Updated July 2017: Many new restaurants have opened up in Montreal, boasting vegan menu items that will make you salivate. Not to mention the oldies who are still rockin’ those vegan meals like it ain’t nobody’s business!
Here is my complete list of vegan (and vegan-friendly) restaurants in Montreal. They are ordered by my personal favourites. Please do add your feedback below if you think places should be added or reordered. I will update the list a few times per year.
UPDATE: I posted this list in April and have since received a lot of feedback from the vegan community about places that MUST be added. I took the time to try many of the recommendations or get trusted feedback from friends. The list has gone from 30 to 40 places and I imagine it will continue to grow as I eat my way across Montreal.
Bon Appétit!
40 –Nil bleu
3706 Saint Denis | Vegan-friendly. I couldn’t complete this list without at least one Ethiopian restaurant. You can find Ethiopian food at a few place in Montreal but Nil Bleu has been around the longest and is still one of my favourites. Tried, tested, and true, they serve up vegan and gluten-free options. If you haven’t had Ethiopian food yet, it’s a must. The cuisine is healthy, delicious, and loaded with amazing vegetables and legumes. It’s all served on fermented injeera flatbread which is so scrumptious.
39 –L’Escalier Montreal
552 Sainte-Catherine E | Vegan-friendly. L’Escalier Montreal is more than a restaurant, it’s a cultural meeting place. You can enjoy a vegetarian bite, listen to a live band, or grab a beer with friends. Their menu is totally vegetarian with basics like pizza, pasta, sandwiches and more. Many of the menu items are vegan or can be made vegan on request. This Montreal staple is worth a visit.
38 –Delicieux Veg Fusion Cafe
5718 Parc Ave| Totally vegan. Delicieux is plant-based cafe located in the heart of the Mile End. They offer a rather extensive menu with power bowls, sandwiches and crepes. It’s definitely a great spot for brunch on the very trendy Parc Ave.
37 –Petit Marché Végé
7057 Saint Denis| Vegan-friendly. Le Petit Marché Végé doesn’t look like much from the outside but it’s a little vegetarian gem offering Asian products and Vietnamese meals. Grab a bowl of hearty udon soup or a bahn-mi sandwich. It’s super comforting and quite inexpensive.
36 – Nilufar
1923 Sainte-Catherine | Vegan-friendly. Nilufar is the spot for a cheap falafel sandwich. I pretty much lived off this place in both CEGEP and university. Just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean it’s not high-quality. They serve really tasty middle-eastern cuisine at an excellent price including hummus, tabouleh and baba ghanoush.
35 – Cafe Juicy Lotus
5568 Monkland Ave. | Vegan-friendly. Cafe Juicy Lotus is a cute vegetarian resto-cafe located in N.D.G. They offer veggie-loaded homemade menu items with a unique flair. Totally worth checking out if you’re in the Monkland Village.
34 – Falafel Avenue
2020 Boulevard Robert-Bourassa | Vegan-friendly. Falafel Avenue is a small – mostly take-out – restaurant located in the absolute heart of the downtown core. This is an area that doesn’t usually boast fresh and healthy options. Falafel avenue offers delicious freshly made falafels, and for those who don’t like fried, they even make a baked version. I should also mention that their potatoes are dangerously addictive. Falafel Ave. is not totally vegan but just avoid a couple menu items and you’re pretty much looking at a fully vegan menu.
33 – Gusta at Jean Talon Market
191 Place du Marché-du-Nord | Totally vegan. If you didn’t already know, Gusta is a Quebec-based producer of vegan deli meats and cheezes. I would say they are the fierce competitor of the American brand, Field Roast. They now have a counter, located in the Jean-Talon Market, where they serve up insane vegan meals made from mostly locally-sourced ingredients. This is where you must go when your craving some vegan comfort.
32 – Esquina, bar à café
4526 ave Papineau | Vegan-friendly. A lovely independent coffee shop where you can get a cuppa joe made with beans from Toronto-based roaster: Pilot Coffee. They also offer simple vegan meals and pastries in the laid back setting.
31 – Comptoir Urbain / Espace Végane
6-5003 Ave Earnscliff | Totally vegan. Espace vegan is an eco-friendly, cruelty-free, local-focused shop located in the charming Cote-des-Neiges area. They offer healthy fresh prepared meals that are totally affordable. It’s a great spot to grab a bite while stocking up on eco household supplies. They also have a terrasse in the summer time so grab a bite while taking in your daily dose of vitamin D.
30 – Invitation V – Moved
254 Rue Bernard | Totally vegan. Invitation V’s aim is to provide local organic vegan food in a more upscale setting. They offer brunch, lunch and dinner in an elegant space. The menu is elaborate with choices from different international cuisines including South Asian, Southern U.S. and Mexican. A lovely spot to check out in the Mile End.
29 – Bonny’s – Closed
1748 Notre-Dame | Vegan-friendly. Bonny’s is a cosy vegetarian restaurant, located in Griffintown. They serve up classic vegetarian staples like burgers, lasagnas, nachos, soups and lots of other goodies. Most of the menu is vegan and most vegetarian meals can be made vegan on request.
28 – Vegan Rapide
6206 Sherbrooke W. | Totally vegan. Another N.D.G. restaurant where you and grab “rapido” meals like vegan pizzas, burgers and salads. Although it seems they mostly do delivery and take-out, you can also eat on location.
27 – Arepera du Plateau
4050 Rue de Buillon | Vegan-friendly. Even though this place serves meat, it’s still one of my favorite places for vegan food in Montreal. They have mouth watering Venezuelan arepas made with black beans, avocados, and plantains. Trust me, it will leave you wanting more. They also have some vegan appetizers like the yuca fries and plantains. Hella good!
26 – Cafe Tuyo
370 rue Marie-Anne | Totally vegan. Cafe Tuyo is a lovely coffee shop and bakery located in the Plateau. They serve both vegan food and drinks. They also offer gluten-free baked goods and sourdough bread.
25 – Lola Rosa
Multiple locations | Vegan-friendly. Lola Rosa is a great place to go with a group of friends for some vegetarian and vegan fare with a Mexican flair. I always recommend this place for folks who are curious about veg food but are not full-fledged nut-milk making nuts like me. Why? Because their meals are total crowd-pleasers. I mean, how can you not enjoy a big ol’ plate of nachos?
24 – Chu Chai
4088 St. Denis | Vegan-friendly. Chu Chai has been around a long time and although they’ve gone through a few transformations, the food is always quite good. They mostly offer a Thai menu with other Asian influences, but they are best known for their fake meats. Want to try duck without eating a duck, this may be the place to do it.
23 – Yuan
2115 St. Denis | Vegan-friendly. Yuan serves up vegetarian Taiwanese classics and other fabulous Asian bites that are bound to make your mouth water. The extensive menu features a variety of mock meats in addition to noodles, rice, and vegetarian sushi. They also have an all you can eat buffet which is loaded with choice. Not all the items are fully vegan but most of them are so just ask them if you aren’t sure.
22 – Le Poke Bar
2153 Crescent | Vegan-friendly. Le Poke Bar is another establishment that’s not vegan but offers a great vegan option. They make vegan Poke bowls with smoked tofu and all the veg toppings you can dream of! Avocado, ginger, fried onions, carrots, edamame and the list goes one. The best part is that most of their sauces are also totally vegan, making it a great place to enjoy something different from the regular vegan fare.
21 – Falafel St. Jacques
345 rue Saint-Jacques | Vegan-friendly. Falafel St. Jacques is a very popular restaurant specialized in middle eastern vegetarian cuisine. They have amazing sandwiches, plates, and platters. Not to mention that bad ass salad bar.
20 – Copper Branch
Multiple Locations | Totally vegan. Copper Branch is relatively new to the scene but they are the Montreal vegan powerhouse. They’ve pretty much taken the city by storm, offering plant-based options in neighbourhoods that previously had none. They offer a diverse menu with burgers and bowls at the centre. They also have a good selection of smoothies and homemade desserts. My favourite is – and always will be – their killer galaxy burger. Mmm, mmm, good.
19 – Crudessence – Closed
Multiple Locations | Vegan-friendly. I’ll start by saying that I truly love Crudessence. It’s one of those places where you can eat your heart out and never feel guilty. The food is just an endless array of delicious options that will make you feel superhuman. Their menu is mostly raw, made with lots of nuts and grains. They are very accomodating to gluten-free or candida diets. My favourite items are still the veggie burger and the zucchini lasagna: both raw, both fabulous.
18 – Pho Da Son
3343 Rue Jarry E | Vegan-friendly. Pho Da Son looks like nothing from the outside but they offer a unique find: vegan pho. Pho is a meal that is really hard to find in vegan form and Vietnamese food, in general, is usually not veg-friendly in this city. That is why when I saw that Pho Da Son was offering veg options, I was thrilled.
17 – Havre aux Glaces
Multiple Locations | Vegan-friendly. A small artisanal ice cream shop that serves the BEST vegan coconut based chocolate ice cream ever. I mean, ever. They also have a great selection of fruit sorbet, many of which go great with chocolate.
16 – Le Kitchen
1806 William St. | Totally vegan. Just last year Le Kitchen opened up a new shop in the heart of Griffintown. They’ve been on the scene for a while, mostly catering delicious ultra-healthy vegan meals. Now they have a ready to eat menu and a sit-down location where you can pick up a delicious bowl chock full of veggie goodness. It’s also run by the kindest person so you must check them out.
15 – La Panthere Verte
Multiple locations | Totally vegan. La Panthere Verte is a staple vegan establishment in Montreal offering some of the best falafels in town and an array of sandwiches and salads. They also have a great healthy smoothie selection. It’s a popular spot to pick up a healthy and satisfying lunch.
14 – Schlouppe Bistrot NAKAMICHI
2159 Mackay St | Vegan-friendly. This Japanese-run ramen restaurant is totally delightful and although they are not fully vegan, they offer up for 4 vegan ramen bowls. The managers are very interested in making vegan meals and as such, they have tried to experiment with different ingredients to perfect the umami flavor. My personal favorite dish at Nakamichi is the cold ramen bowl with creamy sauce and delicious sundried tomatoes.
13 – Aux Vivres
4631 Boulevard Saint-Laurent | Totally vegan. Aux Vires is the oldest vegan restaurant in Montreal and most well-known. In the last year or so, they’ve also expanded their kitchen, mass producing vegan food for the whole city to enjoy. You may see their food items at your local grocery store. I really love their BLT which is still my fav after all these years! You must also try the veggie-pate. What makes Aux Vivres so delicious is their homemade chapati wraps that are big stretchy and super yummy.
12 – Café Santropol
3990 St. Urbain | Vegan-friendly. Café Santropol has always been one of my staples for vegetarian food in the city. It has been around forever and has one the most glorious terraces. They recently revisited their menu adding a bunch of new vegan options including sandwhiches with vegan cream cheese. The vegan smoked salmon is to die for! I should also add that the sandwiches are pretty much the size of your head. Nothing excites me more than a BIG sandwich.
11 – Antidote
3459 Ontario St. E | Totally vegan. Antidote offers an array of vegan foodie items in HOMA a.k.a. Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. They are a pivotal vegan establishment offering takeaway items, brunch, lunch and dinner with a wine list. They have loads of comfort foods that are not healthy as well as tons of healthy options as well.
10 – Lumiere du Mile End
214 Rue Bernard O. | Vegan-friendly. I love this place for their simple homemade nourishing meals. Lumiere du Mile End oozes that local community vibe in the heart of Montreal’s very trendy Mile End. This is a great place to grab brunch, lunch or an early evening dinner.
9 – 57 Cals
1114 Boulevard Curé-Labelle | Totally vegan. 57 Cals is not located in the city proper but I had to mention them because they are one of my absolute favorite places to eat. Not to mention it’s run by the sweetest family! They offer yummy vegan comfort foods like the philly cheese steak and shawarma with loads of yummy fries. This is absolutely worth a drive to Laval. They also cater, keep this in mind for Hockey season or Superbowl events.
8 – Sophie Sucree
167 Ave des Pins E | Totally vegan. Sophie Sucree will always have my heart. It’s the kind of place that will take a non-sweet tooth person like me and give me the desire to gobble down two cupcakes, a brownie and a stack of cookies. They’ve made vegan baking an art with sweet and savory items too. I think many Montrealers are addicted to the spinach pastry now available at many cafes. If you haven’t met “Sophie” yet, get on it!
7 – Résonance Café
5175 Av du Parc | Totally vegan. I’ve always found that Résonance Café was a hidden food gem. It’s not only a place to eat but a great place to catch a show or grab a coffee. They have amazing sandwiches and bowls with lots of Asian flavours. Very aromatic and a great relaxing environment during the day.
6 – Vegano – Moved
432 Rue Rachel E | Totally vegan. Although I have not been there yet, Montreal’s first Vegan Italian restaurant has been so well received by the vegan community in Montreal. They feature pasta with many different sauce combinations, creamy risotto, homemade bread, and daily baked sweets. Best part: it a bring your own wine (BYOB) on Fridays.
5 – L’Gros Luxe Vege
3807 St. Andre | Vegan-friendly. This is comfort food at it’s finest with a fabulous cocktail spin. L’Gros Luxe is the best place to grab some fried pickles and wash them down with a big caesar. They have many vegan-friendly locations but none as vegan-friendly as L’Gros Luxe Vege which boasts numerous vegan options and an entirely vegetarian menu. Bring your vegan-resistant friends here. They’ll see that vegan food can be just as comforting as meaty equivalents.
4 – Local Jerk
8 Avenue Duluth E | Vegan-friendly. The Local Jerk is not totally vegan but they are high on my list because they have three delicious vegan plates and two appetizers. I really love this place for some spicy delicious Caribbean food that will comfort your soul. Try the jackfruit roti if you like curried foods, or go for the Jerk seitan sandwich for something with a little more crunch. It’s a casual spot, great for takeout, or lunch.
3 – Cafe Dei Campi
1360 Rosemont Blvd | Vegan-friendly. Cafe Dei Campi is a relatively new player on the Montreal scene serving up classic Italian baked goods in vegan form. This is what a lot of vegans have been waiting for. I mean, vegan cannolis? Yes yes yes! They also offer gorgeous salads and other lunch and brunch treats like pizzas and soups. Totally worth checking out.
2 – Sushi Momo
4669 St. Denis | Totally vegan. Sushi Momo has been on the scene since 2014 but I still chose to list them as number two because they are as hot as ever! This restaurant is so popular, you can’t even get a seat without an advance reservation. Even on a Monday! It’s small, quaint and offers of a burst of flavour with every bite. They also have a couple of great appetizers to choose from and some yummy ice cream based desserts. It’s centrally located, steps from Mount Royal metro. Make sure you call before you go.
1 – Lov
464 McGill St | Vegan-friendly. There is no doubt that Lov is in the air in Montreal. The arrival of Lov in the gorgeous old Montreal district has made vegans and omnivores alike flock to the scene. They are ahead of the curb when it comes to menu, design, and service. They offer classic hearty dished like mac n’ cheese and poutine as well as pasta, burgers and big salads. Although it’s not totally vegan the menu is about 92% vegan so there are no issues there! I would absolutely recommend trying this place on a night out in the city or a morning brunch.
