delightful, and the menu is economical – making this a go-to eatery for vegans who’ve got a hankering for Asian flavours. The noodles are particularly good, but you should also try the sweet-and-sour tofu or orange cutlets.
A high-end, trendy vegan restaurant, Acorn is where you'll find a menu full of gluten-free, animal-free dishes that are beautifully presented. There are also raw dishes on the menu for those who want uncooked food. From roasted tomato basil soup to beer-battered halloumi to a range of delightful desserts, the restaurant is a perfect spot for a meat-free date night.
Twin Peaks fans will love this subtly themed restaurant, whether they like meat or not. While the comfort food menu is vegetarian, just about everything can be veganized. Order one of the many hot dog dishes or opt for a sandwich. The only issue here is that you may have to wait for a table, as the neighbourhood hotspot is fairly small in size.
When it comes to meat-free Mexican food, Bandidas is the place to go. The menu is predominantly vegetarian but features quite a few vegan choices as well, including delicious baked burritos. Many of the dishes can be easily modified for vegan diners – so don't hesitate to ask. The staff at this Commercial Drive cantina are always friendly and helpful.
Tucked away just off the upscale South Granville strip, this vegetarian restaurant offers a number of vegan dishes for meat-free foodies. The fresh juices are particularly popular and should not be missed. The menu does tend toward breakfast dishes, with the homemade granola being especially tasty. The pasta dishes are also excellent and are available with several different sauces and topping options.
In the mood for pho? Veggiebowl offers a small menu of vegetarian dishes with a Vietnamese flair. The pho is what most people show up for, but there are other choices too. Roughly half the dishes are vegan, though it's possible to request the others without animal products. Try the shredded tofu rolls or the fresh tofu rolls for a really tasty treat.
While Chomp offers a menu with many interesting vegan options such as a sweet potato pesto wrap, sliders and poutine, the real star of the show here is the selection of cupcakes. These sweet treats alone are well worth a visit. While the space is very small, it's well laid out and you shouldn't have to wait long for your meal. Grab a gluten-free cupcake for dessert, and you’ll have the perfect dining experience.
This pizzeria is tiny but offers some very good vegan pizza. Savoury pies are sprinkled with Daiya cheese and tasty toppings. In addition to the pizzas, which are the main event, you might also enjoy the vegan donairs. This is a popular spot, so plan to wait a while if you're visiting on a busy night.