Winner
The Coup
For 20 years, The Coup has been turning local ingredients into delicious vegan and vegetarian cuisine. Featuring innovative recipes and unexpected flavours, the menu offers dishes like satay bowls and tempeh shawarma at dinner and chik-tan and waffles for weekend brunch. The restaurant interior is decorated with leafy hanging vines and contemporary wood paneling that creates a bright space.
924 17 Ave. S.W., 403-541-1041, thecoup.ca, @thecoupcalgary
Runners-up
Nan’s Noodle House
This plant-based Asian eatery offers a range of Thai and Vietnamese-inspired fare and other dishes from around the world that will keep you coming back for more. Try noodle dishes like the miso ramen with plant-based pork belly, laksa with spicy coconut broth or the XO Pho with ginger scallion oil. Nan’s also has a retail section where you can pick up tasty bites for home.
3103B Edmonton Tr. N.E., 403-455-0590, nansnoodlehouse.com, @nansnoodlehouse
Vegan Street
What began as a food truck in 2018 is now a thriving restaurant and lounge serving up plant-based comfort food in Inglewood. Split an order of mushroom “kalamari,” or catch up with friends over plant-based tacos and margaritas.
1413 9 Ave. S.E., 403-454-3287, veganstreet.ca, @veganstreetyyc
Hearts Choices Cafe Market
From Thai dishes to burgers and sandwiches, Hearts Choices Cafe Market offers hearty vegan fare at reasonable prices. You can also pop in to grab some food for home — there are takeaway fridges stocked with vegan dishes and ingredients to transfer the taste of Hearts Choices to your own kitchen.
4127 6 St. N.E., 403-276-2163; plus Calgary Farmers’ Market South and West; heartschoices.com, @heartschoices
Nupo
Located in East Village, Nupo pairs an inventive menu of plant and fish dishes with high-quality service. The a la carte menu uses fresh and flavourful ingredients to create vegetable plates like the tan tan daikon steak, the vegan wild mushroom roll and a handful of seafood dishes.
631 Confluence Way S.E., 587-353-1388, nupo.ca, @nupoyyc