Top Six in the 6: Vegan Winterlicious Menus

Despite its seafood focus, this Italian joint on Dundas West boasts some standout plant-based plates. The avocado crudo is a creative take on a raw starter, complemented by zesty citrus segments, sea asparagus and an olive oil dressing. For their main dish, Ufficio’s classic risotto is made vegan with the use of cashew butter and Miyoko's Smoked VeganMozz in place of traditional dairy. They’re also adding a special dish this Winterlicious for more restrictive diets – a spaghetti funghi with herbs, wild mushrooms, cashew butter and Miyoko's winter truffle vegan cheese. It’s both gluten and dairy-free. 

The AGO recently rebranded their flagship restaurant (formerly known as Frank) last summer and added a few new items to their menu, including some tasty plant-based options. If you still haven’t checked out this artsy eatery, Winterlicious is a nice wallet-friendly excuse. For your main, the sweet potato and black chickpea galette is served on top of charred cabbage with a zingy chili lime dressing for a warm and filling dish (it's also one of the AGO Bistro’s new menu items), while a fresh tequila-lime sorbet completes the experience. 

While steeped in tradition (the neo-gothic building was completed in 1927), this Yorkville restaurant has evolved its menu to include meat-free options. Their Winterlicious offerings open with a cold-weather appropriate vegan minestrone soup topped with basil pesto while the main pairs tempeh steaks (in a crisp cornmeal crust) with sweet potato mash and a cherry tomato relish. Sweet tooths won’t be left behind at the Living Room with a warm chocolate brownie topped with vegan salted caramel fudge for dessert. 

This Yorkville eatery’s comic book-themed interior is the Winterlicious destination for those pining for their superhero-obsessed youth. Plush banquettes and dark wood accents still keep things elevated for a date night dinner. Figures' plant-based app features heirloom beets two ways – a poached “tartare” and pickled slices topped with sweet, spicy cashews and black truffle vinaigrette while the vegan main takes inspiration from Asian cuisine (a Thai-influenced root veg green curry and coconut cream emulsion). For dessert, a spiced pear poached in red wine with coconut sorbet and, believe it or not, a garnish of edible gold. 

It’s little-known that this historic dining gem, located in the University of Toronto’s Hart House, is open to the public. While the Gallery Grill is only open for lunch from 11am to 2pm, it’s worth the extended midday break as an excuse to visit a beautiful heritage building. Their Winterlicious menu features latkes as a main, made with yuca instead of potatoes, and is served with baba ganoush, date chutney and cucumber salad. Blackberry-coconut sorbet, made in-house and served with coconut chips for additional crunch, makes for a refreshing end to your meal. Leave yourself a bit of time to explore the Hart House's pretty interior including the stately map room pictured above.