Throughout Bloor-Yorkville are not only some of the best vegetarian restaurants in Toronto, but restaurants favouring locally sourced ingredients and extensive gluten-free menus, often regarded as the top restaurants in Toronto. In our neighbourhood, you’ll find these restaurants tucked into various locations, and our guide to your plant-based meals will take you from Bay and Bloor to Critchley Lane, over to Yorkville Village and a few places in-between. Whether heading out for the night in pursuit of a fancier vegetarian restaurant, pursing entirely vegan options in Toronto, or perhaps a quick and healthy lunch alternative, we promise Bloor-Yorkville won’t disappoint.
Bloor-Yorkville Guide: Restaurants with Vegetarian Options in Toronto
Generally regarded as one of the best restaurants in Toronto, Planta Yorkville also happens to be entirely vegan. Led by famed chef David Lee, Planta is where you’ll find the most creative vegan options in Toronto. Not willing to sacrifice flavour, Lee and his team embrace the challenge of vegan cooking. “Cooking plant-based foods is very difficult. There are many more components in making a dish, and it can be far more challenging to achieve the textures and flavours that you’re going for.”
Under the same culinary family as both Kasa Moto and Palm Lane, it’s no surprise that Planta Yorkville exceeds expectations. From coconut ceviche to their cauliflower tots and famous burger (which is so popular it prompted a spinoff Planta Burger location downtown), this is the perfect space to head for a night out. From gold flatware to rose gold accents and bright leaf-print decor, the restaurant is the perfect backdrop for a night out, a celebration, or even a Sunday morning brunch.
Recently opening, the new Kupfert & Kim Yorkville location is located right across from the Village of Yorkville Park. The ideal location, paired with the vegan and gluten-free menu, make it the perfect pit stop while you’re out shopping or a time-out during the work week.
Their concept is a quick-service environment with “delicious, minimally-processed food that is awesome for humans, animals and our planet.” The Kupfert & Kim Bloor-Yorkville menu includes something from every essential category: smoothies, smoothie bowls, all day breakfast, toasts, salads, and even chili and curry. Plus, there’s a variety of health-conscious baked goods, plus the always-necessary espresso, and teas. So, whether shopping is your cardio and you’re ready for a time-out or you’ve spent the morning at Barry’s Bootcamp next door, there’s no shortage of options to refuel either in the plant-filled indoor space, the patio, or amongst the crabapple trees in the park.
ELXR:
If you want a no-nonsense smoothie, Elixr is your number one option. While perhaps most famously known for their organic, cold-pressed juices, Elxr’s nutrient-dense smoothies make for an honest snack. They also house a variety of “Remedies,” which are vitamin-rich shots aimed at aiding in a variety of ways. From digestive aides to immunity boosters, anti-inflammatory mixes, and much more, there’s a “shot” for just about everything. Of course, if you’re a committed raw juice enthusiast, you can explore their full line up of juices and even place corporate delivery orders. You’ll also find various to-go salads each day from vegan kale Caesar to grain bowls, along with gluten-free and vegan dessert options. Ingredients for all ELXR products are sourced from local farmers, allowing them to support small businesses while maximizing the freshness of ingredients.
We can say with confidence that Palm Lane is where you’ll find the salad of your dreams. Known as the “gourmet greens” salad bar of Toronto, Palm Lane provides the perfect bridge between quick-service and sit-down dining. With decor on-theme with its sister-restaurant Planta, it’s an aesthetically-pleasing spot for a healthy dose of greens and/or grains.
With large portions and packed with ingredients, these are not the kind of bowls that will leave you wanting for more. Located within the hallways of Yorkville Village, Palm Lane appears amongst the shopping center as a bit of a vitamin-rich oasis, complete with the aforementioned gold decor and tropical wallpaper.
If you can’t make that Hawaiian vacation with a stopover in L.A, Calii Love is the next best option, at least when it comes to decor and cuisine. Inspired by “the Californian sun and Hawaiian breezes,” the mission at Calii Love is to not only make healthy living easier, but to spread positivity in a wellness-focused environment. While not an entirely vegan restaurant, there are plenty of options. Each menu item is a collaboration between their chef and nutritionist, working closely together to “ensure dishes are exciting, healthy, and fresh.” The Bloor-Yorkville location features bleacher-style seating near the windows so you can spend some time taking in the tropical vibe along with your acai bowl.
Head a bit east on Bloor, look closely and you’ll spot Sabai Sabai, one of the best Thai restaurants in Toronto complete with a dedicated vegetarian menu! Sabai Sabai translates loosely to “peace, tranquility, & a sense of well being,” which is something the team strives to achieve inside the restaurant. Balancing the energy of Toronto with the tranquility of Thailand, the result is an experience that takes you out of the regular bustle of the city, even if just for a quick work lunch.
With a focus on the flavours of Northern Thailand and Laos, the chefs are passionate about unlocking authentic flavour profiles, ensuring each recipe is made from scratch. The dedicated vegan menu for both lunch and dinner, authenticity is not sacrificed with classics such as tom yum soup, massaman curry, and mee kati noodles all available with simple vegan substitutions.
A beloved lunch and dinner spot for Indian vegetarian food in Toronto (though not exclusively vegetarian), Utsav offers high quality and authentic dishes at a fantastic price-point. Described by the owners as “Yorkville’s Festival of Indian Cuisine,” the chefs prepare fresh spices every day, lending a “distinct flavor and aroma to each dish.” The menu is extensive with a variety of mains, daily specials, appetizers, and curries, making Utsav a great choice for pleasing a variety of eaters with varying dietary restrictions.
Perhaps the most hidden gem on this list is none other than Esther, who really is the Queen of Soups! Located on the main floor of Cumberland Terrance, towards the Yonge Street end of the building, is a classic Bloor-Yorkville lunch spot. Esther and her team make fresh, homemade soups every day, free of dairy and gluten. With a number of vegan options on the menu, Esther will often get creative and serve you a mix of flavours. Served with a side of pre-buttered toast, a meal from Esther feels like the closest thing to homemade lunch. They also offer samosas and baked veggie rolls if you’re looking for a little something extra. Coming in at around $7 for a large soup and $4 for a small, you really can’t beat the quality or price point of these on-the-go lunches.