Vegan Windsor Ontario: Best Vegan & Veg-Friendly Restaurants

There are so many amazing things to do in Windsor, Ontario, and you need to dine at as many vegan restaurants as possible. This vegan Windsor Ontario guide will show you the top spots for vegan food at vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants.

Windsor and the neighbouring community of Tecumseh's restaurants offer an astounding variety of vegan eats. It will take multiple trips to Windsor to try them all. These are the best vegan restaurants in Windsor that you need to visit (in no particular order).

Vegan Windsor Ontario: Nooch

Nooch (a nod to "nutritional yeast", an ingredient well known to vegans) is a vegan spot in Windsor that you must visit! They've opened in their new location at 888 Erie Street East. Nooch is Windsor's first 100% vegan restaurant and they serve delicious plant-based comfort food. My photos are from their old location, so I'll need to go back soon to check out the new digs!

Their menu is full of delectable options, including sharables, salads, and mains. You'll have trouble deciding what to order because everything looks so good. The sharables are delicious appetizers like seitan bites (similar to wings), tacos, and fries (poutine or fries supreme).

Their mains are comfort food gone completely plant-based, no animal products here. You can order a Philly cheesesteak, pulled jackfruit sandwich, BLT club, ultimate cheesy pasta, the Reuben or a burger. I chose a Detroiter frankfurter (Field Roast Frankfurter served with chili, mustard and onions) when I visited Nooch because it was something from the region and I was in the mood for a hotdog. It was so good!

Nooch also has a ton of desserts, so you'll need to save room for some cake or cookies after your meal. This is one of the best vegan restaurants in Windsor and it needs to be at the top of your list when you travel here.

Vegan Restaurants in Tecumseh: Healthy Mama

Healthy Mama is a vegan and gluten-free bistro in Tecumseh, Ontario that doubles as a small grocery store. In addition to the 100% vegan restaurant menu, you'll find meals in a grab and go freezer, pantry items, snacks, chocolate and treats. While it isn't a massive grocery store by any means, there are number of shelves and it's really nice to know that everything is vegan (and gluten-free). No checking labels here!

There's a menu board with inviting photos of all of the food, just in case you'd like to see what everything looks like before you order. The staff are very friendly and helpful, and if you have any questions, they will be able to assist you. Healthy Mama has a bright and beautiful indoor dining space, as well as an outdoor patio.

I visited Healthy Mama for breakfast and I ordered the Pink Pitaya Smoothie Bowl. The ingredients sounded yummy, but the bowl was pink and I found that pretty appealing.

Since I visited for breakfast, I need to go back for lunch and dinner. There are some other tasty dishes on the menu: Macho Nacho Bowl, the Build Your Own Pizza Burger, Cauliflower Tacos, and the BBQ Chick'n Wrap. I will also definitely order dessert, especially some of those truffles or homemade chocolate bars.

Vegetarian & Vegan: Carrots n' Dates

While I love comfort food, Carrots n' Dates is a vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurant on the healthier side of the food spectrum. You'd hardly know it though because everything is so delicious. They specialize in wholesome, gluten-free and plant-based meals prepared using fresh ingredients.

I've dined at Carrots n' Dates twice now, and I was very happy with my meals on both occasions. It's always a difficult choice when it comes to ordering. Most dishes are vegan, and you can choose from salads, soups, burgers and bowls. On my first visit, I ordered the Buddha Bowl (brown rice, greens, grilled smoked tofu, red peppers, carrots, cucumber, sesame, and tahini dressing).

On my second trip to Carrots n' Dates, I couldn't resist getting another bowl. I ordered the Pad Thai bowl and added tofu and mushrooms. Their Pad Thai sauce is so delicious, and they actually have it bottled so you can bring some home with you.

I couldn't resist trying one of their donuts with an Americano after my meal, too. There is a large display of baked goods, desserts and chocolates, and many are both vegan and gluten-free. They're all labeled very clearly.

Vegan-Friendly Windsor: Erie St Gastropub

Erie St Gastropub is an amazing lunch, dinner, and late night establishment for delicious food and drink. There are vegan items clearly marked on the menu, as well as what can be prepared vegan or vegetarian. The food is described as Asian fusion and it's one of the best meals I've had in Windsor. The chef is incredibly talented and I'd happily dine here all the time if I lived closer.

To start, I had vegan dumplings with tofu and veggies that were so flavourful. For my main, I selected the Bun Cha Gio: vermicelli noodle topped with shredded salad, cucumber, Vietnamese pickle, mint and sweet & sour dipping sauce, with tofu and veggie spring rolls. There's also a dessert that can be prepared vegan, the Che Chuoi (homemade tapioca and coconut cream pudding with caramelized banana).

Erie Street Gastropub also has a talented bartender who creates innovative cocktails. For the beer fans, there's an extensive craft beer menu with local and international brews for every taste. I highly recommend Erie St Gastropub for a date night or an evening out with your friends.

Thyme Kitchen

Thyme Kitchen, located in downtown Windsor, is a chef driven restaurant inspired by local ingredients. While they aren't exclusively vegan or vegetarian, they do have plenty of options for those following vegan or gluten-free diets. It's one of the best vegan-friendly restaurants in Windsor. Dine here for breakfast, lunch, or weekend brunch.

I've visited Thyme Kitchen twice now and thoroughly enjoyed both of my meals. First, I chose the fan favourite, Tofu Crunch Wrap (brown rice, tofu, tomato, avocado, peppers, spinach, vegan cheese, and crunchy tostada, wrapped inside a wheat tortilla). It's paired with a delightful chipotle aioli, as well as two sides of your choice (I chose potato hash and the pineapple coleslaw).

On my second visit to Thyme Kitchen, I ordered a falafel wrap, a side salad, and a cup of miso vegetable soup. The falafel tasted delicious, and I loved the fillings of veggies, beans and vegan cheese. The green salad and miso soup were both delicious, and I really liked the salad dressing and the sliced grapes on top of the salad.

Taloola Cafe

Taloola Cafe is a cozy vegan-friendly coffee shop in Walkerville that I quickly fell in love with. The decor is so warm and inviting and I loved the exposed brick walls. As a travel lover, I was enthralled with the giant world map. Not only does this coffee shop look beautiful, but the food and drinks are amazing, too.

This cafe is very vegan-friendly, with vegan options on their lunch menu, many vegan baked goods, and plant-based milk offerings. There are numerous cookies, loaves and other goodies that are vegan (look for the little "V" on the sign). You can also enjoy several vegan meals here for lunch: the Chichi (chickpea mash flatbread), veggie wrap, vegan breakfast wrap, grilled tofu wrap, and many more.

I popped by Taloola Cafe for an Americano with oat milk and a vegan chocolate chip cookie. It was the perfect snack and little boost of caffeine that I needed to continue with my day. The staff members here are very friendly and helpful, too. Definitely don't miss Taloola Cafe when you visit Windsor.

Vegan Desserts Windsor: Plant Joy

Plant Joy is the first vegan doughnut shop in Windsor. Jordynne couldn't find a vegan donut in the city, so she decided to make her own. Plant Joy is extremely popular and always has an endless stream of customers. I'm sure that many people don't even realize that the doughnuts here are vegan. They're just really delicious treats.

Plant Joy has many flavours of donuts, some are fan favourites and some are rotating varieties. Also, I was overjoyed that Jordynne spelled my name using donuts. You'll see the letters of my name in lemon lavender, chocolate, cinnamon sugar, strawberries & cream, raspberry, and vanilla frosted doughnuts. They were all so good!

You've need to try these award-winning donuts. They're light, fluffy, and some of the best tasting doughnuts I've ever had. Order a six pack of donuts for the road to bring home with you from Windsor. Spell out your loved ones name in doughnuts. Or order a donut and eat it right on the spot! If you're vegan, you can't visit Windsor without going here.

Vegan Deli in Windsor: The Vegan Gardiners

The Vegan Gardiners is Windsor's first vegan deli. You'll find artisanal vegan cheese, plant-based deli meats, homemade plant milks, and so much more. Stop at the Vegan Gardiners on your way out of town so you can bring some of their prepared ingredients home with you.

I was served some of the vegan bacon by the Vegan Gardiners at my bed and breakfast stay at A Hidden Gem B&B. It was super thoughtful that the hosts researched where to get vegan food for my breakfast. The bacon was super delicious and I highly recommend that you try it.

The Vegan Gardiners has specialty charcuterie boards and vegan cheese platters as well, so you can sample a little bit of everything. It's not too often that you find an all vegan deli, and Windsor's vegan scene is so amazing that they've got one.

Cafe March 21

Cafe March 21 is a cute coffee shop in downtown Windsor. I stopped here for a coffee, and there are also vegan scones/cookies available at the front. There's a little shop near the front counter with a variety of kitschy collectibles and things for your kitchen.

Cafe March 21 also has a lunch menu with vegan steamed dumplings and five kinds of vegan ramen: dumpling ramen, peanut butter ramen, coconut curry ramen, gochujang ramen, and Korean soybean ramen. The coffee was delicious and I'd love to return for a full meal.

Odd Burger

Odd Burger is a 100% vegan fast food restaurant with locations across Ontario. They offer a variety of burgers, wraps, salads, breakfast options, shakes and desserts. It's one of the best vegan restaurants in Windsor if you're looking for fast food or takeout.

UnCurry

UnCurry is an Indian vegan restaurant in Windsor. I haven't had the chance to try UnCurry yet, but I'd love to check them out in the future. Right now, you can only order online for delivery, and it appears to be a ghost kitchen inside the Windsor Biryani House. They have a variety of plant-based biryanis and curries with vegan meats, Hakka noodles, and combos.