The best veggie burgers in Toronto
Choosing a vegetarian lifestyle shouldn’t mean you have to compromise when it comes to delicious tasting burgers. Luckily Toronto chefs create protein-packed patties with fresh produce, soy, grains and other meatless alternatives. Here are some veggie burgers that could convert even the most devout carnivores.
Fresh on Crawford
894 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1G3This mini-chain of vegetarian friendly cafés has earned a cult following among Torontonians thanks to its impressive array of feel-good veggie fare and nutrient-packed fruit smoothies. The high-protein almond and grain patty is served a variety of different ways. Try the Thai burger with peanut sauce, green onions and cilantro or opt for the hearty mushroom burger topped with sautéed mushrooms and onions. All veggie burgers are served on a multigrain bun from Fred’s Bread or on a simple bed of lettuce.
The Hogtown Vegan
1056 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6H 1M3This west-end destination has been putting the meatless hog in Hogtown since 2011 with its savoury vegan-friendly offerings. Even devoted meat lovers would be fooled by the juicy “bacon cheeseburger” — a soy patty dressed with melted Daiya cheddar and tofu bacon. The unchicken burger is similarly satisfying thanks to the breaded, deep-fried soy chicken breast topped with creamy house-made mayo.
Live Organic Food Bar
264 Dupont St, Toronto, ON M5R 1V7This Dupont Street eatery offers plant-based, organic and gluten-free dining for a health-conscious crowd. There are two burger options on the menu: the raw walnut beet burger is served atop fresh collard greens or raw sesame onion bread while the heartier cooked chickpea patty is topped with BBQ sauce and chipotle mayo on a gluten-free bun.
The Burgers Priest
1636 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4L 1G3This celebrated burger chain is renowned for its not-so-secret menu of artery clogging burger creations. The veggie option here is far from saintly — the patty is a custom cheese blend sandwiched between two Portobello mushrooms, which are then breaded and deep-fried. Ask for the “Noah’s Ark” if you want chilli and cheese added on top. If you’re feeling particularly sinful, go with the “Religious Hypocrite” and your veggie patty gets topped with all-meat bacon.
Utopia Cafe Grill
586A College St, Toronto, ON M6G 1B3Don’t be fooled — the juicy 5-oz. grilled patty at this casual College Street haunt might taste like beef but it actually gets its meaty taste from a blend of textured soy protein, Dijon mustard, onion and parsley. The filling veggie burger is topped with all the usual fixins plus a zesty green onion mayo.
Yam Chops
705 College St, Toronto, ON M6G 1C2Little Italy is home to Canada’s first and only vegetarian butcher shop where vegans, vegetarians and flexitarians alike will find a colourful assortment of health-conscious prepared foods. The meat-free food emporium offers two plant-based burger patties to eat in or take out: the veggie-loaded beet burger is made with beets, carrots, turnips, zucchini, potatoes and brown rice. The black bean burger is a blend of black beans, stone ground oats, sunflower seeds, almonds, carrot and zucchini.
My Twitter
My Instagram
