A PLETHORA OF VEGETARIAN OPTIONS

   By Suvarna Shastri, with info from Vegetarian Directory published by the Toronto Vegetarian Association

Photo by: NARI MAVALWALLA

Vegetarians believe a plant-based diet is good for  you, mainly because that’s what they grew up hearing their parents say.

Now there’s scientific evidence to support the belief that eating less meat is good for the planet, too, with people like Dr Deepak Chopra weighing in on the subject.

Environmentalist David Suzuki also urges people to eat meat-free meals at least once a week in what he calls the Nature Challenge.

Here’s a list of restaurants serving a good selection of vegetarian dishes in the GTA:

A-1 Sweets and Restaurant. All-vegetarian menu. 3300 McNicoll Avenue, unit 18A, Scarborough. (416-299-9424) and 2345 Trafalgar Road, Oakville (905-257-0808).

Annapurna. The oldest vegetarian restaurant in Toronto, serving vegan/vegetarian South Indian and macrobiotic dishes since 1974. 1085 Bathurst Street, Toronto. 416-537-8513, www.annapurna. ca.

Annapurna’s Mithai Shoppe. There’s a line up for their authentic Bengali and North Indian sweets and snacks. 1544 Warden Avenue, Scarborough. 416-449-0157.

Aroma Fine Indian Cuisine. Buffet and a la carte  menu include vegetarian dishes. 287 King St. West, Toronto. 416-971-7242.

Avani. Though paneer-heavy, the menu offers many vegetarian choices. Also a vegetarian executive lunch. 801 Matheson Blvd. West, unit 1, Mississauga. 905-501-0021.

Bhai’s. All-vegetarian menu in a fun “canteen” setting. Unit # 8, 115 York Blvd., Richmond Hill. 905-731-7272. 

Bhojan Bhandar. Vegetarian dishes on the menu. 15 Jevlan Dr., unit E, Woodbridge. 905-856-9099.

Brar’s Eats and Sweets. All the sweets Brar’s is famous for and mouth-watering “street sides” of popular chaat items. Located at Trinity Commons mall, 126-140 Great Lakes Dr., Brampton. 905-789-8887.

Brar’s Sweets & Restaurant. Strictly vegetarian all-you-can-eat buffet with Italian and Chinese sections. 199 Advance Boulevard, unit 12, Brampton. 905-799-1625.

Gagan Sweets. Strictly vegetarian. 3175 Rutherford Road, units 43-44, Vaughan. 905-532-0126.

Govardhan Thal. Authentic Gujarati vegetarian dishes. 840 Mar-kham Road. 416-850-0046. Recommended for take-out.

Govinda’s Dining .Room 243 Avenue Road (at the Hare Krishna temple). 12-3 pm and 6-8 pm. 416-922-5415. www.iskon.ca/toronto.

Gurulukshmi. A wide range of traditional South Indian dishes. 7070 Saint Barbara Blvd., units 48-50, Mississauga. 905-795-2299.

Jaipur Grille. Contemporary Indian cuisine which incorporates many vegetarian dishes on the menu. Also vegetarian business lunch options. 2066 Yonge Street. 416-322-5678.

Kailash Parbat. The chain known for vegetarian fare brings chaats and appetisers to Toronto, as well as mains and sides. 1200 Derry Road East, Units 1 and 2, Mississauga. 905-593-4400 / 416-565-7460.

Magic Oven. A selection of over 20 vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, wheat-free and organic choices. Several locations across the city. For address and telephone numbers, visit www.MagicOven.com.

Nirvana Flavours of India. Extensive vegetarian choices on the a la carte menu plus a vegetarian executive lunch. 35 Brunel Road, Mississauga. 905-501-5500.

Parathewali Gali .A huge selection of parathas with 43 vegetarian options. Two locations. 143 Clarence St., Brampton (365-788-5678) and 2452 Queen St. E., Brampton (905-458-0048).

Samosas & Sweets Factory. A large variety of samosas. Also alu tikki-chhole, samosa-chhole and various pakoras. Matar paneer, palak paneer, baingan bharta, etc. 1850 Albion Road, unit 8, Etobicoke. 416-992-5515.

Saravanaa Bhavan. An authentic taste of Chennai. Scarborough (416-293-7755) and Mississauga (905-290-0769). 

Shriji Catering and Takeout. 100 per cent vegetarian. Gujarati snacks and mains. 71 West Drive, unit 34, Brampton. 905-451-4050.

The Nilgiris. South Indian restaurant. Many varieties of dosas and uthappams, etc. Specializing in idlis. 3021 Markham Road, unit 50, Scarborough. 416-412-0024 and 4525 Ebenezer Rd., Brampton.

Udupi Madras Cafe. South  Indian snacks plus vada pav, etc. 265 Enfield Place, unit 202, Mississauga. 905-277-0010.

Udupi Palace. South Indian dishes. Some north Indian, a few Chinese, too. All vegetarian. 1460 Gerrard Street East. 416-405-8189.

Veda Healthy Indian Take-Out. Several locations in Toronto. Visit www.vedatakeout.com for locations or call the delivery hot-line at 416-961-9797.

Village of India. A wide variety of pure vegetarian dishes. 114 Kennedy Road South, Brampton. Call 905-450-3333.