Bonobo’s Foods caught our attention because of their in-depth veggie burger options, allowing customers to customise their sandwich. For starters, they offer different patties, which can either be made from seeds, apple mustard “chicken” or the famous Beyond Meat.

Furthermore, we liked how they offered different sauces, including mushroom melt and barbecue. However, we spoke to regulars, and they said that their favourite is the house special Bonobo V, which is a simple combination of garlic aioli, ketchup, field greens, onion, and pickles.

They also offer various vegan dishes beyond burgers, like salad, fries, and mac and cheese. We also love their dessert selection, which primarily consists of freshly baked goods, like banana bread, topped with ice cream.

The restaurant also features charming decor, with colourful walls and an impressive vinyl collection. It also has several tables, including al-fresco seating, so it never gets too crowded.

Our only gripe is they’re closed on Sundays and Mondays, which can be a bummer whenever we’re craving their burgers.

Really good

“Came here because all the conversations on the web for “best poutine”, said Bonobos. I gave it a try. It was really good. Good fries, good squeaky curds and good gravy. I liked it.”

Augster, Google Review

Really enjoyed it

“Visiting Thunder Bay this week. Tried Bonobo’s Foods, which was very good. I ordered the seed patty mushroom melt. I really enjoyed it. Do give this place a try”

Joe Daley, Google Review

Growing Season offers one of the best salad selections in Thunder Bay. We’ve tried just about every variation they offer, and we were never disappointed with the freshness of their ingredients.

One of their bestsellers is the Venus Rice Bowl, which is a combination of raw shredded beets, spinach, roasted tofu, and carrots. However, what makes it a great-tasting dish is the house-made tahini sauce, which is a perfect balance between smooth, creamy, and garlic-y.

We also love their salads because of their generous serving sizes, which we felt gave us the best value for our money. Unfortunately, their salad selection is as far as their menu variety goes.

Dining here is enjoyable as well, thanks to the charming cafe-like interior. Regulars noted how this interior allows them to enjoy a peaceful dining experience, especially with the large windows letting in natural sunlight.

Seating is a bit limited, but they do offer deliveries. However, they only deliver to certain spots in Thunder Bay at the time of writing.

I eat the harvest salad at least once a week

“I love the Growing Season harvest Salad. I am addicted to the salad dressing. I eat the harvest salad at least once a week and sometimes twice per week lol! I tried making my own, but it wasn’t as tasty as the other ones made at the Eatery! 

I highly recommend the Growing season, love the vibe, it’s clean, awesome atmosphere and staff. Best eatery in town for lunch. Thank you for keeping us healthy and happy, absolutely love everything about the Growing Season eatery!”

Patti David-Myros, Google Review

Fresh and very flavourful

“Came in on a whim with my father. Food was fresh and very flavourful. Portions were huge! Vegan/non-vegan options.”

Inukshuk84, Google Review

We wanted to include Thai Kitchen because, although it isn’t strictly a vegan restaurant, they’re extremely aware of veganism and offer alternatives for their dishes. The dishes are authentic, too, as the restaurant is helmed by a Thai lady.

Regulars told us that the vegan alternatives didn’t skimp out on the flavours as well. Furthermore, they highlighted how the dishes were presented neatly and featured generous serving sizes.

We also want to give props to the staff members because they always take the time to ask customers about dietary restrictions. Furthermore, they patiently explain what they would change in their dish to make it vegan.

The place is also spacious, well-maintained, and features beautiful Thai-inspired interior decorations, like stunning statues of kneeling deities.

The only downside is its slightly pricey rates. From what we’ve tried and from what we’ve heard from other customers, however, we could say that the pricing is worth it.

The garlic chilli sauce is amazing

“Best Thai food I’ve ever had. Highly enjoyed the Chinese mushroom dish and the first fried rice dish on the menu. 

Fast service, beautiful dining room, clean restrooms, delicious food that met the desired spiciness (which is rare for us!). 

The garlic chilli sauce is amazing. Spring rolls were fantastic as well – large in size!”

N, Google Review

Consistently great

“Tried Thai Kitchen recently, and honestly, it hit all the right notes. The food? Packed with flavour, cooked to perfection, and served hot — exactly what you’d hope for when craving Thai. From the curries to the noodles, everything tasted fresh and was made with care.

The service was smooth and genuine. No forced smiles, just friendly people who clearly take pride in what they do. They checked in just enough to make sure we were good, without hovering.

The space itself felt cozy and calm — not overly fancy, but really well put together. It’s the kind of place you settle into and immediately start planning your next visit before the meal’s even over.

If you haven’t been, go. Thai Kitchen isn’t just good — it’s consistently great.”

Nish, Google Review

Rebel Salad is essentially a salad bar that dials customisation options to 11, allowing customers to choose everything from the base to the proteins, veggies, and additional toppings. 

It can get overwhelming at times, but thankfully, the staff members do a great job at patiently explaining each option. We also spoke to regulars, who said that they’re blown away at how many ingredients the staff members scoop into their salad, considering the low prices.

We’re huge fans of their vegan options in each category as well. For instance, aside from the usual toppings like bacon and chicken breast, Rebel Salad offers roasted tofu, sunflower seeds, and almonds.

We also appreciate how convenient their online ordering system is, as they’ve retained all the customisation options and even offer pre-orders.

The only thing they could improve is their dine-in experience, as their seating is a bit limited, and the layout seems like it’s designed for takeout only.

Kind and accommodating

“I’ve come here for years, and this was the first time I’ve ever had a problem with my order, and it was a very understandable issue; they swapped the bases on my orders. 

I came in, and they were so kind and accommodating, made my whole order within 5 minutes and let me keep the food. Could not ask for better service to be honest, management is killing it”

Jane-Marie Neil, Google Review

Fresh and delicious

“The salad was fresh and delicious, but honestly, the highlight was the service. The guy working was so kind, welcoming, and genuinely made the visit enjoyable. His positive energy really stood out. Thank you for making the experience even better”

Nina Menzo, Google Review

Indian cuisine is known for offering vegan-friendly dishes, and Masala Grille perfectly exemplifies this with its widely varied menu. They offer a separate menu for vegans and substitute ingredients for their regular dishes.

Regulars noted that the dishes here are of great quality, thanks to their use of fresh ingredients. They also noted their authenticity, featuring Indian spices and ingredients, such as lentils, curry powder, and turmeric powder.

Our interviewees also said that they keep returning here because of the friendly and welcoming atmosphere. They shared how the staff members would patiently explain some of the items from their menu and how they would substitute ingredients to make them vegan.

The place itself sticks to its Indian roots by featuring traditional interior decor, from its intricate wood carvings to its hanging patterned carpets, etc. It’s also impressively well-maintained, considering that it doesn’t seem to run out of customers.

We only wish that they could extend their operating hours, as they open late and close in just four-ish hours, except on Fridays.

Absolutely delicious

“We stopped at Masala Grill during our road trip from Toronto to Winnipeg, and it turned out to be one of the best food experiences of the entire journey! The food was absolutely delicious — perfectly spiced, fresh, and full of authentic Indian flavours. 

Every dish tasted homemade with great attention to detail. The staff were super friendly and welcoming, and the service was quick, even though the place was busy. The restaurant itself was clean and had a nice, cozy atmosphere — perfect for a relaxing dinner after a long drive.

Highly recommend this place to anyone passing through Thunder Bay or looking for amazing Indian food. Definitely a must-stop spot on the route!”

Yuvraj Singh, Google Review

Amazing experience

“I was on a road trip across Canada and was staying in Thunder Bay. My taste buds were craving for Indian food, so I came across Masala Grille. OMG, it was an amazing experience. The ambience was splendid. 

It was a lovely place to visit, and I had a great time dining there. I ordered Paneer makhan masala with garlic naans- it was finger-lickin’ good!”

Yogesh Kumar, Google Review