An entire day of vegan eats to satisfy any hungry Hamiltonian
Whether you’re a dedicated vegan who is tired of being served salad, or new to the plant-based diet and craving something savoury, Hamilton has the vegan eatery for you.
Paisley Coffeehouse & Eatery—Morning Coffee
1020 King St W, Hamilton, ON L8S 1L4
Formerly known as My Dog Joe, Paisley sits in the heart of Westdale. Paisley is a personal favourite of mine because of its warm atmosphere and friendly staff. The vegan options here make it the perfect stop for students looking to study or socialize with friends. The Downpayment, a twist on avocado toast with tomatoes and balsamic reduction, is a light lunch option that will satisfy your savoury cravings. The coffee is fair trade by Bird and Beans Coffee, a Toronto based roastery, which Paisley compliments with a varied selection of vegan milks—just ask the staff! Many afternoons I have found myself studying in a Paisley window seat with an almond milk latte and one of their Salty Vegan cookies. Paisley has the perfect mix of savoury and sweet, although their staff is nothing but the latter.
The Cannon—Brunch
179 Ottawa St N, Hamilton, ON L8H 3Z4
The Cannon’s bright space and inviting atmosphere make it the perfect brunch destination. Our first Ottawa Street stop, the café specializes in fair trade coffee made with care. Whether a casual meeting or an intimate chat with friends, the Cannon offers quality roasts and a selection of vegan and non-vegan meals. While surfing their free wifi, try their classic waffles with fruit on top or their ‘Merican Sandwich—just be sure to ask them to make it vegan. The accommodating staff (and vegan waffles) make this the perfect place to spend a sunny morning.
The Hearty Hooligan—Grab n Go Lunch
292 Ottawa St N, Hamilton, ON L8H 3Z9
Recently relocated to its newer, larger Ottawa street location, the Hearty Hooligan does it all. Offering grocery items and baked goods with a café feel, they have stocked their new storefront with all the eats a punk vegan could dream of. Hearty Hooligan’s specialty is their grab ‘n’ go foods, offering fresh, house-made vegan pizza pockets, cupcakes, and cookies. Their milkshakes are also great to-go option for a hand-held sweet snack and come in a variety of flavours. Try their cookies ‘n’ cream shake next time you’re strolling through the fabric district.
Boon Burger—Dinner
295 Ottawa St N, Hamilton, ON L8H 3Z8
New to the Hamilton food scene, Boon Burger already has franchise locations across both Ontario and Winnipeg. The Hamilton restaurant is located right across from our lunch stop, The Hearty Hooligan, adding a family friendly dinner destination for Ottawa Street shoppers. Boon Burger offers catering, take away, and dine in all from their entirely plant-based burger menu. Try their classic Joe Burger with a Pulled Jackfruit Poutine on the side while sitting in one of their cozy booths. If you’re more of a homebody, order the Double Bacun Cheeze Burger through their app and pick it up for a quiet night in.
Green Bar—Dessert
236 James St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 2L3
Not just a smoothie spot, Green Bar serves vegan eats with a healthy spin. Located near the intersection of James North and Cannon, you can count on ready-to-eat food items sourced locally and organically. Green Bar allows you to indulge while still sneaking in nutritionally dense ingredients. Well known for their smoothies and savoury meals, the underrated favourite from Green Bar is their dessert items. Their fridge section has a spread of juices and hidden just below is their spread of house-made baked goods. After an immune boosting smoothie full of ginger and turmeric, I grabbed one of their brownies. Their sweet squares are so good you’ll swear they aren’t vegan, let alone packed with whole foods.
Democracy* on Locke—Evening Drinks
202 Locke St S, Hamilton, ON L8P 4B4
This Locke Street favourite is the perfect stop for any vegan wanting to grab drinks after a work day. Offering a few non-vegan options, Democracy is the restaurant for the variety vegan. With craft brews and a changing menu, Democracy is popular with the Locke street locals. My recommendation: grab a cider and indulge in their vegan mac and cheese. In the warmer months, their well-loved sweet ‘n’ sour cauliflower wings are best consumed picnic-style in the nearby HAAA Grounds.
Do you have a favourite vegan dish in the city? Tweet us @theinlet_ to let us know what it is!
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Adrianna Michell is a student and freelance writer. A lover of good coffee, theory, and pets. Always passionate about student health.
