Montreal is known and beloved for its smoked meat sandwiches and poutines, but the city’s vibrant food scene does not end there. Vegan and vegetarian restaurants take a prominent place on Montreal’s culinary landscape, and some of the most popular spots include La Panthère Verte, Copper Branch, Aux Vivres, and Crudessence. Even beyond these well-established locales, the meatless choices are boundless!
Vegan and vegetarian restaurants are sprouting all across town like Portobello mushrooms, and with good reason: health conscious meals, and gluten and lactose-free options attract a steadily growing audience, vegan or not. Now, if you promised yourself to clean up your diet in 2016, or if you’re just looking to try something new, here are some great picks to get you started!
Lola Rosa
At their Parc and Milton locations, Lola Rosa attracts meat and veggie lovers alike with healthy comfort foods and high-quality ingredients. All meals are vegetarian, many of which have vegan options. Two of their greatest crowd pleasers are the gigantic plate of Lola’s nachos, and a hempburger that shines without meat!
545 Rue Milton, Montréal, QC H2X 1W5
(514) 287-9337
4581 Av du Parc, Montréal, QC H2V 4E4
(514) 843-5652
Falafel Avenue
Falafel Avenue‘s diverse menu takes the popular fast food to a whole different level. All their falafels are made on the spot and according to your wishes, guaranteeing you a quick and fresh meal. Options range from baked (their BigFa) to fried, and served with a salad or wrapped in a pita. Customers can keep it classic with a traditionally seasoned falafel, or spice things up with the green (parsley, dill, mint), sunny (red onions, roasted peppers) or melty (non-vegan with melted mozzarella filling) falafel styles.
2020 Boulevard Robert-Bourassa, Montréal, QC H3A 2A5
(514) 842-9494
Chuchai
This upscale Plateau restaurant is the perfect choice for a special occasion. This is a vegan restaurant with fish and chicken on the menu. But how? They do faux-meat like no other. Come to enjoy Chuchai’s atmosphere as well as excellent Thai cuisine and prepare yourself for more than one “how isn’t this done with meat?” moment.
4088 Rue Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2W 2M5
(514) 843-4194
Pushap
On a much more casual note, pop into Pushap, located close to Namur metro, for a simple yet delicious Indian meal. Indian food has always fared well without meat, and Pushap‘s vegetarian thalis satisfy on a very low budget. Never forget to stock up on their wide selection of Indian sweets, such as their syrup-soaked gulab jamuns and crispy jalebis.
5195 Rue Paré, Montréal, QC H4P 1P4
(514) 737-4527
Sushi Momo
Who says sushi is only about raw fish? Sushi Momo started out by serving all your regular sushi options, while attracting vegan and vegetarian clientele with exclusive plant-based creations. Waves of positive feedback have now prompted Sushi Momo to ring in the new year with a switch to 100% vegan sushi! As a result, their already creative menu has become even more exciting, now including ingredients like Japanese fried-roasted beets, jackfruit, and blanched okra!
8 Avenue Duluth E, Montréal, QC H2W 1G6
(514) 825-6363
Le Cagibi
At Le Cagibi, you can share a vegetarian meal while enjoying live music or performance art. Located in the heart of the Mile End, this resto-café and venue space serves up a brunch and lunch menu prepared from organic and fair-trade ingredients. Come in for the coffee; stay for the experience!
5490 Boul St-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2T 1A5
(514) 509-1199
Arepera du Plateau
Another mixed fare eatery that has earned a place on our list of vegetarian restaurants! Arepera‘s signature dish is the arepa, a Columbian and Venezuelan flatbread made from cornmeal. The beauty of arepas lies not only within their inherently gluten-free nature, but also in their diverse fillings. They can be stuffed with whatever your heart desires, thus giving you many vegan and vegetarian options, such as garlic, mushrooms, grilled veggies, plantains, and black beans.
4050 Rue de Bullion, Montréal, QC H2W 2E5
(514) 508-7267
Sophie Sucrée
As a scrumptious dessert is the highlight of every good meal, this list is completed by something sweet! Sophie Sucrée welcomes you with the heavenly smell of freshly baked goods, all of which are vegan and many of which are gluten-free! Choose between a wide range of pastries, including cinnamon rolls, pumpkin tarts, and carrot cakes. This is the perfect place to get your sugar fix or pick up tonight’s dessert!
167 Ave des Pins E, Montréal, QC H2W 1N9
(514) 823-5865
Featured image photo by @ondejeune. Lola Rosa photo by Alex Jurecko (@alexjurecko). All other photos by respective restaurant.
