By Miriam Porter on
Toronto is one of the best cities for vegan restaurants, with a diverse array of plant-based restaurants in neighbourhoods across town. You can dig into everything from comfort food to healthy options, global cuisine, and so much more.
Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, looking to eat healthier—or simply curious about a plant-based meal—here are 10 restaurants in Toronto for your next vegan brunch.
Fresh Kitchen + Juice Bar has been integral to the Toronto vegan restaurant scene since 1999 and serves healthy, modern plant-based goodness at six Toronto locations.
Fresh on Front, a short walk from Union Station, has plush, roomy booths to enjoy nutrient-packed meals made from original recipes that have since been included in bestselling cookbooks by Fresh founder Ruth Tal and co-owner/head chef Jennifer Houston.
Must-try: Almond Butter French Toast with raspberry glaze and fresh berries, washed down with an Energy Elixir with refreshing mint, cucumber, kale, grapefruit and apple.
Did someone say vegan comfort food? Located in walkable Little Italy, weekend brunch at The Hogtown Vegan is an indulgent affair. Decorated with vintage album covers, this artsy and friendly restaurant proves classic southern comfort food is just as decadent and delicious without meat or dairy.
Must-try: unChicken (made with soy) and waffles are loaded with whipped butter, spicy syrup and a side of garlic + bacon collard greens. If you dare, add their famous Mac ‘N Cheez topped with breadcrumbs.
Brunch at Copper Branch is all day, so sleep in and make your way north to Thornhill anytime. This plant-based food chain serves comfort food, lighter fare and dishes loaded with superfoods. Founded in Montreal, Copper Branch is a leader in the healthy-but-fast restaurant niche.
Must-try: tempeh bacon and JUST Egg on a pumpernickel bagel with lettuce and tomato and an Einstein Fruit Power Smoothie with fresh berries.
Hello 123 on trendy Queen West is friendly and upbeat and the perfect place to people-watch from their patio in warmer months. Brunch is available daily until 4 p.m., so no need to wait for the weekend to gobble up delicious and nutritious sandwiches, omelettes, waffles, smoothie bowls or French toast!
Must-try: Benny Benny is served on a bun with tofu ricotta, smashed avocado, tomato, hollandaise, toasted coconut and scallions with roasted potatoes and salad. Top it off with a matcha latte.
Another all-day brunch restaurant is Revelstoke Café on Carlton Street near Cabbagetown. Their downtown location is committed to providing an open, inclusive space serving up healthy plant-based goodness. Bring your pooch to their dog-friendly patio, or get a coffee and pastry to go.
Must-try: avocado toast on sourdough comes loaded with radish, crispy chickpea, cherry tomato, micro green salad and drizzled with balsamic reduction. Psst: it’s worth adding the feta!
Who doesn’t love pastries for brunch? Mouth-watering options at Vegan Danish Bakery include butter tarts, cupcakes, Danish rum balls, chocolate croissants, biscotti and cheesecake. This cozy and bright café also serves sandwiches and bagels, with locations in Parkdale and Thornhill. Enjoy a cup of joe or café mocha from their full coffee bar.
Must-try: Danish Pâté Sandwich, vegetable pâté topped with braised red cabbage, a drizzle of vegan Danish Remoulade, and fresh dill, served open-faced on sourdough, multigrain toast.
Siblings to Hello 123, Kupfert & Kim (a wheatless, meatless, quick-service vegan chain) serves all-day brunch at several Toronto locations. Food is minimally processed, with most dishes made from scratch, including sauces, pickles, curries and patties. Midtown’s Yonge and Eglinton location has a small patio to catch some rays with your meal.
Must-try: Breakfast bowl created with guacamole, pico de gallo, sweet potato, roasted mushroom, kale, tofu scramble, black beans, sprouts and sesame.
Yorkville is always buzzing during Sunday brunch, and Planta lives up to the neighbourhood’s luxurious hype. From couches and comfy chairs to jungle-printed murals of giant leaves, the upscale decor aligns with the food. Many dishes are made for sharing, so bring your brunch bestie to feast before shopping.
Must-try: Sake Sangria or Vietnamese iced coffee, followed by overnight grains with quinoa, oats, nuts, peanut butter and strawberries. Save room for a decadent cinnamon bun drizzled with maple syrup.
Head to the Financial District’s Rosalinda for an authentic Mexican cuisine Saturday brunch in a large bright space decorated with plants, inviting booths and a warm atmosphere. This upscale restaurant serves creative dishes with seasonal produce, Mexican flavours and a large assortment of well-thought-out zero-alcohol cocktails. (Closed Sundays.)
Must-try: start with a vegan Caesar mocktail followed by Jackfruit Carnitas Tacos with slow-braised jackfruit, pickled onions and radish. For dessert, devour the chocolate coconut Itziar’s Churros.
Evviva (with multiple locations, including the Entertainment District and North York) is usually a blur of happy diners. While not strictly vegan, it has a massive plant-based menu curated in collaboration with Executive Vegan Chef Doug McNish, so it’s top-notch. With multiple vegan omelettes and endless all-day breakfast dishes, this is a menu to tempt vegans and the vegan-curious alike.
Must-try: Vegan Crab Cake Benedict on an English muffin with sauteed spinach, hearts of palm crab cakes, sunny-side-up vegan eggs and hollandaise sauce. Toast the weekend with a Kombucha Mimosa.