Best vegan spot on the planet?! (The Planet, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada)

If you’re heading here for lunch be sure to head out of the office a bit early cause this spot packs up fast at the noon hour! Settle in on mismatched chairs and retro tables and enjoy a veggie-filled breakfast or brunch. This vegetarian restaurant (which also offers vegan options) is tucked away in downtown Peterborough so be sure to stop in to re-charge after a morning of browsing the local shops!

What to bite?

Brie and cranberry sauce sandwich is my absolute fav. Rich and creamy brie mixed with the tang of cranberries, crisp greens and fresh baked thick-sliced bread. If you’re lucky enough to visit when they’re soup is tomato-basil, be sure to check it out, I promise you won’t regret it! If you’re looking for something a little heartier, try the rosemary walnut burger – it tastes just like stuffing!

Also be sure to grab some fresh baking (hello ginger cookie) for dessert.

What to sip?

Fair trade coffee!

Why I love it?

Kid-friendly with a play kitchen and rocking horse. Very eclectic decor. Healthy, vegan and vegetarian meals with great daily specials and gluten-free options. Take out or eat in.

Check them out online here!

Flava Flave! (Flavour, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada)

Not going to lie – living in or visiting Cape Breton, one doesn’t exactly assume they will find a lot of incredible restaurants but Flavour, my friend is the island’s best kept secret. You will not want to miss this spot on your stroll along the water (located just up from the Esplanade) or after your 18 hole hike (yes, they opened another location, Flavour 19, at the Lingan golf club)

What to bite?

If you are lucky enough to show up on the day their “peanut butter bacon burger” is on special, abandon all other menu choices and commit to this. I promise you will not regret testing out the bizarre sounding burg! Though, if you are not as fortunate, the warm vegan pita will warm any veggie’s heart with homemade hummus and guacamole you will feel so full and healthy for your afternoon nap. But if you’re a meatatarian, the chicken/apricot/almond pita or the Thai coconut curry are Flavour favourites. If you are a seafood lover and especially if you’re visiting the Cape, be sure to try their rich and creamy seafood chowder (I don’t even like seafood and this was pretty darn good!).

For dessert there is no competition. The Homemade Ice Cream Sandwich (order it, even if you feel like you have no room…trust me you’ll make room!). Two homemade coconut cookies, vanilla bean ice cream, milk chocolate all rolled in toffee bits. Yep, they went there.

What to sip?

Fair trade Kicking Horse Coffee or just indulge in a glass of wine. And water, you MUST have their water.

Why I love it?

All day breakfast. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and paleo options. Kid friendly (high chair if you ask). The greatest water of your life (I’m not going to tell you why, just sip it and wonder how you’ve lived so long without experiencing this). Patio for people watching and enjoying the harbour sunset. Cooking classes. Summer Sandwich War (staff compete for who made the greatest sandwich). Saturday brunch aaaaaaaand they cater!

Check them out online here!

This pizza would make Mona Lisa smile! (Mona Lisa Cafe, Granada, Nicaragua)

Remember a time that you were wandering the streets of a foreign country after weeks of travel, craving some grub from home? Then picture stepping into a little pizza shop, almost feeling guilty for not immersing yourself in that culture’s cuisine, but indulging in your comfort food. You gear yourself up for a mediocre slice, as you sip your cool beer on the patio. We both know how this story turns out when your pota

to and sausage pizza arrives and you realize that this is one of the greatest pizzas of your life. SO great in fact that you make it a priority to visit the restaurant one last time before you catch your flight home! If you are fortunate enough to tour around Nicaragua, make sure you stop in Granada for a few days. Not only to check out the rich culture, colorful doors, and bustling markets, but also for some great pizza! (check out my other reviews on Granada restaurants while you’re at it!)

What to bite?

Let’s be honest here, you could order a topping you didn’t even like and you would still go back for more. Although a little pricy for Granada, it is well worth ordering a pizza larger that wh

at you’d normally order. Thin, crispy crust, fresh homemade sauce and gooey mozzarella. Grab a beer and share your pie with a friend or better yet, order 2!

Why I love it?

Kid-friendly (even a highchair if you ask) with an indoor play area. Sidewalk patio for prime people watching and incredible sunset view of the city street (see photo below!). Or eat indoors (booooring!). Family owned and staffed with warm and friendly locals.

Check them out online here!

View from Mona Lisa Cafe

Nata bad latte! (Nata’s Cafe, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada)

Dad joke, I know. But by Nata bad latte, I mean one of the best lattes I’ve had.

Walking into the stone floored cafe, you will immediately feel at home hearing the clinks, taps, and hisses of their espresso machine. Nata’s Cafe in Peterborough is a perfect place to spend the afternoon reading, grab a coffee to go, or meet a friend for breakfast.

What to bite?

Try their Belgian waffles topped with whipped cream and berries or old fashioned maple syrup. They even have a kid-friendly size that comes with a milk or juice. If you’re looking for breakfast with a bit more protein, you will want to order two (because they’re so delicious) croissant breakfast sandwiches. Made with a fresh croissant, bacon, cheese, scrambled egg. (They’ve even substituted tomato for bacon if you’re veggie).

They also offer a lunch menu and lots of tasty desserts.

What to sip?

ORDER A LATTE. Seriously. Even if you don’t like them, just do it. You will fall in love.

Why I love it?

Kid-friendly basket of books and a highchair if you ask. Free wifi. Comfy window view for people watching downtown Peterborough. And best of all, they support local artists and grassroots projects. You will always find unique and beautiful artwork on their walls, sometimes submitted by local high school art programs.

Check them out online here!