Vegan and Plant-Based Eats in Brantford

Whether you’re looking to increase your plant-based consumption, reduce how often you eat animal products, or you’re simply curious and open to trying new things, Brantford’s vegan and plant-based culinary scene is growing each month. Eating vegetarian or vegan isn’t just salads – there are delicious meals that require no substitutions, and new plant-based options of your traditional omnivore favourites, like burgers, tacos, nachos, and more. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite dining hotspots to get your plant-based fix and our recommendations for must-try dishes.

Lettuce Live, 10 Edmonson St.

One of Brantford’s newest additions to the culinary scene – and now located in a retrofitted transport trailer at their brand new location on Edmonson St. – Lettuce Live is a must-visit location for conscious, plant-forward takeaway food. This locally-owned, independent business features seasonal dishes and maintains that you don’t need to be eating vegan or vegetarian – you just need to be plant-curious!

Menu recommendation: We’ve tried several of LL’s menu items, but the one we keep coming back to – and continues to be one of the most deliciously Instagrammable, too – is the Smokin’ Mexi Bowl. Try this takeout dish that features a bed of greens and rice with roasted corn, black beans, salsa fresca, hemp chips, chipotle mix, guacamole and fresh lime, drizzled with homemade green goddess dressing. Psst… you can use your Brantford Eats offer booklet here, too!

Bistro Seven, 71 Charing Cross St.

We love this “foodie’s paradise” that serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner options and even a meal plan option (that you can use your Brantford Eats offer booklet for!) Catering to many different diets, including vegetarian, vegan, keto, gluten-free, with options for people who prefer meat, this is a great option for anyone who is trying to lessen their meat intake, or for couples who simply can’t agree on where to get their takeout. This “healthy spin on naughtiness” restaurant is truly is a hidden gem.

Menu recommendation: One of our favourite ways to enjoy vegan or vegetarian food is in the form of heaping bowls of delicious vegetables and noodles! Try the Spicy Thai Bowl at Bistro Seven, which is a bed of rice noodles topped with spinach, bok choy, mushrooms, broccoli and carrots, topped with soy fritters and tangy Thai sauce.

Sociable Kitchen + Tavern, 45 King George Rd.

One of our favourite spots for a local burger, this restaurant also has an awesome menu for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten free. This is a great menu to peruse if your family is a blend of meat-eaters and non-meat eaters, and we love that they’ve made it super easy for whatever option you decide on – they have separate menus for plant-based or gluten-friendly customers.

Menu recommendation: This PB (plant-based) menu is extensive, but truly anything you choose will be delicious. Our favourite is the PB Hot Chick’n Sandwich, a plant-based version of one of their most popular dishes. Featuring a crispy fried chick’n breast, chef’s hot sauce, beach pickles, shredded lettuce and comeback sauce on a toasted artisan bun.

Healthy Rabbit, 105 Brant Ave.

Healthy Rabbit opened a few years ago on the beautiful, historic Brant Ave., and we can’t stop going back again and again! This restaurant promotes healthy, holistic and sustainable living through their ingredient choices down to their eco-friendly takeout containers. We’ve been (quickly) working through this menu to try everything we can, and it never hurts to add a dessert, smoothie or fresh kombucha to your order!

Menu recommendation: The vegan Chipotle Bowl is simply incredible. On a bed of turmeric rice and greens (or you can substitute for all greens or quinoa), this dish is topped with smoked coconut bacon (so good!), black beans, red cabbage, cucumber, avocado, pico de gallo and a mild chipotle dressing that is the perfect mix of sweet, smoky and the tiniest bit spicy.

The Everest Grill Fine Indian Cuisine, 781 Colborne St. E.

There is so much delicious Indian food that is naturally vegetarian or vegan, and it’s all absolutely delicious! Everest Grill Fine Indian Cuisine is a local favourite and their chef, born in the Himalayans, shows their clear passion for food in every dish. Their menu includes a section of “Vegetarian Specialties” that makes navigating plant-based choices easy.

Menu recommendation: If you haven’t tried Indian food before, a great staple dish is Chana Masala, which is a chickpea curry simmered with shallots, tomatoes and spices. We also highly recommend Everest’s Vegetable Korma, which is a seasonal vegetable and cubed cottage cheese dish cooked with a light, creamy cashew nut sauce that is the perfect blend of subtly sweet and savoury.

Image Credit: Twist & Sprout Salad from Lettuce Live.