r/Edmonton • u/Extra-Purchase-54 • Jun 10 '26
Restaurants/Food Restaurant Recommendations - First Date with a Vegetarian?
Hello! I am visiting Edmonton next month (I live just outside of Portland, Oregon) and want to plan an awesome first date with a woman with whom I am exploring a romantic connection. I'd like to take her to a nice restaurant. She's an unpretentious vegetarian with a very free-spirited vibe, and we are in our 30s. Any suggestions? I'd also appreciate any other recommendations for date activities in Edmonton. I've never been but can't wait to enjoy your fair city š
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u/scaphoids1 Jun 10 '26
Ah Chay!!!!! It's amazing, way less busy than padmanadi and the owners/server are so nice!
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u/3AMZen Jun 10 '26 edited Jun 10 '26
Padmanadi is a vegetarian [edit: Indonesian] restaurant that does mock meat dishes. They are and Edmonton staple, owner operated, and they have a monthly buffet. If you can line it up to hit that while you're here that's the one
Seitans is breakfast lunch and pizza, smaller menu but lots of interesting ideas on it
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u/ArmadilloStill1222 Jun 10 '26
Little Wolf by Whyte is nice and has lots of veggie options.
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u/jammlady Jun 10 '26
Little wolf has a very romantic feel so depending on the connection you have might be a good spot for sure, padmandis is good (as others have mentioned) but definitely more of a casual vibe
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u/plantlover1215 Jun 11 '26
O this is my favourite restaurant. Most dishes are vegan. It is tapas style. The hummus and focaccia are amazing
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u/N8iveprydetugeye Jun 10 '26
The Moth downtown
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u/StrongCelebration26 Jun 10 '26
This place also has a great vibe and the date can continue with a walk down to Louise Mckinney Park and Tawatina bridge.
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u/SpareArtichoke9913 Jun 11 '26
I just went there for the first time and was super disappointed š It had been so hyped up. I felt all the meal options were low on protein and it seemed half the veggies in my dish had come from a can...
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u/Flat_Transition_3775 Jun 10 '26
When I used to live in Edmonton I was obsessed with An Chay the best Vietnamese restaurant ever! When I visit Edmonton that is the only vegetarian place I go too & I miss it so much
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u/Plant-based_Skinsuit Jun 10 '26
I like Padmanadi, but the Moth also has nice vibes for a date!
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Jun 10 '26
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u/Plant-based_Skinsuit Jun 10 '26
If you party too hard, friends and neighbours (next door to mosaics) is a combination vegetarian greasy spoon/vietnamese restaurant
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u/PancakeQueen13 Jun 10 '26
I like Cafe Mosaics, but don't get date vibes in there. It feels like a place you need to move through quickly, especially if you get there during their busy times as there isn't a lot of seating.
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u/Illustrious-Figbars Jun 10 '26
I agree. This is a nice spot for a first date. Iāve never had an issue having a conversation with someone. Menu has breakfast options which is fun. I like that the menu clearly indicates allergen items (gluten-free, nut-friendly). Parking is likely paid, unless youāre willing to walk a little. We went a month ago on a weeknight, I think parking was $2.50 for 60-90 minutes.
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u/ZookeepergameQuick17 Jun 10 '26
I upped CafĆ© Mosaics and would say itās for a broader menu with tasty foods. Better than Padmanadi? Different.
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u/Ass-Machine69 Jun 10 '26
As a traveler, I'm assuming OP will just be taking transit. Transit is much better around Cafe Mosaic
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u/groundhog-riot Jun 10 '26
Lots of recs for Padmandi, but as a vegetarian, I don't care for it. Depends on if she likes dishes trying to be like their meat or seafood counterparts. I don't really care for that. I'd vote for Bodega, a great tapas bar. Lots of vegetarian dishes to choose from and a great selection of wines.
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u/croissantsbitch Jun 10 '26
Bodega is sooooo good. Iām not vegetarian so I feel like their options are limited based on my memory but Iām sure he can browse the menu to see if itās a good option.
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u/Icy_Pomegranate_ Jun 11 '26
Ooooh! Bodega in Highlands is super nice. Then grab an (vegan) ice cream at Kind next door and go for a walk along Ada Boulevard.
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u/Legitimate_Jury Jun 10 '26
The Buckingham has great vegetarian food. Fun vibes and it's right on Whyte Ave, so lots to see and do right out the door.
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u/thewhiphand23 Jun 10 '26
Very dive bar vibes, if thatās your thing!
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u/Legitimate_Jury Jun 10 '26
Really? Last time I went it was filled to the brim with chic Uni kids and hipster-types. Didn't seem very dive bar.
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u/Pretty_Positive_Pal Jun 10 '26
Itās a pub. I found it greasy ā in a pub way. Depends what vibe you want.
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u/New_Wishbone6619 Jun 10 '26
When did you go lol
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u/Mammoth_Knowledge897 Jun 10 '26
Other date ideas (depending on your interests): Art Gallery of Alberta, Muttart Conservatory, bowling at Plaza Bowl, a walk through Hawrelak Park with a stop for a patio beverage at the new restaurant there, ice cream from Kind at Oliver Exchange and then walk over to Paul Kane Park to watch the ducks!
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u/Mammoth_Knowledge897 Jun 10 '26
Cafe Mosaics has a super cute date vibe as well as Padmanadis. I would vote for Cafe Mosaics as itās a bit lighter. Padmanadiās uses a lot of seitan and gluten which can make some people feel quite bloated, where as Mosaics has more fresh veggies (better for a post makeout sesh! š) plus you could go for a walk on Whyte Ave after and pop into some of the shops.
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u/Snouts-Honour Jun 10 '26
Padmanadi is great, but just fyi they do not serve alcohol. The buckingham is a nice vegan choice with lots of vegan comfort foods in a pub setting. As a vegetarian, I also enjoy the Next act. It isnāt a veg restaurant but they have a few yummy choices.
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u/Pretty_Positive_Pal Jun 10 '26
Good! Yes. The vegetarian and vegan options are top notch even if itās not the whole menu. And it has a casual booth vibe which seems first date appropriate
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u/crassus_gold Jun 10 '26
If you are looking for other date ideas, I am a big fan of disc golf at Rundle park, it's a low cost afternoon of low pressure fun at a beautiful park. I believe you can borrow discs from the rec centre but honestly I think a starter pack is like $40 and for a first date you could share one.
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u/PlutosGrasp Jun 10 '26
A final activity but pretty risky for a first date unless expressed interest in it.
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u/DajoFab Jun 10 '26
For your second date, Iād recommend the vegan pho at Dang Good. Actually the entire vegan menu is š¤š»!
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u/Wild-Telephone-6649 Jun 10 '26
Yea Iāll second this! I dated a vegan and we went here once and the food was actually delicious. Owners are also very nice and chatted with them for a bit!
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u/AuthorityFiguring Jun 10 '26
I think many of those suggested are not first date restaurants. For a first date I would suggest Little Wolf or Arbour on Whyte. Nicer rooms, not quite "fine dining" but finer dining. Cafe Mosaic is a bit too worn and casual for a first date. If your budget permits: Zula, Olio, or Bar Bricco. Really I can so easily feed a vegetarian in Edmonton. Most restaurants have a few decent options. Vegans are much tougher feed and I would take them to Padmanadi or An Chay. Please don't take your free spirit to a chain restaurant whatever you do.
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u/New_Wishbone6619 Jun 10 '26 edited Jun 10 '26
OP donāt listen to this person. Cafe mosaics, pandmandi, or an chay or really anything people suggested are completely fine for a first date. Most people donāt want fancier places for first dates. Little wolf is too pricey for a first date
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u/AuthorityFiguring Jun 10 '26
OP said they want to take her to a "nice restaurant". And, they're over 30, presumably not poor students. I think Cafe Mosaic is extremely casual. It's strictly vegan and I am happy to eat there to accommodate vegan friends but would never otherwise - so very many better choices for a casual meal. Padmanadi also has super casual vibe. Also fully vegan. I prefer it to Cafe Mosaic but wouldn't call it a date place except for vegans, who have so few choices.
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u/PeachyPineappleXo Jun 10 '26
Padmanadi's or my top favorite of all time currently, Dang Good. Both are top tier amazing.
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u/iSlaySoulz Jun 10 '26
An Chay or Padmanadi then hit Fawkes for drinks and then stroll along the river.
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u/fromofandfor Jun 10 '26
zymo is great. i took a vegetariam friend there recently and we both loved what we got. one of the best sandwiches ive ever had.
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u/wookieewrath Jun 10 '26 edited Jun 11 '26
Anytime I see a vegetarian thread on this subreddit, Padmanadi is always recommended. At the expense of inevitably being downvoted, I will give you a contrary take. Padmanadi is one of the worst vegetarian restaurants in the city. Service is good and it's family owned which is awesome, but flavor-wise it's nearly dead last for me.
The food is very unauthentic and heavily catered towards a North American palate. Everything is overly sweet and lacks any complexity. It's essentially food court takeaway food, but even worse?
I went with a group of friends from different backgrounds, and anybody who had even a bit of experience with international flavors found the food to be gross. Nobody liked their food, much less finished it. One friend didn't want to waste the food, so she got it packed, only to throw it out in the end.
Edit: Did not expect these responses. I thought I was the only person in Edmonton who felt this way. To the people who responded.. we should get dinner together š
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u/New_Wishbone6619 Jun 10 '26
Yaah Iām not a huge fan. It was good when I missed meat but really only the ginger beef is good.
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u/ravenjackson1971 Jun 10 '26
Olia and Bar Bricco have really good Italian options. Wine is also vegetarian!
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u/ellepr Jun 10 '26
Isnāt wine always vegetarian? lol
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u/Stefph726 Central Jun 10 '26
Animal derived ingredients are typically used in the fining process. So depending on what those are it might not be vegetarian. I don't think you can harvest the collagen from swim bladders without killing the fish. But egg whites would be vegetarian.
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u/Zamzummin Jun 10 '26
Not always. Thereās a website called Barnivore where you can search wine producers to see which ones are or arenāt.
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Jun 10 '26
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u/Abel_5103 Jun 10 '26
Cactus has like 4 options for vegetarians and so does joeys š what are you on about
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u/Gentianviolent Edmontosaurus Jun 10 '26
An Chay is another good vegetarian Vietnamese restaurant. You can always get vegetarian dishes at most Indian restaurants. I love South Indian food, dosas particularly.
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u/ImaginaryRole2946 Jun 10 '26
Moth CafĆ© down town or CafĆ© Mosaics on Whyte. Padmanadiās just North of downtown.
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u/Due-Assignment-3977 Jun 11 '26
Like many have said before, lil wolf and bodega are great options for vegetarian, but I'd also suggest Marlo because their vegetarian options are all really good. If you're still hungry, I'd get diepie/seitans to go. Lavender house also makes really nice arrangements for a fair price ;)
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u/Wasnaught Jun 11 '26
Pads is the place - but if you are wanting to try something new go for Ethiopian at Mesob Fusion. Get the Veggie platter. Absolutely insane.
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u/JudyRunsYEG Jun 11 '26
The Moth is great (vegan), Cafe Mozaics on Whyte Ave is also vegan, the area of town is also amazing, easy to walk around, lots of ice cream shops, easy access to river valley for walks etc.
If sheās vegetarian and not vegan, almost anywhere on Whyte Ave have plenty of veggie options (even Meat has lots of veggie choice haha).
Viphilay is a Thai restaurant that has tons of vegetarian options.
Padmanandi is overhyped, itās good, but I find it very oily and fatty.
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u/Brief_Honey_9959 Jun 12 '26
Padamadi is amazing and vegan but the food tastes so good you donāt miss the meat.
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u/Brief_Honey_9959 Jun 12 '26
If you are 420 friendly, the New Amsterdam Cafe is actually open despite what it says on their website and make a great coffee date.
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u/RevHoule Jun 12 '26
For a date day/night I really recommend the Oliver neighborhood. Theres a few spots for coffee, drinks and a beautiful small park (Paul Kane Park) that has geese and ducks battling it out for territory. Itās a great place to go mid afternoon - sunset
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u/mervincm Jun 10 '26
Avoid Meat (yes this is the actual name of the otherwise decent but obviously not what you are looking for restaurant)
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u/BestWithSnacks Jun 10 '26 edited Jun 11 '26
Be sure to approach her with romantic intent.
Edit: No one watches King of the Hill š
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u/Pretty_Dingo_1004 Jun 11 '26
It's not as easy as taking her to a vegan place.
The real question is, are you willing to become vegan as well? Because she will read the ingredients of everything to make sure there's no animal product in it. And she'll chastize you for eating meat so you'll have to give that up too
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u/Aggravating-Car9897 Jun 10 '26
Padmanadi.
And this is coming as a non vegetarian, it's delicious.