Affordable vegetarian restaurants in Burnaby
Burnaby is home to a plethora of vegan and vegetarian restaurants, some showcasing traditional cuisines such as North Indian or Vietnamese cuisines, and others offering experimental or Western fare. Above all, these vegetarian-friendly restaurants are affordable, with most items costing $10 or less. These eateries won’t break the bank on your next meat-free tour of the city. [Photo credit: iStock.com/pictafolio]
Paradise Vegetarian Noodle House
8681 10th Ave, Burnaby BC V3N 2S9Vegetarians who love Vietnamese food – and who also may be tired of ordering the veggie salad roll – need look no further than Paradise Vegetarian Noodle House located inside an unassuming Burnaby strip mall. This clean-lined restaurant offers vegan versions of just about every Vietnamese dish under the sun, including pho, spring rolls and hotpots, and all are just as good as their originals, and arguably healthier, too.
King Mahal Restaurant Ltd
4051 Hastings St, Burnaby BC V5C 2J1When it comes to vegetarian food, chefs of traditional North Indian cuisines have got it right due to the region’s vegetable-heavy diet. At King Mahal, the menu includes a variety of nourishing vegetarian curries, jam-packed with eggplant, lentils, potato, carrot, peas, chickpeas and more. Order a few to share, and don’t forget to round it out with a plate of vegetarian samosas or pakora and plenty of naan bread – your stomachs won’t regret it.
Lotus Seed Vegetarian Restaurant Ltd
180-3665 Kingsway, Vancouver BC V5R 5W2With many dishes inspired by Asian cuisines, including sushi rolls and curried noodles, Lotus Seed also offers Western vegetarian fare such as a crunchy kale salad and hearty ragu. Though the menu may be incredibly diverse, nearly everything is outstanding here – from the Mother’s Love soup to the roasted yam sushi roll and avocado quinoa salad with tomato and mint. The vegan, gluten-free tiramisu and coconut chocolate mousse are at once light and deliciously indulgent, and the casual dining atmosphere is equally delightful.
The Ladle
8888 University Dr, Burnaby BC V5A 1S6The Ladle pledges to offer healthy vegetarian cuisine that even students can afford, but just about anyone else can eat here, too. Located inside the food court at Simon Fraser University’s Burnaby campus, the small café offers a simple menu of typical student fare with a veg-friendly twist including soups, grilled cheeses, burritos and tofu nuggets. The vegetarian Shepard’s pie is truly wondrous (how do they make it so meaty, so hearty?) – and the best part? Most items on the menu are less than $5.
Lupii Cafe
7743 Champlain Cres, Vancouver BC V5S 4J6Lupii Café’s all gluten-free, all vegetarian buffet menu changes every morning but typically includes soups, chillis, eggs, yogurt parfaits, fruit and crunchy oat cookies. And one can enjoy all this for less than $5 – an unbelievable price that also includes coffee, juices and a wide selection of teas. Go here with a happy wallet but consider making a donation, too, because the restaurant also engages in important community outreach programming such as monthly free dinners hosted at local community centers – plus, all Lupii produce is sourced from farms and suppliers “who prioritize cruelty-free, ethical food production” and low-waste, of course.
Dharma Garden Veggie Deli
3195 Kingsway, Vancouver BC V5R 5K2Located on bustling Kingsway Street, Dharma Garden serves traditional Vietnamese dishes, most of which are less than $10, all of which are vegan and meat-free. With a lack of flavourful meats, good vegetarian Vietnamese subs can be especially hard to come by – but not here, where they’re just the right amount of saucy, spicy and doughy. Before you go, perhaps plan to eat your steaming pho with puffed tofu bits and crunchy spring rolls in the great outdoors, because the restaurant is more similar to a kiosk than a sit-down affair.
