The Moth Cafe, a plant-based restaurant in The Quarters, east of downtown, is best known for its all-day breakfast and its playful take on the Big Mac, the Big Moth Burger.
But the menu is diverse and delicious, spanning options like Lemongrass Minty Vermicelli, Pad Thai and Purple Yam Risotto with caramelized shiitake mushrooms.
Come for the nutrition, stay for the earthy ambiance and great cooking. — Michael Ganley
The Moth Cafe
Boyle Street | 9449 Jasper Ave, Edmonton | 780.244.9702 | mosaicsandmotharchive.com/themothcafe
Operating, for 20 years now, Padmanadi is the city’s old-school vegan restaurant.
The Kasims and their restaurant family have learned plenty of culinary lessons along the way, and they share those lessons on the menu containing the best Indonesian, Chinese, Thai and Indian plant-based meals they can muster — meaning some of the best in the city. And its menu is huge — the Vegetarian Meat Dishes section has 22 items alone. So whatever you’re craving — even if you don’t crave vegan dishes by nature — you’ll probably find it. You just might have to read a bit first — Cory Schachtel
Padmanadi
Central McDougall| 10740 101 St NW, Edmonton
Strathcona Junction | 6925 Gateway Blvd NW #106, Edmonton
780.428.8899 | padmanadi.com
This vegetarian Vietnamese spot has been a favourite of this magazine since it appeared on our Best New Restaurant list back in 2019. Since then, it’s been a mainstay in the Best Vegetarian category. And it hangs on in 2023, because its dishes stack up against the best Vietnamese spots in the city. Coconut curry, spicy soups, and noodle dishes will satisfy your craving for traditional Vietnamese flavours and spices. And, there are options for the gluten-free eater, as well. I’ve said it before, I will say it again: An Chay is not a great vegetarian restaurant; it’s a great restaurant, period. — Steven Sandor
An Chay
Wîhkwêntôwin | 11203 Jasper Ave, Edmonton | 780.752.2203 | anchayrestaurant.site
This article appears in the March/April 2023 issue of Edify
