Once in a while, I come across a restaurant so vibrant and delicious, I want to stake out real estate next door and move within arm’s mouth’s reach.
Once in a while, I come across a business owner who has such a passion for what they do, I can’t help but feel inspired myself.
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Once in a while, I find a vegan-friendly restaurant that makes me feel understood, instead of a pain in the ass. ;)
Jonnie Karan is the brains behind Thrive Juice Bar, located in uptown Waterloo, Ontario on King Street South. Within a minute of meeting Jonnie, his passion for creating delicious vegetarian, vegan, and raw food is evident. Approachable plant-based creations tempt and impress carnivores and vegans alike and he understands that vegan food shouldn’t be strange or unappealing. It’s just whole food highlighting nature’s finest cuisine. Exactly what I try to do on this blog each day!
Last night, I had the pleasure of dining at Thrive with Angela, after listening to her rave about this place for months now! From the moment we stepped inside, I knew this place was done right. The decor was like no other vegan-friendly restaurant I’ve been to. It’s modern, with cool metallic beaming throughout, large floor to ceiling windows, and vibrant green accents lending an earthy feel. No detail is over-looked, and to my delight, the same care and attention went into the food.
As a child, I grew up drinking virgin Caesars (aka virgin Bloody Mary) and we were never without Mott’s Clamato juice in the fridge, complete with all the seasonings. So when I saw that the menu had a veggie juice that reminded me of my favourite pastime, I knew I had to order it.
The ‘lil Veggie Juice’ contained tomato, carrot, celery, cucumber, parsley, sea salt, fresh pepper, and vegan Worcestershire. Delicious! I just love that salted rim too.
Next, Jonnie brought us out the soup of the day- Red Lentil Dahl. Made with a coconut milk base, it was creamy with a kick of spice. The perfect starter for a rainy day.
After much debate, I ordered the Big Greens Sandwich. I have this thing for anything green…
Lightly toasted on organic 7-grain with extra virgin coconut oil, avocado, jalapeno hummus, goats cheese, marinated cucumbers, almond arugula pesto, fresh sprouts, spinach and frisée finished with a splash of lemon vinaigrette.
In other words…perfection! The lemon vinaigrette added a nice pop to the sandwich.
Ange ordered the Vegan Pad Thai made up of Rice noodles, daikon radish, snap peas, bok-choy, Asian cabbage and raw cashew pad Thai sauce, topped with spicy peanuts and cashews, fresh cilantro, Thai basil and mint. Finished with almond chili oil and mint lime vinaigrette. So many great flavours all in one dish!
For dessert, Jonnie brought us out another treat…vegan and gluten-free walnut fudge brownies with homemade coconut milk frozen dessert!
It was ALMOST too cute to eat.
The homemade coconut milk ‘ice cream’ was the best I’ve ever tasted. It melted into the brownie, taunting me to take bite after gooey bite.
I highly recommend checking out Thrive Juice Bar! Head on over and meet Jonnie and support his fantastic business. It’s definitely worth a drive to Acton Waterloo. You can also check out the stunning website and scope out the food and drink menu.
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I will be back soon, very soon. Possibly today. When does it open? I hear their Big Green Smoothie is incredible… ;)
Gluten free and vegan brownie??!!! I’m so jealous
I need more places like this around me! Is a ceasar like a bloody mary? Never heard of a ceasar!
yup! just without alcohol
It is a vodka and Clamato juice based cocktail typically found in Canada or bars in the USA that get a lot of Canadian customers. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caesar_(cocktail)
Gosh that place looks heavenly! So envious.
I will definitely be checking this place out ASAP! The brownie makes me want chocolate and its not even 9 am yet
i’m so glad you and angela visited thrive! i agree – we are so fortunate to have this wonderful spot in waterloo. happily, i live a 5 minute walk away!
that brownie dessert looks amazing!
forgot to add that i got your “worth the drive to acton” joke! :)
and also, if you ever have the chance to go through vincenzo’s, also in the bauer building, it’s pretty amazing – the closest thing to whole foods that we have in waterloo!
AHH!! i wish there was one near me!! that place looks incredible!
So glad you loved it Ange! If you ever need a buddy to go back with… well you know who to call! ;)
“Once in a while, I find a vegan-friendly restaurant that makes me feel understood, instead of a pain in the ass.” Amen! I can remember being SO frustrated with restaurants when I was vegan, and even more so when I was vegan and gluten-free.
I’m so happy you found a place you love! Jeez, I need to get to your neck of the woods to try all these amazing eats!
That brownie look divine! And this place in general looks awesome! :)
So happy for you that you had such an awesome time and meal…and love that it’s not a dirty hole in the wall and super clean, modern, chic, bright, and lovely! Sometimes vegan restaurants & yoga studios are always so dingy and not really “inviting” but Thrive looks great!
‘lil Veggie Juice’ = looks like a virgin Bloody Mary to me, more or less, and omg does it look stunning!
But not as stunning as the walnut fudge brownies with homemade coconut milk frozen ice-cream…WOW!
Almost too cute to eat. Almost. :)
I’m so jealous- I wish we had something like this in Charlotte! It looks wonderful.
Oooh this is awesome! We have nothing like this around us really. Every item looks so fresh and delicious! Can’t wait to live vicariously through you on your return trip ;)
I live in Kitchener and I had NO IDEA this place existed (I don’t get out much) but I do have a birthday coming up in a couple of weeks and a day of spoilage planned and I think I just found my lunch venue. Thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing this to my attention.
yay!!! have fun
Ok, how could healthy, fresh and green look so delicious? And, that brownie? Need it! It looks like the drive to Waterlook would be worth it.
Ooooo I SO appreciate this review. I’m dying to take a little foodie road trip so the next time I absolutely MUST get out of the city it’ll definitely be high on the list :)
I’m completely jealous of your meal. The brownie and coconut ice cream just looks incredible! The pictures are mouth-watering, seriously.
Hello Angela: That restaurant looks amazing and makes me want to come and visit Ontario. I made a sandwich yesterday that I think you will really love. Check it out at www.eatdrinkandbeaware.blogspot.com– it is a Chickpea, Beet and Apple Sandwich and it is amazing! I hope you have a great day.
Abby
wow that looks right up my alley!
Sounds like an amazing place. I wish there was one around me, yum.
Looks amazing. Expecially the brownie. Whenever I try to make coconut milk ice cream, it doesn’t work out and just turns into non-creamy coconut-flavored ice.
That sandwich looks incredible! I love how clean and fresh the space looks. You guys have all the cool stuff in Canada! :)