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

Symbol Key:

•• Vegan or vegetarian restaurant
§ Reviewer's choice

British Columbia

Burnaby

•• Paradise Vietnamese Cuisine

8681 10th Ave., Burnaby, BC V3N 2S9

(604) 527-8138

Vegetarian/Vietnamese. At Paradise, all the pork, chicken, and seafood are made from soy or wheat products. Try their Vietnamese noodle soups, crepes and bubble teas. The lemongrass tofu, ginger 'chicken' and vegan cheesecake are highly recommended. Don't miss their great lunchtime specials. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, soymilk, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$-$$$.

Golden

The Kicking Horse Grill

1105 9th St. S., Golden, BC V0A 1H0

(250) 344-2330

American/international. The Kicking Horse Grill offers several vegetarian dishes, including spiced lentil soup, portabello pizza, lasagna, veggie skewers, tofu gyros, and some vegetarian optional entrées. They will also prepare dishes based on individual needs. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, beer/wine/alcohol, take-out, MC/AMEX, $$.

Richmond

•• Bo Kong Vegetarian Restaurant

80-8100 Ackroyd Rd., Richmond, BC V6X 3K2

(604) 278-1992

Vegetarian/Chinese. Bo Kong diners will find more than 100 unique Buddhist Chinese dishes, including 10 soups, congee (thick rice soups), spring rolls, bean curd dishes, hot clay pot dishes, noodle and rice dishes, and desserts. One VRG member raves about the quality, originality, and service at this restaurant. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, non-smoking, take-out, VISA/MC, $$.

Vancouver

(For restaurant listings in the surrounding areas, see Richmond.)

Afghan Horseman Restaurant

445 W. Broadway Ave., Vancouver, BC V5Y 1R4

(604) 873-5923

Afghan. Enjoy Afghan soups, salads, and entrées, such as Hummus, Badenjan Borani (baked eggplant), and Dahl (lentil stew). Open Monday through Saturday for dinner only. Closed Sunday. Full service, wine/beer/alcohol, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX, $$.

•• Bo Kong Vegetarian Restaurant

3068 Main St., Vancouver, BC V5T 3G5

(604) 876-3088

Vegetarian/Chinese. See description under Richmond, BC.

•• Buddhist Vegetarian Restaurant

137 E. Pender St., Vancouver, BC V6A 1T6

(604) 683-8816

Vegetarian/Chinese. With almost 100 appetizing Chinese-style vegetarian and vegan dishes, Buddhist Vegetarian Restaurant is an ideal destination. They can make dishes without salt, wheat, or oil, and they do not use MSG. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, non-smoking, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX, $$.

•• Evergreen

4166 Main St., Vancouver, BC V5V 3P7

(604) 879-3380

Vegetarian/Chinese. Evergreen's menu is completely vegetarian, and all foods are prepared without preservatives. Choose from Sweet Tofu Cake, Lo-Hon Mixed Vegetables, and other dishes. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday. Take-out, vegan options, $.

•• Gorilla Food

101- 436 Richards St., Vancouver, BC V6B 2Z4

(604) 722-2504

Vegan/raw foods/organic. Gorilla Food is a great place to carry-out raw, vegan, organic foods. They offer a variety of juice blends, smoothies, and almond shakes. Menu items include zucchini hummus (live hummus), Thai fresh wraps, and Nori sushi rolls & seaweed salad. Their take-out containers and packaging are biodegradable. Cash only. Open daily for lunch. Take-out, catering, delivery, catering, fresh juices, smoothies, $$.

•• Greens and Gourmet

2681 W. Broadway Ave., Vancouver, BC V6K 2G2

(604) 737-7373

Vegetarian. Greens and Gourmet features a self-service hot and cold buffet where food is sold by weight. Items included on their extensive menu are cooked with purified water, which is also served for drinking. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, non-smoking, macrobiotic/vegan options, fresh juices, take-out, catering, VISA/MC, $-$$.

Habibi's

7-1128 W. Broadway Ave., Vancouver, BC V6H 1O5

(604) 732-7487

Lebanese. Experience traditional vegetarian Lebanese cuisine served in a warm, inviting atmosphere for a reasonable price. Choices include the falafel sandwich, tabbouleh, hot jalapeéo or basic garlic hummus, bulgur dishes, and more. Open Monday through Saturday for dinner. Closed Sunday. Full service, vegan options, beer/wine, take-out, catering, delivery, packaged products in local grocers, no credit cards, $.

Hon's On Robson

1339 Robson St., Vancouver, BC V6E 1C6

(604) 685-0871

Chinese. Hon's on Robson is unique because it houses a special Vegetarian Cooking Facility that ensures that meat products are kept separate from all vegetarian dishes. Its extensive vegetarian menu includes a variety of noodle soups, an impressive offering of dim sum, rice rolls, congees, and desserts. Unique offerings include a Vegetarian Goose appetizer; Sautéed Vegetaruan Chicken and Prawns with Broccoli; Straw Mushroom, Melon, and Bean Vermicelli Casserole; Steamed Rice Rolls with Vegetarian BBQ Pork; and Chilled Almond Bean Curd Pudding. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, delivery, VISA/MC, $$.

Noor-Mahal Restaurant

4354 Fraser St., Vancouver, BC V5V 4G3

(604) 873-9263

Indian. Noor-Mahal offers several vegetarian appetizers, a choice of dosas, and other vegetable dishes. Open daily for dinner. Full service, take-out, VISA/MC, $-$$.

Nyala African Restaurant

2930 W. 4th Ave., Vancouver, BC V6K 1R2

(604) 731-7899

Ethiopian. Choose from six vegan options, including Shuro Wat and Yeshebera Asa. Nyala also offers a few salads, as well as cooking classes and vegetarian/vegan buffets every Wednesday and Saturday. Open daily for dinner. Full service, vegan options, wine/beer/alcohol, take-out, catering, VISA/MC/AMEX, $$.

•• Planet Veg

1941 Cornwall Ave., Vancouver, BC V6J1C8

(604) 734-1001

Vegetarian. Explore the out of this world tastes at Planet Veg which boasts a menu of fresh soups, rice pots, samosas, roti rolls, curry specialties, and veggie burgers. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Limited service, vegan options, beer, take-out, $.

•• Raw

1849 W. 1st Ave., Vancouver, BC V6J 5B8

(604) 737-0420

Vegetarian/raw foods. Voted Best Vegetarian Raw Food in 2001 and 2002 by "The Vancouver Sun," Raw has a great menu, about half of which is raw living foods. Choose from items like Breakfast Banana Splits, Raw Spring Rolls, Mock Salmon Rolls, the Raw Falafel Burrito, Chickpea Pesto, Pizzas, Raw Chocolate Cake, and much more. Open Monday through Saturday for three meals. Closed Sunday. Full service, vegan options, fresh juices, smoothies, soymilk, special drinks, take-out, $-$$.

•• Saravanaa Bhavan

955 W. Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1K3

(604) 732-7700

Vegetarian/Indian. Please note that Saravanaa Bhavan is closed between lunch and dinner on weekdays so call ahead for hours. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, delivery, catering, special beverages.

•• Sweet Cherubim

1105 Commercial Dr., Vancouver, BC V5L 3X3

(604) 253-0969

Vegetarian/natural foods/organic. This natural foods store and vegetarian café offers international cuisine, including salads, samosas, dahl, tofu veggie roll, non-dairy lasagna, nut loaf, vegan desserts, and much more. Also enjoy music and the art gallery. Open daily for three meals. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, fresh juices, smoothies, espresso/cappuccino, non-alcoholic beer, VISA/MC, $$.

The Green Room Café

4328 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3P9

(604) 688-5565

International. The Green Room Café, located downtown at the new public library, can satisfy the vegetarian with simple sandwiches and pastas to exotic sushi rolls and stir-fry. Open Monday through Friday for three meals. Weekend hours vary. Full service, vegan options, non-smoking, fresh juices, espresso/cappuccino, smoothies, soymilk, beer/wine, take-out, catering, VISA/MC/AMEX/DC, $$.

•• The Naam Restaurant §

2724 W. 4th Ave., Vancouver, BC V6K 1R1

(604) 738-7151

International vegetarian. Founded in 1968, this funky, casual restaurant offers a wide assortment of dishes. Offerings include tofu scrambles, vegan pancakes, veggie sausage, salads, hummus, pita pizzas, veggie burgers, Mexican dishes, a veggie-nut steak platter, and much more. All foods are made on the premises, and live music is provided at lunch and dinner. Open 24 hours daily. Full service, macrobiotic/vegan options, fruit juices, smoothies, soymilk, cappuccino/espresso, wine/beer, take-out, VISA/MC, $-$$.

Victoria

Eugene's Greek Restaurant

1280 Broad St., Victoria, BC V8W 2A5

(250) 381-5456

Greek. Eugene's specializes in traditional Greek food. The menu includes Vegetarian Souvlaki and Hummus, among many other dishes. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday. Buffet, take-out, $.

•• Green Cuisine

560 Johnson St., Victoria, BC V8W 3C6

(250) 385-1809

Vegan. In the Market Square area, this restaurant offers a hot buffet and a salad buffet that changes daily. Among their offerings are soups, bean and grain dishes, shepard's pie, spanikopita, paella, curries, Thai noodles, falafel, and desserts made without white sugar. Organic items are used whenever possible. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Buffet, vegan options, fresh juices, soymilk, espresso/cappuccino, non-alcoholic beer, take-out, catering, VISA/MC, $.

India Curry House

506 Fort St., Victoria, BC V8T 4P6

(604) 384-5622

Indian. This formal restaurant's menu includes 10 vegetarian main courses. No MSG or preservatives are used in food preparation. Free parking is available. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Open Sunday for dinner. Full service, reservations recommended, wine/beer/alcohol, non-alcoholic wine/beer, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$-$$$.

•• Lotus Pond Vegetarian Restaurant

617 Johnson St., Victoria, BC V8W 1M5

(250) 380-9293

Vegan/Chinese. Located downtown, Lotus Pond Vegetarian Restaurant is a vegan Chinese Buddhist restaurant. They offer many dishes, including Crispy Taro Rolls, Black Moss Shredded Vegetables Thick Soup, Seaweed Tomato Vegetable Tofu Soup, Shiitake Delight (battered shiitake mushrooms sautéed in a basil sauce), Mock Salmon in Peking Sauce, and Lily Bulb Delight (pan-fried lily bulbs, lotus roots, mushrooms, and snow peas). They also serve chow mein, chow fun, udon noodle dishes, and three flavors of tofu ice cream. Their pay-by-the-pound lunch buffet is a bargain. Open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. Closed Monday. Full service, reservations recommended, VISA/MC, $$.

Re-Bar

50 Bastian Sq., Victoria, BC V8W 1J2

(250) 361-9223

Natural foods. Re-Bar is mostly vegetarian, with fish served once a week. Unique offerings include cranberry maple granola; Greek tofu scramble; a roasted pear salad; butternut squash, caramelized onion, and sage ravioli; an almond burger; and coconut-brown basmati rice pudding. Soups are made with 100 percent vegetable stock, the tortillas do not contain animal fats, and all eggs used are free-range. All baked goods are made daily, with minimum use of refined sugars and flours. The restaurant uses filtered water, and organic produce is used when available. Open daily for three meals. Open Saturday and Sunday for brunch. Full service, vegan options, fresh juices, smoothies, soymilk, wine/beer, non-alcoholic beer, take-out, VISA/MC, $-$$.

•• Rising Star Wholefoods Bakery, Ltd.

1320 Broad St., Victoria, BC V8W 2A9

(250) 480-0021

Vegetarian/natural foods. Enjoy the wonderful taste and smell of freshly baked traditional, gluten-free, wheat-free, or yeast-free breads at this café and bakery that also serves veggie burgers, soysage rolls, sandwiches, pizza, falafels, salads, and desserts. Open daily for breakfast and lunch. Cafeteria, fresh juices, espresso/cappuccino, take-out, catering, $.

Taj Mahal Restaurant

679 Herald St., Victoria, BC V8W 1S8

(250) 383-4662

Indian. Taj Mahal serves vegetarian dishes from all regions of India, including samosas, rice dishes, curried vegetables, and breads. All foods are prepared without MSG or preservatives. Open daily for dinner only. Full service, wine/beer/alcohol, catering, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX, $$.

•• The Parsonage Café

1-1115 N. Park St., Victoria, BC V8T 1C7

(250) 383-5999

Vegetarian. This café offers a wide range of vegetarian dishes, including samosas, lasagna, quiche, vegetable and bean burritos, and more. Be sure to sample their delicious soups, desserts, and renowned coffees. About a third of the menu is vegan. Open Monday through Saturday for breakfast and lunch. Closed Sunday. Limited service, vegan options, non-smoking, take-out, espresso/cappuccino, $.

Wild Fire Bread and Pastry

1517 Quadra St, Victoria, BC V8W 2L3

(250) 381-3473

Bakery. In the center of downtown Victoria, Wild Fire Bakery offers organic naturally leavened breads baked fresh daily in their own wood fired brick ovens. Sample one or all of the varieties, like three seed, rye, ciabatta, or raisin walnut. Open Tuesday through Saturday for three meals. Closed Sunday and Monday. Limited service, vegan options, non-smoking, soymilk, espresso/cappuccino, take-out, $.