It’s Vegan. Honestly

Taste doesn’t take a backseat with these vegan options

According to research from Dalhousie University released last year, there are 2.3 million vegetarians in Canada, up from 900,000 about 15 years ago. Another 850,000 people consider themselves vegan. That means 9.4 per cent of the Canadian population is eating a plant-based diet. With the majority of Canadian vegetarians and vegans under the age of 35, an increase in those numbers is very likely.

So what does it mean to be vegan? No meat, no poultry, no fish, no dairy, no eggs, no honey. At this point, you may wonder if there’s anything left? A lot actually. A huge world of plant-based goodness and flavour awaits. 

In Winnipeg, there are more and more plant-based delicacies to be had in our fair city.   

Meals

Café Lemon Tree’s tofu steak skillet is as delicious as it is nutritious. Boon Burger boasts a completely plant-based menu with burgers in the spotlight. (Boon Burger’s Southwest Crunch pictured above). Bangkok Thai’s crisp tofu sautéed with vegetables in a yellow curry sauce is a must along with fresh Thai salad rolls with peanut sauce.  Stella’s vegan Mexican breakfast has long been a favourite of all diners. La Fiesta Cafecito’s vegan combos include corn tamals and bean pupusas.  Clay Oven’s Baingan Bombay is eggplant, onions and tomatoes cooked with spices. Gohe Ethiopian Restaurant’s vegan platter is a colourful introduction to Ethiopian food.  Falafal Place’s Vegan Heaven Breakfast includes falafel balls, hummus, tahini and hash browns mixed with vegetables.

Sweets  

The cupcakes from Cocobeans Bakeshop are free of wheat, rye, barley, dairy, oats, nuts and eggs. Besides that, they’re sweetly decadent.  

Chaeban Ice Cream’s coconut ice cream called Glen Coconut is made with dairy-free ricotta and coconut milk, dairy-free fudge and toasted coconut flakes.

More good things!  

The all vegan Acorn Café offers everything from smoothies to sandwiches and puddings. The in-house Vegan Fromagerie cheese menu impresses with favourites like feta, dill havarti and smoked gouda. Arabesque Hookah Café serves authentic Middle Eastern food and offers delicacies like hummus and baba gannouj. Earl’s has a brand-new plant-based menu that includes quinoa and avocado powerbowl and crispy tofu tacos. Circle Kitchen is all plant-based and big on breakfast— like a grainy superseed toast with carrot gravlax—bowls and freshly pressed juices. Roughage Eatery is primarily a catering company, but look for their pop-ups showcasing vegan comfort food like lasagna rolls and Asian dumplings.