Kitchener-Waterloo

Updated July 2007

Note: this page is no longer being maintained. See Happycow's page for up-to-date information.  

Vegetarian and vegan friendly restaurants, stores, and groups

Kitchener and Waterloo are two neighbouring towns west of Toronto that grew into one. Cambridge is very close to the south-east, and Guelph is to the north-east.

The original pioneers were, to a large extent, Pennsylvania Dutch Mennonites, with another large influx in the 1820’s of people from Germany. In fact Kitchener was originally called Berlin. They celebrate their historic German roots in grand scale during Oktoberfest, the largest Bavarian festival outside of Munich, Germany. The picture is of the Waterloo Pioneer Memorial Tower.

Also see Happycow. 

Restaurants

The Duke Street Muse
6 Duke St E., Kitchener, 519-342-0550
musescafe@ gmail.com
   A reviewer at HappyCow writes: "Delicious soups, burritos and vegan chilly. Everything is very affordable. By far the best soy chai latte in town!" The Record has a full review written in April 2006. Update (Sept. 2006): Now open Mon-Fri 9am to 8pm.

Jane Bond Cafe - L
5 Princess St W., Waterloo, 519-886-1689
www.janebond.ca
   Update (May 2007): They wrote us: "We are no longer a vegetarian restaurant, having moved away from serving full meals in favour of a very light snack menu and more focus on entertainment."

v Lotus Tea House
79 Regina St N, (at Bridgeport) 519-880-1638 
A reviewer from Happycow.net writes: "I wouldn't be able to live in waterloo if it wasn't for this restaurant. The place has a very nice atmosphere and the prices are great for students! The specials come out in courses and the food is filling but not too heavy. Their Hot braised eggplant and fruit teas are the best."

Queen Street Commons
43 Queen St. S., Kitchener, Karin at 519-743-1151 ext. 244
www.theworkingcentre.org/ct/mk/mk.html
New (added Jan. 2007): This volunteer-run café offers a local, natural, vegetarian menu, community events, music nights, and a unique gift shop. The café & kitchen are an extension of their Urban Agriculture Program, which aims to reconnect city folks with the local food system. If you wish to volunteer at the café, please contact Margaret at 749-9177 ext. 232.
   The café offers seasonal vegetarian fare, including dips, pizzas, soups, salads, and daily lunch specials. The wide assortment of freshly baked cookies, muffins, squares & cakes includes dairy, wheat & sugar-free options, as well as more decadent choices. Fair trade coffees and organic herbal teas served.
  Open Mon 8:30am-5pm, Tue-Fri 8:30am-8pm (to 9pm on Tue), Sat 10am-4pm. Closed Sun.

Vegetarian Fast Food - L
160 University W. No. 21, Waterloo, 519-746-0057
   Chinese cuisine. Apparently they are not entirely vegetarian according to HappyCow comments, but most reviewers love the food. The Record has a full review written in April 2006. Open Monday to Friday 11am to 10pm; Saturday and Sunday noon to 10pm.

Zen Gardens
51 King St. N. Waterloo, 519-885-3205
New: 65 Water St N, Cambridge, 519-620-8809
   Delicious Chinese cuisine. Menu features noodle soups, sushi, mock meat dishes, combination specials and many other choices. Open 11:30 to 9 pm. Closed Sunday.

Natural food stores

Eating Well Organically – o
104 King St S. Waterloo, 519-883-0734

The Natural Food Market
75 Bridgeport Rd E. Kitchener, 519-884-1811

Green Door Vegan Variety -closed October 2009
509 Wilson Ave, Unit #10, Toys R Us Plaza, Kitchener, 519-578-2942
Has closed.

Groups

Disbanded: Waterloo Region Vegan Advocacy Group
This grassroots organization aimed to decrease the suffering of farm animals and increase awareness of health and environmental issues stemming from animal agri-business. They had monthly meetings and free PETA Vegetarian Starter Kits were distributed at many locations in the area.

Food not Bombs
http://pirg.uwaterloo.ca/fnb/purpose.html
For over two plus years, on every Saturday, free food is served to hungry people in front of Kitchener City Hall. The food is vegetarian, and is collected from local businesses that would otherwise throw it away. At these servings, the group tries to feed as many people as possible, build community, and raise awareness about war, poverty, the food industry, etc.