Eating organic is no longer just a trend, it's a way of life for more and more people concerned about their health and where their food comes from. And gone are the days when vegetarians and vegans had to bend over backwards to find a good place to eat in town! Here then, in the name of the freshest local produce, are some places where you can nourish yourself healthfully!
Bonny's, located on Notre-Dame Street West, is the creation of chef Bonnie Tees who decided to turn what started as a catering service into a restaurant, to the delight of her customers. There are several dishes on the menu that will appeal to both vegetarians and vegans and those who thrive on meat, but who have decided to change their diet: tofu lasagna, soba noodles stir-fry, black bean chili, quinoa and sweet potatoes are found on the menu. You can also get prepared meals to go.
Samosas with chutney, frittatas, tomato tarts, vegetable curry, Tunisian stew, hemp burger, portobello mushroom stuffed with goat cheese, poutine Lola (sweet potatoes, mushroom sauce and black beans), chickpea fries and tagine made with spices and vegetables; Lola Rosa's two locations (on Park and Milton) have something for you to enjoy. Gluten-free meals are available upon request.
It's a restaurant, a juice bar, and a shop. Aux Vivres, it's all that. And at the heart of their products are organic foods untouched by any chemicals or additives. "Nothing but the sun and the land where they grew," says this vegan restaurant, open since 1997. Sample their cornbread, homemade “tempeh satay” sticks, mezze, salads, chickpea curry or homemade chili. Or simply choose one of their vegetable bowls served on brown rice ... organic, of course!
Crudessence, today, is a "great little organic empire" which includes restaurants, health counters, catering, an academy that provides training, and sales outlets. The objective of the chain is simple: "serving life" – an organic, vegan, living and gluten-free life. Everything is homemade, from the dahl soup and pesto lasagne to the creamy quinoa pâté tacos.
This little treasure of a restaurant is located in the vault of a former Old Montreal bank. Here, the cuisine of southwestern France is honoured, and everything is prepared with high quality products. Roasted duck with Espelette pepper, duck confit and foie gras ... you can even bring it home thanks to the gourmet counter and pretend to have cooked it all by yourself!
The five Montreal locations of La Panthère Verte offer an organic and vegan menu designed especially for the "urban jungle", where the values associated with local consumption, healthy eating and recycling are advocated. On your plate, this results in delicious sandwiches (tofu, falafel, végépâté, tempeh, etc.), "energy balls" (made with dates, nuts, coconut, hemp seeds, etc.), and delicious salads, soups and smoothies. For dessert, how could you refuse the Poppin' Carrots, a cake made of carrots, macadamia nuts, ginger, coconut and vanilla icing?
The restaurant La récolte Espace Local, located on Belanger Street, offers seasonal cuisine that emphasizes organic, local and responsible food. From Wednesday to Saturday, enjoy their tasting menu where vegetables, meat and fish of the moment come together for dishes rich in colour and taste.
Soupçon Cochon is a boxed lunch delivery service that is big on environmental awareness. The ingredients are fresh, the meals are prepared the same day, and the boxes are biodegradable and compostable. On the menu, which changes every week: soups, salads (orzo, Greek, 7 grain, etc.) and sandwiches (chicken, pork, salmon, végépâté, figs, etc.).