Your guide to eating vegan and vegetarian in the Okanagan
Story: Alex Soloducha
Photos by: Savannah Bagshaw
Story: Alex Soloducha
Photos by: Savannah Bagshaw
Whether you’re thinking about cutting down on your meat consumption or have been a diehard vegan for years, there are probably some places in the Kelowna area you never knew about.
For that very reason, we’ve compiled a list of local establishments that offer great options to suit vegan and vegetarian diets.
There is almost too many to name, and if we’ve left any out, feel free to let us know in the comments below.
Pepper Tempura from the Social | Photo Credit KelownaNow
Lake Tai, located at 1958 Kirschner Road in Kelowna, serves up a variety of vegan Asian dishes- from Spring Rolls, to Wonton Soup and Barbecue.
Gratitude is 100% vegan and gluten free and offers meals like cheezy cashew spaghetti and delicious treats like skor bar cheezecake, all homemade.
Right on Bernard Avenue, Bohemian Cafe isn’t afraid of accommodating people of different dietary restrictions. For lunch, try their vegan traveller sandwich topped with tons of yummy vegetables.
Photo Credit KelownaNow
The cute-sy cafe in the Pandosy area serves up veggie sammies, salads and desserts. Yum!
The welcoming coffee shop keeps soy and almond milk and usually has vegan desserts, such as a raw cashew cheesecake for an afternoon treat.
The fine dining night spot in Kelowna recently released a full vegan menu so whether it’s appies, a meal or a dessert you want, they are ready. Their chickpea and lentil meatloaf with mushroom gravy is a must-try.
Photo Credit KelownaNow
Hansen’s has a whole vegetarian section on their menu and Daiya cheese is available for those who are looking for vegan pie. Ask for a whole wheat crust.
You don’t have to miss out on donuts and fresh baking even if you're vegan. Dolicious in West Kelowna makes a variety of vegan donuts and you can even take home vegan pizza dough, white bread and sprouted wheat bread.
The local burger spot doesn’t leave out the vegans and vegetarians. The Viva La Vegan burger served with sweet potato fries is the perfect Friday feast.
Photo Credit KelownaNow
You can find Bare Taco parked in a number of places in Kelowna, making unreal vegan tacos from a tiny food truck. With menu items like Big Mac and Perogie tacos, how could you go wrong? Plus, he also delivers!
Photo credit Bare Taco
Any pizza on the DunnEnzies menu can be made vegan with Daiya cheese and olive oil in the place of butter on the crust. For vegetarians, try the Skinny Vinny or the Sing Sing.
Sunset Bistro recently came out with a full vegetarian menu. Not only can you enjoy a lovely vegan bubbly, but you can also dig into a gourmet veggie meal. Date night?
The produce at Nature’s Fare is 100% certified organic and they will whip smoothies and other amazing treats right in house.
Chutney Indian restaurant has an entire vegetarian menu, featuring favourites like Paneer Masala and Mixed Vegetable Curry. Find them on Pandosy Street.
Photo Credit KelownaNow
Kelowna's newest south Indian restaurant, found in Rutland, blends a fusion of traditional dosa, and french crepes. Dosa is a fermented crepe made from rice batter and lentils, so it’s both gluten free and vegan. The Cafe is open for lunch and dinner.
The gourmet, yet comforting, restaurant has delved into the vegan world, offering options like tofu and vegan caesars. Cheers!
Naked Cafe is perfect if you are looking for vegan comfort food. It’s like the healthier and homier vegan version of McDonald’s without the guilt or animal cruelty!
Photo Credit KelownaNow
Besides these Kelowna treasures, there are a bunch of chain restaurants in the city that accommodate vegans and vegetarians. In case you’re going out with friends and aren’t sure what you’re options are, we have you covered.
Original Joe’s - They have an entire vegetarian menu you can ask for and you can sub out chicken for soy chicken in any dish.
Joey Restaurant - Ask for their vegetarian menu!
Subway - Customize your own quick lunch.
WokBox - They clearly list all their vegan options, just ask for the ribbon noodles.
Jugo Juice - All of their drinks are vegan so go ahead- get juicy.
Glow Juicery - Stop in for juices and raw food that will make you feel healthy in no time.
Wrap Zone - Once again, their wraps are completely customizable so you can stack the veggies sky-high.
Cheesecake from the Social | Photo Credit KelownaNow
When making the transition to a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, do it slowly and don’t expect too much of yourself from the get-go. It’s always helpful to start by having a meatless day a week and increasing them for a few months. That’s when you can start taking out dairy products and eggs if you choose too. If you do it all at once, you’re more likely to get overwhelmed and give up (although it does work for some).
Photo Credit KelownaNow
Summer is on it’s way and luckily we live in the Okanagan so there is fresh produce everywhere. Head down to the Kelowna Farmer’s Market and talk to farmers to get their best ingredients and tips on eating local. Fruit stands are also an absolute must to get fresh and delicious snacks from.
Even if you’re avoiding meat, don’t be afraid to hit the grill. It’s perfect for cooking cauliflower, eggplant and of course, baked potatoes.
Veggie burger from Naked Cafe | Photo Credit KelownaNow
Don’t worry too much about not getting enough protein because their are plenty of plant-based options to rely on. Try tofu, soy meat, edamame, leafy greens and beans.
And remember, just because it’s vegan, doesn’t make it healthy! For example, Oreos and Bacon Bits are both vegan. The good thing about this, is when you’re looking for a treat, they are never too hard to find. So, go ahead, live a little.
If you’ve found any amazing vegan and vegetarian gems in the area, don’t forget to let us know!
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