Vegan eateries and tours
Best vegan eateries in Western Canada
With around 500,000 Australians identifying as vegan and almost 2.5 million living a vegetarian lifestyle, it’s little wonder Australian travellers are seeking delicious plant-based restaurants and cafes during their international adventures in 2022.
Canada’s western province of British Columbia is abundant with veggie-forward fare, catering for the country’s largest population of vegans and vegetarians. Whether you’re a vegetarian, vegan, or simply searching for a nutritious and wholesome meal, you’ll find a dizzying array of restaurants, cafes and food trucks serving inventive meatless dishes.
The coastal province is surrounded by plant-based bounty, responsibly harvested from sprawling forests and fertile farmland. Follow your taste buds and prepare to be dazzled by flavourful, locally sourced, organically grown meat-free feasts.
Be love, Victoria
This locally loved eatery uses at least 95 percent organic, plant-based ingredients, mindfully sourced according to local and seasonal availability. Here, diners will find exquisite concoctions like cardamom pear pancakes drenched in maple ginger syrup and vanilla cashew “cream cheese”, along with superfood-infused cocktails and fresh-pressed juices and elixirs.
Virtuous Pie, Vancouver and Victoria (and Toronto, Ontario)
Canadian-owned and oh-so-popular, this pizza joint serves vegan pies topped by truffle almond ricotta, gochujang-braised jackfruit and other unexpected toppings. There’s also vegan ice cream offered by the scoop or pint in cultured flavours like Thai tea and Irish coffee. The restaurant was founded by vegan foodie Rob Milne, along with his sons Ben and Alex, who are not only passionate about protecting the planet but also donate a portion of revenue to charitable endeavours in each city where Virtuous Pie is located.
Heirloom, Vancouver
This contemporary dining experience was created by owners Gus and Yogi, whose vision is to offer socially conscious dining with a focus on vegan and vegetarian fare. All ingredients are sourced locally and are organic wherever possible; there’s also a sister juice bar with fresh-pressed juices and smoothies, fair-trade coffee and locally sourced teas, and healthy snacks promoting goodness on the go.
The Acorn, Vancouver
This cosy eatery was founded by Shira Blustein, who spent years travelling Europe and North America with indie rock bands while simultaneously learning how difficult it was to find delicious, freshly prepared vegetarian food. She opened The Acorn to provide a veggie-forward dining experience hallmarked by creative food and cocktails, whose ingredients are a product of lasting relationships she’s forged with BC farmers, foragers and vintners. Come here for exquisitely flavourful dishes like whole roasted kohlrabi with apricot mustard and black plum, and halloumi served alongside German butter potato, chickpeas, mint and buffalo yogurt.
Insider’s tip
Vancouver Vegan Food Tour, Vancouver: The city’s most popular culinary tour company takes visitors on enticing excursions to find the best vegan pizza, dairy-free gelato and veggie bowls (wear your stretchy pants).
Note for all travellers
Travel to Canada is going to be a little different than it was prior to the pandemic, and we encourage all travellers to be fully informed of the pre-entry and on-arrival public health and testing requirements both federally and provincially. This includes the mandatory use of the ArriveCAN app. Travellers should plan for extra time in the lead up, and upon the arrival of their trip. For the latest information on travel to Canada including the updated requirements and restrictions, please visit the Government of Canada website.
For more information visit travelmanagers.com.au
