is
an informal group offering support and information.
actively
monitors the region for new restaurants and represents vegetarian
interests in our communities. A new "east of Toronto" listing
will be available soon.
is
the eastern regional sub-group of
TVA.
 Durham:
Nutrition services
East
... to cottage country and beyond
Carrots
and Sticks
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| Ajax
- Vegetarian/Veg-friendly restaurants, cafés, other services:
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| Alnoor
44 Harwood Avenue South, Ajax [905-239-7786] Durham's only restaurant offering a fusion of Indian and East African dishes. A wide variety of Indian sweets are also available. |
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Bombay
Grill
619 Kingston Road West, Ajax [905-239-4077] This frequent favourite of DLV members is located in Pickering Village (Ajax). If you are vegan, be sure to specify no "paneer" and ask about the Naan (bread) to be sure this is dairy-free. Special dishes not on the menu can be made on request, such as Sag Aloo. |
1414 King St. E., Courtice [905-576-3377]
This edgy, fusion Thai restaurant with its onyx decor offers many vegetarian and vegan options. Remember to ask for any fish sauce to be omitted. Mango sticky rice is a treat.
Vegan Nutritional Cooking Classes
DLV member, Helen Northcott, RPN, is offering cooking classes in Oshawa on the first Sunday of each month. For details, please call 905-448-9240.
| Avanti
Trattoria
17 King Street East, Oshawa [905-404-8040] This picturesque downtown restaurant offers an abundance of vegetarian options and several vegan offerings. Vegans should inquire about which pastas of the day are egg-free. The avocado salad with artichoke hearts and pine nuts is a favourite. |
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| Beanz
Cafe
82 King St W, Oshawa [905-245-0581] Under new management. Veggie wraps, bagels and fresh fruit, plus soymilk, always available for early morning stops and lunches. Vegan cookies have been added and the new owners are promising more vegan options. |
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| Curry
Club
38 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa [905 436-1704] Looking at this small restaurant from the outside, you would think they only server artery-clogging full breakfasts, but it fact, they offer some of the best traditional Indian food in the Durham region. Disregard the posters advertising breakfasts and wait to see the menu. The owner can re-make vegetarian dishes without ghee, paneer or yogurt on request. |
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| Cyrus
Restaurant
563 Ritson Road South, Oshawa [905-448-0892 ] Falafel as well as a smoked eggplant entrée were favourites. The owners will make specials. This cozy family-owned eatery is a great find in Oshawa and gives us another option for delicious and healthful restaurant eating. |
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| Golden
Thai
84 King St W. Oshawa [905-429-2362 ] This familiy-owned spot is a popular lunch stop for downtown government employees as well as those at the new campus and courthouse buildings. Well-priced vegan and veg-friendly entrees make it a frequent favourite of DLV members working downtown. |
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| Isabella's
Cafe
2 King Street East, Oshawa New location. Quite small but same menu and hours. |
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| Kingsway
- ABC Grocery
1096 King Street E , Oshawa [905-579-2311 ] For many years, the Seventh Day Adventists (who have their Canadian headquarters in Oshawa) have operated a treasure of a vegetarian resource, a "hidden" grocery store in the back of the ABC Bookstore. It offers foods unavailable in any health food store. There are also deals on bulk items like nutritional yeast and tvp. Located in the Adventist compound in East Oshawa. Look for the Kingsway greenhouse. |
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| Mad
Café
38 King Street East, Oshawa [905-571-0227] Located next to the Regent Theatre, the Mad Café opened in June 2011 as the newest addition to Oshawa's King Street. The café also has vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. They carry Daiya for making vegan "cheeze" quesadillas and almond as well as soy milk.
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| Pita
Deli in "5 points mall"
285 Taunton Road East, Oshawa [433-0848] This family-owned popular spot the "5 Points Mall" is well-known to locals. It features the best falafel in southern Ontario! One wrap (around $5) will last for two meals. |
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| The
Table by Carol
20 Simcoe Street South Oshawa, Phone: 289-240-8720 [http://thetablebycarol.ca/] The Table is a new whole foods-based restaurant in mid-town Oshawa. The daily soup menu offers vegetarians and vegan variety as does the huge salad/appetizer menu. The Table's proprietors bring their global travel experiences to the menu and that is always a treat! |
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| Viva
Burrito
12 Centre Street North, Oshawa, 905-240-8482 Excellent black bean, rice and grilled veg burrito (veg or vegan available) at this small cafe. The owner is a vegetarian and plans on having more veg options available. Cozy eating area in front of large window onto to Centre Street. |
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| Yola's
Caribbean Cuisine
9 Bond Street West , Oshawa (near Simcoe) - new location! This family-owned lunch/take-out spot specializes in traditional Caribbean food, including vegetarian options. |
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| Zack's
Sandwich Shop
13 King Street West , Oshawa [905-433-2095] Best falafel and veggie wrap in downtown Oshawa. A favourite hideaway for downtown workers. |
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Whites Road Shopping Centre, 705 Kingston Road, Pickering [905-985-6980]
Look closely for this tiny restaurant. The logo is difficult to see, especially at night, and parking is congested. Beware that shrimp sauce, oyster sauce or fish sauce is used in almost every dish, even those marked "vegetarian". The staff is very happy to remake any dish, even at peak times. The food is delicious and unique so well-worth the inconvenience and preamble.
1450 Kingston Road, Pickering [905-837-5044 ]
Another small restaurant in a mall along Kingston Road. The main attraction is the variety of fine Malaysian and Thai dishes available here. Beware that shrimp sauce, oyster sauce or fish sauce is used in almost every dish, even those marked "vegetarian". The staff will remake most dishes on request. Tofu Satay and Tofu Goreng are available.
182 Queen Street, Port Perry [905-985-6980]
Delicious dark chocolates suitable for vegans and diabetics are available here.
180 Queen Street, Port Perry [905-985-6980]
This coffee house partners with P'lovers to offer veg-friendly snacks and eco-friendly products in a bistro-style environment. Many gluten-free and vegan grocery staples are also available.
1821 Scugog, Port Perry [905-982-0109 ]
The owners and staff offer many veg-friendly and vegan options. One of the few Port Perry restaurants where vegans have options.
Roosters
Inn & Farm Sanctuary
Highway 7A, near Port Perry
The Roosters Inn B&B/farm sanctuary is closed for the 2012 season.
1 Main St. S, Uxbridge [905-852-1011]
This entirely wheat-free restaurant and bakery offers many veg-friendly and vegan options. Reservations recommended.
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 The
Jasmine Garden
10 Meadowglen Drive, Whitby [905-493-1967] This is Durham's only entirely vegetarian restaurant. It is accessed from Garden Street, south of Taunton and north of Rossland on the West side. Family-owned, the meals are homecooked in a unique style that meshes East Asian, Caribbean and Cajun. |
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 Cup
of Tea Bakery and Cafe
25 Thickson Road North, Whitby [905-429-2448] Cup of Tea Bakery and Cafe is in a drive-in mall just north of Dundas and on Thickson. It is a nut-free, organic and gluten-free bakery and take-out cafe. They offer over 80 different loose leaf teas and usually a selection of vegan baked goods. |
| Desiam
25 Thickson Rd. N., Whitby [905-668-1967 ] This Thai restaurant is in the AMC Mall is a favourite with Durham lakeside residents. There are several vegan and vegetarian entrees and DLV has held a few meetings there. Be sure to remind them "no fish sauce". |
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| Greek
Tycoon
1101 Brock Street South Whitby [905-668-0778] This familiar spot has several options for vegetarians. For vegans, speak to the staff about modifications to entrees. |
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| Lick's
1111 Dundas Street East Whitby [905-666-9277] This familiar spot is a clone of the popular Toronto-Beaches eatery which has won awards for its NatureBurger. The quick and friendly service is a constant. There are several vegan options, including the Mango Sorbet. |
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| Nice
Bistro
117 Brock Street North, Whitby [905-668-8839 ] This cozy piece of southern France in downtown Whitby is a destination for special events. Owners, Bernard and Manon, are very familar with vegan and vegetarian cooking and are happy to alter the menu. Fresh, locally-grown foods are important to this couple and their crew. Reservations are recommended. |
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30 Taunton Road East, Whitby [905-655-9900]
A popular place with a casual atmosphere and quick service. A lot of choice within "Hakka" cuisine menu, a fusion of Indian and Chinese traditions. Tucked in the mall on the northeast side of Taunton and Brock/Baldwin.
Cobourg
Daizies
at 74 King Street West, Cobourg [905 372-7777]
Daizies is unique in eastern Ontario for offering an organic approach to its menu. Vegetarian-friendly, the staff will make accomodations for vegans. Pleasant indoor or outdoor casual dining.
Kingston
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Sleepless
Goat Cafe & Workers Co-op
91 Princess Street, Kingston [613-545-9696] The Sleepless Goat Workers' Co-operative is a collectively owned restaurant which strives to make a social statement as well as provide vegetarian and vegan options. The meals are excellent but you may need to stand in line to order and wait for a table. The staff adhere rigorously to a lunch and dinner schedule. You may have to wait but it's worth it! |
Port Hope
Bulai Taste of Thai
at 108 Walton St., Port Hope, [905 885-1300]
On the main street with numerous shops, this oasis caters to those seeking a leisurely meal. Several vegetarian and vegan options available, but be sure to specify "no fish sauce". Reservations recommended.
Fenelon Falls:
Fenelon Falls Inn at 36 Helen Street
A surprise for vegan travellers is this traditional Ontario inn which serves primarily Indian food and is very vegetarian and vegan-friendly. Unfortunately, it is open only for dinner.
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Sweet
Bottoms Coffee
19 Colborne Street [705-887-7506] Fenelon Falls' only cafe with soymilk as of summer 2011, this relative newcomer to the mainstreet offers bagels and veg-friendly sandwiches. The owners are very welcoming and accommodating. Soy and almond milks available. |
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owners of Sweet Bottoms Coffee also operate a veg-friendly B&B
called Blue Oak
Bed & Breakfast, 29 Oask Street, 709-8872898.
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24 Francis Street West [705-887-3329]
InIn downtown Fenelon Falls, Nolan's offers mostly lacto-ovo options but the grilled vegetable panini can be altered for vegans. Be sure to check the soup base and dressings. No dairy alternatives for tea or coffee or desserts. Otherwise, a friendly and welcoming old-cottage atmosphere.
Helen Northcott, MA, CCC [905-448 9240]
Helen is registered with the Ontario College of Nurses as a Registered Practical Nurse and a Canadian Certified Counsellor through the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Learn the importance of vegan meals that are cholesterol free and low in protein. This kind of food is highly beneficial to those recovering from addictions to alcohol and drugs. A vegan lifestyle will produce the best blood for good health and increased healing time. Workshops include handouts, educational videos and samples. No hands on cooking. Workshops are limited to 10 and are held in Oshawa and Toronto.
Deborah da Silva, CNP [905-239-3485 ]
Deborah is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist and educates people about the foundations of good nutrition and enjoy teaching, preparing and sharing delicious & nutritious food. Come out and have some “Play Thyme in the Kitchen” -or- classes including Mediterranean, Mexican, Carribbean, Healthy Comfort foods, Heavenly Heart Healthy foods, Crazy about Quinoa and many others.
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Casey's
Restaurants
Having reported earlier that the Casey's veggie burger was not vegan, more recent investigation has proved that the veggie burger at Casey's is vegan, but the bun is not. At some restaurants there is a substitute bread. Please ask your server for assistance. |
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Mad Cafe
The owners have made a commitment to vegetarians and vegans. Last week, they were serving a lovely maple and parsnip hot soup and a grilled veggie quesadilla, made with Daiya. They are carrying Sweets from the Earth as well. They also make specialty coffees with both soy and almond milk, on request. |