Food & Drink

Vegan and Vegetarian Dining in Kamloops

Kamloops is growing into a stronghold for vegan and vegetarian dining, with an increasing number of restaurants catering to plant-based eaters. The city offers a variety of eateries serving up flavourful and thoughtfully prepared meat-free dishes. Kamloops has something for every plant-based eater, from casual spots to refined fare.

The Art We Are Café

This cozy café is a must-visit for anyone seeking vegan or vegetarian food with a personal touch. The Art We Are Café combines local artistry with a menu rich in plant-based options. Their vegan brunch wrap is a standout, stuffed with fresh, flavourful vegetables and hearty ingredients. The soups and salad bowls are equally satisfying, balancing nutrients and taste. The café offers a daily selection of house-made soups, including at least one vegan and gluten-free option. These soups are crafted with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and are accompanied by homemade cornbread, with vegan and gluten-free cornbread available upon request.

Popular items include the Vegan Brunch Wrap, featuring tofu, roasted yam, black beans, tomatoes, spinach, and spices, and the Vegetable Quiche, made with a yam crust, free-range eggs, house-made pesto, roasted veggies, and feta. The quiche is served with a green salad and a choice of house-made dressings.

For sweet tooth lovers, they make gluten-free, vegan muffins fresh daily that are delicious and packed full of nutrients.

The café's dedication to using locally sourced organic ingredients elevates the dining experience. Here, the café's walls showcase local art, creating a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere where diners can linger over their meals.

Bright Eye Brewing

Bright Eye Brewing

Bright Eye Brewing is more than just a craft brewery. While it's renowned for its house-made beers, the food menu is equally impressive, offering a variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes that pair perfectly with their brews. Bright Eye Brewing's menu ensures no one leaves hungry.

One standout option for vegans is the Crispy Harvest Quinoa Salad. This dish combines shaved Brussels sprouts, arugula, purple cabbage, roasted squash, red onion, and sunflower seeds. Tossed in a sweet and tangy maple Dijon vinaigrette, this salad strikes the perfect balance between hearty and fresh.

Another must-try is the Vegan Bao Buns. These soft, fluffy buns are filled with spiced falafel, crisp lettuce, juicy tomato, pickled onion, and a creamy vegan peppercorn ranch. It's a flavourful and satisfying choice for a plant-based meal.

For pizza lovers, the Bright Margherita Pizza is a classic favourite. It's a crowd-pleaser made with mozzarella, classic tomato sauce, fresh basil, balsamic reduction, and oven-roasted tomato. The kitchen can adapt the pizza with dairy-free cheese for vegan diners to keep it plant-based without compromising flavour.

Maurya's Rest Bar Banquet

Maurya's Rest.Bar.Banquet

If you're craving Indian cuisine, Maurya's is a top choice. Located on Victoria Street, this restaurant offers an extensive menu with options catering to vegan and vegetarian diets.

Start your meal with the Vegetable Samosa, crispy pastries filled with spiced potatoes and green peas. For something equally satisfying, the Pakoras are a must-try. These crispy fritters, made with onion, potato, spinach, and mint leaves, offer a delicious crunch with every bite.

For a heartier option, the Chole Bhature is a standout dish. It features leavened flatbread served with savoury chickpea curry and a tangy onion salad, creating a perfect balance of flavours. If you want something unique, the Vegan Eggplant Shank showcases tender eggplant infused with aromatic Indian spices, delivering a flavorful and memorable main course.

Maurya's menu is clearly labelled to indicate vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, making it easy for diners to make informed choices. The restaurant's dedication to accommodating diverse dietary needs, paired with its commitment to authentic Indian flavours, sets it apart as a top choice for plant-based dining in Kamloops.

Tiger Ramen

Tiger Ramen is a beloved spot for authentic Japanese noodles. Known for its cozy atmosphere and flavourful broths, the restaurant caters thoughtfully to vegan and vegetarian diners, offering hearty and customizable options.

For those following a vegan diet, Tiger Ramen delivers two standout dishes. The Vegan Curry Ramen is a must-try. Featuring a rich, spiced broth that has been simmered for hours, this dish combines house-made noodles with fresh vegetables for a hearty and satisfying meal. The spice level is customizable, ranging from mild to fiery, allowing diners to tailor their bowl to their preference.

If you're in the mood for something with a kick, the Vegan Red Ramen is an excellent choice. This bowl packs bold flavours and offers adjustable heat levels, from subtle warmth to a tongue-tingling intensity. The deep and complex broth pairs perfectly with the fresh noodles, creating a dish that's as exciting as it is delicious.

Tiger Ramen's commitment to quality is evident in its attention to detail. Each broth is prepared from scratch, with hours of simmering to develop depth and complexity. The house-made noodles are crafted to be the perfect vessel for these flavourful broths, ensuring a satisfying bite every time.

Xpress Chef

Xpress Chef offers a diverse menu catering to vegan and vegetarian preferences. Their plant-based options include wraps, bowls, salads, paninis, and smoothies, all crafted with fresh ingredients.

The Achilles Greek Wrap features lettuce, tomato, peppers, cucumber, red onions, olives, balsamic and oregano vinaigrette, and feta, with a vegan option available upon request. For a hearty meal, the Buddha Bowl combines rice, mixed greens, butternut squash, roasted garlic chickpeas, beets, carrots, grape tomatoes, avocado, radish, green onions, and sesame seeds, served with ginger lime and tahini vinaigrettes.

Salad choices include the Ginger Sesame Orange Salad, made with mixed greens, peppers, red onions, cucumbers, mandarin orange segments, grape tomatoes, sesame seeds, crispy corn tortilla strips, and ginger lime vinaigrette. The Veggie Pesto Panini offers a flavourful combination of tofu, peppers, tomatoes, red onions, cheddar, Swiss cheese, and basil pesto mayo on multigrain bread, with a vegan option available.

Xpress Chef's smoothie selection features options like the Incredible Hulk, blending spinach, banana, vanilla protein, cinnamon, and coconut water. For a sweet treat, the Chocolate Chip Cookies are gluten-free and vegan, made with gluten-free flour, vegan butter, organic sugar, vegan chocolate chips, and oat milk.

With a commitment to mindful eating, Xpress Chef provides a welcoming environment for those seeking vegan and vegetarian meals in Kamloops. Their diverse menu ensures that plant-based diners can access flavourful and satisfying options.

Conclusion

Kamloops is steadily becoming a plant-based eater's destination, offering various options that make dining out enjoyable and accessible. From globally inspired dishes to classic comfort food, these establishments showcase how creativity and quality ingredients can elevate vegan and vegetarian cuisine. Kamloops has plenty to offer if you're a lifelong vegetarian or vegan or just exploring meat-free meals.