Plant-based diets
We prioritize plant-based options across campus, and have Village Greens, a dedicated vegetarian and vegan eatery, that accepts meal plan as well as non-meal plan customers.
In our other outlets, we train our staff to change gloves upon request to prevent cross-contact with meat/dairy items in understanding of our guests’ dietary choices.
Here are some tips for eating a plant-based diet on campus:
Breakfast at Commons Kitchen | 7:30am-10:30am
You can always find Steel-cut Oats, a great stick-to-your-ribs hearty breakfast and a tofu scramble that changes daily. Alternately choose a Fruit & Granola (honey-free) Parfait. For both of these, you can substitute almond or soy milk tetra paks for the yogurt or milk. Our toast and English muffins are vegan, but not the gluten-free bread/buns, croissant, bagels or brioche buns. We provide peanut butter and avocado that you can put on it. Plus, we have lots of other whole and cut fruit options. Hashbrowns are an option as well if you’re looking for a treat—as dietitians, we don’t recommend them daily!
Baked Goods at Various Campus Outlets
Find a handful of vegan baked goods like our Cranberry Oat, Mountain Flax, Raspberry Streusel, Blueberry Crumble or Peanut Butter Crunch Bars, as well as the Vegan “The Works” Cookie, Glazed or Jelly Doughnuts and Apple Fritters. These are all sourced from local bakeries that use dairy-free margarine in place of butter.
Village Greens | Mon-Thurs, Lunch & Dinner
More than 95% of Village Greens options are vegan. We have a different entrée each lunch and dinner with choices like a Sriracha Chickpea Noodle Bowl, Black Bean & Yam Burger or Kung Pao Cauliflower Rice Bowl. There’s also a curry special each day, custom stir-fries and other treats like Tofu Dogs. A dietitian favourite is the VG’s 4 Bean Chili which has loads of plant-based protein and fibre to fill you up for studying all afternoon.
Mystic Market
Many options at Mystic Market can be made vegan with a couple of substitutions. Favourites include Chopbox Curries (ask for rice noodles and marinated tofu), the Flamin’ Grill Quinoa Burger (ask for the whole wheat bun), and Fresco Taco Bar’s Bean Tacos/Burritos or Rice Bowls (with no sour cream and sub Daiya cheez). Trek's also has a new salad bar that offers vegan protein as well as vegetarian and vegan composed salads. In the General Store find the Veggie & Hummus Sandwich, Veggie California Roll in the sushi case and our Veggie Samosas and Rolls are vegan.
Late Nights at Cap's Bistro | Until 11:30pm
Enjoy vegan dishes like a California Rice Bowl, Deconstructed Quesadilla (basically beans & rice—ask for no sour cream and sub Daiya cheez), fries and, another dietitian favourite, the Not-cho Average Cheez Sauce that comes with chips and salsa. This is a cheez sauce packed with veggies like carrots and potatoes plus nutritional yeast and spices—it’s awesome!
Weekends at Commons Kitchen
Other options besides the Vegan Curry or Pasta specials are the delicious Quinoa Burger from the hot grill (ask for no mayonnaise) which we source from a local supplier in Vancouver called Kan’s Gourmet. It’s got a great Indian flavour! We also have a Veggie & Hummus Sandwich and Veggie California Roll in the sushi case and they always make a vegan soup which you could have with the salad bar. And again, avocado toast could be another option that might go well with the soup.