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The Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Montreal, Québec

Discover the best vegetarian options in Montreal
Discover the best vegetarian options in Montreal | © Linda Raymond / Getty Images

Montreal has a world-class dining scene. With spectacular restaurants, which cater to both meat lovers and vegetarians alike, there’s no need to limit yourself to leafy greens here. This city is abundant with umami-packed vegetarian and vegan options.

Montreal’s vegetarian and vegan food scene has grown over the past few years, now with more choice than ever

The tides have certainly turned on vegetarian dining in Montreal. Over the years, the city has gone from only having a small selection of plant-based restaurants to a metropolis booming with great veggie locales. From nutritious salad bars and all-vegan brunch fare to more indulgent dishes like seafood-free sushi and meatless charcuterie boards, you won’t believe what these spots can do with cauliflower, liquid smoke and pea protein. These are the best vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurants in the city that even meat-eaters can happily get behind.

From nutritious grain bowls to lentil curries, Montreal has plenty of options for those on vegetarian and vegan diets

Aux Vivres Resto Végane

Restaurant, Vegan

Dragon Bowl Salad, Aux Vivres, Plateau Area, Montreal, Quebec provence, Canada
© Ken Ross / VWPics / Alamy Stock Photo
One of Montreal’s original vegan haunts, Aux Vivres Restro Végane is a bright and cozy restaurant with a patio in the summertime, and a juice bar and takeout counter. Here, you’ll find fresh, innovative and hearty comfort vegan dishes that lean on the healthier side, such as the chana paratha (a spiced Indian flatbread topped with chana (chickpeas), sour cream, mint and tamarind chutney) and the Buddha Bowl (steamed organic broccoli, steamed spinach, shredded carrots, toasted sesame seeds, grilled pumpkin seeds, Japanese dressing and grilled tofu). You’ll also find plenty of vegan classics, including veggie burgers, sandwiches and freshly made salads.

LOV

Restaurant, Vegetarian, Vegan

Vegetarian fare doesn’t have to be just granola and quinoa salads – you might be surprised by how refined vegetables can be. LOV is a vegan and vegetarian restaurant that has stolen the hearts of both plant-based eaters and curious carnivores thanks to its seasonal menu. Find innovative dishes like beet tartare, truffles with ‘caviar,’ and vegan lasagna. Note that LOV has recently expanded and has locations across Montreal; however, its downtown location comes highly recommended as it’s easier to grab a seat thanks to its expansive dining room, bar and summertime patio.

Restaurant Nilufar

Restaurant, Vegetarian

Ask any university student or graduate in the city where to find the best cheap vegetarian eats in Montreal, and the answer will always be Restaurant Nilufar. The legendary Middle Eastern institution serves some of the best falafels in town. If you are not in the mood for falafel, there’s also ‘tofu-taouk,’ ‘mushwaram’ and even vegan poutine with fries, falafel and tahini.

Nil Bleu

Restaurant, Vegetarian

Tucked into a quiet block of Montreal’s Plateau neighborhood is a vegetarian-friendly Ethiopian restaurant. Grab a seat in the zebra-themed dining room and order the vegan tasting menu, which includes a handful of delicious vegetable dishes, such as yekik alicha (split peas with turmeric) and yemesser watt (lentils in berbere sauce). While the restaurant itself isn’t entirely vegetarian, Nil Bleu touts itself as vegetarian first and ensures there’s no cross-contamination or lack of flavor.

Pushap

Restaurant, Vegetarian, Indian

While a lot of Indian restaurants are a safe bet for vegetarians, Pushap takes plant-based eating to the next level, as it is entirely vegetable-based. The curry house just down the road from Namur Metro is well-loved for its cheap but hearty vegetarian thali, which usually includes a hearty palek or shahi paneer, but can easily be swapped out for a vegan option. Note that although a thali will cost you less than 10 Canadian dollars ($7.60), the restaurant is strictly cash only, so be sure to bring some money.

Sushi Momo

Restaurant, Vegetarian, Japanese

Sushi Momo tops the best sushi lists across the city, but it’s entirely plant-based. This cozy bistro specializes in creative vegan sushi rolls and Japanese entrées while making use of seasonal ingredients like jackfruit, truffle oil and hibiscus flower. Make sure to try the Fuji flambé, a fried avocado maki topped with torched jackfruit tartare and tartar sauce.

Invitation V

Restaurant, Vegetarian

Admittedly, finding a vegan-friendly brunch spot is still quite a challenge for plant-based eaters; however, Invitation V does just that. The stylish Old Port bistro is on the pricier side, but the locally sourced organic dishes are well worth the price. The entirely vegan menu touts everything from plant-based pancakes to tofu scramble, but the main draw is the vegan omelet, which comes topped with mushrooms, bell peppers, tomatoes and a plant-based hollandaise sauce. There’s also kombucha mimosas and freshly squeezed juices.

About the author

Julianna is a Boston-based multimedia journalist pursuing her master's in communication studies. She holds a bachelor's in journalism and Italian Studies, and has previously worked as associate editor at Cincy and NKY Magazine. Having lived in eight cities and two countries, as well as having grown up in an Italian home, she has a huge passion for exploring different cultures, learning other languages, and traveling. When she's not writing, she can probably be found running, cooking, or spending time outdoors and with her dog, Starbuck (who she adamantly notes is named after a character in Battlestar Galactica, not the coffee!).

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