Fall Finds For Every Diet: Eating Plant Based and Gluten-Friendly in Chilliwack

Autumn, Dining, Itineraries

written by Mandy Liddle | @mandyyyliddle on Instagram

Despite popular belief, Chilliwack is flourishing when it comes to cafes and restaurants with options for people with dietary restrictions.

Take it from me, a local lifestyle and plant-based food content creator, Mandy Liddle.

As a lifelong Chilliwackian and someone who’s been vegan for over 11 years, Chilliwack has never let me down when it comes to finding a good bite to eat, especially during cozy season. These are just some of my favourite places to eat in the fall (and all year round) in The ‘Wack.

Land Cafe and Studio

This half-cafe, half-yoga studio is located right along the Vedder River. Land Cafe and Studio (102-45530 Vedder Mountain Road) is fully vegetarian, with most of their items being easily made vegan and gluten-friendly. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a warm brunch on the patio as the leaves begin to turn. I love to come here on the weekend with my friends because even the meat-eaters absolutely love it! Some of my fave dishes include, but are certainly not limited to:

Breakfast Sando (made vegan)

This is a monthly ritual for me. Fluffy vegan egg, vegan cheese and tomato chutney. The vegan herby mayo is the best part. So delish!

T-Oat-Ally Awesome Bowl

Returning just in time for fall! A comforting oatmeal cake baked on a bed of bananas and topped with maple syrup, fresh fruit, jam, almond butter, and pumpkin seeds with a side of oat milk. Just ask them to hold the bee pollen if you don’t eat honey. I LOVE this dish and I am not even an oatmeal gal (a crime as a vegan, I know).

Buffalo Caesar Wrap

OMG – the most flavourful vegan wrap. Buffalo soy curls, vegan parm, romaine and kale with cashew Caesar dressing wrapped in a tortilla.

Land Cafe also offers non-dairy milks for coffee (and a pumpkin spice syrup that is totally vegan!) as well as a handful of vegan and gluten-friendly treats in their bakery case, like the Tahini Oat Chocolate Chip Cookie and Breakfast Cookie.

Smoking Gun Coffee Roasters

Did you know this popular coffee shop in District 1881 has a sweet number of vegan treats? Smoking Gun Coffee Roasters (101-46168 Yale Road) has treats that rotate seasonally, and my personal favourites during autumn are the Apple Spice Cookie and the Pumpkin Scone. They also offer non-dairy milks and vegan seasonal drinks, like their Cherry Pie Matcha or Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Old Soul Coffee

This quaint coffee shop rests inside the heritage house that is Homemade Community Shoppe, located in Historic Downtown Chilliwack. Old Soul Coffee (46067 Princess Avenue) combines my two loves: coffee to drink and vintage shopping! They offer non-dairy milk, fun seasonal flavours, and super customizable drinks. Plus, they don’t upcharge for plant milks! I opted for the Iced Oat Pumpkin Spice Latte with non-dairy vanilla cold foam. I’ve also put all of my friends onto their Iced Oat Earl Grey Matcha.

Cultivate Cafe

Cultivate Cafe (10015 Young Road) can be found next to one of Chilliwack’s most cherished nurseries – Minter Country Garden. My grandma got me on to this place… and she’s not even vegan! A cozy brunch spot after shopping for fall chrysanthemums sounds like the perfect autumn day. Not only do they have a plant-based section on their menu, but most of their items (vegan or not) can be made gluten-friendly. I personally love:

The Garden Hash

Roasted potatoes with peppers, caramelized onions, fresh spinach and juicy tomatoes. Topped with avocado, red pepper coulis, and seasoned tofu scramble. They even add black salt for that “eggy” taste!

The Crispy Tofu Banh Mi

A crispy tofu sandwich with pickled vegetables, fresh slaw, cucumbers, cilantro and sriracha on a soft roll. I love getting the greens on the side.

Cultivate also offers plant-based milks for their coffees (I love their Iced Vanilla Oat Latte) as well as a couple of vegan and gluten-friendly treats. Their Lemon Bar was divine!

Hugo’s Mexican Kitchen

Everyone knows I’m the biggest fan of Hugo’s Mexican Kitchen. So much so that they even catered my fully vegan wedding a few years ago! They have two locations in Chilliwack: one in Sardis (7101 Vedder Road) and one in the heart of District 1881 (106-45945 Thunderbird Lane) in Downtown Chilliwack. They clearly label their many plant-based and gluten-friendly options, and so much of their delicious food already comes vegan. My go-to’s are the plant-based tacos. I usually get all of them because they’re so good; I can’t pick a fave:

Taco de Coliflor

A beer-battered cauliflower taco tossed in guajillo adobo, topped with avocado crema, pickled onions and cilantro.

Tofu Chorizo

A tofu chorizo taco that also includes potatoes, cashew crema, lemon-pickled onion and cilantro.

Nopales

Chopped cactus (you must try!) in a tomatillo sauce with potatoes, cashew crema, pickled onions and cilantro.

Their Hugo’s Burrito Bowl can also be made vegan. My other fave items are their Strawberry Horchata, their Churros (they are totes plant-based!), and you can never go wrong with good ol’ guac n’ chips.

Banter Ice Cream

One of Chilliwack’s iconic ice cream shops can be found right next to Land Studio & Cafe, also along the Vedder River. Banter Ice Cream (45530 Vedder Mountain Road) always have at least 2-3 vegan flavours available in scoops and pints. With a classic Chocolate flavour all year round and a new vegan flavour every single month. September’s feature is refreshing yet comforting – Apple Cider (V)! It’s the perfect excuse to get a scoop and go for a fall-y stroll along the riverside trail.

Other Honourable Mentions

Shandhar Hut Indian Cuisine (8835 Young Road and A-6050 Chilliwack River Road) offers a vegetarian section of its menu where many dishes can also be made dairy-free. Try the Dahl of the Day with coconut milk and coconut rice.

Stormy’s Food Truck is an adorable, fully vegan and gluten-free smoothie bowl truck that pops up at local festivals, events and markets throughout the year.

Vedder Sushi (8-7300 Vedder Road) has some of the prettiest sushi in town! I love their Mango Roll or Kappa Maki with Edamame to start.

HEAL Wellness (3-45575 Keith Wilson Road) is a plant-based smoothie shop. All smoothies are made with plant-based milk, with the option of pea protein or whey protein.

Everyone should be able to enjoy quality food out n’ about, and I’m so grateful to the thoughtful local businesses in my town that provide delicious eats for all in our community!

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