Can You Eat Vegan at Tim Hortons? Complete Plant-Based Guide

Tim Hortons has long been a go-to for coffee and comfort food, but for vegans, it’s not exactly a paradise. With meat-heavy breakfast sandwiches, dairy-loaded baked goods, and limited customization, it might seem like your options are next to none.

But if you know what to look for—and how to modify your order—you can eat vegan at Tim Hortons. It might take a bit of creativity (and maybe a granola bar in your bag just in case), but it’s possible.

Here’s the complete plant-based guide to eating vegan at Tim Hortons—from drinks to snacks to meal hacks that won’t leave you hungry.

🥤 Vegan Drinks at Tim Hortons

Let’s start with the easiest win: drinks.

✅ Vegan-Friendly Options:

• Black coffee (hot or iced)

• Espresso shots

• Americano

• Hot tea and iced tea (unsweetened)

• Lemonade

• Some fruit drinks and refreshers (check ingredients)

🥛 Non-Dairy Milk Options:

Tim Hortons now offers almond milk and oat milk at many locations—but it varies.

• Almond milk: Low calorie, slightly nutty

• Oat milk: Creamier, better for lattes

Pro tip: Ask first, and confirm it’s unsweetened to avoid added sugars.

☕ Vegan Coffee Orders You Can Try

1. Iced Coffee with Almond or Oat Milk (No Base)

• Order: “Medium iced coffee, no base, with oat milk”

• Why it works: No dairy, no sugar-laden syrup base, fully plant-based

2. Hot Coffee with Almond Milk

• Order: “Medium coffee with almond milk, no sugar”

• Low-cal, warm, and simple

3. Espresso Over Ice with Oat Milk

• Great alternative to the usual sugary iced drinks

🍽️ Vegan Food Options at Tim Hortons

Now the trickier part. Most baked goods and hot food items at Tims are made with dairy, eggs, or animal fats. But there are a few items you can safely order or modify to be vegan-friendly.

✅ Vegan Food Items:

1. Hash Browns

• Ingredients are vegan, but may be cooked in shared fryers

• Check with your location if cross-contamination is a concern

2. Bagels (Ask for No Butter)

Most plain, everything, and sesame bagels do not contain animal products—but they may be toasted with butter by default.

• Vegan bagel options usually include:

  • Plain

  • Everything

  • 12-Grain (sometimes contains honey—ask!)

  • Sesame

Order it dry or with peanut butter or jam (check ingredients).

3. Peanut Butter Packets / Jam / Hash Browns Combo

• Stack a toasted bagel with peanut butter and a hash brown for a DIY vegan breakfast sandwich.

4. Beyond Meat Sandwich (NO egg or cheese – if still available)

Some locations still carry Beyond Meat patties. If so:

• Order it: “Beyond Meat sandwich, no egg, no cheese, dry”

• Vegan and filling, but only available at select locations

🧁 What About Baked Goods?

Bad news: virtually all donuts, muffins, croissants, and cookies at Tim Hortons contain dairy or eggs.

That includes:

• Timbits

• Muffins (even the fruit ones)

• Cookies

• Croissants

• Danishes

If you’re strictly vegan, skip the bakery case.

🧠 Tips for Eating Vegan at Tims

1. Ask about ingredients and prep

Even vegan-friendly ingredients can be cooked with or near animal products.

2. Double check seasonal items

Sometimes vegan-friendly drinks or baked goods show up in seasonal offerings—just ask about the ingredient list.

3. Bring your own

Pack vegan protein bars, snacks, or plant-based milk if you’re on the go. Many Tims locations are flexible if you ask nicely.

4. Use the App

The Tim Hortons app doesn’t currently offer vegan filters, but you can see ingredient lists and customize your drinks.

✅ Sample Vegan Orders

🥯 Classic Morning Order

• Everything bagel (untoasted or dry)

• Peanut butter or jam

• Black coffee or almond milk latte

🧃 Quick Refresh Option

• Unsweetened iced tea

• Hash brown

• Fruit packet (seasonal)

🥛 Plant-Based Caffeine Fix

• Iced coffee, no base, with oat milk

• Add a shot of espresso if needed

🥗 Makeshift Vegan Lunch

• 2 bagels, peanut butter, unsweetened iced tea

🚫 What to Avoid

If you're plant-based, steer clear of:

• All meat-based sandwiches (obviously)

• All cheese and dairy toppings

• Yogurt parfaits

• Any donuts or bakery items

• Iced Capps (contain dairy)

• Flavored syrups with cream or honey

❤️ Tims Is Getting There (Slowly)

Tim Hortons isn’t a vegan wonderland—but it’s come a long way from black coffee and a plain bagel. With the addition of plant-based milks and occasional Beyond Meat options, it’s slowly catching up to other fast food chains.

If you’re vegan and in a pinch, you can survive (and even enjoy) a visit to Tim Hortons with some smart ordering and ingredient savvy.

Be polite, ask questions, and remember: a peanut butter bagel and an oat milk iced coffee still counts as a win.