The best vegetarian and vegan dishes to try at Time Out Market Vancouver

Think vegetarian food is all leafy salads and uninspired side dishes? Think again. At Time Out Market Vancouver, some of the city’s most talented chefs are putting vegetables front and centre, serving up plant-based creations that pack just as much flavour, creativity and personality as anything else on the menu.

Whether you’re a committed vegan, a longtime vegetarian, a flexitarian or simply trying to eat a little more green, there’s plenty to get excited about. Think fragrant Indian curries, spicy Sichuan noodles, Italian comfort food and inventive takes on familiar favourites, all under one roof.

Hungry? Here are some of the best vegetarian and vegan dishes to try at Time Out Market Vancouver.

1. Coriander-Spiced Jackfruit Curry at Peacock

Vegan 

Who needs meat when jackfruit is this satisfying? The talented team behind Vij’s brings its signature flair for Indian spices to a fragrant coconut cream curry packed with tender jackfruit and bell peppers. Served with basmati rice, it’s plant-based comfort food at its finest.

2. Sesame Scallion Noodles at BLND TGER

Vegan

Cold noodles, serious heat and a whole lot of personality. Shanghai-style noodles meet sesame-chili sauce, Sichuan peppercorns, fiery chilies and fried garlic in this gloriously addictive vegan creation. Nutty, spicy and deeply savoury, it’s a flavour bomb worth seeking out.

3. Veggie Paella at España

Vegan

Spain’s most famous rice dish doesn’t need seafood or chorizo to steal the show. España’s veggie paella puts a plant-based spin on the beloved Spanish classic. Start with marinated olives and gather a few friends around the table to share a feast.

4. Vij’s Crispy Cauliflower Bites at Peacock

Vegetarian

If cauliflower strikes you as boring, Peacock has a few things to teach you. These crispy bites arrive in a fragrant mustard seed curry with basmati rice, transforming the humble vegetable into the star of a deeply satisfying meal.

5. The Vegan Chick’n at Downlow Chicken

Vegan

Even Vancouver’s fried chicken specialists have something for the plant-based crowd. Downlow Chicken’s Vegan Chick’n brings a meat-free option to a kitchen famous for its indulgent comfort food. Add a side of vegan slaw.

6. Ortolana Pizza at Via Tevere

Vegetarian

Nothing beats a proper Italian pizza, and Via Tevere has plenty of meat-free possibilities. The Ortolana is a delicious vegetarian choice, while the Margherita and Filetto offer equally tempting alternatives. Don’t skip the garlic knots.

7. Mixed Veggie Jiaozi Dumplings at BLND TGER

Vegan

These little parcels prove that great dumplings don’t need pork. Filled with carrots, bamboo and mushrooms, they’re finished with dumpling sauce, fried shallots, scallions and cilantro. Six to an order, they’re perfect for sharing. In theory.

8. Pistachio Pesto Gnocchi at Pasta e Basta by Ask for Luigi

Vegetarian

From the team behind one of Vancouver’s favourite Italian restaurants comes a pistachio pesto gnocchi that’s pure comfort food. The kitchen’s cacio e pepe and mushroom risotto are also vegetarian-friendly, so choosing just one could be tricky.

9. La Huerta at Santo Taco

Vegetarian

Vegetarians shouldn’t have to pick the meat out of their tacos. Santo Taco’s La Huerta is a dedicated meat-free option that’s perfect for a Mexican feast. Pair it with vegetarian Northern Nachos or Aguacate Norteño and chips.

10. BLND TGER Salad at BLND TGER

Vegan

Forget boring salads. This flavour-packed creation combines smoked tofu, cucumbers, celery and pickled wood-ear mushrooms with a punchy soy-chili vinaigrette and peanuts. Fresh, smoky, tangy and crunchy, it’s anything but an afterthought.

11. Shiitake Spring Rolls at Makaam

Vegan

Crispy spring rolls are always a good idea, especially when mushrooms take centre stage. Makaam’s vegan shiitake spring rolls make a tempting snack or starter. Pair them with the kitchen’s refreshing som tum green papaya salad.

12. Mamenoki Roll at Kishimoto

Vegetarian

Sushi night without fish? Absolutely. Kishimoto’s colourful Mamenoki Roll combines cucumber, edamame, carrots and sesame pâté, all wrapped in avocado. Add some edamame with truffle salt for a delicious Japanese-inspired meal.

13. Samosa Chaat Salad at Peacock

Vegetarian

Who says salads have to be virtuous? Peacock’s samosa chaat combines crispy samosas, chickpea curry, pickled onions and three kinds of chutney. Crunchy, saucy, tangy and unapologetically delicious, it’s a vegetarian dish with serious personality.

14. Korean Rice Cake at Pidgin

Vegan

Chewy, satisfying and full of character, Pidgin’s vegan Korean rice cakes are a delicious alternative to noodles or rice. This warming dish is a great pick when you’re craving something a little different from your usual plant-based favourites.

15. Mango Sticky Rice at Makaam

Vegan

Eating plant-based shouldn’t mean skipping dessert. Makaam’s vegan mango sticky rice delivers a sweet finish inspired by a beloved Thai classic. Prefer something fried? España’s churros can also be made vegan when ordered without the sauce.

Something for everyone at Time Out Market Vancouver

One of the best things about dining at Time Out Market Vancouver is that nobody has to compromise. Whether your group includes vegans, vegetarians, devoted carnivores or a bit of everything, there’s a world of possibilities waiting across the Market’s kitchens.

From a quick lunch to a leisurely dinner with friends, it’s the perfect excuse to explore some of Vancouver’s most exciting food.

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