Vancouver restaurants for vegetarian breakfast and brunch
Typical breakfast dishes like eggs and bacon aren’t exactly in line with a plant-based diet, but then again, Vancouver isn’t your typical city. Restaurants across the 604 are catering to conscientious diners with their creative vegetarian and vegan brunch dishes. Check out a few of our local faves next time you’re looking for a meat-free morning meal. [Image courtesy of Zend Conscious Lounge]
Heirloom Restaurant
1509 12th Ave W, Vancouver, BC V6J 2E2Airy and inviting, this South Granville dining room is a veritable haven for Vancouver’s veggie community thanks to its two distinct meat-free menus: one vegetarian, one vegan. Free-range omelettes, eggs Benedict and the signature Heirloom grilled cheese sandwich will appeal to vegetarians while buckwheat pancakes, mushroom hash, chia coconut muesli, and tofu Huevos Rancheros are just some of the animal-product-free options for vegan diners. We promise, even your bacon-and-egg loving bestie will find something to rave about. Wash it all down with a cup of 49th Parallel coffee or a boozy specialty cocktail if you’re feeling celebratory.
Meet on Main
4288 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3P9Nothing will get you out of bed quite like a bowl of vegan mac n’ cheese from Meet on Main. While it might not feature traditional breakfast fare, the all-vegan menu at this Mount Pleasant joint will definitely hit the spot if you’re looking for a little late-morning sustenance. Favouring comfort food classics over virtuous health foods, the diner-style menu is packed with alternative home-style cuisine: think Portobello stroganoff, a double bacon cheezburger (with coconut bacon and seitan bacon), crispy chili cheez fries, and faux chicken fingers (aka: hot chiggin’ things) tossed in house-made Buffalo sauce.
Zend Conscious Lounge
1130 Mainland St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2T9You might not expect to find a community minded vegan eatery in a neighbourhood known for its upscale shopping and late-night scene, but with its stylish interior and chef-prepared cuisine, Zend Conscious Lounge fits right in with its swank Yaletown neighbours. Chef Karen McAthy (formerly of the critically acclaimed Graze Vegetarian) has developed a brilliant breakfast menu boasting an array of sweet and savoury dishes prepared with organic ingredients. Quiche with meat-free sausage and avocado, sweet potato pancakes with coconut whip, a spiced-bean breakfast wrap, and crunchy granola with dairy-free yogurt are just some of the delights on offer daily.
Indigo Age Cafe
436 Richards Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 2Z3Pair your meat-free morning meal with a glass of something nourishing at this healthful lower level juice bar on Richards. Indigo’s drink menu boasts an impressive variety of vitamin-rich elixirs (juices, smoothies, wheatgrass shots, dairy-free mylkshakes, coconut water kefir) but the fermented kombucha (available on tap in rotating flavours) is a highlight. The vegan food menu is equally virtuous and diverse in its appeal, with many raw and gluten-free dishes to choose from. Enjoy a fruity antioxidant-packed acai bowl, a dairy-free parfait made with coconut-cashew yogurt, or savoury stuffed mushrooms with guacamole, red onions and cashew cheese.
Eternal Abundance
1025 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 3X1Locavores love the farm-fresh produce on offer at this organic grocery store on Commercial Drive. Furthermore, the on-site café serves up a small but thoughtful vegan breakfast menu from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm for customers who want to squeeze in a snack with their weekday grocery shopping. And with everything priced at $10 or less, it’s affordable enough to justify frequent visits. Buckwheat pancakes and the tofu scramble are sure to please, but we love the aptly named Hippie’s Breakfast bowl, which features sprouted spiced buckwheat granola, nuts, seeds, goji berries and seasonal fruit coated in warmed almond mylk.
The Acorn Restaurant
3995 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3P3Modern vegetarian cuisine gets the upscale treatment at The Acorn, a critically acclaimed Mount Pleasant dining room with a permanent line-up out the door. On the weekends, beautifully plated brunch dishes showcase seasonal vegetables, and most options can be made vegan and gluten-free to suit those with dietary restrictions. The kale salad is an enduring fave but there are plenty of heartier options if you’ve got a big appetite. Excite your taste buds with Southern-inspired fried artichokes with waffles and mushroom gravy, savoury steel-cut oats and brown rice porridge with stewed apple, or the vegetable hash with squash Hollandaise sauce.
The Naam Office
2724 4th Ave W, Vancouver, BC V6K 1R1In business for more than 50 years, this venerable vegetarian eatery has been a long time favourite among Kitsilano residents and UBC students thanks to its homey cuisine, laid-back vibe and affordable prices. The neighbourhood café is open around the clock and starts serving breakfast at 6:00 am, making it a great spot for early-risers looking to squeeze in a bite to eat before the sun comes up. Vegetarian and vegan options include scrambled tofu, vegan pancakes, eggs Benny, fruit crepes, omelettes, oatmeal and hearty breakfast bowls. Check out the $5.95 weekday specials for cheap and tasty choices.
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