Growing up as a vegan in Hamilton there wasn’t too much that the restaurants had to offer & vegan restaurants certainly weren’t a thing back then. I remember going to an East Side Marios with some high school friends for lunch once & asking them if their vegetable soup was vegan. At that time I even had to explain what vegan meant. I was told that the soup didn’t contain any animal products so I ordered it. 

When the food arrived the server placed my bowl of vegetable soup down in front of me, asked me if I wanted any fresh grated cheese which I politely declined, and then was informed that the broth was beef broth. 

Yup, that’s pretty much what it was like to be vegan over 20 years ago here. Not only did people pronounce the word wrong (vay-gan) but they also just couldn’t wrap their heads around what was considered an animal derived ingredients. (It’s pronounced vee-gan btw 🤪)

Fast forward 20 years and Hamilton is one of the best vegan cities in Ontario. There are numerous vegan restaurants now and they’re all pretty freaken awesome. I get so excited watching it grow and become such a progressive community. 

Here are my favourite vegan restaurants that Hamilton and it’s surrounding small cities have to offer. 

My Top 5 Fav Vegan Restaurants in Hamilton, Ontario:

1. Democracy Café

Atmosphere: This place is pretty neat. It used to be a popular bakery on a beautiful trendy street in downtown Hamilton. Now it’s a big open vegan café with all types of seating and dining choices. 

This place is perfect for quick lunches with friends, solo bites, and even intimate little dates. They have games for kids, books & magazines, and a giant chalk board wall. 

The Food: Always super yummy. They have a decent size menu filled with healthy to vegan junk food. They love to support local coffee companies, breweries, and places like that. 

Overall Rating: 5/5 really can’t complain

Get The: The Beyond Burger, The Big Mac Pizza, and The Cauliflower Wings 

2. Green Bar

Atmosphere: I love this little healthy vegan resto. They have the cutest little interior decor that is very farmhouse meets industrial. Lots of wood & brick exposure mixed with metal shelving & surfaces. 

This place is a mix of grab ’n go and quick bite sit down. 

The Food: I have to admit, the food is always better when you’re eating it there but it’s still super tasty when you grab it for pick up. They have lots of smoothies, fresh bowls, and tasty breakfast items. 

Overall Rating: 4/5 sometimes the takeout just isn’t that great. 

Get The: The Bagel Lox & Schmear & The Cauliflower Wings

3. Boon Burger

Atmosphere: Very chill farmhouse meets industrial style. Great for lunches and low-key dates. You can order everything up at the counter, they’ll give you a plastic animal to ornament your table and then they bring you your order when it’s ready. 

The Food: Love burgers? This is the place for you! They have so many different vegan burger options along with pizzas, sausages, poutines and more. And everything is delicious. 

Overall Rating: 5/5 honestly, everything is really tasty and well done

Get The: Southwest Crunch and the Greek Poutine

4. Rise Above

Atmosphere: Fun little bar style vegan resto. They even have old school pinball machines. Great place for date night or drinks with friends. 

The Food: Their pizzas are really big and really tasty. Everything is super filling. Lately my household has been in love with their vegan schnitzel sandwich. 

Overall Rating: 5/5 when you’re in the mood for phatty vegan food, this place hits the spot. 

Get The: Vegan Schnitzel if they have it in stock or the Pepperoni Pizza

5. Coven

Although Coven Market isn’t a vegan restaurant I felt that I had to include it because it is now a HUGE staple in the vegan community here. 

This place is one of the first all vegan grocers and bakery and sandwich shop. 

Their baked goods are incredible. They make a delicious vegan Passion Flakie that I am literally obsessed with. And we’ve ordered a few of their vegan birthday cakes which have all been super yummy. 

They make their own grab ’n go items like vegan chicken salad mix, egg salad, pulled pork etc. 

If you’re in town I highly recommend giving them a visit. They also have all of the latest vegan grocery items like Beyond Meat, Impossible Burgers, Just Egg, etc. 

Well there you have it, my top 5 vegan restaurants in Hamilton, Ontario. Below you’ll find a list of all of the vegan restaurants in the area. I will probably do another article to feature them all individually like this one but I thought it would be best to keep this short and sweet. 

Let me know if you’ve ever been to any of these restaurants and what you ordered down below. 

Honourable Mentions:

1. Fresh
2. Planted
3. Hearty Hooligan
4. Sweet Beets
5. Little Asia 
6. Pizza Pizza
7. Pizzaiolio
8. Freshii
9. Donut Monster
10. Bring Me Some
11. Copper Branch 
12. Lettuce Love (Burlington)
13. Heal Burger

Checkout my latest article where I review Pacifica’s new Glow Baby vegan Vitamin C Serum here.