Are you a vegan or wanting to find the best plant-based food options in Kamloops? Well, look no further because here is everything you need to know for finding quality food when you’re out and about.
We all know that eating out as a vegan can be difficult when the options seem to be so limited, but little do people know that it can actually be extremely easy if you know where to look!
Here are some great recommendations, hidden gems, and fast food options for those of you living a vegan lifestyle:
Nature’s Fare Market
Refreshing Nature’s Fare Smoothies
I can’t think of a better destination to find vegan food. Nature’s Fare offers an abundance of vegan-friendly food, along with many other options for special diets such as Gluten-Free or Keto. Pick up your daily groceries or stop by the Apple Bistro to grab a fresh snack/meal on the go! I highly recommend the Vegan Herb Samosa, Vegan Masala Wrap, smoothies, or checking out the meat/dairy alternative section for products you cannot find elsewhere. And as a bonus… the workers in the Bistro have the best customer service ever — any questions that you have will be promptly answered.
The Chopped Leaf
Fresh Food Bowls from The Chopped Leaf
The Chopped Leaf is a great place to ‘veganize’ your meal. With two locations in town being in Sahali and the Northshore, this eatery can satisfy your hunger no matter what side of Kamloops you are on! Although they do not specialize in vegan food, they have a great build-your-own menu to fully customize your dish! You can create a great nourish bowl full of fresh vegetables, tofu and rice. They even have a wide selection of delicious dressings to choose from — my favourite being the ‘Evil Peanut’. You can also buy vegetable spring rolls for dipping that are delicious and make a great side dish or snack.
Earl’s
Crispy Tofu Zen Bowl from Earl’s Restaurant
Earl’s is a perfect destination that is well-rounded in all diets, so it’s great for eating with friends and family who are not plant-based. They have an entirely vegan menu available so you’ll be sure to find something tasty without needing to customize a dish. However, if you do want something else on the menu, this restaurant is great for accommodating! Some options are to get the ‘Santa Fe Salad’ without the chicken or order the Mango-Prawn sushi roll without the prawns. They both contain avocado and other filling ingredients so you won’t need to worry about leaving the table hungry.
The Art We Are
Rich Vegan Brownies from The Art We Are
The Art We Are is a cute little cafe in downtown Kamloops that many people go to for quiet dates, studying, and good music. There are both vegan and non-vegan options available, so be sure to double-check with a worker about what you are interested in! My favourite thing is to order a warm soup and they also have amazing vegan brownies that could fool even the biggest dessert connoisseurs. They are seriously amazing! But, if those do not interest you, some other tasty options are the ‘Vegan Brunch Wrap’ or the ‘Pretty Awesome Pesto Salad’. Pesto is to die for, so be sure to try that dish out eventually.
Amsterdam
Strawberry Pannenkoek from Amsterdam Restaurant
Finding vegan breakfast food can be difficult when most dishes and restaurants are surrounded by eggs, dairy, and sausages, but Amsterdam has got vegans covered. Although they do not have many choices, they can make the crêpes fully vegan and that is not something to complain about… who doesn’t love crêpes?! With Amsterdam, you can now enjoy breakfast out with your friends and family with the assurance that you will have a tasty meal available for you that is plant-based. And, if French Toast, Waffles, or simple green salads are more your thing, they accommodate for these as well.
Sushi Plus
Crispy Agedashi Tofu from Sushi Plus
Sushi restaurants are awesome for grabbing vegan food because, besides the fish, Japanese food is highly centered around whole, plant-based foods. You can always find a vegan option at any location, however, Sushi Plus is specifically great because they can make the Agedashi Tofu and Tempura dishes entirely vegan — which is very hard to come across anywhere else. Or, if you simply want a sushi roll, some go-to rolls available everywhere are obviously vegetable rolls, avocado rolls, and cucumber rolls. Just be sure to enquire about any added sauces because many involve fish sauce!
Klasske’s Bistro
Donair from Klasske’s Bistro
This hidden gem in downtown Kamloops specializes in the famous, Halifax Donairs — a great, Canadian classic. It is seemingly un-friendly to vegans because Donairs are very meat and dairy heavy, however, there is no need to worry if you would like a vegan or vegetarian option. This restaurant can make the Donair entirely vegan by using chickpea patties and hummus in place of the animal products. They are made in-house daily, so next time you’re craving some filling comfort food, stop by Klasske’s for some good eats.
Extra Guidance & Inspiration
If this was not enough guidance to help you navigate the vegan options in Kamloops, check out these videos below to inspire you.
1. How to Go Vegan Easily
This video will provide you with a more thorough explanation about eating out as a vegan that can be applied in every city.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-YqBOGDmos
2. Why Go Vegan?
This video aims to help inspire people to try out veganism or at least begin eating more plant-based.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7xyi6GsVvk&t=1s
So, now that you have this handy guide available to you, if you find yourself stuck in a situation where you feel you have no options that suit your vegan preferences, check out these delicious spots and try out some of these tips! Who knew being vegan was this easy?! Enjoy.
All image credits go to original owners and restaurants
