Vegetarian Journal's Guide to Natural Foods Restaurants in the U.S. and Canada

Symbol Key:

•• Vegan or vegetarian restaurant
§ Reviewer's choice

Alberta

Banff

Michael's Café

415 Banff Ave., Banff, AB T0L 0C0

(403) 762-9339

Natural foods. This very vegetarian-friendly restaurant offers items like Hearty Lentil Soup, Curried Tofu Veggie Crepes, Totini with Pesto, Tamari Ginger Tofu Stir-Fry, hummus, and whole-wheat spaghetti. Organically grown short-grain brown rice and, when available, organically grown produce is used. Menu items do not contain MSG or refined sugar. Open daily for three meals. Full service, vegan options, wine/beer/alcohol, non-alcoholic beer, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX, $$.

Calgary

•• Buddha's Veggie Restaurant

5802 MacLeod Trail SW, Calgary, AB T2J 0P6

(403) 252-8830

Vegan/Chinese. This gourmet vegan Chinese restaurant features more than 100 items on its menu, including Crispy Veggie Eel, Lemon Chicken, Dry Ribs, and Veggie Sweet & Sour Pork. Reservations recommended. Open Wednesday through Monday for lunch and dinner. Closed Tuesday. Full service, take-out, delivery, VISA/MC/AMEX, $.

Cedars Restaurant

Oakland Market, 173 200 Barcley Parade SW, Calgary, AB T2P 4R5

(403) 264-2532

225 8th Ave. SW, Calgary, AB T2P 1B7

(403) 263-0285

Lebanese. Cedars offers many vegetarian and vegan options, including falafel, hummus, fatoosh, and tabbouleh. The owner is the author of several cookbooks. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, wine/beer, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX, $$.

Thai Sa-On

351 10th Ave., SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0A5

(403) 264-3526

Thai. Authentic Thai cuisine is featured here, including salads, homemade curries, pad Thai, spring rolls, coconut rice, and desserts. Open Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner. Open Sunday for dinner only. Closed Saturday. Full service, vegan options, wine/beer/alcohol, catering, $$.

The King and I Thai Cuisine

822 11th Ave., SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0E5

(403) 264-7241

Thai. Enjoy the contemporary décor with soft jazz background music. The King and I's vegetarian selections include a Chili Club Tofu made with Japanese eggplant. Open Monday through Thursday for lunch and dinner. Open Friday for lunch through late night service. Open Saturday for dinner and late night service. Open Sunday for dinner. Full service, wine/beer/alcohol, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX/DC, $$.

•• Veggie House

303 Centre St. SW, #109, Calgary, AB T2G 2B9

(403) 294-0626

Vegetarian/Chinese. This all-day buffet features items like Veggie Ginger Beef, Coconut Rice, and various wheat gluten dishes. Egg noodles can be substituted for rice noodles upon request. Open Thursday through Tuesday for lunch and dinner. Open Wednesday for lunch only. Buffet, vegan options, non-smoking, reservations recommended, take-out, delivery, VISA/MC/AMEX, $.

Edmonton

•• Café Mosaics

10844 82 Ave., Edmonton, AB T6E 2B3

(780) 433-9702

Vegetarian. Saddle up to a large range of vegetarian and vegan dishes served amidst real country music. Try tofu scramble, hash browns, salads, burritos, pasta, quesadillas, or the infamous Triple Decker Tofu Clubhouse with a delicious array of sides. Local musicians perform on Wednesday nights, and the restaurant displays the work of local artists. Patio dining available. Open Monday through Saturday for three meals. Open Sunday for brunch. Full service, vegan options, non-smoking, fresh juices, smoothies, soymilk, espresso/cappuccino, beer/wine/alcohol, take-out, VISA/MC, $$.

•• Gujarat Sweet Mart

3464 93rd St., Edmonton, AB T6E 6A4

(780) 437-4333

Vegetarian/Indian. Gujarat Sweet Mart offers vegetarian Indian fare. Try their buffet! Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, $$.

High Level Diner

10912 88 Ave., Edmonton, AB T6G 0Z1

(403) 433-0993

Natural foods. The High Level Diner is an environmentally responsible natural foods eatery furnished with antiques and decorated with local artwork. Vegetarian options include salads, vegan chili, sandwiches, spinach pie, enchiladas, and mushroom stroganoff. Patio dining available. Open daily for three meals. Full service, vegan options, fresh juices, wine/beer/alcohol, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX, $$.

New Asian Village Restaurant

10143 Saskatchewan Dr., Edmonton, AB T6E 4R5

(403) 433-3804

Indian. In an atmosphere of Indian decor and music, vegetarian options are provided by a friendly staff. Open Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner. Open Saturday and Sunday for dinner only. Full service, wine/beer/alcohol, take-out, catering, VISA/MC/AMEX, $$.

•• Oriental Veggie House

10586 100 St., Edmonton, AB T5H 2R6

(780) 424-0463

Vegetarian/Chinese. From the most familiar vegetarian spring rolls to the exotic veggie oysters, Oriental Veggie House is a mostly vegan restaurant specializing in "meat-like" dishes made primarily from bean-based, mushroom-based, or wheat gluten. Try the shark fin soup or the very popular curry veggie lamb hot pot. Open Wednesday through Monday for lunch and dinner. Closed Tuesday. Full service, vegan options, reservations recommended, non-smoking, soymilk, take-out, delivery, VISA/MC/AMEX/DC, $$.

The King and I Thai Cuisine

8208 107 St., Edmonton, AB T6E 4K7

(780) 433-2222

Thai. The owners emphasize healthy cooking, and special requests will be cooked to order. The Vegetarian Bird's Nest entrée is a must! Open Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner. Open Saturday for dinner. Closed Sunday. Full service, wine/beer/alcohol, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX, $$.