When most people think of a good burger, they imagine a tender, meaty patty. However, that doesn’t always have to be the case.
Veggie burgers have come a long way from being a bland, tasteless tofu concoction. Thankfully, we live in a city that offers many tasty meat free burger options that are sure to please herbivores and carnivores alike.
Here are our picks (in no particular order) for some of the best veggie burgers in Vancouver.
Market Grill
This tiny burger stall can be found hidden in Granville Island Public Market. Probably one of Vancouver’s best-kept burger secrets, the Market Grill serves up two delectable veggie burger options. The Lite Delight burger comes with the Market Grill’s signature house made veggie patty, Swiss cheese, mushrooms, fried onions, mayo, lettuce and tomato – all topped off with the food stall’s ‘secret burger sauce.’ If you’re looking for a bit of a spicier option, try the Cajun Veggie burger, which comes with Cajun spiced salsa and sour cream. All burgers are served with hand cut fries or Caesar salad, and for $8.00 you can’t go wrong.
Address: 104 – 1689 Johnston Street, Granville Island
Phone: 604-689-1918
Website: www.granvilleisland.com/directory/market-grill
The Naam
Photo by kuchenkainternetowa via Flickr
This cozy Kitsilano restaurant has been a Vancouver vegetarian institution for over 30 years. Besides a menu full of meat free dishes made with organic ingredients, The Naam also serves up some of the city’s tastiest veggie burgers. The Naam offers four kinds of veggie burgers, all served on a whole-wheat sesame bun with tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and sprouts. Each burger comes with a different patty, bringing variety to the seasoned veggie burger connoisseur, or the veggie burger newbie.
Address:2724 West Fourth Avenue, Kitsilano
Phone: 604-738-7151
Website: www.thenaam.com
Café Deux Soleils
Photo by vegoutVancouver
This Commercial Drive eatery is the place to go if you’re looking for healthy comfort food and a good veggie burger. Café Deux Soleils offers seven unique veggie burgers, which are all made in house with over 30 different ingredients. You can order anything from a Veggie Cheese burger to the Pesto burger served with home made pesto sauce. A personal favourite is the Quatro burger, which comes with sautéed mushrooms, onions, and a triple cheese blend topped with feta.
Address: 2096 Commercial Drive
Phone:604-254-1195
Website: www.cafedeuxsoleils.com
Meet On Main
Photo by Simran Singh/Vancity Buzz
Head to Meet on Main if you’re looking for a veggie burger with a bit of a twist. Their Marinated Portobello burger substitutes a traditional soy or nut based veggie patty, with a juicy grilled Portobello mushroom. The meaty texture of the mushroom makes the “burger” filling, without loading on the calories. The burger is topped with house made chipotle mayo, grilled onions, roasted peppers and feta.
Address: 4288 Main Street
Phone: 604-877-1292
Website: www.meetonmain.com
Moderne Burger
The veggie burger served at this retro diner will please any hungry stomach. It comes with a large tender patty and classic fixings: hand leaf lettuce, tomato, red onion, and mayonnaise. You can add on other toppings such as Swiss cheese, grilled mushrooms or grilled onions for $1.25 each. The Moderne veggie burger will leave you satisfied and won’t have you missing meat at all.
Address: 2507 West Broadway
Phone: 604-739-0005
Website: www.moderneburger.com
JOEY
Photo by Eva G. via Yelp
This popular chain of restaurants offers a delicious veggie burger that comes with a house made patty that is packed with flavour. Jack cheese and arugula add a subtle smoky and spicy punch of flavour to the dish. Although many upscale dining chains offer veggie burger options, Joey seems to hit the mark when it comes to serving up more than just a vegetable based patty with the usual toppings.
Address/Phone
JOEY Broadway: 1424 West Broadway/604-732-5639
JOEY Burrard: 820 Burrard Street/604-683-5639
JOEY BENTALL ONE: 507 Burrard Street/604-915-5639
Website: www.joeyrestaurants.com
Vera’s Burger Shack
If you are craving a veggie burger that is a bit greasy, oozes with cheese and has a juicy patty then Vera’s Burger Shack is the place to go. This local burger chain cooks up a savory soy patty and is topped off with lettuce, tomato, and spicy mayo all between sesame buns. Add a slice of melted cheddar, and you have yourself a meatless masterpiece.
Address: Multiple locations
Website: www.verasburgershack.com
Loving Hut Express
Photo via Loving Hut Express
Adored by vegetarians and meat lovers alike, this Yaletown based gourmet vegan food truck is where many Vancouverites flock to when they are looking for a good burger. Recommendations include the “Bacon” Cheese burger, and the Crispy Chick’n burger, both made with meat substitutes. Loving Hut express also makes all sauces and condiments from scratch and gluten free options are available.
Address: Parked outside Roundhouse Community Center (Pacific Blvd & Davie Street), Yaletown
Phone: 604-780-1029 or 778-865-3644
Website: www.lovinghutvancouver.ca
Feature Image: Brent Hofacker via Shutterstock