Listed in Restaurants
Cosmic Treats isn't just another vegan spot in Kensington Market, this all-vegan restaurant dishes out an array of vegan comfort food. From pub-style dishes to a full ice-cream bar, Cosmic Treats wants to prove that contrary to popular belief, vegan food is anything but bland. The interior reminds me of of a retro dinner, with orange and white decor and an ice-cream bar beside the cash register. Space-themed artwork is plastered on the walls paying homage to the cosmic in "Cosmic Treats."
The menu covers all its bases with a wide selection of appetizers and mains and an even bigger selection of freshly baked good and specialty desserts.The menu even features a full page of drinks, including beer, cider, wine and spirits alongside the regular espresso-based drinks.We start out with the deep-fried mac and cheese balls ($8). Filled with homemade macaroni and cheese, the bite-sized mac and cheese balls are crunchy on the outside and moist and warm on the inside.
Next up, we check out the chicken pot pie with a side of the market salad ($12). The pie is personal-sized with a flakey crust and stuffed with veggies and vegan chicken. The market salad is full of fresh veggies, all locally grown, and the portions are quite generous.
My favourite dish of the day is the southern fried tofu and mixed root vegetable fries ($11.50). The tofu is seasoned with southern spices, coated in Panko breadcrumbs and served with barbecue sauce. Personally, I would prefer if the tofu had more spice, but it was good nonetheless. It definitely made me want to try out the dorito-encrusted tofu ($11.50), which is a top-seller. 
For dessert, we definitely had to try the homemade ice-cream. While I've had vegan ice-cream before, I've never tried cashew-based ice-cream. The owner, Elliot Alexander, tells me that unlike a coconut base (which is the usual vegan substitute), the cashew base has a neutral taste so the full flavours of the ice-cream come through.
After trying a cookies and cream sundae ($7), with chocolate sauce, cookie crumbles and a cherry on top, I can say I'm a big fan of cashew-based ice-cream. I'm surprised by how creamy the ice-cream is without having any dairy, another attribute we can thank the cashews for. 
If you don't have much of a sweet tooth, the soy frozen yogurt ($4.50) is more your style. We have the frozen yogurt blended with peaches, although you have the option of 4 other fruits. The yogurt was refreshing and while definitely tasty, I'm coming back for the sundae. 
There is no shortage of sugar for dessert-lovers as homemade cookies ($2), brownies ($3.25), cake ($6.25) and cupcakes ($3.50) are also featured on the dessert menu.
Even though all-day breakfast is an all-week menu item, I'll have to return to try the brunch menu available on weekends only. The caramelized banana & chocolate chip pancakes have my attention.
Photos by Hector Vasquez.