Gone are the days where dining out as a vegetarian meant trying to make a meal out of the sides menu. With more and more people jumping on the plant-powered lifestyle every year, the entire restaurant industry has seriously stepped up their game.
Kingston is no exception; the rising trend of veganism and vegetarianism has transformed Kingston’s culinary scene. We’re known for our fresh farm-to-table meals where local produce takes centre stage. With vegetarian restaurants on the rise, it’s easier than ever to find amazing veg-friendly dishes at your favourite spots; dishes that will have even your most carnivorous friend asking for a bite.
We have selected a few of our most loved local dining spots for the most tried and true vegetarian- and vegan-friendly dishes in Kingston. Be sure to try out these local gems on your next outing.
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1. Mesa Fresca
1347-2 Gardiners Rd.
Open: Tues–Sat (11:30 am–9 pm), Sun (noon–7 pm)
Mesa Fresca is a locally owned spot serving delicious Mexican and Latin fare like handmade tacos, empanadas, and margaritas. Not only do they use local produce, but they also partner with Loving Spoonful Kingston and KIVA: Loans That Change Lives, a not-for-profit agency that provides interest-free loans to grow independent small businesses. Ten cents from every taco sold helps fund these loans so there’s no better excuse to grab an extra taco!
Highlights:
- Tacos veganos (tajin sweet potato, black bean & corn salsa, vegan morita chili aioli, shredded lettuce, house corn tortillas, choice of side)
- Peruvian salad (tender leaf greens, sweet potato, queso fresco quinoa, toasted pepitas, house cumin, and cider vinaigrette)
View menu | Contact: (613)-389-6372
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2. Northside
281 Princess St.
Open: Tues–Sun (8 am–3 pm)
It’s the Aussie cafe that Kingston, and Instagram, can’t get enough of. They offer a fresh menu that changes with the seasons to offer a new way to taste your ‘brekkie.’ Though the menu already features tons of veg-friendly options, you can also customize some of their most popular items to be plant-based.
Highlights:
- Avo smash (a whole smashed avocado, feta, mint, Thai chili, and sourdough bread)
- Spring shoots bowl (seasonal spring veggies, french lentils, ajo blanco, salsa matcha, green grapes, pea shoots + mint)
- Rhubarb porridge (coconut + vanilla oats with poached rhubarb, macadamia crumble + citrus basil syrup)
View menu | Walk-ins only
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3. Atomica
71 Brock St.
Open: Thu–Sat (11:30 am–10 pm), Sun–Wed (11:30 am–9 pm)
One of the must-visit spots in the Kingston dining scene, Atomica is known for their delicious pizzas, pasta dishes, and recently, their innovative bao buns and clever menu names. The best part? Their plant-based section of the menu, and the fact that you can sub vegan cashew mozzarella cheese to any of their pizzas. Atomica’s gluten-free pasta and pizza dough are also vegan, making it easier to navigate with allergies.
Highlights:
- Tofu bao (fried tofu, ‘buttermilk’ ranch, romaine chiffonade, zuni pickles, sesame seeds)
- Any pizza (with plant-based cashew mozzarella and plant-based ranch dipping sauce)
- Mushroom ‘cheese steak’ panini (braised portobello mushroom, provolone, green peppers, spinach, red onion, BBQ aioli, on white or multigrain)
View menu | Contact: 613-530-2118
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4. Cambodiana
161 Brock St.
Open: Mon–Fri (11 am–8 pm), Sat (noon–8 pm)
If you like tofu dishes, Cambodiana is the place to be. This small Cambodian and Thai cuisine restaurant on Brock Street offers eight tofu meals on their menu. You can receive your meal by take-out, delivery, and dining in.
Highlights:
- Vegetarian tofu spring rolls (three rolls)
- The 23: pineapple red curry tofu (cooked with sour red curry, coconut milk, pineapple, coriander, and tomato, served with rice)
- The 22: tofu pad Thai (Thai-style stir-fried noodles with fried tofu, green onion, bean sprouts, and roasted peanut)
View menu | Contact: 613-531-0888
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5. Chez Piggy
68 Princess St.
Open: Mon–Sat (11:30 am–9:00 pm), Sun (10 am–9 pm)
Think plant-based food can’t be upscale? Enter Chez Piggy, a historic restaurant right in the downtown core of Kingston. Featuring food inspired by world travels, Chez Piggy has always been at the forefront of culinary trends in the city, and their stellar vegetarian/vegan options are no exception!
Highlights:
- S.V.E.L.T (smoked tempeh, vegan eggs, lettuce, tomato, sourdough, plant-based aïoli, cheddar, house salad)
- Triple decker (sliced avocado, jalapeño havarti, onion, tomato chiplote aïoli, house sea salt + malt chips)
- Cauliflower romesco (grilled cauliflower, white bean purée, romesco sauce arugula, radish salad, pea shoot)
View menu | Contact:(613)-549-7673
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6. Miss Bao
286 Princess St.
Open: Thu–Sat (5–11 pm), Sun (5–10 pm)
Enjoy Asian-fusion dishes that are both delicious and aesthetically pleasing at Miss Bao. If you value sustainability, you’ll be happy to hear that Miss Bāo is a near zero-waste operation. There are multiple vegan and vegetarian options on their menu including their bāo.
Highlights:
- Crispy shiitake wontons (deep-fried plant-based wontons filled with tofu, shiitake mushroom, and seasonal vegetables, and served with sweet and sour sauce)
- Mushroom bāo (two piece)
- Thai red curry (house-made Thai red curry paste, coconut milk, seasonal vegetables, legumes, fresh herbs, and rice)
View menu | Contact: (613)-545-0123
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7. Score Pizza
91 Princess St. & 1093 Midland Ave.
Open: Daily (11 am–9 pm)
Did someone say pizza? Score Pizza offers a selection of stone-fire pizzas and sandwiches. Try a classic margarita pizza or have fun building your own pizza. Choose the toppings you love (they have Beyond Meat sausage crumble and vegan cheese) or try something out of the box!
Highlights:
- Margarita (red sauce, bocconcini, basil, and olive oil drizzle)
- Veggie fresh (red sauce, mozzarella, goat cheese, green peppers, spinach, black olives, red onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, and pesto drizzle)
- The ultimate veggie sandwich (house-made bun, garlic butter, pesto mayo, mozzarella, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, red onions, spinach, pesto drizzle)
View menu | Contact: (613)-542-1200
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8. Tula Café
305 Rideau St.
Open: Temporarily closed for renovations
Tula Café is a plant-focused café with about 80% of its menu featuring plant-based items made in-house and by partners. Tula Café offers hot drinks, cold-pressed juices, smoothies, baked goods, and daily features. You can also try adaptogens and food options packed with good proteins to give your body and mind a lift.
Highlights (made in-house):
- Energy balls (cashews, oats, dates, chocolate chips & cordyceps mushrooms)
- The morning ritual smoothie (banana, oat milk, dates, pb, flax, hemp hearts & decaf adaptogenic coffee)
- Chia pudding of the day (this varies but usually includes chia seeds, coconut milk, fresh fruit, hemp hearts and cacao nibs)
Contact: Email
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9. Pizza Monster
213 Montreal St.
Open: Wed + Thu (4–8 pm), Fri–Sat (4–9 pm)
Enjoy Pizza Monster’s hip vibes and try one of their pizzas with vegan cheese (their vegan cheese is popular, so we recommend calling ahead!) or a pizza square served on Saturdays through their window until 2 pm. Don’t forget to take a picture in front of their colourful mural. Pre-order or reservations are highly recommended.
Highlights:
- Marinara (red sauce, garlic oil, and basil)
- Buffalo cauliflower (garlic butter, sesame, roasted cauliflower, wing sauce, blue cheese crema, green onion, parmesan)
View menu | Contact: 613-217-1195
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10. The Works
298 Princess St.
Open: Sun–Thu (11:30 am–9 pm), Fri–Sat (11:30 am–10 pm)
The Works doesn’t have a large selection of vegan meals, however they have two vegan burgers on their menu that should be on your plant-based bucket list. They also offer a selection of veg-friendly poutines that are so big they will put your appetite to the test!
Highlights:
- Beyond sexy (plant-based burger patty, sweet & tangy sauce, grilled pineapple, banana peppers & arugula, served on a black & white sesame vegan bun)
- Knock your plants off (plant-based burger patty, creamy vegan cheese, smokey tempeh bacon, smokey bbq sauce, lettuce, tomato)
- Nacho average poutine (freshly cut fries, cheese blend, gravy topped with chunky salsa, sour cream and green onions)
View menu | Contact: 613-547-6000
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11. Knifey Spooney
303 York St. (Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market)
305 Rideau St. (Tula Café) – temporarily closed for renovations
Open: Various times
Catch Knifey Spooney at Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market in person on Sundays from 9 am – 2 pm at the Memorial Centre in Kingston. You can also grab some of their goodies at the new café in The Broom Factory, Tula Café. If you’re trying to plan for a wedding, business event, birthday party, or another type of event, check out their catering services. You can also check out their website for cooking classes if you’re interested in learning to cook plant-based meals.
Highlights:
- Famous vegan lobster rolls (available at the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market)
- Breakfast sandos with Nosh bagels and hand-made vegan sausage (available at the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market)
- Cinnamon buns (available on Fridays from Tula Café)
View menu | Contact: 613-876-1357
