Peaceful Loft — Restaurant in St. John's

I recently visited this restaurant twice on my first trip to newfound land. Peaceful Loft is one of those rare places that quietly transforms your expectations of vegan cuisine—and then makes you question why all food isn't made this thoughtfully. Tucked away like a best-kept secret, this humble restaurant delivers an unforgettable experience that feels less like a meal out and more like being personally welcomed into someone’s home.

Peaceful Loft is completely vegan, with no MSG, no artificial colouring, and a menu full of familiar Asian classics reinvented with plant-based ingredients. Each dish is crafted with real care—homemade sauces, fresh vegetables, and proteins like soy-based “Char Siu” (Chasu), brilliantly seasoned and coloured naturally with beets. It’s the kind of place where flavour leads, not shortcuts. You feel like they really care about what they do.

What truly shines is the flavour of the “Duck and Chasu Combo” was rich, savory, and unbelievably satisfying with a depth of taste that would impress even 'non-vegans' tender, layered. The Singapore Noodles were aromatic curry, the noodles are fresh and not your typical rice noodles. The Fried Mushrooms crispy yet tender, and the Pumpkin Roll had a sweet, creamy interior that made it stand out and reminded me of karaoke. The Ma Po Tofu was delicately spicy, with smooth tofu in a velvety sauce mixed with vegetables.

Every sauce is housemade, including a vegan oyster sauce made from micro-ground mushrooms—intensely umami, smoky, and earthy with a layered umami flavor

The service is beyond generous. Each meal begins with a warming, fragrant tea and complimentary soup, as well as sauces (yes, multiple as mentioned). The meal finishes with sweet, refreshing mandarins—a graceful touch of hospitality that speaks volumes about the heart behind this place.

The prices are extremely reasonable, especially when you consider all the extras you're treated to. The server will also help guide you so that you aren't over ordering. We were so impressed that we returned a second time during our trip—and brought more friends along. Everyone left full, happy, and raving.

The owner is absolutely delightful. Warm, engaging, and full of stories and thoughtful explanations behind each dish—his passion is contagious. Yes, seating is limited. Seasoned diners understand: every restaurant holds a few spots for good reason, especially ones that may not suit all groups.

Final thoughts: If you are in the area and love flavour-forward food, Peaceful Loft is a must-visit. Whether you’re vegan or just love good food, this little restaurant will leave a...

This is the best reviewed restaurant in St. John’s for a reason. It was the highlight of our visit to the city.

My friends and I road tripped from Virginia to Newfoundland, going across Canada and making use of the Port aux Basque ferry. As we got further and further north, our single vegetarian had more and more issues finding good food, while the rest of us were very happy with the fish and meats on offer across most of the island.

However, when we saw that Peaceful Loft was well reviewed, after our boat tour we headed back to St. John’s and walked through the rain for a kilometer to get there. When we arrived in, the owner immediately set the table and began pouring us some wonderful high altitude oolong tea, which he kept topped off throughout the two hours that we would stay there.

He continued by bringing us out some of his homemade sauces for us to try, which he also refilled as they got low. I was so enamored with the mushroom sauce I asked him for the recipe, which he happily described to me in detail so that I could make it at home. My other favorite one was a deliciously earthy and pungent mix of TVP and herbs. He also brought us the soup of the day, which was a flavorful and hot squash soup. He gave our members with wet hair from the rain warm cloths to dry off with, then gave us the menu. The tea, sauces, and soup were all complimentary.

We each ordered a different thing to share amongst ourselves and all of us greatly enjoyed our food. While ordering, the owner (Paolo) was happy to describe each dish in detail and recommend things to us. When my vegetarian friend mentioned the troubles she had been having with finding good vegetarian food, he was quick to reassure her that nothing in the restaurant was animal based and that she could safely take food from any of our shared plates, which she usually isn’t able to do. Trying something from each dish, I found everything to have wonderful flavor and texture. The spring rolls there were some of the best I’ve ever had.

When we left, our bill was under CA$100 for five entrees and an appetizer, and doesn’t count the complimentary teas, soups, or sauces. He walked us through the bill, then sent us off with a big bag of fresh clementines, chocolates, and strawberry candies.

I would come back to St. John’s just to...

As a vegetarian, I always research and pre-select restaurants when I am traveling. Peaceful Loft was at the top of my list based on reviews and proximity to my downtown hotel.

What you need to know is that this lovely establishment is run by only 2 people. A lovely, hardworking couple named Paulo & Lisa. So, depending on your timimg, you may need a back-up option for your dinner. We had to try twice, and came very early for dinner (before 5pm) because they get very busy. Yes, the food is THAT good!

If it's a busy night (which is basically every night), then there will be only Take-Out with a minimum wait of usually 40 minutes, or more, depending on the number of orders before you. It really is worth the wait, so plan your timing to include this restaurant if you are visiting St.John's for a few days.

Very friendly for most allergy-concerns and dietary restrictions.

We were 2 people and ordered the chicken legs as an appetizer and the Singapore Noodles. as our main. Our dine-in meal began with an on the house cup of tea and a bowl of squash and chickpea soup.

From start to finish, everything was very tasty and the lovely addition of their made fresh in house each day TVP sauce was what brought all the flavours together. With the generous portion sizes, you'll have to come back multiple times to try other dishes on the menu. :)

Thank you Paulo and Lisa for adding such a delicious experience to our memories...