Where To Find The Best Vegan Restaurants in Vancouver

One of the best things about traveling to bigger cities is the undeniable amazing food scene. Bigger cities tend to have more variety when it comes to vegan-friendly meals and gluten-free options. Enter the best vegan restaurants in Vancouver, Canada. 

This city has a bustling vegan scene! From cheesy poutine to cozy coffee shops filled with sweet smelling baked goods and Vietnamese dishes, you’re destined to find some type of mouthwatering meal as you’re strolling around town. So if you’re looking for the vegan eateries in Vancouver to try during your trip, I got you covered. 

While I’m not fully vegan, I have a dairy (and gluten) allergy so I tend to eat at vegan restaurants to keep it simple. I also love supporting locally owned businesses and finding new vegan and/or gluten-free restaurants. 

Below you’ll find a lineup of some of the best vegan restaurants in Vancouver, listed in no particular order. Many of the restaurants offer gluten-free options in case you’re traveling with anyone who can’t eat gluten. I’ve eaten at some of these restaurants, but the others are on my to-eat-list for future Vancouver visits.

If you’re new to traveling as vegan, here a couple other vegan resources worth checking out.

• The Ultimate Vegan Guide To Barcelona
• Plant Based Eating in Sofia, Bulgaria
• Download These Vegan-Friendly Food And Travel Apps

Feel free to jump ahead!

The best vegan restaurants in Vancouver

Disclaimer: This post contains some affiliate links. That means I will receive a small commission on the purchase at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support friend!

The restaurants below are fully plant-based. So whether you prefer a vegan lifestyle or have a dairy allergy, you don’t have to worry about cross-contamination at these eateries. Bon appétit!

Pizzeria Grano

• Food highlights: pizza, lasagna, eggplant parmesan, and salads
• Gluten free options available 
• Address: 280 Nelson St, Vancouver, BC V6B 6J8, Canada

Pizzeria Grano is a plant-based pizzeria great for those craving Italian vegan food in Vancouver. It prides itself on its authentic Neapolitan cooking techniques and whips up some tasty pizza in return.

Everything on the menu is completely plant-based and some items are gluten-free friendly.

There’s eggplant parmesan, meatball marinara, truffle alfredo gnocchi, and of course, a wide variety of pizza. From pepperoni to pesto or zucchini, you can pick whatever toppings you’re in the mood for. My suggestion…go for the plant-based pepperoni.

Related post: 3 Quick Vegan Pasta Recipes To Make In Your Airbnb

Heirloom

• Food highlights: tacos, burgers, mushroom stew, pancakes, and avocado toast
• Gluten free options available 
• Address: 2861 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3J4, Canada

When it comes to combining fine dining, organic (when possible), and tasty vegan food in Vancouver, Heirloom is one of the best restaurants that comes to mind. Each of the dishes are beautiful plated inside this charming, yet contemporary-style restaurant.

Come for brunch to experience the fluffy buttermilk vegan pancakes or stay for lunch to try out the artichoke tacos or veggie sandwiches. On the dinner menu you’ll find various soups, salads, wild mushroom stew, juicy burgers, and my favorite, crispy cauliflower wings made out of a buttermilk batter.

Also, many of their items are friendly towards those with gluten allergies.

Virtuous Pie

• Food highlights: pizza, ice cream, mac n’ cheese, salads, and cookies
• Gluten free options available 
• Address: 433 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 1T1, Canada

If you’re craving a yummy plant-based pizza or ice cream, then you’ll want to visit Virtuous Pie in downtown Vancouver. The menu features cheesy garlic focaccia bread, kale caesar salads, mac n’ cheese skillets, cookies, ice cream sundaes, and of course, pizza. 

Grab a classic vegan pepperoni pizza or spice it up by loading fiery buffalo cauliflower wings on your pizza. If you’re craving the ultimate comfort food, consider trying the mac cheezsa which is macaroni and cheese piled on top of pizza. They also have gluten-free pizza options too.  

We dined here right before taking salsa lessons and the flavor was on point! I highly recommend trying the buffalo cauliflower pizza if you’re looking for a fiery spin.

MeeT

• Food highlights: brunch, poutine, warm bowls, burgers, and salads
• Gluten free options available 
• Locations: Main Street, Gastown, and Yaletown
• Address for Gastown: Inner Courtyard, 12 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B 4K7, Canada

MeeT is a plant based eatery that dishes out some tasty comfort food. Think cauliflower tossed in a sweet-chili sauce, cheesy vegan poutine, and juicy double double burgers (aka double the cheese and the bacon).

You’ll also find mac n’ cheese, warm bowls with a base of quinoa, brown rice or noodles, and dessert. 

The original MeeT is located on Main Street, but now you’ll find two other locations in Vancouver since this restaurant is extremely popular. Gastown and Yaletown also have a MeeT, but Gastown has an added twist – it serves brunch!

Chickpea

• Food highlights: rice bowls, pitas, hummus plates, all day breakfast, and chickpea tapas
• Gluten free options available 
• Address: 4298 Main Street Vancouver, BC V5V 3P9, Canada

Show of hands; who loves breakfast all day? If you’re nodding yes, you’ll want to check out Chickpea. This vegan restaurant in Vancouver is inspired by the flavors and spices of Middle Eastern cuisine.

Starting out as a food truck, this eatery became so popular it now has two locations in Vancouver. Visit the food truck if you’re looking for a lively farmer’s market ambiance or head to the restaurant on Main Street for cozy vibes.

Either way, your taste buds are bound for a mouth watering culinary adventure. There’s hummus plates, rice bowls, and platters loaded with your preference of protein like gluten-free falafels, shawarma, or deep-fried oyster mushrooms.

Copper Branch

• Food highlights: burgers, power bowls, flatbreads, all day breakfast, and soups
• Gluten free options available 
• Address: 280 Nelson St, Vancouver, BC V6B 6J8, Canada

Located in Yaletown, is a 100% plant-based restaurant called Copper Branch. This chain restaurant is found throughout Canada and strives to serve as minimally processed and sustainable food as possible.

On the menu you’ll find vegan burgers, veggie wraps, Asian inspired power bowls, smoothies, and decadent sweets (i.e. cinnamon rolls, zucchini brownies, etc.). It’s a great lunch spot and it offers a good selection of picnic friendly food items for anyone wanting to picnic at Stanley Park! 

They also serve breakfast all day for anyone craving an egg bagel at 3:00 pm.

Aleph Middle Eastern Eatery

• Food highlights: falafel, shakshuka,shawarma, bowls, and wraps
• Gluten-free options available
• Address: 1889 Powell Street Vancouver, BC V5L 1H8, Canada

Are you in the mood for Middle Eastern food? Then you’ll want to try Aleph Middle Eastern Eatery. This vegan restaurant in Vancouver is all about innovation and flavor as it’s inspired by Middle Eastern cuisine.

Choose your pick from vegan shakshuka, pancakes, or the Falafel Benny which is topped with turmeric hollandaise sauce for a hearty breakfast/lunch. On the other hand, stick around for dinner to sample the cold or hot mezze plates which includes falafel, lentil soup, and roasted yams.

There’s also shawarma, shish kabab, knafeh, Baklava, and much more.

The Pizza Castle & Indian Curry

• Food highlights: chana masala, vegan butter chicken, cheeseburgers, and pizza
• Gluten-free options available
• Address: 1110 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 3X2, Canada

The Pizza Castle & Indian Curry is a vegan restaurant in Vancouver that has it all! In fact, it features three types of cuisines. Here you’ll find Italian, Indian, and American food which is great when traveling with multiple food preferences. Can’t say I haven’t been there before!

Additionally, everything on the menu is plant-based. The menu also labels what options can be made gluten-free, such as their pizzas. Other yummy items you’ll find are samosas, sweet chili cauliflower, vegan butter chicken, triple vegan cheeseburgers, and more.

Chau Veggie Express

• Food highlights: pho, rice noodle bowls, and fresh rolls
• Gluten free options available 
• Address: 5052 Victoria Dr, Vancouver, BC V5P 3T8, Canada

Found in Eastern Vancouver, Chau Veggie Express is a plant-based eatery that serves some flavorsome Vietnamese cuisine. Whether you’re craving a hot soup to warm up after the rain or a power bowl to replenish those muscles after spending the day hiking the trails in Vancouver (I’m talking about you Lynn Canyon Park) — this restaurant is excellent.

I’m a huge fan of pho, so I highly recommend trying the Candlelit Lantern Pho Soup!

The menu also has tempeh soup, rice noodle bowls topped with mung beans or tofu, and fresh rolls stuffed with crispy shallots, quinoa, cucumber, and other fillings.

The best restaurants in Vancouver with vegan options

Below is list of restaurants that are extremely vegan-friendly. Most are vegetarian restaurants with fully vegan entrees and menus, while one eatery is paleo. Either way, don’t forget about these excellent vegan(ish) restaurants in Vancouver!

The Acorn

• Food highlights: innovative vegetable dishes, omelettes, pancakes, salads, and sorbets
• Gluten free options available 
• Address: 3995 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3P3, Canada

The Acorn is the best upscale vegan-friendly restaurant in Vancouver. It’s won numerous awards like being recommended in the Michelin Guide Vancouver and being voted as the “best vegan-friendly restaurant in the world” by Big 7 Travel.

From weekend brunch to a multi-course dinner dining experience, The Acorn menu is brimming with creative vegetarian dishes that will elevate your taste buds. Think Caesar salad with a green blueberry caper or fried oyster mushrooms with koji gravy and cayenne.

Everything on the menu is clearly marked so you’ll know what items are vegan, gluten-free, or both.

Don’t worry if you can’t get enough of the delicious food here — The Acorn has you covered. How? Well, this vegan eatery sells a cookbook so you can recreate those pungent veggie dishes at home or in your Airbnb.

The Burrow — “formerly called Bandidas Taqueria”

• Food highlights: tacos, burritos, nachos, and enchiladas
• Gluten-free options available 
• Address: 2781 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5N 4C5, Canada

Another great taco spot to try, besides Heirloom, is The Burrow. It’s one of the best vegan-friendly restaurants in Vancouver for anyone looking for some Mexican inspired dishes.

Whether you have a hankering for cheesy quesadillas filled with spicy corn or tacos loaded with roasted yams, black beans, and topped with guacamole — there’s something here for everyone.

Besides, one of the best things about eating vegan at this spot is that there’s no extra fee. For instance if you wanted to sub cheese for vegan cheese, they don’t charge you. The same goes for making a dish gluten-free. Talk about a win-win!

The Naam

• Food highlights: burgers, dragon bowls, pancakes, tofu scrambles, and soup
• Gluten free options available 
• Address: 2724 W 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6K 1R1, Canada

Located in the Kitsilano district, The Naam is a vegetarian restaurant that also serves vegan food. It has a warm, family-run business type of vibe and features local artists by showcasing their work on the walls. So take your time eating as you admire the fascinating art to your left and right.

This plant-based restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For breakfast there’s a full vegan menu loaded with dishes like buckwheat pancakes, vegetable hashes, tofu scrambles, and other dishes.

However, on the lunch and dinner menu you’ll find hearty burgers, gluten-free dragon bowls, soups, and chili. There’s even tacos and enchiladas if you’re craving Mexican inspired dishes.

For the gluten-free folks, all the dishes are clearly marked on the menu.

Festal Paleo Cafe

• Food highlights: pasta, plant-based smoothies, and pizza
• 100% Gluten-free and dairy-free
• Address: 433 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 1T1, Canada

Just as it reads, Festal Paleo Cafe is a paleo inspired restaurant. This means that all the food is 100% dairy free, gluten-free, grain free, sugar free, and low carb. It’s also a farm-to-table restaurant. Talk about a dream spot for every type of eater! 

On the menu, vegans will find yummy smoothies which can be made with plant-based milk and creamy pasta dishes prepared with rich cashew cheese. They also serve vegan cookies and a vegan pesto pizza topped with mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and other toppings.

Where to find vegan bakeries in Vancouver 

When it comes to searching for vegan desserts in Vancouver, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of options. It seemed like just about every bakery had a vegan option.

Below is a list of fully vegan bakeries (except one because it’s my favorite), but if you’re looking for even more options – read this Vancouver bakery list.

Two Daughters Bakeshop

• Food highlights: cookie dough, loaves, scones, breads, bars, and muffins
• 100% Gluten-free
• Address: 980 W 1st St #105, North Vancouver, BC V7P 3N4, Canada

Two Daughters Bakeshop is a gluten-free and vegan bakery in Vancouver. Located in North Vancouver, this bakeshop doesn’t have a physical store. Rather, it sells its products at multiple stores around the Vancouver area.

To name a few, you’ll find it at Bean Around The World, Half Baked Cookie Company, Le Petite Cafe, The Lookout Coffee Shop, Be Fresh YMCA, and more. However, you can order baked goods online from their website or special order some items and pick them up from the bakery.

Vegan Pudding & Co.

• Food highlights: custard pudding, soy pudding, and creme brulee
• 100% Gluten-free
• Address: 101-422 Richards Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 2Z4, Canada

Stumbling across this cute tiny shop in downtown Vancouver is heaven-sent when you’re needing something sweet midday! Walk up the counter and you’ll be greeted with several different gluten-free and vegan custard puddings.

Made from organic ingredients these custard are a rich concoction of coconut milk, kabocha squash, and pure maple syrup. You’ll find classic flavors like velvety chocolate pudding to more specialty flavors like matcha green tea or earl grey.

If you like pudding, there’s several fun flavor to discover here!

Edible Flours

• Food highlights: cinnamon rolls, cheesecake, various types of cookies, and cupcakes
• Gluten free options available 
• Address: 2280 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6K 2E3, Canada

If you have a massive sweet tooth for some enticing vegan desserts, then you’ll want to head to Edible Flours. It’s 100% vegan and has an abundance of tasty gluten-free treats. On the menu there’s cinnamon rolls, apple sticky buns, cupcakes, cookies, cheesecake, and more.

Keep in mind all these yummy treats aren’t available each day. That said, if you have an intense itch for a specific item, I highly recommend calling ahead to what they’re baking that day.

The Gluten Free Epicurean

• Food highlights: donuts, rosemary infused cookies, brownies, and pizza rolls
• 100% Gluten-free with vegan options available 
• Address: 633 E 15th Ave Vancouver, BC V5T 3K5, Canada

While this bakery isn’t fully vegan, I had to add it to the list because the treats here are divine! The Gluten-Free Epicurean is a gluten-free bakery in Vancouver that dishes out a wide array of baked goods.

Inside you’ll find rows and rows of cookies infused with rosemary or loaded with fluffy marshmallows. There’s also cinnamon rolls, fudge-y brownies, donuts, and bars. For the savory lovers, consider trying the pizza rolls or vegan pizza.

Similar to Edible Flours, not all the homemade treats are available every day. With this in mind, I suggest taking a peak at the menu online if there’s something particular you want so you know which day to visit.

In addition, everything is labeled. But feel free to ask the staff which items are vegan and/or dairy-free.

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