Four new vegetarian restaurants have recently opened in Toronto, two have extended their hours, and three are closing or are in transition.

Green Earth Vegetarian Cuisine (385 Broadview Ave, n. of Gerrard, 416-778-9199) is a new vegan restaurant in Toronto's east end Chinatown. They describe themselves as: "a small cozy restaurant that offers pure, unique and healthy vegan cuisine at an affordable price. ...full menu of spicy and non-spicy dishes. Whether you are vegetarian or not, or prefer Western or Eastern food, Green Earth guarantees tasty servings from different ethnic backgrounds such as Vietnamese, Chinese, American, Italian and more." Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-9pm, Sun 2pm-8pm

Wanda’s Pie in the Sky (287 Augusta Ave, s. of College, 416-236-7585) has opened a new location in the heart of Kensington Market across from Urban Herbivore. They are entirely vegetarian, offering tasty pizza, sandwiches and soup, in addition to desserts. Vegan options are somewhat limited, but the soup is generally vegan, they offer one type of vegan cookie, and a variety of vegan pies. The space is very inviting with lots of activity, a large communal wooden table, newspapers for reading, and large doors opening to a street-facing patio. Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 11am-6pm.

Zen Gardens (6980 Maritz Dr, n. of the 401, near Hwy 10, 905-461-2498) is a new vegetarian restaurant in Mississauga open daily 11am-10pm. They serve delicious Chinese cuisine, including noodle soups, sushi, mock meat dishes, combination specials and many other choices. Renan writes: "The decor is modern-Asian and they also sell a wide variety of gourmet teas." They are part of a line of vegetarian restaurants in Toronto (King’s Cafe), London, Waterloo, Cambridge, Quebec City and Moncton. They also opened a new location in Guelph at 104 Surrey St E, 519-620-8809.

Update (Jan 7, 2009): The Annex HodgePodge (258 Dupont St., e. of Spadina, 416-513-1333) is no longer vegetarian. Harry who was the chef and half-owner informed us that his partner is now running the place and serves meat. Harry, who no longer works there, said that they weren't making money as a vegetarian eatery. Currently closed but reopening soon.

Two vegetarian places have extended their hours

LIVE - Organic Food Bar (264 Dupont St, at Spadina, 416-515-2002) is now open on Mondays. They now serve up delicious raw food, as well as macrobiotic and Aryuvedic cuisine, seven days a week.

Sadie's Diner & Juice Bar (504 Adelaide St W, e. of Bathurst, 416-777-2343) is now open for dinner until 10pm Wed to Sat. They are also open on Mon, Tue and Sun during the day and always open early for breakfast.

Closings and transitions

Govinda’s Dining Room (243 Avenue Rd, 416-922-5415) is closed for the time being. They may reopen next year.

Saravanaa Bhavan's Indian restaurant in Richmond Hill is closing on Aug 1. Their other locations in Mississauga (4559 Hurontario St, at Eglinton, 905-290-0769) and Scarborough (1571 Sandhurst Circle, Finch & McCowan, 416-293-7755) remain open and they are looking to add a new location downtown.