5 Awesome Vegan Meals at Non-Vegan Restaurants in Vancouver

With the holidays approaching, gathering with friends, co-workers, and family is welcomed and inevitable. This time of year can also sometimes alienate the vegans and vegetarians in the group. When dining out together, finding an awesome vegan meal at a non-vegan restaurant can be a daunting task.  Holiday food is laden with dairy and meat related ingredients, and it’s certainly not the time to suggest a trip to the salad bar.

Below is a list of restaurants that will appeal to the omnivorous masses while also offering an awesome vegan option.

Nuba: Affordable, casual and full-of-flavour Lebanese food.

What to have: Your options are many, but the Najib’s Special ($7.50) is something special.

207 West Hastings Street

604.688.1655

Joey’s Bentall One: Something for everyone on the menu, and the staff aren’t hard on the eyes.

What to have: The Chinatown Lettuce Wraps ($11.50) with the Gardein Soy Chicken (sub brown rice for noodles – they contain egg – and hold the hoisin)

507 Burrard Street

604.915.5369

La Bodega: Quaint atmosphere and legendary Sangria.

What to have: The Patatas Bravas ($6.50) and the Champiñones Salteados ($6.50) are both classics and incredibly good, and an order of bread ($2.50) to sop up all that delicious garlic oil.

*Major garlic alert if you plan on any mistletoe action after.

1277 Howe Street

604.684.8814

Market by Jean Georges: Upscale, with some foodie favourites for your meat-eating company.

What to have: The Nasi Goering ($14) or Vegan Pizza ($12) with a side of the Roasted Mushrooms ($8).

1115 Alberni Street

604.695.1115

And last, but certainly not least…SUSHI!  Vancouver has a plethora of  sushi restaurants, and everyone has their favourite. The cuisine is easily shared and usually comes in the form of a ten page menu, so no lack of options here.

What to have: Vegetable rolls, cucumber rolls, avocado rolls, inari, gomae and wakame salads are all delicious choices. Be aware that most places do make their miso with fish stock, and ask to sub brown rice whenever possible for a healthier option.

There’s no reason why you can’t please everyone in your group this holiday season.  Vancouver is full of great options!

Bridget Burns is founder and director of The Vegan Project, a vegan lifestyle blog featuring vegan recipes and restaurant, travel and product reviews.

Above: Nuba’s Najib’s Special

Photo via shermansfoodadventures.com