With more and more people jumping on the plant-powered lifestyle every year, the restaurant industry is offering more plant-based, vegan, and vegetarian options. Read on to find more amazing veg-friendly dishes at your favourite spots in Kingston.
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Harper’s Burger Bar
93 Princess St.
Open: Mon – Wed (11:30 am – 8 pm), Thurs – Sun (11:30 am – 9 pm)
If you think eating plant-based limits your options, head to Harpers! They have multiple vegetarian patties that you can customize to make the perfect burger plus a variety of other veg options in their menu (chickpea tacos anyone?).
Highlights:
- VeggieClassic! (Beyond Meat burger patty, plant-based HBB sauce, and plant-based cheddar)
- Vegie 2.0 (herb-marinated grilled portobello mushroom cap, plant-based Swiss cheese, roasted red pepper, hummus, and plant-based green mayo)
- Veggie Dog (with waffle fries)
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Symphony Smoothies + Raw Bar
295 Brock St.
Open: Mon – Sat (9:30 am – 6 pm), Sun (10 am – 5 pm)
What’s the perfect complement to a spa day? Delicious Symphony Smoothies, naturally. Enhance your smoothie with chia seeds, hemp seeds, or vegan protein (among other ‘uplifts’) and choose from a menu chock-full of delicious creations that include juices, acai bowls, tapas, and even crêpes.
Highlights:
- Green Goddess Smoothie with coconut milk, guava, avocado, mango, pineapple, lime, ginger, banana, yogurt and vanilla protein
- Acai Superfood Bowl (Acai, Banana, Strawberry, Blueberry, Spinach, Kale, Chia Seeds, Coconut Milk, Hempseed, Granola, and Hemp Hearts)
- Envy Refresher (kale, cucumber, mint and coconut water)
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Tasty Indian
120 Princess St.
Open: Wed – Mon (11:30 am – 10 pm), Tues (4 – 10 pm)
“Tasty” isn’t just part of their name. The Tasty Indian Bar and Grill offers vegan/vegetarian appetizers, sides, rice dishes, naan breads, and soups that are the very definition of tasty. With a whole menu section dedicated to vegetable and paneer curries, you won’t have to miss out on indulging in their truly tasty cuisine.
Highlights:
- Dal makhni (black lentils, red kidney beans and butter in a tomato gravy)
- Veggie biryani (basmati rice cooked with mixed vegetables and onion tomato gravy, flavoured with saffron and rosewater)
- Vegetable pakora (potato, onion, spinach, cauliflower marinated with chickpea flour, Indian spices and deep-fried)
Copper Branch
268 Princess St.
Open: daily (9 am – 8 pm)
Copper Branch is a haven for all vegans and vegetarians for their delicious 100% plant-based power food menu (the only entirely veg menu in Kingston). It’s food that’s good for you, and good for the planet.
Highlights:
- Mushroom galaxy burger (oven-roasted portobello mushroom, zucchini, caramelized onions, cheese slice, lettuce, aioli sauce)
- Organic quinoa chili (tomato, quinoa, house-baked red beans, house-baked black beans, kale, olive oil, organic corn, tomato paste, onion, fresh garlic, turmeric, organic cane sugar, spices)
- Buffalo wings (spicy buffalo tofu wings, sriracha coleslaw, aioli sauce or hot sauce)
Grecos Grill and Wine Bar
167 Princess St.
Open: Tues – Thurs (4:30 – 9:30 pm), Fri – Sat (4:30 – 9:45 pm), Sun (4:30 – 9:30 pm) Takeout and Delivery (noon – 9:30 pm)
Since 1967, Gus (the owner) has been sharing his Greek cuisine with the Kingston community. Transforming his experiences from the small Greek village he came from and making it a staple in our city. You can choose from vegetarian appetizers, pasta, or pizza to indulge in.
Highlights:
- Bruschetta (fresh tomato, garlic, onion, olive oil and dine herbs)
- Fettuccine primavera pasta (fresh vegetables sautéed in your choice of cream or tomato sauce)
- Athenian pizza (artichoke, mild goat cheese, black olives, and red peppers)
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Namaste
178 Ontario St.
Open: daily (11:30 am – 9:30 pm)
If you find yourself on Kingston’s waterfront don’t forget to stop by Namaste to get your fix of Indian cuisine with a modern twist. They are known for their curries and you’re in luck because they offer a selection of vegetarian curries and paneer dishes.
Highlights:
- Namaste veggie platter (samosas, paneer pakora, and veg fritters)
- Saag aloo (pureed spinach, potato, cream spices, garlic, tomatoes, and onions)
- Vegetarian experience for two (namaste veggie platter, any 4 veg curries or paneer dishes, peas pulao or veg pualo, two namaste bread, two desserts, bottomless tea or coffee for two, with raita, and pickles & papadum)
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Woodenheads
192 0ntario St.
Open: daily (11:30 am – 11 pm)
Who doesn’t love the smell of wood-fired pizza? When you’re at Woodenheads and want a veg meal, check out their pizza menu and choose between gourmet red, white, and green sauce wood –fired pizzas or choose to build your own! And don’t forget to ask for the perfect wine pairing for your pizza choice! You might be pleasantly surprised.
Highlights:
- Arbre amore pizza (tomato sauce, sundried tomatoes, mozzarella, wood-roasted mushrooms, and artichoke)
- Spanakopizza (garlic, herb veloute, spinach, and feta)
- Margherita (pomodoro sauce, tomatoes, bocconcini, and basil)
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Pan Chancho
44 Princess St.
Open: the store is open Mon – Sat (8 am – 4 pm), Sun (8 am – 3 pm), the café is open daily (8 am – 3 pm)
Have brunch at Pan Chancho and try vegan smoothies and breakfast items with scrambled tofu instead of eggs. For lunch grab a deli to-go box or premade brown bag lunch. If you’re looking for a meal for later check out their freezer section for vegan and vegetarian burgers, pasta dishes, and other delicious pre-made meals.
Highlights:
- Curry & eggs (curry oil, spinach & cherry tomatoes, pappadom and spiced potato sticks and make it vegan with scrambled tofu)
- Boxed lunch to go (includes a sandwich, small deli salad, beverage, and individual dessert and ask for the vegan or vegetarian version)
- Vegetarian lasagna (from the freezer section)
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Olivea
39 Brock St.
Open: daily (lunch: 11:30am – 4 pm), (Dinner: Mon – Thurs 5 – 9 pm, Fri – Sat 5 – 9:30 pm)
Experience Italy in downtown Kingston. Olivea offers antipasti, pastas, and sandwiches on their lunch and dinner menus. Even though theirs isn’t a dedicated plant-based menu, if you ask for vegan options they will create a delicious meal for you.
Highlights:
- Truffled frites (with parmesan)
- Tagliatelle (with semi-dry cherry tomatoes, bocconcini and basil)
- Mushroom risotto: (with parmesan and balsamico)
Freshii
271 Princess St. (downtown)
225 Gore Rd. (east end)
764 Gardiners R. (west end)
Open: various times (see links above for more details)
At Freshii, enjoy warm bowls, grilled pockets and wraps, soups, salad bowls, smoothies, and kids meals filled with fresh ingredients. Their newest location is opening at 225 Gore Rd. and ready to offer a healthier food option to all folks in the east end.
Highlights:
- Buddha’s satay bowl (rice noodles, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, crispy wontons, green onions, spicy peanut sauce)
- Tortilla soup (tortilla (chicken) broth, brown rice, kale, avocado, black beans, corn, tomatoes, cilantro, tortilla chips.)
- Teriyaki burrito (brown rice, edamame, crispy wontons, broccoli, carrots, cucumber, green onions, sesame seeds, teriyaki, whole wheat wrap)
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The Bank at the Frontenac Club
225 King St. E.
Open: Thurs – Sun (3:30 – 9 pm) for food service (the Bar remains open until at least 11pm)
The Bank at the Frontenac Club offers a small menu that packs a punch when it comes to flavour. Their small plates and shareable plates menu mostly features vegetarian dishes with ingredients from local producers including Patchwork Gardens in Battersea, Burt’s Greenhouses in Odessa, Salt of the Earth Farm in Kingston, Pan Chancho, and Kingston Olive Oil Company, and Brass Point Farm in Seeley’s Bay.
Highlights:
- Focaccia tosta (green olive tapenade, olive oil from Kingston Olive Oil Company, lemon)
- Roasted pumpkin (sake and soy marinade, caramelized onion, rice vinegar carrot, sesame)
- Pan-fried fingerling potatoes (roasted garlic aioli, house vermouth hot sauce, arugula, pesto)
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Soulful Delish
33 Brock St.
Open: daily (8 am – 5 pm)
Soon to be FRESH Healthy Café, Soulful Delish is a place to enjoy healthy meals and fresh smoothies. Their menu includes power bowls, wraps, and sandwiches – pair them with a smoothie or fruit juice drink to a truly fresh meal.
Highlights:
- Veg buddha bowl (with beyond meat)
- Mission burrito wrap (with beyond meat)
- Veggie portobello melt
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Flavours of India
461 Princess St.
Open: Mon – Thurs (lunch: 11:30 am – 2 pm), (dinner: 5:00 pm – 9:30 pm), Fri – Sat (lunch: 11:30 am – 2 pm), (dinner: 5 pm – 10 pm), Sun (dinner: 5 pm – 9 pm)
If you’re a student or military personnel head to Flavours of India for 10% discount on dine-in or takeout orders (provide valid ID). Chef Mainul Chowdhury’s menu ranges from spicy to sweet and savory. Alongside classic butter “chicken” (tofu) dishes, you’ll find that there are a ton of vegetarian and vegan alternative options – with a completely separate section for vegetarian meals.
Highlights:
- Cauliflower bhaji (fresh cauliflower cooked with tomatoes, green peppers, ginger, garlic, fenugreek, fresh coriander & curry leaves and mild spices)
- Tarka dal (red lentils puree cooked with onions and mild spices.
Garnished with fried onions and sautéed garlic) - Bombay aloo (a spicy and sour potato dish cooked with tomato puree,
onions, green peppers, fresh lemon juice, fenugreek leaves, black pepper and red chili powder)
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Toast and Jam
1530 Bath Rd.
Open: Wed – Sun (8 am – 3 pm)
Feeling the brunch vibes? Toast and Jam offers breakfast and lunch options made in-house and from scratch. For extra pizazz make sure to pair your meal with the Md Vegan Hot Chocolate with oat milk, cocoa, vanilla, cinnamon, and chocolate chips. Follow their Instagram for special features and current offerings.
Highlights:
- Almost huevos (scrambled tofu served with black beans, roasted tomato salsa, chipotle lime crema, roasted potatoes, and greens with apple cider vinaigrette)
- Halloumi sandwich (seared, crispy Halloumi cheese with roasted red pepper chutney, baba ganoush, fresh tomato and spinach on B&B sourdough. Served with your choice of daily soup, house greens, or roasted potatoes)
- BBQ tofu sandwich (roasted tofu tossed with house made BBQ sauce, pickles and creamy coleslaw on our house Italian. Served with your choice of daily soup, house greens, or roasted potatoes)
