Forget Christmas. If you’re a Toronto foodie on a budget, Summerlicious is the most wonderful time of the year.
For two weeks, Toronto’s top restaurants will be offering three-course prix fixe lunch and dinner menus. Delicious food that won’t break the bank? What’s not to love!
However, if you’re vegetarian and think there won’t be enough options, I’m here to tell you that you are oh-so wrong, my friend. With more than 220 restaurants to choose from, you’ll certainly be able to find a mouth-watering and plant-based menu.
But to make things a little easier, we rounded up some of our faves.
Credit: Shiori Mine
1. BBQ Glazed Cauliflower at America
The carnivores aren’t the only ones who get to indulge in some smoky, barbecued goodness. At America, a serving of campfire beans and a tortilla round out this satisfying dish. Bonus? This dish is just one of several vegan-friendly options – there’s a delicious appetizer and dessert option to go along with it!
Credit: Colette Grand Cafe via Facebook
2. Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho at Colette Grand Café
Served with black olive crumble, focaccia crisp and a savoury parmesan ice cream, this appetizer from the cozy Collette Grand Café will have you planning your next French vacay.
Credit: Pukka via Facebook
3. Smoked Eggplant Tartare at Pukka
Putting an Indian twist on a French classic, this app definitely gets points for originality. Bonus: it tastes just as good as it looks.
Credit: Allison Woo
4. Fusili Primavera at O&B Bayview Village
This is not your basic, veggie menu pasta offering. Packed full of yummy zucchini, asparagus, snap peas, arugula, and slow-roasted tomatoes, this light dish is perfect for those warm summer nights.
Credit: Tabule via Facebook
5. Hallum Salad at Tabülè
One of the restaurant’s most popular dishes, this salad features baby arugula tossed in a pomegranate dressing, topped with a generous portion of seared hallum cheese.
Credit: Windup via Facebook
6. Doubles at Windup Caribbean Restaurant
If you’re looking to spice up your Summerlicious, this dish is for you! Doubles – a Trinidadian street food featuring fried bread filled with curried chickpeas – gets an upgrade with the addition of tamarind and a mango scotch bonnet pepper sauce.
Credit: Cindy La
7. Milanese Risotto at Jump
The only thing more beautiful than the restaurant itself is its tantalizing menu. Our Jump pick is their risotto – featuring 100km Foods Summer Squash, you can dine easy knowing that you’re getting some of the freshest produce around.
Credit: Beaumont Kitchen via Instagram
8. Ratatouille Lasagna at Beaumont Kitchen
This inspired fusion of Italian and French classics is comfort food at its finest. Topped with garlic breadcrumbs and creamy ricotta cheese, this dish is a 10/10 in our eyes.