PLACES TO EAT

The "staff" at punkottawa.com endorse an animal-free lifestyle for environmental, health, economic and political reasons. We aren't going to push it down your throat, but suggest that you do some research and look into vegetarianism (or veganism) much like you would if you were buying a house or a car, your body is a temple, or a Tempo...

Here is a list of places to eat in the Ottawa area.

Please check the websites or call ahead for hours and more information. Make sure to tell these places that you heard about them on punkottawa.com!

Our Top 7

Cafe My House
upscale seasonal vegan
1015 Wellington Street (view map)
613-733-0707
[email protected]

Diverse ever evolving vegan menu with some raw and gluten free options. Also offers small plates, sharing boards and 5/9/12 course tasting menus. Great brunch menu available anytime as well - the chipotle BLT (on GF waffles) is a favourite!

Little Jo Berrys
Coffee and Eats
1305 Wellington Street (view map)
613-761-8000
[email protected]

Great coffee, baked goods (squares, donuts, twinkies, pop tarts!), savoury items (salads, sandwiches, homemade seitan specials). GF options. Carries Vegan Magic bacon grease and Parmageddon as well as Oat and Mill ice cream (scoops, floats, pints and sandwiches!). Catering available.

Ceylonta
Sri Lankan/Indian
403 Somerset St. W (view map)
2920 Carling Ave. (view map)
613-237-7812
[email protected]

Large selection of veg/vegan dishes. Vegans, make sure to ask for the veg dishes "without egg". Friendly staff, very reasonable prices. Veg stringhoppers and kothu roti (without egg) rock. Roasted potatoes is the bomb (not on the menu, ask for it!). Get 10 people together and call ahead for an all-you-can-eat buffet. Catering available.

Hareg Cafe
Ethiopian & Eritrean
587 Bank St. (view map)
613-695-2488

All you can eat vegan buffet daily with a dozen options ($12-ish), traditional Ethiopian coffee, they add a few meat options on weekends. Boo. Food is eaten with your hands using the pancake-like injera bread as a utensil. Super fresh gluten free injera. While youÕre there pop in to Birdman Sound next door and ask John if he has the new Sum 41 record :)

Govinda's
Indian/Vegan
212 Somerset St. E (view map)
613-565-6544

All you can eat vegan buffet. $5 for students/seniors, $7 for others. Soup, green salad, pasta salad, basmati rice, two curries and dessert. Best deal in town! Mon-Fri 5pm-8pm. Krishna festival Sundays at 5pm.

La Belle Verte
Vegan/Raw
166, rue Eddy, Hull. (view map)
819-778-6363

Half & half mix of raw and cooked food. They do great things with seeds and nuts. Incredible desserts.

Other Vegetarian and Vegan-friendly restaurants

Habesha Restaurant
Ethiopian
574 Rideau St. (view map)
613-761-6120

Their veg platter has six stews (split peas in yellow sauce, green beans, lentils in spicy bebere sauce, lentils in brown sauce, potato/cabbage/carrots and one more I forget) and salad. It's vegan and an awesome bargain at $8 per person. Food is eaten with your hands using the pancake-like injera bread as a utensil. Super fresh injera.

Café Gaïa
International menu
47, boul Montclair, Hull. (view map)
819-777-9019

Brunch, sandwiches, soups, vegan and wheat free items.

Coconut Lagoon
South Indian/Sri Lankan
853 St. Laurent Blvd. (view map)
613-742-4444

Good selection of vegetarian dishes. If you're vegan let them know and they can accomodate. Good dosas and thali. Try the eggplant too!

Horn of Africa
Ethiopian
364 Rideau St. (view map)
613-789-0025

Longest running Eithiopian restaurant in town. Best deal at $8.00 per person and 15% off with a coupon from the Bytowne Cinema guide. Veg platter consists of four stews (split peas in yellow sauce, lentils in spicy bebere sauce, lentils in brown sauce, potato/cabbage/carrots in yellow sauce) and green salad. Downtown. Open late.

Market Organics Kitchen
Vegetarian deli
126 York St. (view map)
613-241-6629

Health food store with a range of ready-to-eat products. Deli counter with many vegan items.

The Garden Spot
Veg/vegan buffet
426H Unicentre, Carleton University (view map)

Volunteer-run pay-what-you-can vegan food service at Carleton University. Bring your tupperware and cutlery to 426H Unicentre for lunch 12:30-2:30 Monday through Thursday.

The Green Door
Veg/vegan buffet
198 Main St. (view map)
613-234-9597

Ottawa's original cafeteria-style, pay by the pound veg/vegan buffet. 100% organic. A little expensive. One major downfall is that the menu NEVER changes. Great desserts!

The Manx
Pub fare
370 Elgin St. (downstairs) (view map)
613-231-2070

The tofu tacos on their dinner menu are amazing. Good assortment of vegan appetizers on the regular and "late night" menus too. Hummus, guac, nachos, bruchetta and usually one vegan soup. One or two brunch options. Healthier after show alternative to Elgin Street Diner!

The Pantry Vegetarian Tea Room
Vegetarian tea house
690 Lyon St.
613-233-2784

Nestled inside the Glebe Community Centre, this cosy café serves open-faced sandwhiches, soups and at least one hot casserole. Food is organic where possible. Mon-Fri 12pm-3pm.

Perfection Satisfaction Promise
Potatoes and Indian
167 Laurier Ave. E (view map)
613-234-7299

Specializing in potatoes served with a variety of toppings, some vegan. Also soups, salads, "fast" foods and desserts. Ever notice how the world leaders who have had their photo taken with Sri Chinmoy end up dying -- Mother Theresa, Lady Di?!? Closed Sundays.

Peace Garden Café
Indian/veg/juicebar
47 Clarence St. (view map)
613-562-2434

More Sri Chinmoy approved vegetarian goodness. Juice bar. Daily lunch specials. Breakfast served. Open seven days. Catering available.

Soup d'Herbe
Vegetarian café
168 Old Chelsea Rd.
819-827-7687
[email protected]

Excellent variety of dishes on menu. Juice bar, organic coffees and teas, as well as natural beers and wines. Snacks and desserts are also available.

The Table Vegetarian Eatery
1230 Wellington St.
[email protected]
613-729-5973

Hintonburg/Westboro location, pay by the pound veg/vegan buffet. Organic where possible.

Most Indian and Mediterranean restaurants have a good assortment of veg/vegan dishes. Most Japanese restaurants can prepare veg sushi. Be careful with Thai restuarants as some "vegetarian" dishes have fish broth/stock. Always ask your server or better yet, the owner or cook. I find saying I have a deathly food allergy to meat/fish/dairy gets you through the smoke quite quickly :)

Health Food Stores

Bread and Sons
195 Bank St. (view map)
613-230-5302

Organic bakery carrying a variety of breads, soups, sandwiches and baked goods. Ask them what's vegan or gluten free. There's always something.

The Herb and Spice Shop
375 Bank St. (view map)
613-232-4087

1310 Wellington St. West (view map)
613-722-5747

Two locations. Similar products (herbs, spices, produce, ready-to-eat items). Same logo. Different owners. The Bank Street location carries Auntie Loo's vegan treats.

Natural Food Pantry
Billing's Bridge Plaza - 2277 Riverside Dr. (view map)
613-737-9330

442 Hazeldean Rd. (view map)
613-836-3669

1309 Carling Ave. (view map)
613-728-1255

Great health food store with four locations. Organic produce, bulk foods, natural cleaning products and a lot more. The York Street location carries Auntie Loo's vegan treats.

Rainbow Foods
1487 Richmond Rd. (view map)
613-726-9200
[email protected]

Great health food mini-supermarket. Become a member (free) and get money back on purchases.

The Wheat Berry
206 Main St. (view map)
613-235-7580

Organic produce and bulk foods. Great all round health food store. Right beside the Green Door restaurant.

Organic co-ops and markets

Byward Market Organics Club
36 Byward Market Sq.
tel 613-241-6542
[email protected]
fax 613-241-3656

Weekly inexpensive/organic fruit, vegetable or combo baskets of varying sizes. Delivery available.

Ottawa Organic Farmers' Market
Canada Care Medical Centre - 1644 Bank St
613-256-4150

Vegetables, herbs and baked goods. Approx 10 vendors. Saturdays 10am-2pm.

Food Banks

If you are short on cash and hungry or looking to volunteer/make a donation...

Emergency Food Centre
507 Bank St. (view map)
613-232-3059

The Carleton Emergency Food Centre
426-C Unicentre Bldg., Carleton University (view map)
613-520-2600 ext 2265
[email protected]

On campus food bank for Carleton students. CUID card required.

Ottawa Food Bank
1317-B Michael St. (view map)
613-745-7001