Episode 17: Toronto Vegan Food is Next Level
When it comes to uplevelling your life, changing your diet is a well-known way to transform your health and wellbeing.
But… who wants to give up their favorite indulgences?
In this week’s episode, I de-bunk the old myth that a plant-based diet is boring or unappetizing.
Instead, I share the best recommendations from around town to get you not only meeting your health goals but loving every last bite of it.
It really was eye-opening to make this video, even for me!
Personally, I’m a pescatarian. This means that most days, I eat plant-based with the occasional seafood or fish thrown into the mix. I love a good plant-based meal but I know that it is likely that for many of you this is uncharted territory.
To make it easy, I crafted this video where we go through every meal in the day! I genuinely feel that every spot on the itinerary is worth a visit based on taste alone. Let’s dive in!
Breakfast/ Brunch: Fresh Kitchen + Juice Bar
Fresh is fun, famous and full of great options. Most of us know this chain as it’s a pretty regular meet-up spot in Toronto. Although they are well-known for their quinoa onion-rings (try them with garlic mayo!), delicious bowls (my go-to is a goddess bowl on soba noodles) and freshly squeezed juices, their brunch menu is worth every penny.
The almond butter French toast is coated in cornflakes and was so satisfying, I can’t wait to have it again! The burrito was also a wonderfully unexpected savoury option. Highly recommend!
Lunch (Option 1): Eat Nabati
Okay so… my expectations for Eat Nabati were not sky high. Yes, it has a great reputation. But I had never had Egyptian food and generally, I don’t like “fake meats” or meat substitute products. However, I am and will forever gladly eat those words. Because chances are if they are from Eat Nabati, they’re delicious! Seriously!
I had the plant-based “kofta” (which is a meatball, traditionally), some za’atar cauliflower, salad, and the staff were so kind they gave me some stuffed falafel to try with a beet tahini sauce. Guys…I practically rolled out of there. It was phenomenal.
Lunch (Option 2): Saigon Lotus
Following the recommendation of one the employees from Fresh, I decided to give this Vietnamese vegetarian and vegan place a try. I even invited my friend Anton Wong, a contributor to BlogTO, to come check it out with me.
We both loved the homey, authentic atmosphere and the extensive menu. There are all kinds of dishes at Saigon Lotus and when we went the place was filling up with the lunch rush. Anton really enjoyed the broth of his vegan pho soup, and I was able to try some vegetarian maki rolls and a banh-mi sandwich for the first time. I’ll have to give the real thing a try in Vietnam to see how it compares!
Coffee: Tsuchi Cafe
This is possibly my favorite place on this list. I was so taken aback by Tsuchi Cafe because it really felt like a whole other world. Once I stepped into this shop, all the noise off of College Street quieted down and it was such a peaceful, aesthetic vibe I never wanted to leave! In fact, I only really left once they closed and the server told me to lol. From the top-tier dessert list, to everything matcha, to the attention to detail in every single aspect of this shop, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I will be back. I haven’t stopped thinking about that plant-based Matcha Azuki cheesecake or the steeped hojicha tea since.
Dinner: Planta Queen
Planta in Toronto is synonymous with upscale, plant-based cuisine. Planta Yorkville has been my go-to for a few years now but for this video I gave Planta Queen a shot and was not disappointed in the least. The fresh, hibiscus drinks, bao sliders, dumplings, and the truffle mushroom pasta were all experiences in their own right. At the server’s recommendation, I ordered the coconut raspberry torte and I have to say it was worth it. I liked it better than the brownie which was a bit rich and sweet for me personally. 10/10 would recommend for a nice date or night out!
Well, what did you think? Not what you’d think vegan food looks like - right?
I’d love to know your thoughts! Let me know in the video comments and be sure to subscribe to the channel and to my newsletter below so you never miss a video!
