Best Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants for Families in Montreal
Plant-Based Dining the Whole Family Can Enjoy
Whether your family is fully vegan, vegetarian-curious, or just looking to eat more plants, Montreal's plant-based restaurant scene is one of the best in Canada. The key for families is finding spots where the food is so good that kids don't notice (or care) that there's no meat. Here are our tested favourites.
The Classics
Lola Rosa on Milton Street near McGill is a Montreal institution that has been serving vegetarian comfort food since 1998. Their menu reads like a greatest hits of family-friendly food: veggie burgers, nachos loaded with beans and cheese, quesadillas, falafel wraps, and big colourful salads. The portions are huge and the prices are very reasonable ($12-18 per dish).
Kids love the nachos (shareable as a family appetizer) and the mac and cheese. The vibe is casual and bohemian — nobody cares if your toddler drops a chip on the floor. The Milton location can get crowded at peak times; their Parc Avenue location is usually quieter.
Aux Vivres on Saint-Laurent is Montreal's most celebrated vegan restaurant. Don't be intimidated by the word "vegan" — their dragon bowls, BLT sandwiches (with smoky coconut bacon), and chocolate peanut butter pie taste incredible to everyone. The food is flavourful, hearty, and satisfying.
Their kids' menu offers smaller portions of popular dishes at reduced prices. The restaurant is bright and welcoming, though the seating can be tight for families with strollers. Summer patio seating helps. Most dishes run $14-20.
Fast-Casual Options
La Panthère Verte (The Green Panther) has multiple locations across Montreal serving falafel, grain bowls, and smoothies. It's the perfect quick, healthy lunch stop with kids. Their falafel wrap is consistently rated among the best in the city — and it happens to be vegan.
Prices are very family-friendly at $8-14 per item. The Concordia-area location has a bit more seating than others. They also run a great catering service if you're planning a birthday party and want healthy options.
Introducing Kids to Plant-Based Eating
Many parents worry their kids won't eat vegetarian food. These strategies help:
- Start with familiar foods — veggie burgers, pasta, pizza, and nachos are easy entry points
- Don't label it — saying "this is vegan" can create resistance. Just let them try it.
- Let them pick — at restaurants like Lola Rosa, let kids choose their own dish from the menu
- Make it fun — build-your-own bowl restaurants let kids customize their meal
- Focus on what's there, not what's missing — talk about the flavours, not the absence of meat
Other Notable Mentions
- Copper Branch — Chain with multiple Montreal locations serving plant-based burgers, bowls, and smoothies. Very kid-friendly atmosphere.
- LOV — Upscale vegan restaurant in the Plateau with a beautiful space. More of a special-occasion family dinner.
- Sushi Momo — Vegan sushi that looks and tastes so good, even sushi purists are impressed. Kids love the colourful rolls.
Grocery Store Options
For families cooking plant-based at home, Montreal has great specialty stores:
- Tau — Natural food stores with a huge selection of vegan products
- Bulk Barn — Affordable nuts, seeds, grains, and vegan snacks
- Marché Jean-Talon — Fresh produce at great prices, year-round
Browse family restaurants in Montreal on FamiliQC.
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