I had heard the vegan food scene in Toronto was on fire but thought it couldn’t possibly be as good as the food scene in LA or NYC, right? Wrong! In some ways, it might even be a little better (don’t shoot the messenger)!
From the moment I started researching vegan eats in Toronto, I was impressed — my Google Map was covered in little green flags, and then people would share even more suggestions! I couldn’t believe I hadn’t high-tailed it to Toronto sooner.
But what about vegan and gluten-free food? This combination can be a little more challenging in some places, but not in Toronto!
There are plenty of terrific vegan and vegan-friendly spots with great gluten-free options — like all of the places on this list! So go get planning which one you’ll visit first!
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The Best Spots for Vegan & Gluten-Free Food in Toronto
There are a literal ton of vegan restaurants in Toronto — it’s amazing! I know I have said that I thought LA was heaven for vegans but I honestly might be giving that title to Toronto now, I am seriously in love! If you need more suggestions on where to eat or help planning your full trip, check out my complete vegan travel guide to Toronto!
#1 Fat Choi
94 Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON M6J 2Z4, Canada
When I first walked in, I thought I was in the wrong place — this is going to be embarrassing was the thought running through my head. In tiny print on the front door under a much larger name, SOOS, was Fat Choi, so I thought this has got to be it, right? Luckily for me, and maybe you if you wander up thinking the same thing, it’s the right spot!
The family-owned restaurant started as a Malaysian street food restaurant (hence the second name on the door), but after the owners went vegan, Fat Choi was born — a 100% vegan Asian fusion restaurant. The menu delights vegans and carnivores and takes inspiration from Malaysia, India, Japan, and Indonesia. Don’t skip the Kari Hor Fun — a savory rice noodle curry with just a tiny kick of heat — but forewarning, those noodles can give some serious splash back, don’t wear a white shirt!
#2 Kupert & Kim
Multiple locations throughout Toronto (check location time and menu before going)
If you’re on the run, just looking for a quick vegan breakfast spot during the week (some locations are open before 10 AM), or maybe craving a vegan and gluten-free waffle covered in coconut whipped cream, come here! I luckily stumbled upon this Canadian vegan chain — its “wheatless and meatless” sign caught my attention and beckoned me to come to take a closer look.
Their breakfast menu is filled with everyone’s favorite things to start the day — an assortment of toasts on house-made bread (including gluten-free bread), golden waffles topped with berries, smoothie bowls, and more! At lunch, their menu focuses on veggie-powered bowls filled with roasted veggies, tempeh, quinoa, and more, along with house-made burgers. One note, each location operates with a slightly different menu and times, so be sure to check before you go.
#3 Saigon Lotus
6 St Andrew St, Toronto, ON M5T 1K6, Canada
I got myself in trouble at Saigon Lotus. I often ask staff for their favorite dishes, and after considering my likes and that it needed to be gluten-free, the server suggested a special vegan combo — a sampling of a little bit of everything.
I thought, that sounds perfect and is probably just a small amount of food, so let’s also throw in a spring roll for good measure! Then the platter showed up — multiple little dishes brimming with ginger caramel vegan chick’n, sweet and sour BBQ tofu, BBQ chick’n, veggies with a mountain of rice — I thought, oh, no, what did I order? And then she came back with more!
Generally, in a situation like this, I would pace myself, but with one bite, I knew all that was being thrown out the window. The plant-based Vietnamese specialties here are full of spice and sweetness — a mix of BBQ heat and then sweetness overload your taste buds. I couldn’t stop — if I lived in Toronto, I would be here weekly.
#4 Bunner’s
244 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2L7, Canada
Vegan and gluten-free friends, don’t miss this Toronto vegan bakery! You know how gluten-free baked goods can have the flavor profile of cardboard? Well, get ready; that’s not the case here! If you’ve been dreaming of sweet cream-filled whoopie pies, fruity oat bars, or decadent chocolate cakes, your dreams are about to come true! Aside from baking up a literal vegan and gluten-free storm, they also sell creamy soft serve, best enjoyed in one of their gluten-free oat cones — you’re drooling, aren’t you!? Their soft serve flavors regularly rotate!
#5 Honey’s Ice Cream
1448 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1Y6, Canada
Oh, honey! Here’s another vegan ice cream spot that will send your taste buds to the moon and back! These ice cream flavors are irresistible — peanut butter cup, Atlantic salted caramel, coffee chip, pralines and cream, and so much more. You can scoop up these house-made creations into one of their gluten-free oat waffle cones (don’t skip it) or grab a pint or cookie sandwich to go — actually, you should do all three! There is no judgment here.
#6 Rosalinda Restaurant
133 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON M5H 2L3, Canada
If you’ve ever wanted to have, a garden party come here! Watercolors splash across the walls, and greenery draping from the greenhouse ceiling sets the tone for a memorable dining experience.
The Mexican-inspired menu is just as sophisticated as the ambience — banana leaf barbacoa, smoked and charred cauliflower, or classic versions of traditional favorites like tacos and nachos are ready to delight! No matter what you choose, I don’t think you can make a wrong decision, except not saving enough room for dessert! Enjoy a sweet finale with house-made churros dipped in decadent chocolate coconut dulce de leche or drunken pineapple with coconut cream sorbet — if I were you, I would get both. And to top it off, the menu is also super gluten-free friendly — no worries about getting stuck with just one option.
#7 La Bartola
588 College St, Toronto, ON M6G 1B3, Canada
If you haven’t been to Oaxaca, Mexico, you’ll be booking a flight after one visit here. The ambience takes inspiration from the colorful streets of Oaxaca, but with a bit of sophistication — lush jewel tones and velvet furniture will make you want to settle in for just one more margarita.
The sophistication doesn’t end with the décor, the menu is a vegan spin on traditional Mexican flavors and dishes — smokey moles, braised hibiscus flower, and green chorizo, but the stars of their show are the handmade tortillas. For anyone who has tried to make these, you know it’s an exercise in patience and love — which is evident in every dish at La Bartola. Deciding what to order is almost as challenging as making tortillas! I say either order everything or go with the chef’s suggestion — rich white mole with sweet plantains. It pairs well with a fresh margarita or my favorite sweet mocktail, El Chalupa.
More Vegan Food in Canada?
If your Canadian adventures don’t end in Toronto (lucky duck!), make sure you visit another vegan behemoth — Vancouver! And, I have all the yummy things you need to plan an amazing adventure!
How to Spend Two Days in Vancouver
The Perfect Vegan Travel Guide to Vancouver
The Best Spots for Vegan Ice Cream in Vancouver
Tasty Vegan Breakfast & Brunch Spots in Vancouver
