Top Five: Vegetarian and Vegan Spots

Nuba
508 Davie Street, Yaletown
Heads-up: Nuba is not vegetarian, but it rates a mention on this list thanks to its excellent selection of vegan and vegetarian dishes, as well as the fact that it’s a short walk from The Burrard. The menu skews Lebanese, and so it’s no surprise that you’ll find delicious falafel and an excellent mjadra lentil stew, but we’re all about the Najib’s Special: a crispy roasted cauliflower dish that has a cult-like following. And if you’re out and about in the city, there are three other Nuba locations that are just as cool as this one. Finally, don’t miss the weekend brunch!

The Acorn
3995 Main Street, Mount Pleasant
One of the city’s best restaurants, period, just happens to also be vegetarian. The Acorn offers refined, farm-to-table dining that will open your eyes to how satisfying and beautiful this cuisine can be. Most menu items can be ordered vegan, with many also available as gluten-free. The Chef’s Menu offers excellent value, but sometimes it’s hard to go past the classics on the a la carte menu. Case in point: the Halloumi, which is The Acorn’s answer to fish and chips, with its beer-battered cheese served with devil’s club tartar sauce.

Folke
2585 West Broadway, Kitsilano
The Kitsilano neighbourhood is often associated with Vancouver’s lingering hippy roots, but Folke is thoroughly modern. Everything on the shared plate-style menu is vegan, sourced as locally as possible, and is accompanied by a progressive wine and cocktail list that includes a good number of non-alcoholic options. Another thing that sets Folke apart? The prices are “hospitality inclusive”, meaning that the tip is included in the menu price.

MeeT in Yaletown
1165 Mainland Street, Yaletown
At the MeeT restaurants (along with Yaletown, you’ll find them in Mt Pleasant and Gastown), they’re known for their colossal burgers, but the poutine shouldn’t be missed either! With a round-up of three varieties, we’ve never felt so Canadian while also feeding our veggie-loving souls. You’ll also find bowls and salads chock full of greenery, so you can be as gluttonous or virtuous as you like.

Do Chay Saigon Vegetarian
1932 Kingsway, Fraserhood
We used to have to head out towards the suburbs to get our plant-based Vietnamese fix, so we quite enjoy the convenience of the short jaunt to Do Chay in the fledgling foodie hotspot ‘hood around Fraser and along Kingsway. Uncle Hing’s “wings” made from oyster mushrooms are one of the more Western options, but there are plenty of more traditional Vietnamese delicacies such as savoury coconut rice cakes cooked in cast iron, vegan XO green beans, and some amazing truffle dumplings.