Vegetarian dishes in Toronto’s Annex
The Annex is bursting with everything from hole-in-the-wall places to full-scale restaurants catering to vegetarians. There’s so much choice here inspired by cuisines from all over the globe, you can’t help but wonder if anyone eats meat in this part of town.
Annapurna Vegetarian Restaurant
1085 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M5R 3G8This Nepalese-sounding restaurant has a smorgasbord of international dishes on the menu to satisfy everyone from the mildly peckish to the ravenous. There’s a daily soup, seasoned tofu sandwiches and Lebanese falafel alongside a menu of South Indian cuisine. Salad here is a meal in itself, combining several menu choices on one plate. A couple of macrobiotic dishes are also on offer. Pick a lassi or hot chai as tasty accompaniment.
Kensigton Bakery
460 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1X8This is vegetarian heaven for baked goods on Bloor Street. Their mission is to make delicious goodies with organic ingredients, free of gluten, dairy and sugar. The huge menu includes more than 30 veggie meals like meatless dumplings and ginger-arame spring rolls, 20 types of cookies, a variety of pastries and fresh-squeezed juices.
The Annex Hodgepodge Inc
258 Dupont St, Toronto, ON M5R 1V7For delicious variations on down-to-earth vegetarian food, settle in here. You’ll find the expected soups, sandwiches and salads, but ingredients like dried cranberries, kale, cashew butter and arugula jump off the menu and tantalize your taste buds. There are meatless versions among the grilled sandwiches and a selection of wraps with surprising fillings that really pack a punch – choose things like sesame adzuki and lentil-spinach. Chase it all down with freshly-squeezed juice.
Ghazale Restaurant
504 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1Y3Lebanese cuisine is packed with tasty vegetarian options and we’re not just talking about the falafel sandwich (although we love that, too!). Since 1995, Ghazale has been serving veggie, lentil and rice dishes, peppers stuffed with chickpeas and healthy bean dishes. Salad lovers will be delighted with the tabbouleh and fattoush salads. You can eat in or take out. If you’re particular about using eco-friendly packaging, you’ve come to the right place. Ghazale uses only environment-friendly containers.
Fresh on Bloor
326 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1W5The inventive dishes at this buzzing little spot take vegetarian food to a higher level. The menu offers a selection of light snacks and more substantial plates for a three-course veggie dinner. Feast on the likes of spring rolls stuffed with vermicelli and quinoa onion rings. Mains include a Thai veggie burger made from almonds and grain and rice and vegetable dishes with zesty dips. This place gets crowded so consider take out.
