Bohemian Rhapsody
Translated from French to “The Green Coffee Shop,” this homely café nestled in Leslieville, serves mainly organic and natural food with an emphasis on vegan & gluten-free options. Opening in 2005, Le Café Vert caters to local film industry people, artists, musicians and a health conscious crowd. They feel right at home in the cozy, unassuming bohemian atmosphere, ripe with flea market furniture and a mini gallery for local visual arts. Upstairs, there is a private dining room for special functions, where parties can break out the 20 organic wines on the list and the room doubles as a venue for the owner to give workshops on sprouting.

Way of Living
The owner concludes that being organic is more of a living attitude rather than just consuming organic food. And that’s what is served at the seven tiny tables. There is also organic chicken, fish, and sausage in some dishes. All grains are organic, and all baked items, including dessert, are done in house. Half of the staff has worked for the U of T vegan restaurant and some grow vegetables at home that make it onto the menu, which changes with the seasons to take advantage of the freshest produce available. In 2007, NOW Magazine ranked Le Café Vert as one of the top 50 Toronto diners.

Gluten-Free Goodies
Signature dishes for brunch include a cast iron baked frittata, deluxe baked French toast and gluten-free plantain pancakes. The owner prides herself on her special Eggplantatious dish, the “best ever Pad Thai,” vegan lasagna and Istanbul chicken pilaf. Save room for dessert – especially the double cocoa vegan brownies, pistachio blueberry meringue and passion fruit creme brulee. Reservations are required for a party of six and over, however, Cafe Vert brunch is also quite popular, so it might be wise to phone ahead.