Today we're talking about Calgary in Canada. If you're here because you're a fresh vegan who lives in Calgary looking for some tips, this blog post is for you. Equally, if you're a long-term vegan visiting Calgary - this blog post is for you too!
Okay, ultimately, this post is for anyone interested in veganism and Calgary. We're going to look at vegan Calgary restaurants, where to shop vegan and we'll even touch on how to make Calgary dishes vegan! I hope you like it.
While Calgary doesn’t (yet) boast a major vegan supermarket chain so here’s where to find key staples instead:
Our Vegan Calgary Guide
1. The Top Vegan Restaurants in Calgary
- Vegan Street: What started as a food truck now delivers comfort food in Inglewood - think nacho fries, mac and “cheese,” plant-based tacos with margaritas. They even have vegan Clamato for their iconic Calgarian Caesar cocktails - isn't that awesome?
- Canela Vegan Bakery & Cafe: Inglewood’s beloved spot for vegan baked goods - if you catch their coco-fetti cookies or spinach ricotta roll, your day just upgraded;
- Teff N’ Greens: A fully vegan, gluten-free Ethiopian kitchen where the Beyaynetu platter layers lentils, cabbage, greens, stews, and injera - a delicious cultural deep dive!
- Hearts Choices: which is a versatile local gem - a food truck, café, market stalls and catering with Thai-inspired dishes like soy “beef” kung pao, curries, tacos and more!
- WholeLifeGo: A vegan sushi and bowl café offering creative plates (chickpea curry rice, ramen, lasagna, waffles, chocolate torte), a whole slew of healthy and also super tasty options!
2. Grocery & Shopping: Where to Stock Up
While Calgary doesn’t (yet) boast a major vegan supermarket chain so here’s where to find key staples instead:
- Community Natural Foods: A must-visit for stocking trail mixes, kombucha, bulk granola and more - perfect for days spent exploring or stocking your pantry!
- Local markets & whole grocers: Most larger grocery stores and co-ops (e.g., Calgary Farmer’s Market) carry tofu, lentils, beans and grains - be sure to patrol the refrigerated natural aisle for fresh tofu and the bulk section for dried legumes, yessss
- Ethnic grocers: Both East and West Asian markets often price tofu and lentils very affordably and may carry regional specials like Belgian tempeh or Indian dal blends.
Getting to the groceries or even the restaurants will no doubt involve you getting there by car - like in the USA, the motorised vehicle reigns here! If you're thinking of upgrading your ride (with vegan designs and artwork, perhaps?), car detailing in Calgary is definitely an option - you can get those vegan leather seats put in!
A Calgary-born Canadian-Chinese classic - traditionally it's deep-fried cow flesh in a sweet, ginger-garlic sauce with peppers and onions. How to veganise it: use crispy tofu or seitan strips instead of the life of cows, toss it in the same accidentally vegan sauce with fresh ginger and garlic. Serve over rice or with stir-fried vegetables!
Although Poutine has its roots in Québéc not Calgary, it's popular across the entire country of Canada. It's fries (which are vegan) topped with cheese curds and flesh gravy (not vegan). However, it's very easy to make it animal friendly: simply swap flesh gravy for vegan gravy and cheese curds for vegan cheese curds or failing that creamy cashew or tofu sauce! Done.
Calgary’s Rocky Mountain cuisine leans into smoked/cured dead flesh and lean dead flesh, often labelled as "game" or "farm-to-table produce" to hide the fact that animals died and suffered for taste. To make it 1000 times more ethical, you can mimic that “smoky-flesh” vibe with smoked tofu, tempeh-bacon, jackfruit and / or hearty root-veg: just roast or smoke root veggies (like beets, parsnips), drizzle with canola oil (a regional pantry mainstay) and serve with vegan gravy or mustard sauce.
Calgary might have that rugged prairie reputation, but its vegan ecosystem is bursting with potential (and creativity!) from brunch-worthy baked goods and cocktails to Ethiopian feasts and mock-Chinese nostalgia.
3. Signature Calgary Dishes & How to veganise Them
Plant-Based Ginger Beef
A Calgary-born Canadian-Chinese classic - traditionally it's deep-fried cow flesh in a sweet, ginger-garlic sauce with peppers and onions. How to veganise it: use crispy tofu or seitan strips instead of the life of cows, toss it in the same accidentally vegan sauce with fresh ginger and garlic. Serve over rice or with stir-fried vegetables!
Vegan Poutine
Although Poutine has its roots in Québéc not Calgary, it's popular across the entire country of Canada. It's fries (which are vegan) topped with cheese curds and flesh gravy (not vegan). However, it's very easy to make it animal friendly: simply swap flesh gravy for vegan gravy and cheese curds for vegan cheese curds or failing that creamy cashew or tofu sauce! Done.
Rocky Mountains inspired dishes
Calgary’s Rocky Mountain cuisine leans into smoked/cured dead flesh and lean dead flesh, often labelled as "game" or "farm-to-table produce" to hide the fact that animals died and suffered for taste. To make it 1000 times more ethical, you can mimic that “smoky-flesh” vibe with smoked tofu, tempeh-bacon, jackfruit and / or hearty root-veg: just roast or smoke root veggies (like beets, parsnips), drizzle with canola oil (a regional pantry mainstay) and serve with vegan gravy or mustard sauce.
Wrapping Up: Vegan in Calgary
Calgary might have that rugged prairie reputation, but its vegan ecosystem is bursting with potential (and creativity!) from brunch-worthy baked goods and cocktails to Ethiopian feasts and mock-Chinese nostalgia.
