Vegetarian cuisine for the masses in Ottawa
Whether you abstain from eating meat or simply like to do Meatless Mondays, vegetarian food has a wide range of flavours and textures – it’s about more than just salads. These vegetarian restaurants offer cuisine so delicious, they could convert even a hardcore carnivore – at least for one meal.
Pure Kitchen Ottawa
357 Richmond Rd, Ottawa ON K2A 0E7What the newest vegetarian restaurant in Ottawa doesn’t tell you is that this is the place to go in Ottawa. Hop to the rooftop terrace and watch the movers and shakers in Westboro passing by. I love the Warrior Bowl and its energizing mishmash, which includes spiced chickpeas, carrots, beets, sprouts and grilled avocado.
Simplyraw Express
989 Wellington St W, Ottawa ON K1Y 2Y1This tiny place makes up for lack of space with its incredible variety of choices, including smoothies that are to die for. I love the Melted Love, a spinach, banana, almond butter and cocoa powder concoction. Plus, the owner used to give raw food cooking classes, so she’s an expert.
Alice Restaurant Inc
40 Adeline St, Ottawa ON K1S 3L3This café is such a pleasant change from the rough and ready, no-frills approach to vegetarian dining that’s characterized Ottawa in the past. They prove you can have elegance with vegetarianism. They offer Eat Local Tuesdays and the five-course sharing plates. Want to splurge? Go for the five-course wine pairing.
The Green Door Restaurant
198 Main St, Ottawa ON K1S 1C6The granddaddy of Ottawa’s vegetarian food scene - you still get your plate weighed, you still return your dishes, but, the place feels rejuvenated with the new décor. I’ve always had a soft spot for the mashed potato kale. Plus, I love the community feel here. And, takeouts are encouraged.
Govindas Vegetarian Buffet
212 Somerset St E, Ottawa ON K1N 6V4I love this place, due to its reputation as an excellent and expensive eatery. It’s been around since 1981. The trouble is, I’ve never been able to get past the door - it’s always been closed whenever I’ve tried to go. Its claim to fame is the all-you-can-eat hot and cold buffet, or so I’ve been told.
