The 12 Vegan Hotspots in Whistler
Whistler has a great range of plant-based food, and more options seem to pop up every week. With more and more people leaning towards a vegan diet for environmental reasons (yep, we're talking about Horstman Glacier receding faster than ever), Whistler has responded to the demand with an abundance of choices. Here are some of our favourites!
THE GREEN MOUSTACHE
With two locations tucked away in both the village and Function Junction, The Green Moustache is an organic, plant based, gluten free paradise. Lunch options include "healing kitchari", veggie chilli and their famous buddha bowl. Swing by for breakfast and enjoy a Chaplin smoothie with buckwheat waffles, topped with cashew cream, chia jam, figs and walnuts. Need we say any more?!
EARLS
With kinda fancy vibes, daily happy hour and delicious food, Earls is definitely worth a visit for plant lovers. Top of the list are the quinoa & avocado power bowl, Green Dragon Roll, spicy tofu tacos and the zen crispy tofu bowl. Also, bottles of wine are half price on Tuesdays, what more reason do you need?
HARAJUKU
From their Rock 'n' Roll vegan sushi with yam tempura to their garlic fried sprouts, Harajuku has plenty of vegan Japanese-inspired delights. Our personal favourite is the creamy vegan ramen, which comes out of the kitchen from their neighbour Ohyama.
ALTA BISTRO
A must visit for all vegans in Whistler, this fine dining location has seriously upped their vegan game. Check out their pumpkin soup with garam masala popcorn, coconut crema and ginger oil... and then move on to their vegan burger on a rye maple bun. Be sure to check the specials board!
BRED
Tucked away in Creekside with a long established bread following, Bred by Ed is a micro bakery specialising in organic, naturally leavened sourdough products. They are 100% organic and plant based, offering fresh bread loaves (both sweet and savoury), cinnamon buns, cookies & dang good coffee.
CREEKBREAD
Veggie and vegan friendly, the Pemberton potato pie pizza at Creekbread is to die for. Another great option is the vegan "tree hugger" pizza with caramelized onions, mushrooms, olives and garlic oil. You also have the option to add some gorgeous local organic veggie toppings to any meal. Alternatively, we love their organic local salad option.
SPLITZ GRILL
A classic American diner-style restaurant with the option to build your burger as you like. Now offering the Beyond Burger alongside their famous Splitz Lentil patty, add some vegan mayonnaise and deep fried avocado for the vegan burger of dreams. Unlimited toppings (inlcuding hashbrown patties) as well as classic or yam fries. Top tip: you can get your patty deep fried if you ask nicely.
AURA at Nita
With a beautiful lakeside setting, Aura at Nita offers a great vegan selection, especially on Meatless Mondays! On Mondays, they offer a vegan three-course menu with wine pairing and gluten-free options. The menu includes butternut squash farro risotto and a vegan ice cream sundae... dribble. At just $39 for three courses, it's one of the best deals in town.
HUNTER GATHER
A wonderful open plan eatery and taphouse for locally crafted food and beer. Their Thoughtful Falafel wrap is by far the best falafel in town, served with hummus and sweet garlic sauce on a pita. The Harmony Bowl, Lentil Burger and a plethora of sides offer plenty of options for the hungry vegan. Craft beer selection is also on point.
PUREBREAD
A smorgasbord of incredible cakes, cookies, brownies, scones, breads, and pastries. Vegan favourites are the flourless chocolate chip cookie, the lemon passionfruit mini cake , and the deceptively simple vegan chocolate loaf. A devilishly rich soy vegan ganache makes it their best chocolate cake of all. Most of their breads are vegan, but double check for the addition of honey.
FUNCTIONAL PIE
Tucked away in Function Junction is arguably Whistler's best takeout pizzeria. The golden nugget on their menu is the spectacular Vegan Mos Dof. We could talk about it all day: crispy on the outside, doughy on the inside, with a melt in your mouth, amazing crust. Toppings include Beyond Meat sausage, mushrooms, onions and dairy-free cheese right to the edge. Owner Leigh Scott has been perfecting his pizza making at Vancouver's Campagnolo and Pemberton's Backcountry Pizza and his experience has paid off. Plant based, Detroit-style, cheesy goodness awaits all who venture down to Functional Pie.
THE VELVET UNDERGROUND
Another secret gem in Function is Whistler's hippest cafe/vintage store/hangout spot, The Velvet Underground. Owner/all round boss-lady Amy Rafferty and her gang are serving up vegan comfort food that rivals most eateries in gastown. Their menu is 100% plant based, and there is no extra charge for nut milks (that are lovingly made in house). Their menu features dishes made with almost-too-good-to-be-vegan substitute meats* and Black Sheep Cheeze. Check out their beef*, beer and vegemite cheeze pie, mushroom sausage roll or "The Breakfast Club"- a cheezy scramble with basil pesto, fresh tomato and avocado on a toasted ciabatta bun. Plus, you can grab yourselves some sweet new vintage garms whilst you wait for your East Van Roasters coffee. If you fancy taking some nut milk home, just give the gals 24 hours notice, and you can take home a litre of homemade almond, cashew, coconut, hazelnut or hemp milk for just $6.50/litre.
*not real meat, but you wouldn't know unless they told you