Liam TrudeauThe 5 best vegan restaurants in Montreal that even non-vegans will love
When my sister told me she was coming to visit, I knew I had to do some serious research on the best vegan restaurants in Montreal. Not only is my fridge usually stocked with meat, but she’s vegan and a super picky eater.
By the end of the week, I’d hit more plant-based spots than I even knew existed. Word got around, and now I’m somehow the unofficial vegan food expert in my friend group.
So when I say you haven’t really explored Montreal until you’ve tried its vegan restaurants, I mean it. If you haven’t checked these places out yet, get ready for some serious food envy and maybe even a few new favourites.
How much does dining in vegan restaurants cost in Montreal?
Dining at vegan restaurants in Montreal usually costs between $10 and $40 per person. It depends on whether it’s a casual spot, buffet, or a more upscale place. Taxes and tips are extra.
How I chose the best vegan restaurants in Montreal
1. Lola Rosa Milton
Address: 545 Rue Milton
Phone: +1 514-287-9337
Business hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 9 PM
- Thursday: 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 11:30 AM – 9 PM
- Sunday: 11 AM – 9 PM
If you’re around the McGill campus, Lola Rosa Milton is a nice vegan restaurant to try.
From the moment I entered, the ambience was very cosy and the staff were all so welcoming. They even took the time to explain each dish on their menu and make recommendations.
One thing that caught my attention was the little drawers on their tables. It has all these handwritten notes from their past customers. Reading them is so sweet, and it’s a great way to pass the time while you’re waiting for your food.
I really liked that they’re very thoughtful about any allergies or food restrictions. Most of their dishes have gluten, soy, or peanuts, so just make sure you communicate that with their waiter when you order.
I tried their Bolognese Lasagna because it’s one of the dishes they’ve recommended. It took them 20 minutes to cook, but it was worth the wait. If you’re a big fan of mozzarella, you’re going to love this.
That said, I noticed it tends to get loud here, especially during lunchtime. If you want to dine here and have some peaceful conversation with friends, you can try to snag a seat near the window or just avoid the lunch rush, overall.
One of the best vegan restaurants I’ve been to
“One of the best vegan restaurants I’ve been to. It had a lovely atmosphere and the staff were excellent. The tables contain messages from past customers that can keep you busy for a while. The food is overall very good, and I’d especially suggest the burrito as it has great seasoning. Definitely a great stop for a yummy lunch near the McGill campus!”
Elizabeth B., Google review
We had a great time there
“Great ambience, nice location. Very friendly staff. The vegan burger was so delicious! Loved the rosemary lemonade too! We had a great time there.”
Zhongyu Pan, Google review
2. Aux Vivres Plateau
Address: 4631 St Laurent Blvd
Phone: +1 514-842-3479
Business hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 11 AM – 10 PM
I heard from some people that Aux Vivres Plateau is the first vegan restaurant in Montreal, so I had to pay it a visit.
The place has a relaxed, almost homey vibe to it. It has lots of plants and big windows, so it feels very welcoming.
I loved that they have a pretty big menu, so there’s something for everyone. I ordered the Dragon Bowl since it’s their classic. They have an option where you can choose whether the toppings would be tofu or cauliflower patty.
I chose the one with tofu, which was delicious and comforting without being heavy. Though I will say, I found myself wishing the tofu had a bit more boldness on its own—something that didn’t rely entirely on the sauce to shine.
One of my favourite parts of the resto was the little boutique section inside. You can grab their sauces, desserts, or even full meals to go.
Their staff is bilingual, which makes ordering easy. However, it’s a shame that their service can get pretty slow. I waited a while to order and then again for the food, so I wouldn’t recommend going if you’re in a rush.
The place to go to discover that vegan and vegetarian food is delicious
“An amazing vegan restaurant. Not only the flavour but also the presentation of the dishes is great. I tried a burger and a smoothie – I recommend them both! They tasted so fresh, flavorful, and they came in copious portions. (Adding avocado to the burger would be just perfect.) This is definitely the place to go and discover that vegan and vegetarian food is delicious.”
Denise PH, Google review
Definitely a great experience and one I wish to repeat soon!
“The food was excellent! We had the corn bread with dahl soup, and then carrot cake and coffee for dessert. Portions were generous, and I was even able to take some home. The service was friendly, helpful and speedy. The atmosphere was pleasant with soft, non-intrusive music playing in the background. Definitely a great experience and one I wish to repeat soon!”
Doris Potter, Google review
3. Restaurant Tendresse
Address: 1259 St Catherine St E
Phone: +1 438-387-1471
Business hours:
- Monday to Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 5 PM – 10 PM
- Thursday to Sunday: 11 AM – 10 PM
Restaurant Tendresse has a minimalist decor, but it still feels welcoming. The staff were super friendly and genuinely excited to talk about the food.
What’s impressive to me is how complete each of their dishes feels. They’re great at keeping their dishes interesting and innovative. The portion sizes might look modest, but they’re well-composed and more filling than expected.
I ordered the sourdough focaccia, and let me tell you, this was not just a bread basket. It was fresh from the oven. It was crusty on the outside, soft and tangy inside, and had this perfect herby saltiness.
Aside from that, the cauliflower dumplings in peanut butter sauce were also great. It was mellow, nutty, and addictive.
Drinks were just as thoughtful as the food. I had this carrot-ginger-lime juice that looked like something from a high-end cocktail bar. It tasted bright, spicy, and very refreshing.
If I had to nitpick, I’d say the prices are a little high. But honestly, I think it’s just fair considering the vibe of the place and their food flavours.
Every single dish we tried was amazing
“This is the best vegan restaurant we have ever been to (and for reference, I’ve been vegan for 30 years and have been lucky to try a lot of great vegan restaurants all over the world). The food tastes like upscale, elevated fine dining vegan food with lovely presentation. This is not your typical vegan junk food with a vegan faux meat type of restaurant. Every single dish we tried was amazing and the presentation outstanding…”
Andrea M., Google review
The menu is very interesting and innovative!
“The menu is very interesting and innovative! The taste is unique, rich, and flavourful! The plates might seem small, but very filling! Do try the pave, you will enjoy it! The price point is high, but the vibe in Sainte Catherine is worth it!”
Anu Rangaswamy, Google review
4. ChuChai
Address: 4088 Saint Denis St
Phone: +1 514-843-4194
Business hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday to Thursday: 5 PM – 9 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 5 PM – 10 PM
- Sunday: Closed
ChuChai isn’t a typical vegan restaurant. It’s a full-on Thai dining experience that just happens to be 100% plant-based.
What really blew me away was how they’ve created classic Thai dishes using their own house-made vegan meats and seafood.
I usually go in a bit skeptical when I see vegan “duck” or “shrimp” on the menu, but their crispy vegan duck was delicious. It’s perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Plus, it tasted so close to the real thing.
The green curry with vegan shrimp was also my favourite. It was creamy, super aromatic, and had just the right amount of spice.
I also appreciated how well the food was presented. The green curry, specifically, might have come in a simple white bowl, but it let the vibrant green colour of the curry shine. It was so appealing with the fresh Thai basil, red chili, and soft chunks of vegetables.
The atmosphere here is a bit upscale, but it wasn’t overly intimidating. It could work as a spot for a date night or a special dinner with friends.
It’s not cheap here, though. You’re paying more than you would at a casual Thai spot, but my overall experience here makes it feel worth it.
A must try if you’re in the area
“Honestly one of my favourite vegan restaurants. I love everything on the menu, so tasty and delicious. I brought my meat lovers, and they LOVED everything we had, they said that it tasted very, very good, and they would go again. I recommend this restaurant to anyone, meat lovers, vegetarians, vegans, etc… you won’t be disappointed. Service was excellent too, the atmosphere is welcoming, a must try if you’re in the area.”
Karine Mirambeau, Google review
The vegan soy duck was better than actual duck meat!
“We ordered the set menu, and almost everything was so delicious! For our main, we chose the vegan soy duck and the green curry. The vegan soy duck was better than actual duck meat! It was so crispy and flavourful. We were so completely stuffed that we had to take our dessert to go. The service was also amazing! The owner was so nice and attentive and just so pleasant.”
Oz Zhang, Google review
5. OPLANTE Vegan Sushi & Wok Végétalien
Address: 2115 Saint Denis St
Phone: +1 514-848-0513
Business hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday to Friday: 12 PM – 2:30 PM, 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM
- Saturday: 12 PM – 8:30 PM
- Sunday: Closed
If you’re into plant-based food and love sushi or Asian flavours, OPLANTE is a nice spot. It’s not often you find an all-you-can-eat vegan restaurant, after all.
I went for the buffet, which was around $35 per person. You order everything through a tablet at your table, which I found convenient. It lets you browse the full menu and then just reorder your favourites as you go.
The food comes out super fast. I loved that some of it even arrives on a little robot cat tray.
Their vegan sushis were very delicious and creative. They used konjac for the mock raw fish, and it had a texture that was close to the real thing without being weird or rubbery.
Portion sizes for each dish are pretty small. But this means you can try a bunch of different things without overloading your table. The space is also clean and spacious.
That said, since they have the tablet system and the robot, I didn’t get to have much interaction with the staff.
The people at the table beside me couldn’t place another round of orders through their tablet. I think it took about an hour for them to receive their food after they had finally gotten to order.
Best vegan restaurant in Montreal
“Best vegan restaurant in Montreal. We tried Buffet, which costed us $35 per person and you can order what ever you want you want to try, and you can also order them again and again . Reservation is compulsory, and the service is too quick; once you place the order, it will be ready in 2-5 mins.”
Reetika Satya, Google review
Their rolls are super creative, fresh, and packed with flavour
“Oplante never disappoints—hands down the best vegan sushi in Montreal! Their rolls are super creative, fresh, and packed with flavour. Whether it’s a quick lunch or a cosy dinner, everything always hits the spot. Plus, they often have great deals on Uber Eats, which makes it even better. A go-to spot for plant-based sushi lovers!”
Asihwarya Ayare, Google review
