Canteen: Plant-Based, Gluten-Free, Vegan Food
Vegans rejoice! This year, the popular Plants Eatery in Da’an opened a new location right next to Zhongshan MRT. They sell food free of eggs, dairy, honey, and all other animal products. They’re also totally gluten-free, with no wheat, barley, rye, or other grains.
They advertise their food as whole, meaning they use unrefined sugars, minimal processing, and avoid most additives. There are also a number of raw items on the menu to preserve nutrients.
In other words, Canteen is a guilt-free eatery!
The restaurant is hidden in the back of a boutique beauty shop called 10/10 Hope. Walk through the store (browse the organic, eco-friendly products while you’re at it) to find the food counter and a seating area.
It was quiet and peaceful when we visited on a sunny Saturday afternoon. We placed our order at the counter and then sat down to wait for our food.
There’s a variety of options on the menu, ranging from Energy Bowls (NT$250 – NT$330) to small plates like Rosemary Garlic Fries (NT$180) and Raw Cinnamon Bread (NT$290), to wholesome meals like Creamy Hawaiian Flatbread (NT$380), Red Lentil Falafel Plate (NT$360), and Kimchi Salad Pancake (NT$380).
Clearly the prices are on the high end, so considering we weren’t too hungry we opted for some over-the-counter roasted veggies, sweet potatoes, and hummus. We also tried the Berry Beautiful Smoothie (NT$220) with açai, blueberries, banana, lemon, and activated almond milk.
The smoothie was tasty and the food wasn’t bad, though they weren’t anything special. It was a nice light and healthy afternoon snack to keep us energized.
What’s the vibe?
Sleek eatery tucked in the back of a boutique beauty shop. Order off the menu or select from the pre-prepared dishes behind the counter and enjoy your guilt-free food in a calm environment.
Worth it?
Depends.
If you eat vegan or gluten-free food, Canteen would be worth a visit since there are limited options in the city. The food is expensive, but that’s to be expected considering the whole, fresh ingredients. We weren’t blown away by our food, but to be fair we didn’t order any of the larger meals, and a lot of the menu items look tempting.
Would you go back?
Probably.
We’d like to try some of the wholesome meals, including the raw desserts. Canteen is a nice place to eat when you want to feel good about your choices.
Visited: October 2017
| Canteen by Plants |
| Hours: 11:30am - 7:30pm, Closed on Tuesdays |
| Phone: 02 2558 2332 |
| English Address: 1F., No. 5-1., Ln. 3, Chifeng St., Datong Dist., Taipei City 103 |
| Chinese Address: 103 台北市大同區赤峰街3巷5號之1一樓 |
