Looking to fuel up with some healthy plant-based meals near your U of T campus? This list compiles a few of the surrounding cafés and restaurants at each campus that specialize in an exclusively to near-exclusively vegan menu.
UTM
Community Resto
Located approximately a 15-minute drive away from campus in Port Credit, Community is a plant-based restaurant that serves a variety of classic homestyle dishes for brunch, lunch, dinner, and beyond. There are also a number of gluten-free and organic dishes, all served for about $23 or less.
Whether you are looking for breakfast, poutine, burgers, salad, or anything in between, Community has crafted a thorough menu with many plant-based alternatives to traditionally non-vegan dishes. There is also an amazing selection of drinks and sweet treats to enjoy!
Nourishmoi
Like Community, Nourishmoi is also located in the beautiful Port Credit neighbourhood, approximately a 15-minute drive away, and has an extensive menu of plant-based protein items, such as chickpea shawarmas, black bean burgers, and tempeh bake’n.
With a menu featuring a diverse range of cuisines, you would be hard-pressed to find something here that you don’t like! Additionally, meals are even more affordably priced, with all mains served for around $20.
Happy Taco
This trendy taco spot in Port Credit is a local-favourite vegan restaurant, as recommended by reviewers on local plant-based eatery guide, Happy Cow.
Serving tacos made with jackfruit and butternut squash cheese, the chain, which also operates near the UTSG campus, offers some delicious Mexican plant-based cuisine.
UTSG
Bunner’s
Bunner’s is a vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free bakery just a short walk south into Kensington Market.
This vegan community favourite offers numerous grab-and-go treats like muffins, whoopie pies, cupcakes, scones, cookies, brownies, and my favourite, their Nanaimo bars. If you are looking for a meal here, they sell prepared meals like pot pie and butternut squash mac and cheese. Just in time for fall, they have a seasonal selection of pumpkin-flavoured sweets, so go try that pumpkin spice cinnamon bun!
Pro tip: bring your student ID for a 10 per cent discount!
Alternity
Alternity is just down the street from Woodsworth College, perfect for a quick fix for the health-conscious student. They serve invigorating teas, lattes, coffees, cacao elixirs, and smoothies, all made with plant-based milk. They offer a few vegan and gluten-free meals, such as salads, wraps, and a soup of the day, all for under $15. I highly recommend their cardamom rose tea latte or the 5 Mushrooms cacao elixir.
Their lounge is spacious and inviting, offering a perfect nook to finish a paper in. Bonus: their menu includes notation for organic ingredients!
Saigon Lotus
Saigon Lotus boasts a plethora of vegan Vietnamese cuisine at its sit-down restaurant. From their chicken-imitating vegan pho to fried rice to vegan butter chicken, they have a dish under $20 for everyone! Their menu features a number of Vietnamese drinks, such as their malva nut and basil drink and various-flavoured bubble teas.
They have two locations on both sides of the St. George campus, at Kensington and Yonge, with their Yonge location being just a short stroll from Victoria College. Climate win: their Kensington location offers takeout meals with the option of reusable Suppli containers.
Tenon Vegan Sushi
Tenon Vegan Sushi is just a short stroll down Bloor St, and you’ll find this gem in the Annex area. With nearly all menu items under $20, the restaurant includes Japanese and Thai-style dishes, such as a vegan Soy Chick’n Karaage and a vegan General Tsao Soy Chick’n. The restaurant also offers plenty of sushi rolls, all creatively and deliciously made vegan.
While it is a sit-down restaurant, the service is quick and reliable, perfect for a between-class meal.
Almond Butterfly Cafe
Almond Butterfly Cafe is a gluten-free cafe on Harbord just down the street from Robarts Library.
While they mainly specialize in gluten-free items, they also have vegan baked goods, as well as vegan-accommodating drinks and sandwiches. Most sandwiches here contain eggs or meat, but with modifications, the Garden Melt, Avocado Melt, and Cream Cheese Veggie sandwiches can all easily be made vegan. I highly recommend the vegan cupcakes, just be sure to check the ingredients label provided in-shop.
They have a small patio, perfect for soaking up some sun while finishing readings.
UTSC
Right on campus, La Prep is your go-to spot for vegan Asian sesame wraps and a variety of fresh salad bowls for as low as $4.95! Perfect for a quick lunch or a healthy snack between classes, making plant-based eats easy and affordable.
Only a 10-minute drive from campus, this juice bar is the place for refreshing drinks! Offering cold-pressed juices and vegan smoothies for as low as $14.50.
Found inside Malvern Town centre, this quick 12-minute drive from campus can bring you delicious plant-based Filipino dishes. Try the fiesta noodle or rice, or a salad roll with peanut sauce for only $7.50.
These restaurants and cafés are ideal for U of T students at each campus looking for quick plant-based options nearby.
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