This west coast Canadian city is one of the easiest places in the world to be plant-based.
Whether you're looking for burgers or buddha bowls, I'm sharing the best vegan-friendly and fully vegan restaurants in Vancouver BC (including bakeries and dessert spots).
This post came about in response to a question I'm constantly asked by people looking for vegan restaurants in Vancouver: where are the best places to eat?
It's a question I LOVE answering, because for a small-ish city Vancouver has a huge number of vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants/eateries.
It's one of the easiest places to be plant-based, even easier in my opinion than its west coast sister cities, Victoria and Seattle.
At last count there were 70+ fully vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Vancouver (I'm including dessert spots and bakeries) and it only keeps growing!
From ice cream and burger bars to sushi joints and pizzerias, we have it all.
So whether you're new to town or a long-standing Vancouverite, if you're wondering where you can find the best vegan options, read on.
You'll definitely find one that appeals!
Heads up: 2 of these spots also serve meat, but they offer great vegan options so I wanted to include them. 8 of the restaurants listed are vegetarian with vegan options.
NOTE: This list is NOT in order of preference!
The Acorn
Vegetarian with vegan options.
No list of the best vegan restaurants in Vancouver would be complete without a nod to The Acorn, one of the top fine dining vegetarian restaurants in the Pacific Northwest.
It's intimate, so there can be quite a wait for a table in the evening. However it's THE perfect place to take someone you want to impress.
The food looks and tastes stunning, and is described in such mouthwatering detail that you'll want to try everything.
Do be aware that The Acorn values quality over quantity, so it's not the place to go if you're ravenously hungry and desperately in need of vegan junk food.
For this one, think fancy date night.
The Arbor
Vegetarian with vegan options.
The Arbor is the little sister of The Acorn.
Although some of their menu items and plating can be similar, their fare is lower key and much more about vegan comfort food.
As well as their comfort staples (fried artichoke sandwiches, poutine, mac 'n' cheese etc.) they do a tasty range of burgers and feature desserts (their brownie is delicious).
The vibe is chilled modern diner, and they have a gorgeous outdoor patio in the summer months.
Plus, their happy hour is not to be missed.
Nuba
Serves meat.
Not 100% vegetarian/vegan, Nuba earns its inclusion on this list because of its large variety of vegan and gluten-free options.
A popular chain of Lebanese restaurants, the food is delicious and satisfying.
It includes dishes like mjadra (savoury lentils and rice), falafel and the ever-popular Najib's Special (crispy cauliflower - it's a true fan favourite).
Known for its well-priced lunch platters, I love it because the vegan dishes are flavourful and so well-marked on the menu.
Plus, it's a great option if your dining companions eat meat.
The Naam
Vegetarian with vegan options.
It would be impossible not to give a nod to Vancouver's oldest vegetarian restaurant on this list.
Opened in 1968 on W 4th Ave, The Naam is loved for its cosy interior, long history and its constant menu staples (I haven't noticed many changes to the food since I've been visiting).
Prices are good and portions are big.
It's worth noting that their menu is geared slightly more towards vegetarian food than vegan.
That said, they have made an effort in recent years to encompass more vegan options (providing vegan cheese alternatives etc.).
MeeT
100% vegan.
MeeT has cemented itself in Vancouver and Victoria as being the best vegan burger joint around, loved by vegans and omnivores alike. And with good reason!
Portions are big, prices are reasonable and they solve that age-old dilemna of whether you order fries or salad with your burger: at MeeT, you get both.
They also do a healthier range of bowls and salads if a burger isn't your thing (try the Big Yum for a delicious way to eat all your veggies).
There are currently four locations: Main Street, Yaletown, Gastown and Victoria (Vancouver Island).
Main Street is the OG branch but they all have a pretty similar vibe in my opinion.
Heirloom
(Update Sep 5 2023: Heirloom is no longer vegetarian. Although they have retained their vegan options, sadly they have now added meat to the menu.)
In my opinion, Heirloom offer the best vegan breakfast/brunch in Vancouver.
Served everyday (although their menu is more extensive on weekends), it includes the always delicious truffle mushroom benny and vegan buttermilk pancakes, as well as breakfast mimosas.
Although they're open for dinner every day too, brunch is (in my opinion) where they really excel.
Portions are large and the atmosphere encourages a leisurely date with friends.
This restaurant also wins for its design - it's all high ceilings, white walls and window boxes of geraniums.
The price tag is a little higher here but the food is beautifully presented and in my opinion, you're paying for the whole experience.
Virtuous Pie
100% vegan.
One word: pizza.
These guys make a wide range of really delicious, all-vegan pizzas with quirky names like 'Ultraviolet' and 'Stranger Wings'. Who wouldn't want to try those?
It's the best non-dairy pizza I've tried, not least because Virtuous Pie make their own cashew mozzarella in-house that tastes (to me) close to the real thing.
All pizzas can be made gluten-free, and they also serve their own range of ice cream and desserts.
Order the garlic knots and be sure to finish with the sumptuous brownie skillet.
Chickpea
100% vegan.
A restaurant whose focus is - as the name suggests - on chickpeas.
They serve beautiful falafel, baked cauliflower, hummus plates and their signature chickpea fries that are not to be missed.
In addition, their indulgent breakfast menu offers waffles, french toast and their own take on eggs benedict.
Both brunch and dinner are excellent here, so you can't really go wrong.
(They also have a food truck located in various places around Vancouver if you can't make it to the restaurant - but you really should).
The Burrow
Vegetarian with vegan options.
One of my favourite Vancouver restaurants for its value and quality.
This Mexican all-vegetarian taqueria has large portions of delicious enchiladas, quesadillas and tacos, most of which can be made vegan (they use Daiya cheese) and gluten-free.
And most important of all in a place like Vancouver, it's actually affordable.
It gets busy around 6.30-8.30pm so you may have to wait for a table, but it's worth it.
My menu recommendation? The Black Bean Enchilada, every time.
Layers of seasoned black beans are drenched in enchilada sauce and topped with cheese, leaving you completely and utterly stuffed.
MILA
100% vegan.
A modern, sleek restaurant that's fully plant-based, MILA is a great place for date night.
The interior is beautiful and the staff attentive.
MILA are known for their vegan sushi and I recommend trying it, especially the Aburi Lox Oshi that tastes and looks freakishly like the real thing. The bao buns are also excellent.
For dessert, try the ever-popular Peanut Butter Cup Pie. And of course, finish off with a cocktail or two.
Level V Bakery
100% vegan.
One of my personal favourites, this little bakery specializes in all things matcha, being part-owned by Vancouver company Whisk Matcha.
Don't worry if you're not a matcha fan though - they offer a full range of regular vegan baked goods too!
My favourite things are their cupcakes, cream puffs and croissants.
To their credit, they manage to hit the perfect level of sweetness in all their treats - something vegan baked goods can often go overboard on.
If you go on a weekend, be prepared for a wait for a table - they only have a few and your stay is limited to an hour.
Good Dogs Plant Foods
100% vegan.
The place to go if you're looking for vegan hot dogs and fries.
Good Dogs manage to make their hot dogs look both incredibly appetizing and fancy at the same time (think caramelized onions and microgreens), and trust me, they taste great.
Hot tip: their happy hour (3-5pm, and 8pm to close Tuesday-Friday) is ideal for affordable drinks, fries and their basic Ball Park Dog.
A great little spot in the West End (that typically doesn't have many other vegan restaurants).
Grano Pizzeria
Vegetarian with vegan options.
As far as I know, Grano is the only authentic plant-based Neapolitan pizzeria in Vancouver.
Sadly no longer 100% vegan (they recently decided to introduce dairy cheese), they nonetheless still do a great range of plant-based pizzas.
Made with their hand-stretched dough and topped with cashew-based mozzarella (just make sure to specify you want your pizza vegan), their pizzas are authentic and delicious.
Visit for a relaxed Italian vibe in the heart of Main St.
And be sure to order their cashew-based tiramisu - one of the best I've ever had. Once you've tried it, you'll be hooked.
Kokomo
100% vegan.
Offering several branches in the Vancouver and North Vancouver, Kokomo takes the crown for nourishing fast food.
Serving healthy bowls and wraps as well as smoothies, it's a staple takeout option for many Vancouver locals.
Although they do have seating, there isn't a huge amount.
As for what to order? The Coastal Macro (pictured) will forever hold a special place in my heart - marinated tempeh, edamame hummus and roasted squash on a bed of brown rice.
During the pandemic, I virtually lived on this dish and highly recommend it.
Folke
100% vegan.
The newest fine dining vegan restaurant in Vancouver, Folke is unusual in that tipping is included in the price.
The food is really excellent, with menu items like Chickpea Tofu and Tapioca Dumplings stealing the show.
They also sometimes host pop-up nights for specific cuisines - the last one I went to was Japanese-themed and the food was sublime.
Definitely a pricier option, so go for date night or a celebration (or try their happy hour for a cheaper option).
Budgies Burritos
Vegetarian with vegan options.
A longstanding Mount Pleasant favourite, Budgies Burritos does exactly what it says on the tin - hearty burritos (and tacos).
Choose from a wide range of options like chipotle tofu, savoury beans and lime roasted potatoes.
Don't forget to ask them to make it vegan (it's a vegetarian restaurant but they can easily sub in vegan cheese).
Affordable, quirky and low-key. It's no wonder this place has such a cult following.
Say Hello Sweets
100% vegan.
Handcrafted vegan ice cream is what Say Hello Sweets are all about.
Pick a scoop from unique flavours such as mint chocolate cake and sour cherry sesame.
And don't forget to try their ice cream sandwiches, affogato and freeze-dried ice cream (!).
As well as their cute Chinatown bricks and mortar location, you'll also find the Say Hello Sweets truck at events around Vancouver.
You can't miss it - it's bubblegum pink and cream.
The Cider House
100% vegan.
A vegan cider house that serves plant-based pub food too? Yes please.
The Cider House offers rotating taps of local ciders and kombucha as well as burgers, poutine and smaller shareable snacks.
I love their blackberry hibiscus and blood orange ciders, as well as their roasted mushroom poutine.
It's a great place to hang out in the summer as they have a deck, and it's only a couple of blocks from Kits beach!
What more could you want?
COFU Pressed Sushi
100% vegan.
One of Vancouver's newest sushi joints, COFU serves completely vegan pressed sushi and it is TO DIE FOR.
Not only are their creations stunningly beautiful (think pressed sushi topped with raspberries and alfalfa sprouts), but they're also completely delicious.
Vegans looking for sushi that actually has protein in it won't be disappointed here.
COFU use tofu and plant-based meats in some of their sushi, and they've flavoured them to perfection.
Order from their omakase menu, where you get a platter of 16 pieces to try (you'll be full). My faves are their portobello and 'tuna' mayo.
Do Chay
Vegetarian with vegan options.
The best Vietnamese vegan restaurant in Vancouver, Do Chay offers modern street food that will have you coming back for more.
The menu is fresh, flavourful and colourful and the surroundings are sleek.
Pick from spring rolls, truffle dumplings and lemongrass tofu and be sure to try one of their house cocktails.
My personal favourite? The Black Garlic Eggplant - braised tofu and eggplant in a black garlic sauce. Divine.
Eternal Abundance
100% vegan.
Eternal Abundance has been in Vancouver quite some time, and I love them for their delicious raw desserts (their Nanaimo Pie is a dark chocolate, mint cream-filled delight).
Although a decent portion of their menu is raw, I particularly enjoy their cooked brunches, in particular their smoked tofu benny (served on delicious caraway biscuits with a thick cashew sauce).
There is also a handy food and produce market in the cafe, if you need to stock up on any essentials!
To Live For Bakery
100% vegan.
To Live For only opened at the end of 2022, but the vegan bakery was packed from the start.
Owner Erin Ireland has been selling banana bread and cookies in stores and cafes around Vancouver for years, so her followers were over the moon when she opened a bricks and mortar bakery.
It's almost always busy so be prepared for a wait if you want a seat, but it's well worth a trip if you're in Vancouver.
The bakery is light and airy, and very family-friendly.
Try the breakfast croissant, the hazelnut chocolate cake, the soft serve and any of the pastries. 🙂
Aleph Eatery
100% vegan.
Aleph Eatery is a cute middle eastern spot in East Vancouver that specializes in bowls and wraps featuring roasted cauliflower, falafel and shawarma.
Although the menu is small, they've really perfected what they do and you won't leave disappointed.
They're open for breakfast, lunch and dinner (takeout or dine in).
And don't forget to try the dessert - their baklava and olive oil lemon cake are not to be missed.
Vegan Pudding & Co.
100% vegan.
This tiny hole in the wall in Downtown Vancouver is a must-visit if you're in the centre of town.
Vegan Pudding & Co. serve delicious, kabocha squash-based custard puddings topped with chocolate or caramel sauce and whipped cream.
They're finger-licking good and have to be tried to be believed!
You can find these puddings in stores around Vancouver.
But for the full experience (and to get the coconut whipped cream) I highly recommend visiting their store.
Be sure to get there early as they close at 5.30pm.
TurF
Serves meat.
One final spot to mention, TurF is part workout studio, part store, and part cafe.
You can take an exercise class, buy some yoga pants or meet a friend for lunch here.
Food is all vegan - but animal products can be added if desired - and their vast (and surprising!) selection of vegan baked goods is simply mouthwatering.
If you go, try the kale caesar and the chocolate brownie. Finish off with one of TurF's specialty lattes (the beautifully named Mermaid Latte is my favourite).
One note of warning: because of the exercise studio, this cafe can get really busy/noisy at peak times.
Looking for more vegan travel guides?
Follow Vancouver with Love on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.
Leave a Reply