If there’s one thing I did not expect when moving to Peterborough, it was the significant number of plant-based eateries. But as a lifelong vegetarian I could not be more thrilled. So, if you are a plant-based person or looking to eat more plant-based foods then welcome to my mini-series: Plant-Based Peterborough where I review each of these eateries and tell you the best and the even better!

‍

First up, Nateure’s Plate!

I first visited Nateure’s Plate with a group of friends, most of whom were international students, and many of which were plant-based (whether this be vegetarian like myself or vegan). We were excited to try a place where we could order anything from the menu without the fear of receiving a basic salad covered in parmesan cheese (which seems to be in every vegetarian option around these parts despite it not being vegetarian at all).

Located at 128 Charlotte Street, Nateure’s Plate is an entirely vegan restaurant that makes all of their meat and dairy alternatives in-house. They find their home in the space that was once Brio Gusto and have been there since they opened in 2018. Chef Nate White produces a regular menu of burgers, bowls, pastas, and more, as well as seasonal specials such as their Thanksgiving and Christmas turkey. They also boast a great selection of vegan wines, beers, and various (delicious) cocktails. I should perhaps here provide a note that as someone who has never eaten meat, I am neither able to nor care to define the quality of the food in regards to how similar or dissimilar it is to meat.

The restaurant itself has three rooms in total, with the front two being able to be opened entirely onto the street during the warmer weather. This layout allows for bigger parties to book out space whilst still being able to seat smaller groups and walk-ins. I particularly enjoy the decor of plants and greenery amongst the wooden interior which gives the restaurant a warm atmosphere. 

Although I am a frequent patron of Nateure’s Plate, I decided for this piece to return and try some new items and treat myself and my partner to a three course dinner with drinks. 

For starters, we had the roasted garlic and white bean dip which came with a selection of raw vegetables and pita bread for dipping. Coming in at $14 this was perfect for sharing before our meals. The dip itself was like a hummus but a little thinner, which was much to my taste. I had previously tried both the nachos and loaded fries but found them to be a little too filling before a full meal. They were, however, both delicious.

My main course was the chicken parmesan, a favourite of mine. Breaded chicken with marinara and mozzarella served on a bed of spaghetti with a side of garlic bread. This dish is my ultimate comfort food. One issue that can occur with chicken replacement is dryness, but the mixture of sauces and general quality of the chicken does not commit this common faux pas. And nothing quite beats dipping garlic bread in any leftover sauces.

For the purpose of this review, I insisted my partner choose a different dish than me! She ate the burrito bowl with chicken. This hearty bowl has a mix of rice, corn, beans, salsa, and guacamole that can be served with a choice of chicken, pulled jack, or beef. The mixture of textures and tastes makes this dish pop! This is a great choice if you are uncertain about meat replacement as there is plenty else to enjoy. 

Alcoholic drinks are often a minefield for vegans. Although most will be vegan, many wines use animal derivatives during the fining process and there are types of beers and spirits that have surprise ingredients in them. Nateure’s Plate offers a selection of red, white, and bubbly wines both by the glass and by the bottle as well as a number of beers and cocktails. I chose the gin punch and my partner the moscow mule, both were well priced (my gin being only $7) and tasted fabulous. 

To finish out our evening we shared a vegan cookie and ice-cream, the only dessert on Nateure’s Plate’s menu. These made to order cookies were wonderfully warm and nicely topped off our meals. I hope in the future Nateure’s Plate offers a wider selection of dessert items as I do have a sweet tooth!

Overall, I highly recommend Nateure’s Plate not only to my fellow plant-based friends, but to everyone! I also appreciate the relationship Nateure’s Plate has with other local businesses downtown. For instance, they have collaborated with The Boardwalk Lounge and Haven Brewing Co. for a night of ‘Bites, Beers, and Boardgames’. They have also hosted events with local Drag Queens, Betty Baker and Just Janis.

You can try Nateure’s Plate for yourself by visiting them from Tuesday-Saturday or ordering via Y-Drive Eats.