Avelo is a dietary-friendly spot in Yorkville, Toronto.
Avelo on St Nicholas near Yorkville is chef Fernando Anrango's vegan fine-dining tasting-menu room, fermentation and house-made cheeses anchor the menu.
Must order: The 5-course tasting menu plus a glass from the natural-wine list at Bar Avelo upstairs.
Tip: Wednesday-Sunday only, two seatings nightly. Bar Avelo upstairs runs walk-in vegan cocktails and small plates.
Address: 51 St Nicholas Street, Toronto, ON M4Y 1W6
The Hogtown Vegan on College Street runs Southern comfort vegan since 2010, the city's reference vegan fried chicken and waffles, plus weekend brunch service.
Order: The Unchicken n' Waffles or the Notorious P.I.G. sandwich.
Tip: Weekend brunch lineups run from 11:00. Sister Bloor location closed; College is the original.
Fresh on Bloor is the original Fresh Restaurants location since 1999, owner Ruth Tal's plant-based juice bar and bowl-led menu that built the GTA chain.
Order: The Power Bowl with the dragon dressing or the Tantric Wrap.
Tip: Six Toronto locations now. Bloor original opens 09:00 for breakfast and juice; Front and Spadina locations carry the same menu.
Rosalinda on Richmond West is Grant van Gameren and chef Aldo Camarena's plant-based Mexican kitchen since 2018, vegan tacos and a mezcal program.
Order: The mushroom carnitas tacos and a mezcal flight.
Tip: Closed Sunday. The bar accepts walk-ins from 17:00; dining room books on Resy.
Udupi Palace on Gerrard East has run South Indian vegetarian since 1999, the dosas and uttapam from a Karnataka tradition the strip's reference plate.
Order: The masala dosa and a thali plate with sambar.
Tip: Cash and card accepted. Lunch buffet weekdays 11:30-15:00 the cheapest entry.
Fresh Queen and Spadina reopened as the chain's downtown flagship after the original Spadina closed, the Power Bowls and Tantric Wraps the city's reference.
Order: A Power Bowl or the buddha bowl with hemp dressing.
Tip: Sister locations citywide. The patio in summer the busiest seating; takeaway window the fastest entry.
Buddha's on Dundas West has run Chinese Buddhist vegetarian since 1985, mock meat and traditional Cantonese vegetable preparations across a 100-item menu.
Order: The mock beef with broccoli and the General Tao mock chicken.
Tip: Closed Tuesdays. Cash discount under $30. The mock duck the menu standout.
