Vegetarian French Food in Richmond at Vogue Cafe

Steveston Village has plenty of seafood shacks. It has one French bistro with a printed menu that lists a proper ratatouille, a spinach quiche made with Brie, and half a dozen buckwheat galettes built on vegetables. Vogue Cafe sits at 12251 No 1 Rd #130, open daily 10:30am–8:30pm, brunch until 3pm. You walk in, grab a red-checkered table on the covered side patio or a wood table inside the deep-red dining room, and order from the board in the window. Fully licensed, dog bowl by the door, (604) 370-4444 to reserve.

The vegetable centrepiece

Ratatouille arrives as a Chef Signature at $29 — Provençal stewed vegetables (eggplant, zucchini, pepper, tomato, onion) simmered until each piece holds its shape, served with three-colour rice. A classic ratatouille is cooked in stages so nothing turns to mush; the rice catches the juices. It is the only main on the menu built entirely on vegetables.

Brunch and lunch plates that happen to be vegetarian

Spinach Quiche — $17. Egg, spinach, Brie, side salad. The Brie melts into the custard; the crust stays crisp because the filling isn't wet.

Croque Veggie — $17. Sautéed spinach, egg, cheese, brioche bun, side salad. Think of it as a croque madame with spinach standing in for the ham.

Salade de Feta — $17. Mixed greens, walnut, feta, tomato, cucumber. No meat, no egg, just brine and crunch.

Salade de Chèvre Chaud — $17. Toasted goat-cheese baguette, tomato, raisins, almonds, mixed greens. Warm cheese, sweet fruit, nut texture — classic bistro salad logic.

Savoury galettes — buckwheat, not wheat

Five of the seven savoury crêpes ($17 each) are vegetarian as written:

• Sautéed Spinach, Feta, Tomato & Egg
• Sautéed Mushroom, Spinach & Egg
• European Ham, Cheese & Egg (ask to omit ham)
• Sautéed Mushroom, Beer Sausage, Tomato & Cheese (omit sausage)
• Beer Sausage, Tomato & Cheese (omit sausage)

Buckwheat galettes crisp at the edges where wheat crêpes stay soft — no gluten network, high heat, thin batter. The kitchen runs them on a bilig; you get lace-brown edges and a tender centre. Fillings sit on top, not rolled tight, so you taste each component.

Sweet crêpes and pastries

Every sweet crêpe ($14) is vegetarian: Nutella & Banana, Chocolate Strawberry, Sugar & Lemon, Apple & House-made Caramel, Sugar Butter & Cinnamon, Suzette (orange sauce, Grand Marnier).

Desserts ($10, made in-house): Caramel Chocolate Tart, Strawberry Tart, Lemon Tart, Éclair au Chocolat, Coffee Éclair.

Viennoiserie: butter croissants, pain au chocolat — laminated dough, European butter, baked on site.

Espresso bar and drinks

Espresso $4, Americano $5, Latte $6, Cappuccino $6, Macchiato $4. Decaf available. Iced versions $5–6. Tea $5. San Pellegrino 750ml $7, Evian 750ml $7. Soft drinks $5.

Wine by the glass 6oz $11 / 9oz $15 / bottle $45 — French and BC reds, whites, rosé.

Beer: Kronenbourg 1664 $9, Heineken $9, Heineken 0.0 $9, Barnside Brewing (Delta BC) draught and flights.

Cocktails $13 — Aperol Spritz, Hugo Spritz, Paris Spritz, Kir Royale, Chambord Royale, Cognac Highball, Gin & Soda French Style, Shaft, Caramel Café.

What people ask

Is the French onion soup vegetarian?

No. The broth is built on beef marrow bones — that's the body a classic soupe à l'oignon requires. Ask about the salads or the ratatouille instead.

Can the galettes be made gluten-free?

Buckwheat is naturally gluten-free, but the kitchen shares surfaces. Call (604) 370-4444 and ask about cross-contact.

Are the sweet crêpes made with wheat flour?

Yes — sweet crêpes are thin buttery French pancakes (wheat flour). Savoury galettes are buckwheat. Different batters, different pans.

Do you take reservations for brunch?

Yes. Online form or phone; confirmed within two hours. Seven to ten guests gets the private dining area; 10+ is an event enquiry. Liquor licence runs to midnight for late-evening bookings.

Next step

Walk the boardwalk, hit the Cannery, then settle at a patio table with a galette and a Kronenbourg. Or call (604) 370-4444 to lock in a table for seven — private dining, red-checkered cloths, no white tablecloths.