I am lucky to live in a very veggie-friendly neighbourhood, The Junction.

By now we all know the tale of The Junction: Annexed by the City of Toronto in 1909, the area was a dry zone (aka alcohol-free) until pretty recently, when the sale of alcohol became legal again in 2000 (!).

Maybe it’s this concern with wellness (residents supported the prohibition because public drunkenness had gotten way out of hand) that has inspired so many entrepreneurs of the healthy variety to open up digs here.

I wanted to highlight four Junction businesses which are veg friendly and worth visiting if you live in the area or are just stopping by. All these places are within walking distance of each other on Dundas Street between Keele and Clendenon.

Optimum Natural Foods
2865 Dundas Street West
416-693-5328

Formally located in The Beaches, Optimum Natural Foods came to The Junction earlier this year.

This is the place to go if you need vitamins or bulk items (or maybe protein powder?). Optimum food also carries personal effects like shampoo and natural soaps, and has a modest selection of veggie and organic foods.

I personally make a point to get what I can here as I find the owner, Larry, is very helpful and knows his stuff. I’m not the kind of person who easily asks for help, but I can put just about any request on the table here without looking like a doofus.

The Beet
2945 Dundas Street West
416-916-2368
TheBeet.ca

The Beet is operated by Michelle Vella and Heather Osler (one’s a Certified Nutritional Practitioner, the other a homeopath), so you know the food is good. With a strong commitment to environmentally-friendly practices,  menu items here are homemade and organic.

A listed member of the Soy Latte Project , their coffee is organic, fair trade, and fresh roasted. One step inside The Beet (technically located behind the TD bank machine), and you’ll immediately find your appetite!

The Sweet Potato
2995 Dundas Street West
416-762-4848
thesweetpotato.ca

Oh, the Sweet Potato! How I love the Sweet Potato!

An organic grocer, the Sweet Potato has pretty decent prices for what they’re selling. In addition to fresh fruits and veggies, you can find local baked goods here — both of the vegan variety and also made with free-range eggs. The sizable selection of mock-meats and phony cheeses makes the Sweet Potato a vegan heaven.

Rawlicious
3092 Dundas Street West
416-519-7150
rawlicious.ca

The Junction, believe it or not, is also home to Rawlicious, a “totally raw, totally vegan” cafe.

I find raw food diets delicious, but tedious. Luckily, Rawlicious makes eating raw very, very easy. With smoothies, snacks, and full-on entrees, whether you sit-down for a meal or get it to go, you’re in for a treat. A bit more casual than Toronto’s other raw food restaurant, Live, Rawlicious has steadily increased their hours since their initial opening, showing that raw food is more than just a fad.