VegOttawa Fest 2025 will be Ottawa’s biggest veg-focused event since 2019, and admission is free!
May 12, 2025 – On Saturday, July 5, residents from across Ottawa and the surrounding area will come together for VegOttawa Fest 2025, a fun and inspiring one-day event hosted by VegOttawa Association. The festival will run from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM indoors at the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre and will be free to attend (donations at the door are appreciated).
VegOttawa Fest 2025 will be the city’s first veg fest since 2019 and with plant-based living more popular than ever, this year’s event promises to be Ottawa’s biggest and most exciting celebration of plant-based food and sustainability yet.
The festival will have something for everyone: foodies, vegans and vegetarians, health-conscious individuals, environmental advocates, animal lovers and those curious about plant-based living. We invite attendees to join us for a day filled with delicious food, inspiring guest speakers, cooking demonstrations and more.
What to expect at VegOttawa Fest
The tradeshow is the heart of VegOttawa Fest, and in 2025, over 70 veg-friendly organizations from Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal are expected to exhibit. From businesses selling prepared foods and delicious goodies to take home, to merchandise, apparel and non-profit organizations, there will be lots to explore.
VegOttawa Fest will also feature a full day of programming, with expert panels covering topics from health and nutrition to animal welfare laws and advocacy. There will be cooking demonstrations and a workshop about eating vegan on a shoestring budget as well.
Finally, VegOttawa Fest will have activities for families, local musicians, dedicated areas to connect with others, and specialists who can answer questions about nutrition and health.
For an up-to-date list of exhibitors and the speaker program, and for details on how to get to the event, please visit the VegOttawa Fest website.
There’s still time to participate!
Exhibitor spots are over 80% booked, but companies interested in exhibiting can still sign up to do so online. We invite veg-friendly businesses and makers of food, drink, personal care, services, lifestyle, crafts and more to apply as soon as possible.
Organizations interested in sponsoring VegOttawa Fest can also express their interest online. Sponsor support is integral to the success of large community events like veg fests.
Finally, individuals who support VegOttawa’s mission and work and make a contribution to the volunteer-run and not-for-profit festival, or volunteer for the event by signing up here.
For Media Inquiries
For interviews and other media-related inquiries, please contact:
Alan Wong, VegOttawa President and VegOttawa Fest Lead, at 613-769-0596 or info@vegottawa.org
VegOttawa Fest is a celebration of plant-based living! Free to attend and open to everyone, this event is a great place to try new foods, meet new people, and learn about the vegan movement. Visit vegottawa.org/fest for more details.
About VegOttawa Association
VegOttawa is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting vegan lifestyle, community and business in Ottawa and surrounding areas. Originally founded in 2006, VegOttawa has since been working to raise awareness about the environmental, ethical, and health benefits of plant-based eating. VegOttawa Fest plays a vital role in bringing together individuals, businesses, and organizations across Canada, committed to creating a healthier, kinder, and more sustainable future.
Whether you’re cutting out dairy or curious about exploring more vegan cheese options, this guide to vegan cheese in Ottawa has you covered! It includes favourite store-bought brands and how to use them, local vegan cheese makers and recipe links for easy homemade vegan cheese.
The vegan cheese selection keeps expanding as more people become aware of the dairy industry’s impact on animal welfare, the environment and personal health. Vegan cheese has come a long way in terms of taste, texture, variety and availability. Several new products have popped up on store shelves, with vegan substitutes for nearly every type of cheese! From blocks to meltable slices and shreds, cream cheese and poutine-style curds – many of them are incredibly delicious. A recent news story even highlighted a plant-based blue cheese that became a finalist in a prestigious food awards competition.
Commonly made from ingredients like vegetable oils, coconut oil, soy and cashew nuts, vegan cheese makes a great addition to a charcuterie board or at your next gathering – whether your guests have a dairy allergy or choose plant-based foods – it’s a win for all!
Vegan Cheese Brands
Farm Boy
Originating as a small produce store in Cornwall, ON, local grocer Farm Boy has expanded across Ontario and carries a huge selection of vegan products. Their private label consists of many vegan varieties including: Feta Poutine-style curds Cheddar (block, sliced & shredded) Smoked Gouda (block & sliced) Mozzarella (sliced & shredded) Swiss (sliced & shredded) Provolone (sliced) Parmesan (shredded) Parmezzan shaker (sunflower seed base) Check out the product highlights in our Farm Boy Vegan Finds reel on @vegottawa social media!
Violife
Violife has a range of award-winning vegan cheese products that are free from preservatives, gluten, nuts and soya, and are enriched with Vitamin B12. Look for: Cheddar, Mature-Style Cheddar and Provolone slices Cheddar, Mozzarella and Tex-Mex style shreds Original Creamy Spread and Fine Herb spread Prosociano and Parmesan wedges Feta block Cream Cheese
Rawesome
This cashew-based cream cheese is raw, gluten-free, organic and based in Montreal, QC. They are available in Onion and Chive, Garlic and Black Pepper and more.
Chao Slices by Field Roast Creamery
Coconut-based and seasoned with fermented tofu, Original Chao Slices melt perfectly and have a uniquely delicious taste. Try it in a grilled cheese or in your favourite sandwich with plant-based deli slices.
Daiya
The OG of vegan cheeses — the original Daiya may have turned some of you away from vegan cheese, but have you tried their newest recipe? They are now made from an oat cream blend and have greatly improved since the early days. Look for: Dairy-Free Mozzarella, Cheddar Cheese and Mexican Blend shreds Cheddar block and slices Cream cheese style spread Feta and Smoked Gouda blocks Mozzarella and Cheddar sticks (for snacking!)
Dairy-Free Boursin
This product is a top-pick for vegan cream cheese. Try Dairy-Free Cheese Spread Alternative Garlic & Herb on a bagel or baked in cheezy antojitos. If you can’t get enough, look for the large tub that can sometimes be found at Costco.
Zengarry Fauxmagerie
Zengarry’s award-winning cashew cheeses are locally prepared in small batches. You can find them at grocery stores, at their shop in Alexandria, ON and online. VegOttawa members save 15% on vegan cheese and pesto at their shop and online. Try all of their unique flavours: Creamy Swiss Smoky Jalapeno Garlic and Fine Herbs Aged Cumin Double Cream Sundried Tomato and Basil Blueberry & Rosemary There are loads of recipes using cashew cheese at Zengarry.com and their products are often available to sample at food festivals.
Silk Slices and Shreds
These versatile vegan cheeses are known for their meltability and can be spotted in most grocery stores (coconut/vegetable oil based): Mozzarella and Cheddar slices Shredded Mozarella and Cheddar Cream cheese Feta Parmesan-style (crumble and grated) Note: Silk brand plant-milks were recently affected by a food-safety recall, which has some consumers feeling uncertain about buying their products again. The company has since released a statement reaffirming their commitment to consumer health and safety. Their vegan cheeses were not part of the recall.
Nuts for Cheese
Nuts For Cheese uses high-quality ingredients to create tasty, gourmet, organic cashew cheese. This wedge-style cheese is perfect for indulging and serving to guests. Varieties include: Sharp Cheddar Black Garlic Super Blue Smoky Gouda Un-Brie-Lievable Artichoke & Herb Chipotle Cheddar
GUSTA Fauxmages
GUSTA launched in Montreal in 2015 and are best-known for their vegan sausages. Their products include vegan cheddar and mozzarella style shreds and grating blocks (coconut and canola oil-based).
Vitalite
Vitalite was awarded Best New Product for Plant-Based Cheese Slices category in a 2023 Brandspark survey. Look for Vitalite Dairy-Free Plant Based Shreds – Mozzarella and Cheddar (made from coconut oil).
Nurrish
Nurrish cheese alternatives have a mild flavour and are coconut-oil based and free of soy, palm oil and gluten. Available in Mozzarella and Cheddar style shreds and slices, this new product comes from the makers of plant-based Babybel and The Laughing Cow.
Applewood Vegan Smoky Cheese
This block of smoky vegan cheese is a must-try and often raved about in the local vegan community. Try it with smoked tofu on your favourite cracker or in one of their recipes.
Nafsika’s Garden
Established in Canada, Nafsika’s Garden has expanded globally to meet the demand. Their line is made with coconut oil, and is free of gluten, soya and nuts. Look for their Cheddar, Mozzarella, Parmesan, Gouda, Swiss and Provolone Style vegan cheeses in blocks, shreds, and slices. (Hot tip: this is the brand used at Montreal’s vegan hotspot, Bvrger / Burger Fiancé).
Babybel Plant-Based
Popular snacking cheese Babybel has introduced a plant-based version with a creamy texture, perfect for on-the-go and a source of calcium and Vitamin B12. You can find them in their signature packaging but in green so you can spot them easily!
The Laughing Cow – Plant-Based
The popular spreadable cheese finally has a vegan version: Plant-Based Garlic & Herbs. This creamy spread is made with almonds and is great on crackers or a fresh baguette. Look for the signature wheel with 8 individually wrapped portions.
Green Goddess Fromagerie
Green Goddess Fromagerie is an Artisan Vegan Cheese Purveyor based in Guelph, ON. Vegan marble cheddar, Irish cheddar, Halloumi, Chèvre and Feta – these varieties are cashew-based and free of palm oil and emulsifiers. Not typically found in most grocery stores, look for these at Whole Foods and online at Ottawa Organics.
Rad Faux Cheese
Formerly Mad Faux Cheese, these small-batch cashew wedges are handmade in Ottawa by Hungry Babe and come in Mozz and Cheddah (more varieties to come soon). Available on their website and at Little Jo Berry’s in their fully-vegan local grocery section in-shop.
Miyoko’s Creamery
The widely sought-after Liquid Vegan Pizza Mozzarella became popular after it was featured on the Netflix documentary You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment. This cashew-based mozzarella has been spotted online at Vegan Supply. This in-demand product often goes out of stock, which in that case you can try this Vegan Richa recipe for Liquid Mozzarella.
Other varieties of Miyoko’s cheese like their Vegan Mozz can be found at some local natural food stores and through online vegan grocers.
Cheezy Sauces
Le Grand Mac ’n Cheeze Sauce
This cashew-based mac ’n cheeze sauce is incredible on pasta, drizzled on nachos, pizza, burritos and wraps.
Daiya Cheeze Sauces
Pour this creamy, dairy-free cheesy sauce on anything from fries, broccoli, to nachos and macaroni. Available in Deluxe Cheddar Style and Alfredo Flavour sauce pouches, or try the kits that come with gluten-free pasta.
NONA Vegan
This line of rich and creamy plant-based Italian sauces are gluten-free and preservative-free. Find these in Cheesy Style, Alfredo Style and more in the refrigerated section at natural food stores.
Where to Buy
Check the refrigerated Natural Foods, Produce, or Plant-Based Foods sections at Metro, Loblaws, Superstore, Independent, Walmart, Natural Food Pantry, Herb and Spice, Rainbow Foods, Whole Foods, Kardish, Healthy Planet, Cedars & Co., Little Jo Berry’s and more. Some brands like Boursin, Nuts for Cheese and Applewood can be found in the dairy cheese section. There are also online stores such as Ottawa Organics, Vegan Supply and Zengarry that carry specialty vegan cheeses and some that are available exclusively online.
How to Use Vegan Cheese
Try melting shredded vegan cheese on top of pizza, nachos, enchiladas, baked potato and baked pastas. For sliced vegan cheese, add it to sandwiches with vegan deli slices (Yves Veggie Cuisine, Tofurky), or melt in a grilled cheese sandwich. Try adding vegan cheese slices to homemade breakfast sandwiches / burritos with vegan sausage (Gardein, Beyond, Big Mountain Foods) and plant-based egg (Just Egg), or a homemade tofu egg patty. The spreadable vegan cheese is great on crackers, pita chips and fresh bread. You can also try poutine-style, shreds, or cheezy sauce on top of fries or tater tots.
If you’re interested in making your own vegan cheese, we’ve heard great reviews for the Sliceable Cashew Cheese recipe from Loving It Vegan.
More Cheezy Goodness
Nutritional Yeast
Nutritional yeast, commonly referred to as “Nooch”, is a popular natural seasoning, especially among vegans, known for its cheesy, umami-rich flavour. It is a great source of vitamin B12 and plant-based protein. Try it in cheezy sauces, tofu scramble and kale chips or sprinkle over vegetables, baked potatoes or popcorn. Find it in natural food stores and the natural food aisle at the grocery store.
Charcuterie Boards:
Get creative and try making your own vegan charcuterie board and get inspired by checking out these local restaurants that serve them!
Buyers + Cellars Tasting Room
Amberwood Lounge Eatery (ALE)
Keepin’ It Vegan Bakery (during holiday season)
Cheezecakes
Look for plant-based cheezecakes in grocery freezers, including Daiya’s chocolate, key lime, strawberry and New York style, and Rawesome’s Pecan Caramel and White Choco. You can also find locally-made vegan NY-Style cheezecake at Keepin’ It Vegan Bakery (VegOttawa members save 15%!), as well as cheezecake and bars at Strawberry Blonde Bakery (VegOttawa members save 10% in-store!)
Dairy-Free Cream Cheese
PC Plant Based Coconut Cream Cheese-style Spread and Tofutti Plain Better Than Cream Cheese can be found in the dairy cream cheese aisle. Other brands include Violife, Rawesome, Daiya and Boursin. Spread these on vegan bagels from Strawberry Blonde bakery, fresh vegan loaves from Cobs Bread, or on a Bagelwich (Costco).
Vegan Pizzas
Try the made-in-house cheese at Heartbreakers Pizza. You can also try local Rad Faux Cheese on vegan pizza at local pizza shops including Pizza Nerds and on Pizza Days at Little Jo Berry’s. Check out Ottawa’s Ultimate Vegan Pizza blog for all the vegan pizza options around the city.
Now the next time someone tells you to “SAY CHEESE!”, you will have something to smile about! VegOttawa Association is a non-profit organization with a mission to support and promote vegan lifestyle, community and business in Ottawa. You can support our work by joining our annual membership. Membership benefits include discounts at local vegan-friendly restaurants, bakeries and services. Check out local vegan events on our events page where you can sample vegan cheeses or learn how to make your own, and the Ottawa Veg Community Discord where locals chat about vegan cheese finds!
So, you live in Ottawa, and you’ve decided to take the plunge and go vegan.
Congratulations, you have joined thousands of your fellow Canadians in helping to promote animal liberation and environmental sustainability. However, after googling “how to go vegan” you are likely overwhelmed by the numerous recipes for tofu scramble and reviews for vegan cheese. Veganism is a global movement, but it is helpful to look locally when you start your vegan journey.
This guide will take you through the Ottawa vegan scene and provide tips on how to thrive as a vegan in the national capital. It will cover everything from local take-out options to social gatherings where you can meet fellow vegans. While this guide is primarily for new vegans, existing vegans might find some helpful tips here too.
Vegan Groceries
Over the past few years grocery stores have stepped up their game to provide a greater variety of vegan goods. Most Loblaws, Metro and Walmart stores in Ottawa stock vegan staples, including tofu, plant-based milk, veggie burgers and legumes. Here are some local grocery options that offer a decent selection of vegan food if you want to expand your culinary horizons.
Farm Boy (locations across Ottawa) Farm Boy locations tend to be slightly more vegan-friendly than your average Loblaws. Look in the bakery section for delicious vegan croissants, cookies, and cupcakes. Farm Boy also has its own vegan cheese range and offers other exciting vegan foods such as kimchi dumplings and chocolate spread.
Whole Foods (951 Bank St) Whole Foods can be on the pricier side but it has a greater variety of vegan options than the average grocery store. You will find different types of cheeses in the refrigerator section, along with a decent selection of non-dairy desserts, vegan candies and mock-meats.
If you’re new to vegan cooking you have likely browsed food blogs like It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken or VeganRicha for recipes and meal inspiration. The web is a treasure trove of excellent vegan recipes but here are a couple of local sources to expand your options.
Amy Longard Nutrition Amy Longard is a plant-based nutritionist here in Ottawa. She hosts cooking classes and coaching sessions for those interested in cultivating a healthy lifestyle. VegOttawa members enjoy 10% off of Amy’s virtual cooking classes.
Restaurants and Take-out Options
As a new vegan you have plenty of restaurant and take-out options to explore in Ottawa. Check out this link on the VegOttawa website for a comprehensive list. Here is a brief selection of restaurants that are especially popular within the Ottawa vegan community.
Wei’s Noodle House (610 Bronson Ave) Wei’s Noodle House is a take-out staple among vegans in Ottawa. It has a dedicated vegan menu with takeout favourites like pad thai, spring rolls and general Tso tofu. Try the spicy peanut soup and you won’t be disappointed.
Hometown Bar & Grill Hometown Bar & Grill is a sports bar with a dedicated vegan menu. Hometown is a great place to watch the game with your friends and to try vegan versions of your favourite pub foods, including wings, pizza and lasagne.
Chickpeas (500 Terminal Ave) Chickpeas is a fully vegan falafel restaurant in the Trainyards area. It sells a range of falafel sandwiches, salads, hummus and soups. VegOttawa members save 10% off on all orders.
Gong Fu Bao (365 Bank St) Gong Fu Bao is a bao restaurant that hosts a vegan night every Wednesday. This is a great option if you are craving bao and other treats like Hong Kong (plant-based) Milk Tea but haven’t found a good vegan alternative.
St. Elsewhere (826 Somerset St W) St. Elsewhere is a vegan fine-dining establishment with a menu of food and cocktails. If you are looking for somewhere to entertain a first date or celebrate a milestone birthday then St. Elsewhere is the ideal place.
Meet other vegans!
One of the biggest struggles that new vegans face is a lack of social connection with others who share the same values and lifestyle. Interacting with other vegans can make the process of becoming vegan less isolating and more fun! Vegan social meet-ups are also a good opportunity to ask long-time vegans about nutrition, recipes, the best dupes for animal-based foods and more. Luckily, Ottawa has a flourishing vegan social scene with events that span a variety of interests!
Ottawa Vegan Meet-Up If you are looking to meet new vegans over drinks and conversation, check out Ottawa Vegan Meet-Up. Ottawa Vegan Meet-Up takes place from 7pm-9pm on the last Thursday of each month at St. Elsewhere. There are plans to host Ottawa Vegan Meet-Up picnics in the summer. Sign-up to the Ottawa Vegan Meet-Up email list to learn about future events!
Ottawa Vegan Nature Club The Ottawa Vegan Nature Club meets monthly to walk the many beautiful trails in and around Ottawa. If you like exercise, fresh air and the great outdoors you can find out about future hikes by checking out the Ottawa Vegan Nature Club facebook page.
Ottawa Vegan Book Club The Ottawa Vegan Book Club meets near the end of each month to discuss fiction and non-fiction books through a vegan lens. Check out the Ottawa Vegan Book Club facebook page to get up to date on meetings and to vote for future reads.
Student Groups If you are a student in Ottawa, you can find fellow vegan classmates at Animal Rights Carleton or the University of Ottawa Animal Rights Association. While participation in these groups ebbs and flows from year to year, they offer a good opportunity to get involved in activism and social events during your studies.
Keep up to date with a variety of vegan events in Ottawa by following the VegOttawa on Instagram and on Facebook.
Vegan Holiday Food
The holidays can be a challenging time for vegans as some traditional foods and treats contain animal products. However, the following bakeries/eateries offer some tasty local vegan options to enjoy over Christmas, Easter, Hanukkah, Eid, Thanksgiving and Lunar New Year. These eateries are open all year for you to enjoy in between holidays!
Strawberry Blonde (111 Richmond Road and 767 Silver Seven Rd Unit 17, Kanata) Strawberry Blonde is a gluten-free and vegan bakery that really excels when it comes to holiday treats. It offers creme egg brownies and chocolate eggs at Easter, hamantaschen for Purim, sufganiyot for Hanukkah and yule logs for Christmas.
Keepin It Vegan (3 Chartwell Ave, Ottawa) Keepin It Vegan is another vegan bakery that sells excellent vegan holiday treats, including hot cross buns for Easter and sufganiyot for Hanukkah. They also offer standard and custom birthday cakes.
Alkadoursweets (2269 Riverside Drive, Unit #141 – in Billings Bridge Shopping Mall) Alkadoursweets sells vegan baklava and other delicious middle-eastern desserts that are perfect for Eid celebrations and other gatherings throughout the year.
Little Jo Berry’s (1305 Wellington St. W) Little Jo Berry’s is a delightful vegan bakery that usually sells Christmas and thanksgiving meals for one in case you are the only vegan at an omni dinner. They also have a wonderful selection of goodies for Valentine’s Day in case you want to treat yourself or your significant other.
Yugi Rolls Yugi Rolls is a vegan food business that sells vegan mooncakes for Lunar New Year. They are famous for their vegan egg rolls, which you can find fresh online on UberEats (available Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 4:30-7:45pm) or in person at Congregation Machzikei Hadas (2310 Virginia Dr) on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 3:30-7:30pm. Checkout the Yugi Rolls website and Instagram page for info on occasional pop-up events. You can also find frozen Yugi Rolls in the freezer section of Little Jo Berry’s.
Health and Beauty
The range of vegan and cruelty-free personal care products available in Canada has rapidly expanded since Canada banned animal testing for cosmetic products in 2023. You can find options for body wash, deodorant, toothpaste, hair dye and more at your local Shoppers Drug Mart or Rexall but if you want to shop more locally then check out the following options:
Terra 20 (1130 Wellington Street West and 197 Trainyards Drive) Terra 20 is a store that sells a range of cruelty-free, vegan and environmentally conscious products, including dish soap, laundry soap, make-up, shaving supplies, personal care products and cleaning supplies.
Herb & Spice (375 Bank Street) Herb and Spice is a local health food store with a decent collection of vegan soaps, shampoo/conditioner and make-up.
Saaboon Soap (595 Gladstone Avenue) Saaboon is a local vegan institution. Their soaps and other skincare products are cruelty free, and vegan with lots of zero waste options. VegOttawa members get 15% off of each order.
Headspace Hair Studio (1530 Merivale Road) Headspace Hair Studio is run by Gabby, a very welcoming and talented hairstylist. She operates the only fully vegan hair studio in Ottawa. VegOttawa members get 10% off of each visit.
Visit and Support Farmed Animal Sanctuaries
The Ottawa region is home to at least three farmed animal sanctuaries that take care of non-human residents who would otherwise be harmed in the animal agriculture industry. It is a good idea to visit or volunteer at farmed animal sanctuaries to remind yourself why you became vegan in the first place.
Penny Lane (1795 Du Lac Rd, Saint-Pascal-Baylon, ON) Penny Lane Sanctuary has been rescuing animals since 2013. Their current residents include horses, pigs, cows, bunnies, and cats. Check out Penny Lane’s website for information about volunteering with the animals and follow their Facebook and Instagram pages for updates on events at the sanctuary.
Sweet Sanctuary Animal Rescue (Mississippi Mills, Ontario) Sweet Sanctuary offers a lifetime home to pigs, chickens and horses. Their volunteer program is full at the moment, and they do not have any scheduled public visits. However, keep an eye out for fun vegan-friendly fundraising events, including trivia nights!
Secondhand Stories Secondhand Stories offers private tours of their adorable chicken gang on an appointment basis. Visit their online used book store for great deals on awesome reads. VegOttawa members get a 20% discount on all book orders!
Please tell us about anything we’ve missed in the comments!
Whether you’re hosting guests or unwinding on a Friday night – ordering pizza and accommodating food preferences and dietary restrictions can lead you down a Google search rabbit hole. Luckily, local pizza chains are catching on that offering a vegan menu is the perfect way to satisfy all and take in that big pizza order. In this blog post we highlight local favourites according to a recent poll in our VegOttawa Facebook group – but first, let’s go back to 2018 when the demand for vegan options was just beginning to grow.
From Milano’s
In those days, gravity was your friend holding veggie toppings in place on your cheese-less saucy pizza. For long-time vegans, this was the only way to eat pizza for decades. Local restaurant chain Milano Pizza saw an opportunity and jumped into the vegan scene with an innovative menu. They connected with locals in the Ottawa Vegans and Vegetarians Facebook group to get their opinions and gauge interest on new vegan products and unique menu ideas. Now, six years later, their vegan menu remains among the top favourites. Many pizza chains around the city have since added vegan options to their menu. Here we highlight local favourites along with pizza-making tips and vegan news.
Explore Ottawa’s Vegan Pizza Scene
Gabriel’s – With a delicious crust on the thicker side, Gabriel’s is the top local favourite with their plant-based pepperoni (Field Roast brand) and dairy-free cheese. The first location opened in Orleans in 1977 and they have since expanded all across the Ottawa area.
Milano – Their “Vegan Vegan Vegan” menu includes the Oh Sweet Vegan and Garden pizzas with non-dairy cheese and generous amounts of veggie toppings (including broccoli!) The menu also goes beyond just pizza with Beyond burger and chicken platters and Vegantine Poutine loaded with veggies.
Fiazza – Another favourite in our recent poll, their signature pizza is the Spicy Vegan including roasted button mushrooms, jalapeno slices, herb tofu and vegan pepperoni.
Hometown Sports Grill – featuring a large vegan menu, their vegan pizza includes Italian tomato sauce, vegan pepperoni, mushrooms, green peppers, red onions and black olives. You can enjoy your pizza with friends while watching a game in their dining area or order your pizza to go. Other vegan menu items include vegan poutine, chick’n tender platter, southwest nachos and cauliflower wings.
Heartbreakers – Located in Parkdale, their Veggie Supreme can be made vegan with cashew cream, pickled red onion, basil and castelvetrano olives. Castelvetrano olives have a distinct green hue and are famous for their crisp, meaty texture and mild buttery flavour.
Little Jo Berry’s — Available on Fridays, their regular and personal size pizzas include the Big Mac, and Steak and Havarti (locally-made by Rad Faux Cheese).
Pizza Nerds – Established in 2020, this local pizza shop offers a variety of pizzas named after Ottawa streets, with the option to sub vegan cheese or gluten-free crust. Their Albert – Kimchi Pizza features house-made vegan kimchi, green onion and black sesame seeds! Located on Bank St. and in Old Ottawa South.
Toppers – We’ve seen specialty vegan pizzas with unique flavour combinations on their menu along with their standard Titan Veggie, with options for vegan cheese and whole wheat or cauliflower crust.
Panago – This menu’s plant-based options include the Spicy Hawaiian with a smoky tropical sauce, Deluxe Pepperoni, Beyond Spicy Calabrese with Italian sausage crumble, Mediterranean and Beyond Summer BBQ topped with fire-roasted corn.
Red Swan Pizza – A hidden gem with locations in Kanata, Stittsville, Gloucester and Orleans, their vegan pizza comes with optional sesame coated crust and a menu featuring the Vegan Keto and Vegan Veggie Feast.
Pizza Pizza – A great value and a popular choice for parties, their vegan toppings include Field Roast plant-based pepperoni, sundried tomato, roasted garlic, fire roasted red peppers and spinach. You can also add plant-based chick’n sandwiches and bites to your pizza order.
Pizza Workshops and Locally-sourced Toppings
Exciting news from 613 Plant-Based! Starting in May 2024, they will be hosting private and public wood-fired pizza workshops using their homemade vegan cashew cheese and sausages – learn how to make Italian-style pizza from scratch! Located just outside of Carleton Place, 613 Plant-Based offers prepared meals delivered in the Ottawa area, including build-your-own pizza kits.
Make your own pizzas at home! Start with your own homemade pizza dough recipe or use prepared crusts, pizza kits (Costco has one!), focaccia, Greek pitas or bagels. Try some of Ottawa’s locally-made pizza toppings including Zengarry Fauxmagerie’s Sun-dried Tomato & Basil cashew cheese and Fresh Basil Pesto found in local stores, their online shop and their store location in Alexandria. (Shown: margherita pizza by Zengarry)
As you savour these vegan pizzas around Ottawa, your choices support sustainability, compassion, local businesses and the thriving vegan food scene in our city.
VegOttawa Association members can enjoy a 10% discount on the entire vegan menu at Milano Dalhousie, and Hometown Sports Grill as well as 15% off Zengarry cashew cheese and pesto online and at their store.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Joyce Santos is the current Vice President of VegOttawa Association. She has been vegan and previously vegetarian for over 25 years. In addition to her role with VegOttawa, she does freelance Communications for vegan businesses. She can often be found enjoying the live music scene and exploring trails with the Ottawa Vegan Nature Club.
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This post is not sponsored by any of the businesses or organizations listed.
SAABOON is an all-natural, vegan soap boutique based in Ottawa, Canada.
Using the traditional cold-process soap-making method, our handcrafted soaps are made from scratch in small batches to ensure consistent quality. We use only the best natural oils and do not use synthetic chemicals or foaming agents, artificial fragrance oils, artificial colourings, or any preservatives. And we are 100% against animal testing!“
saaboonwill now offer a 15% discount off all their beautiful soaps, balms, face oils, deodorants, bath salts,… to VegOttawa Association members! (This replaces the previous discount of 10%)
“Why buy handmade soap vs. commercial soap? The answer is very simple, with handmade soap, you get exactly that – soap. Commercial soap are not always true forms of soap – they are often detergents. Detergents are petroleum-based products, filled with synthetic, harsh chemicals that will leave your skin feeling dry, itchy, and irritated. Most manufacturers also remove a large percentage of the glycerin from their soap because glycerin contains a high resale value. The glycerin is sold to other companies to make lotions and creams. Glycerin is the natural by-product in the soap-making process. It is a humectant (helps moisturize your skin). With handmade soap, all the glycerin is retained. Whereas with commercial soap the ingredients consists of animal fats and other chemicals that will often leave your skin irritated, our handmade soap are made with all-natural vegetable and fruit oils that not only cleanse but leave your skin nourished and moisturized.
We use only the best oils and butters to make our products — these include olive oil, coconut oil, argan oil, rosehip oil, jojoba oil, castor oil, cocoa butter, and avocado Oil.
Your satisfaction is extremely important to us. Our mission is to provide great quality products and excellent service.
Come visit our brick and mortar shop at 595 Gladstone Avenue, Ottawa, Canada.
FOR DAILY UPDATES, NEWS AND FUN BEHIND-THE-SCENES PHOTOS, FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM AND FACEBOOK :: @SAABOON“
ON BEHALF OF THE ORGANIZATION, THANK YOU TO ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! MORE DISCOUNTS ON THE WAY!
If you are not a VOA member yet or need to renew your membership, click here.
Hope everyone is doing alright and all of your friends and family are staying safe and healthy.
We have been hard at work trying to think of ways we can best support and help our local vegan(/friendly) businesses through this difficult period. One of the ideas we had was to put together an updated business directory for the website in hopes that it would help consumers connect with businesses while many of their hours and services provided have been altered.
So from our website menu, you will now see “Ottawa’s Vegan & Vegan Friendly Business Directory“. Our partners, with whom you as a member receive a discount, are listed with photos and their logos which take you to their respective websites. We will continue to make improvements to this page (still tidying and simplifying) and add businesses to get a more comprehensive directory together.
You can now do and get just about anything in a vegan, cruelty-free form while living in Ottawa. We hope this makes it easier for anyone (vegan or not) to connect with the multitude of incredible services and products offered in our city.
Suggestions and feedback is always welcome. Feel free to contact us via our website contact page.
Veg Fest and The NCVA Vegan Cupcake Challenge is less than two weeks away! Ottawa’s best amateur vegan bakers are no doubt immersed in a frenzy of last-minute baking and testing as they vie for the title of the NCVA Vegan Cupcake Champion and the fabulous prize package that accompanies the prestigious title.
As of now, there are 18 entrants to the competition, so it’s going to be fierce! And delicious.
Today in the last part of the “Meet Our Judges” series we introduce Ian Capstick.
Ian Capstick, principal of MediaStyle, an Ottawa-based communications firm, has been saying ‘thanks’ with cupcakes since he opened up shop.
His enthusiasm for baking has manifested in the sponsorship of an unconference about cupcakes known as Capital Cupcake Camp. With hundreds of entries, t’s definitely the largest cupcake event in Ottawa. Which means Ian Capstick knows cupcakes.
While MediaStyle is not a cupcakery, Ian believes that cupcakes are meant for sharing, much like the communications work MediaStyle does online.
For Part 3 of our 5 part Meet the Judges series we get to know the Ottawa Citizen’s own Ron Eade.
Ron Eade has been the food editor at the Ottawa Citizen, the capital region’s largest newspaper, since 1998. He is also the authour of Omnivore’s Ottawa, a blog encompassing all things food in the Ottawa region.
While Ron is far from vegetarian, he does have an appreciation for good food in whatever form, and has attended Veg Fest as a patron in both 2009 and 2010. In 2011 he joins the NCVA as a guest judge for the NCVA Cupcake Challenge.
At home he regularly experiments in the kitchen and tests new dishes on his wife, Nancy, and young son, Graeme. Most of those dishes are not vegetarian.
On May 1, Ron will be found eating far too many cupcakes for one person, along with the other NCVA Cupcake Challenge judges. Already announced: CBC’s Stu Mills, and the incomparable Auntie Loo. More to come!
In part 2 of our Meet Our Judges series we introduce CBC Radio’s own Stu Mills.
Stu Mills grew up in Haliburton Ontario. At Simon Fraser University he studied Communication and Philosophy.
He continued with his studies in those areas at Queen’s University. During this time he fell in love with radio’s ability to focus the mind on spoken ideas while working at CFRC 101.9 FM, the Queen’s University radio station.
He’s been reading the news at CBC Ottawa since 2005, was the Friday host for Ottawa Morning for much of last year, regularly fills in for Rita Celli on Ontario Today, and for Alan Neal on All in a Day on CBC Radio One (91.5 FM).
Stu has a passion for the outdoors, especially mountain biking, and in all mechanical things. He lives in Wakefield, Quebec.
Veg Fest and The NCVA Vegan Cupcake Challenge is less than two weeks away! Ottawa’s best amateur vegan bakers are no doubt immersed in a frenzy of last-minute baking and testing as they vie for the title of the NCVA Vegan Cupcake Champion and the fabulous prize package that accompanies the prestigious title.
Shawn Scallen runs 
Ron Eade has been the food editor at the Ottawa Citizen, the capital region’s largest newspaper, since 1998. He is also the authour of Omnivore’s Ottawa, a blog encompassing all things food in the Ottawa region.
VegOttawa Association 