Best vegan restaurants in Montréal

Montréal is overflowing with drool-worthy vegan restaurants, several of which have been around for over two decades. Don’t miss out on plant-based versions of the Quebec region's classic cheese curd dish, poutine – it’s the perfect warming dish during chilly winter months. If you’re out and about in Montréal and looking for a vegan bite to eat, keep an eye out for the French words ‘végane’ and ‘végétalien,’ both of which are used to mark veggie dishes on menus. Here are seven of the best vegan restaurants in the city.

A large vegan burger is sitting on a piece of checkerboard-print paper alongside well-done fries and salad leaves. The burger is stuffed with salad and the bun is topped with black and white sesame seeds. — The dishes at Invitation V are made using locally sourced, organic produce © Lola Mendez / Lonely Planet

Invitation V

For upscale vegan dining make a reservation at the swanky Invitation V. This bistro-style eatery is known for its creative dishes and alcoholic beverages crafted by an award-winning mixologist. The unique combination of ingredients and spirits come together beautifully in phenomenal cocktails.

Many of the dishes are inspired by the co-founder's global travels. Much of the menu features mock meat made to keep the original flavors of meat dishes without cruelty or compromise on animal rights. The veggie burgers are divine, especially the mushroom rendition with vegan pesto and caramelized onions. Every dish is made with organic produce sourced from local farmers.

A brown oval dish is filled with mac n cheese; the pasta is sprinked with vegan parmesan and is garnished by some sprigs of kale. — Vegan cheese made from sweet potato and squash is used in LOV's decadent mac n cheese © Lola Mendez / Lonely Planet

LOV

LOV stands for local, organic, and vegan. It’s easily the most beautiful vegan restaurant in Montréal with whimsical decor of white brick walls, rustic basket-like chandeliers, hanging woven egg swings, and dried wildflowers. If you’re looking for vegan paraphernalia, you can pick up T-shirts here with vegan slogans such as ‘Vegan Vower,’ ‘There’s No Planet B,’ and ‘In Plants We Trust.’ The cuisine is just as memorable as the restaurant’s adornments.

Start with the macaroni, which is elevated with kale and a creamy sauce made from sweet potato and squash topped with vegan parmesan. LOV also has vegan poutine but if vegan cheese isn’t your thing, go for the quinoa fritters made with jackfruit and turmeric mayo. The vegan gnocchi here is unbelievably plump and doused in basil pesto. Save room for dessert – the crème brûlée is out of this world.

A stripy ceramic bowl sitting on a blond wood table. The bowl is filled with leaves and colourful salad ingredients and there's a stainless steel ramekin filled with dressing on the side. — Wheatless, meatless and low-waste Kupfert and Kim serves up delicious dishes sans animal products © Lola Mendez / Lonely Planet

Kupfert and Kim

If you’re grain-free, Kupfert and Kim will be your favorite Montréal vegan restaurant, as it’s wheatless and meatless. They’ve got massive veggie bowls to suit all tastes: you can find savory, spicy, and sour options all rooted in healthy veg-forward recipes. The counter-service makes this a great place to get a quick bite. There’s also a good selection of elixirs from hearty smoothies to soothing golden milk lattes.

Nearly everything is made in-house with locally sourced ingredients, including creamy vegan sauces, which helps the restaurant maintain its commitment to being low-waste. Each dish is carefully crafted to be a balanced meal with healthy servings of plant-based proteins, good fats, and complex carbs. Plus, if you bring in your reusable container, you'll score a discount on your vegan meal.

Salad ingerdients including lettuce leaves, sunflower seeds and walnuts have been artfully arranged on a white plate. — Lola Rosa is nailing vegan Mexican cuisine in Montréal © Lola Mendez / Lonely Planet

Lola Rosa

Quality vegan Mexican food can be hard to come by, as melted dairy-free cheese can often be underwhelming. Lola Rosa has mastered the craft of plant-based cheese which can be enjoyed in their nachos available in three portion sizes (you’ll want the large). The vegan cheese experts also make some of the best vegan poutine in town. The chickpea fries are another must-try. The menu changes with the seasons, including the seasonal plant-infused cocktails.

Lola Rosa has a warm and welcoming ambiance, with exposed brick walls and vibrant wall art featuring palm leaves and rose-print cushions. Lola Rosa isn’t strictly vegan but it is 100% vegetarian, so let your waiter know that you don’t consume animal products and they’ll be happy to accommodate you. Don’t forget to open up the drawer at your table: patrons leave little love notes on their receipts. See if you can find the one left by Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau.

An arrangement of desserts such as pecan pie are sitting on stainless steel platters on a bed of crushed ice. — You'll have trouble deciding which of Resto Végo's desserts to try © Lola Mendez / Lonely Planet

Resto Végo

This all-vegetarian buffet is 80% vegan and serves over 200 dishes of international and local specialties daily. Resto Végo was one of the first Montréal vegan restaurants, and has been operating for over 20 years. It’s also the largest vegan restaurant in Montréal with over 400 seats in its three-story building, outdoor garden, and front patio.

The laid-back dining room is a self-serve cafeteria with plates sold by weight to reduce food waste. A wide array of dishes are available, such as creative salads, pasta dishes, curries, roasted veggies, and even a vegan quiche. There’s a large selection of vegan cakes at the dessert buffet. Try the maple cake, a classic Canadian sweet. On the ground floor there's a takeaway service which uses compostable containers. Students get a 10% discount with a valid ID.

A white bowl, filled with broccoli, nuts, seeds, flatbread and a small container of satay sauce. — Aux Vivres was the first vegan restaurant in Montréal © Lola Mendez / Lonely Planet

Aux Vivres

Opened in 1997, Aux Vivres was the first restaurant to bring plant-based food to Montréal, and has been loved by herbivores ever since. The vegan restaurant has a gigantic menu which is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. The portions are gigantic and the veggie butter has a loyal fan base in the city.

The culinary masters at Aux Vivres use local produce to whip up vegan-friendly renditions of dishes from Morocco, Thailand, India, and beyond. For a starter, try the tempeh satay made by the restaurant’s sister company, Noble Bean Tempeh. Have the dragon bowl as your main dish; it's so popular that Aux Vivres is planting a tree each time this dish is sold, in collaboration with Trees for the Future. The restaurant also uses recycled toilet paper as a part of its commitment to environmental sustainability.

A large black bowl is filled with pulled jackfruit, grated beets and carrots and bulgar wheat. In the middle is a stainless steel ramekin with a white sauce. — Vegan chain La Panthère Verte serves up salad bowls, falafel sandwiches and poutine © Lola Mendez / Lonely Planet

La Panthère Verte

This organic vegan chain offers a laid-back culinary experience across Montréal. La Panthère Verte is best known for its falafel sandwiches: get the set deal so you can try a side dish such as poutine and one of the house drinks including lemonade and hibiscus tea. Other dishes include tempeh wraps, bowls, and a few veggie burgers. They have a wide selection of vegan baked goods too; the carrot cake is delicious. Even the beers here are organic and some locations feature a full bar.