If you’re tired of showing up at restaurants and finding only one or two vegetarian dishes to choose from, Calgary has a slew of restaurants that offer vegetarian, vegan or vegetarian-friendly menus. With plenty of choices for vegetarians and vegans, many of them also have meatier options to satisfy meat loving dining companions.
The Allium
This vegetarian restaurant, which operates as a worker cooperative, is one of Calgary’s newest destinations for plant-based fare. Expect tons of options for vegetarians and vegans alike, as almost every dish can be made vegan upon request (if it isn’t already). Allium even offers a plant-based weekend brunch featuring share plates of chickpea waffles, breakfast skillets, mushroom spaetzle, Moroccan pancakes and more.
211A 12 Ave. S.W., 403-264-5416, theallium.ca
Avatara Pizza
If you usually get stuck with plain cheese on pizza nights, you’ll want to check out this eatery. At Avatara Pizza, more than half of the fire-roasted pizzas on the menu are vegetarian (if you want, you can have them made with vegan mozzarella). And the vegetarian pizzas aren’t boring either — the Picasso pizza, for instance, features a tomato pesto sauce, mozzarella and feta cheese, pine nuts, green peppers, sun-dried tomatoes and artichokes. You can also build your own vegetarian/vegan pizza by choosing from toppings like vegan mozzarella, various nuts, mushrooms, mango chutney, peppers, artichokes and more.
3406 3 Ave. N.W., 403-457-4992, avatarapizza.com
Baked 3.14
Good news, vegan pizza fans: all 10 of Baked 3.14’s pizzas can be made regular or vegan, and gluten-free dough is available for select flavours. Pizza options include the Aloha Canada (with pineapple, beef bacon and mozzarella) and the Olive Zeus (with Kalamata olives, feta, spinach, red onions, grape tomatoes and mozzarella). While you’re there, be sure to check out Charcuterie Vegan Deli, which shares a space with the pizzeria.
3315 26 Ave. S.W., 403-242-4432, baked314.com
Broken City
For those who love spending a night catching up with friends at the bar, but can’t touch most of the menu, there’s Broken City. The popular pub and live music venue turns the typical bar food menu on its head with several vegetarian and vegan options. Are your friends getting chicken wings? Try the vegan-friendly cauliflower wings, which are breaded cauliflower florets covered in sauce. Craving a burger? The poipu burger features a vegan patty topped with lettuce, tomato, grilled pineapple and guacamole. The menu also features zucchini corn fritters, a hummus plate, chickpea fries and vegan chili.
613 11 Ave. S.W., 403-262-9976, brokencity.ca
Calcutta Cricket Club
Located on the bustling 17 Ave. S.W., this Indian restaurant has filled nearly half of its menu with vegetarian dishes. More than half of the restaurant’s small plates are vegetarian, including the Bengali spiced carrots, paneer and honey, papri chaat and gunpowder vegetables. There are also more hearty items like the paneer kati rolls and vegetarian curries.
340 17 Ave. S.W., 403-719-1555, calcuttacricketclub.com
Clay Oven
Offering up some of the best Indian cuisine in the city, Clay Oven knows how to make everyone happy. Along with meaty dishes, Clay Oven makes several vegetarian and vegan dishes including vegetable biryani, fresh okra, three kinds of daal, mutter paneer and more. Don’t forget to add some fresh bread — ranging from naan to chapati to paratha — to your meal as well.
1, 3131 27 St. N.E., 403-250-2161, clayovencalgary.com
Copper Branch
This plant-based, fast-casual chain first arrived in Calgary in 2018. Visit one of the Calgary locations to fuel up with a power bowl, a spicy black bean burger, spicy buffalo soy wings, quinoa chili and more. The eateries also offer all-day breakfast items like blueberry cocoa gluten-free waffles, avocado toast, a south west tofu wrap scramble and more.
Multiple locations, eatcopperbranch.com
The Coup
One of the most popular vegetarian restaurants in the city, The Coup’s food is beloved by plant and meat eaters alike. The ethically minded restaurant uses a lot of organic and local ingredients and environmentally friendly products. The inventive, meat-free menu takes vegetarian fare to the next level with items like mushroom sushi rolls, tempeh shawarma and hot pot with a spicy coconut tomato lime broth. Don’t forget to check out the fun cocktail list as well.
924 17 Ave. S.W., 403-541-1041, thecoup.ca
The Dandelion
Finding plant-based fare in the Inglewood and Ramsay area is a lot easier now thanks to The Dandelion. Open for breakfast and lunch, the vegan eatery serves dishes like chik-tan waffles, buckwheat pancakes, a tofu scramble and a lentil and quinoa burger in a small yet cozy space amidst the homes of Ramsay.
1048 8 St. S.E., 403-475-3426, thedandelionyyc.ca
Dirtbelly
Eating at the mall doesn’t mean you have to eat greasy fast food. With two of its three locations at CF Market Mall and The Core, Dirtbelly offers a fresh, healthy alternative to the usual food court fare. Choose from fresh-tossed salads, warm bowls, roasted vegetable salads and more. Chicken, ahi tuna, quinoa, avocado and veggie patties can also be added.
Three locations, dirtbelly.com
Five Rivers Indian Cuisine
You’ll find plenty of options for carnivores and vegetarians amongst the Punjabi-style Indian fare at Five Rivers. Starting at 11 a.m. every day, you can get vegetarian dishes like paneer pakora, samosa chat, aloo gobi, malai kofta and more from the menu. Five Rivers also has a selection of vegetarian pizzas and desserts, and you can order a sweet or salty lassi with your meal to wash it all down.
11 Castleridge Blvd. N.E., 403-258-1111, fiveriversindiancuisine.ca
Flores & Pine
Ordering a vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or dairy-free meal is easy at Flores & Pine thanks to its four special diets menus. On the vegetarian menu, you’ll find dishes like crispy jackfruit croquettes, a four-cheese lasagna and a potato, mushroom and white truffle cream sauce pizza. The vegan menu features Brussels sprouts, cauliflower risotto, pasta arrabbiata and more.
254028 Bearspaw Rd. N.W., 403-241-7611, floresandpine.com
Fork and Salad
Anyone who says salads are boring has clearly never been to Fork and Salad. This casual eatery offers more than a dozen creative salads and bowls, as well as breakfast bowls, soups, drinks and snacks. Try salads like the “Hummus Do You Love Me,” which features shredded kale, romaine lettuce, pita chips, hummus, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, feta cheese, baked falafel and tzatziki dressing. You can also create your own salad by choosing from different bases, ingredients, premiums and dressings.
120, 880 16 Ave. S.W. and 8525 Broadcast Ave. S.W., forkandsalad.com
Hearts Choices
Whether you’re visiting the Hearts Choices Cafe Market or the Hearts Choices eatery at the Calgary Farmers’ Market, tasty vegan fare is just a short drive away. Thai green or yellow curry, satay skewers, a barbecue pulled jackfruit burger, an oyster mushroom po’boy and a peanut satay bowl are just a few of the treats that await.
Calgary Farmers’ Market, 510 77 Ave. S.E. and 4127 6 St. N.E., 403-276-2163, heartschoices.com
Himalayan
If there’s a mix of vegetarians and meat lovers in your friend group, this Nepali restaurant on 17 Ave. S.W. may be a good place to visit together. While many of the dishes feature chicken, shrimp or lamb, there are also several dishes that will keep vegetarians happy. Think paneer chili, grilled eggplant, saag channa and more.
3218 17 Ave. S.W., 403-984-3384, himalayancuisine.ca
Koi
Pop into Koi for some live music and a bite of food. Around half the Asian fusion dishes at Koi are either vegetarian or vegan, plus there are a handful of gluten-free options. Try dishes like the ginger tofu, roasted yams, the Asian black bean burger or the curry bowl.
100, 1011 1 St. S.W., 403-206-1564, koicalgary.com
Marathon Ethiopian Restaurant
This Ethiopian restaurant in Kensington offers meat and vegetarian options at lunch and dinner. Vegetarian entrees like mushroom tibs or cabbage and carrots come with your choice of rice or injera, a traditional Ethiopian bread. And if you want to try a range of Ethiopian fare, order one of the meat or vegetarian combination platters that can be enjoyed individually or by a few people.
130 10 St. N.W., 403-283-6796, marathonethiopianrestaurantcalgary.com
Moti Mahal
For delicious East Indian food, head to Moti Mahal. The menu, full of vegetarian and meat dishes, is laid out by specialties like chicken, lamb, seafood, paneer, tandoori and vegetable. The vegetable specialties is one of the bigger sections, with options like chopped okra, mixed vegetable curry and eggplant bartha.
1805 14 St. S.W., 403-228-9990 and 38, 240 Midpark Way S.E., 403-201-7336, motimahal.ca
Raw Eatery & Market
Kensington’s Raw Eatery & Market focuses on local ingredients and vegan fare. The small yet creative menu features vegan dishes like zucchini lasagna and tacos with “sunflower seed taco meat.” Raw Eatery & Market also holds workshops where you can learn more about vegan food and special events like yoga and brunch mornings.
2, 1145 Kensington Cres. N.W., thecollectiveraw.com
SaVeg Cafe
This vegan eatery can be found inside Heavens Fitness in the Beltline. You won’t find any meat on the Korean-inspired menu at SaVeg, just plenty of plant-based goodness. Expect dishes like scrambled tofu, bibimbap, tofu katsu curry, sweet chili smoked tofu wraps, smoothies and more.
637 11 Ave. S.W., 403-263-3126, savegcafe.ca
Seed N Salt
Located in Mission, Seed N Salt offers a range of healthy (and largely vegetarian) food options. There are avocado toasts and smoothie bowls to start your day off, and then salads and bowls if you need something a bit more substantial later. Almost all of the salad and bowl options are vegetarian, though you can add protein like shrimp, bacon, falafel, egg, chicken or tofu for an extra cost.
2008 4 St. S.W., 403-460-9904, seednsalt.com
Ten Foot Henry
If you’re a vegetarian who often eats with non-vegetarians, the vegetable-focused Ten Foot Henry is a great compromise. Around two thirds of the menu features vegetable and pasta share plates, such as marinated beets, charred cabbage and spaghetti with pomodoro. There are also a few meat and fish share plates for those who want to add a bit of protein to their dining experience.
1209 1 St. S.W., 403-475-5537, tenfoothenry.com
Veg-In YYC
Work downtown and forgot your lunch? Hop over to Veg-In YYC for a meal that’s healthy and tasty. The vegetarian and vegan eatery offers veggie burritos stuffed with ingredients like sautéed potato, smashed samosa, masala jackfruit or Beyond Sausage, as well as burgers, samosas, bowls and flatbreads. There’s even vegan cake for dessert in flavours like double chocolate and blueberry lavendar.
215 6 Ave. S.E., 587-351-5253, veginyyc.com