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Published by Nadia Pearl

January 21, 2019 · 5 min read

Plant-based & Delish: The Best Vegan Restaurants in Sydney

It’s now 2021 and looks safe to say that veganism is here to stay. More than just a trendy phase, the rise of plant-based diets can be denied no more as it continues to grow all over the globe. One rather tasty reflection of that rise is the increased emergence of vegan cafés and vegan restaurants in Sydney.

Chefs and restaurateurs have realised the potential. Not only is their demand in the market, but they can create some inspiring menus while they’re at it. They’re celebrating and showcasing the flavoursome nature of vegetables, fruit and grain.

An authentic spread of Middle Eastern cuisine from Vegan Lebanese Street Food in Bondi. Source: Quandoo

Why the rise?

There’s a number of reasons people are turning to a vegan diet. They include personal health, animal welfare and the increased availability of vegan food in supermarkets. Ethical reasons are also a leading factor, with evidence showing less meat and dairy consumption can aid the environment by lowering carbon footprints.

Regardless of what one’s reason is for dabbling with the meatless patties, the number of Google searches don’t lie. The term “vegan” quadrupled from 2012 to 2018. It blitzed the search terms of “vegetarian” and “gluten free” by triple the amount. 

Vina Vegan restaurant in Sydney. Source: Quandoo

Veganism in Sydney’s dining scene

One reflection of Australia’s rising interest is the prevalence of vegan-friendly menus. In the last year we’ve seen them popping up left, right and centre throughout the country. Furthermore, we think Sydney might just take the cake when it comes to choice. For that reason, we’ve compiled a list of vegan restaurants in Sydney we think are the best.

However, trust us when we say this task wasn’t easy. Veganism has firmly cemented itself in Sydney’s dining scene (from brunch until late). These days, locals have an abundant number of eating-out options. Chefs are skilfully designing menus that prove plants can be dignified ingredients in their own right.

A vegan taco from Bad Hombres, one of our favourite vegan restaurants in Sydney. Source: Quandoo

The Best Vegan Restaurants in Sydney

Gigi Pizzeria

Some of the best pizza in Sydney, period

One of Sydney’s many wonderful restaurants clustered on King Street in Newtown, Gigi Pizzeria is churning out some truly authentic Neapolitan-style pizza. The team follow strict guidelines to adhere to Naples standards – hand-stretched dough, traditional toppings and a wood-fire oven.

Yet even more impressive, is the fact that Gigi’s menu is entirely plant-based and still bursting with all the lustful flavours of Italian cuisine. It’s a testament to the skilled chefs and Sydney locals (vegan or not) simply love it.

Open Monday to Sunday, 6 – 10:30pm. Located at 379 King Street, Newtown, Sydney 2042.

Bad Hombres

Creative vegan small plates with Mexican flavours

Who said vegan food was no fun? That vegetables were bland? If you’ve got mates or family who reserve doubts about veganism, then Bad Hombres is the place to take them. Their flavoursome Mexican menu and natural wine list will happily smash all skeptics’ (probably naive) expectations.

Originally a pop-up thanks to Sean McManus and Toby Wilson, Bad Hombres is thankfully here to stay in a permanent Surry Hills location. Except dishes like charred corn with Japanese mayo, eggplant tacos with pineapple habanero salsa and miso caramel, or pumpkin and kale quesadillas with macha salsa.

Open Tuesday to Saturday, 5 – 10pm. Located at 40 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills, Sydney 2010.

Yellow

Plant-based fine dining from a hatted restaurant

If you’re after vegan fine-dining, look no further than Yellow, a highly-acclaimed restaurant awarded Two Hats in the 2019 Good Food Guide. It’s a vegetarian bistro lead by the team behind Bentley Restaurant + Bar, chef Brent Savage and sommelier Nick Hildebrandt.

They’re a talented duo with vision, creating a menu focused around locally supplied vegetables and natural, organic wines to complement. While they do offer à la carte, we highly recommend treating yourself to a vegan tasting menu. Both five-course and seven-course menus are available. Bookings are essential.

Open Monday to Sunday, 5 – 11pm; Weekend brunch from 11am – 2:30pm. Located at 57 Macleay Street, Potts Point, Sydney 2011.

Bodhi Restaurant

Vegan yum cha and picturesque dining in the park

This parkside restaurant in the CBD wins our heart for many reasons. First of all, Bodhi has a stunning location in the middle of Cook and Phillip Park. The inside dining room flows with ease into the picturesque outside dining area, situated beneath Moreton Bay fig trees.

The food, meanwhile, is of equal class, the menu focusing on Pan-Asian vegan cuisine using local produce and fresh ingredients. Lunch is dedicated to vegan yum cha, while dinner is focused on oriental tapas and large plates for sharing. The drinks list is also outstanding, featuring fruit-and-herb based cocktails, biodynamic natural wines and vegan beers.

Open Monday to Sunday, 11am – 3pm; Tuesday to Sunday, 5 – 10pm. Located at 2-4 College Street, City Centre, Sydney 2000.

Vina Vegan

Family-owned Vietnamese restaurant with a twist

Open since 2009, this charming Newtown restaurant boasts a chic dining room and a down-to-earth approach to cooking. Rather than aiming to cater for vegans, Vina Vegan just wants to feed locals tasty food that’s fresh and flavoursome. We must say, they serve authentic Vietnamese cuisine which is exactly that.

With over 60 dishes available, our personal faves are “roll it yourself” menu items like rice paper rolls or Vina banh xeo pancakes. Their fried rice are super popular too, which varieties like beetroot, salted vegan fish and seaweed.

Book a table

Open Monday to Sunday, 4 – 10pm. Located at 395 King Street, Newtown, Sydney 2042.

Vegan Lebanese Street Food

A place for Middle Eastern mezze

Wholesome eating and traditional Middle Eastern cuisine is the wonderful combination you’ll find at Vegan Lebanese Street Food in Bondi. With a conscious eye on issues concerning sustainability, disease and animal cruelty, the team are hoping to reinvent the concept of fast food.

With a menu that tastes this good, we certainly think they’re onto something. Entirely plant-based and packed with vegetable promise, guests can expect Lebanese dishes like wraps, mezze plates, salads and grilled skewers. The homemade dips are a must try.

Open Monday to Friday, 5 – 9:30pm; Saturday, 12 – 10pm; Sunday, 12 – 9:30pm. Located at 188 Bondi Rd, Bondi, Sydney 2026.

Soul Burger

An iconic trio of burgers, fries and shakes

With four locations going strong throughout the city, Soul Burger really is a reflection of the growing hunger for vegan restaurants in Sydney. The ethics behind this plant-based burger chain is about supporting animal welfare, helping food security, lowering emissions, minimising water use and improving health.

So, punters really can can have a clear conscience while enjoying the menu of 13 burgers, tasty fries and coconut milkshakes. We’re a fan of the “pulled pork” burger packed with BBQ jackfruit, which is divine alongside a choc-banana shake. If you dine here, we promise you’ll be licking your lips for more.

Open Monday to Sunday, 11am – 10pm. Locations in Glebe, Newtown, Randwick and Parramatta.

The Green Lion

Finally, a vegan pub in all its glory!

The Green Lion is happily feeding Sydney locals who are craving the comforts of pub grub with the ethos of vegan. Australia’s first plant-based pub, this laid back vegan bistro in Rozelle is drawing in the crowds thanks to a stellar menu.

They serve burgers, hotdogs, pizza and classic pub meals. There’s healthy numbers like the Brown Rice Buddha Burger, or indulgent items like the Aussie Burger with the lot: beefless pattie, meatless bacon, hash brown, cheese, caramelised onions and BBQ sauce. Get a side of loaded poutine fries and you’re sorted!

Open Wednesday & Thursday, 6 – 9pm; Friday & Saturday, 12:30 – 9:30pm; Sunday, 12:30 – 8:30pm. Located at Level 1/726 Darling Street, Rozelle, Sydney 2043.

Golden Lotus Vegan

Authentic Vietnamese flavour and creative soybean meats

This Vietnamese restaurant in Newtown is 100% vegan and 100% delicious. Golden Lotus follow the ethos “peace begins on your plate” and have earned a massive following thanks to their fresh and healthy food.

Despite being entirely plant-based, their menu still retains the authenticity of Vietnamese cuisine. There’s street food appetizers, pho soups and vermicelli noodle dishes in full force. They get extra points for being one of Sydney’s celebrated BYO restaurants, so gather some mates and a bottle of white to accompany the refreshing tastes of Saigon.

Open Monday to Sunday, 5:30 – 10:30pm; lunch from Thursday to Sunday, 12 – 3pm. Located at 341-343 King Street, Newtown, Sydney 2042.

Little Turtle Thai

All-vegan Thai food in Enmore

Where would a Sydney dining list be without the inclusion of at least one Thai restaurant? It would be quite the failure, if you ask us. However, vegans can rejoice thanks to the delicious capabilities of Little Turtle Thai.

They’re passionate about recreating the flavoursome sensations of Thai cuisine using entirely plant-based ingredients, serving traditional dishes with a playful twist. Our top favourite dishes include red curry arancini and holy basil tempeh stir fry. It’s fresh, it’s health-conscious and it’s damn tasty.

Open Monday to Sunday, 11am – 10pm. Located at 10 Stanmore Road, Enmore, Sydney 2042.

More vegan-friendly restaurants in Sydney

Green Mushroom

Flavoursome and spicy food at Australia’s first Indian vegan restaurant.

Book a table

Open Monday to Sunday, 5 – 10pm. Located at 163 Glebe Point Road, Glebe, Sydney 2037.

Pilgrims

Approachable and tasty Mexican food with vegan options galore.

Book a table

Open Monday to Wednesday, 8am – 2:30pm; Thursday to Saturday, 7:30am – 3pm and 5:30pm – 8:45pm; Sunday 7:30am – 3pm. Located at 97 Gerrale Street, Cronulla, Sydney 2230

Green Gourmet

Delicious Chinese restaurants serving plant-based cuisine.

Book a table

Open Monday to Sunday, 12 – 3pm and 5:30 – 9:30pm. Located at 115 King Street, Newtown, Sydney 2042.

Mark & Vinnys

Vegan pasta and damn-fine Italian cocktails. Spaghetti and spritzes, anyone?

Book a table

Open Tuesday to Sunday, 6 – 10pm; Friday’s for lunch from 12 – 4pm. Located at 38-52 Waterloo Street, Surry Hills, Sydney 2010.

Vegan pasta form Mark & Vinnys. Source: Quandoo

Yullis

A Crown Street favourite thanks to a fusion menu of vegan plates, desserts and wines.

Open Monday, 5 – 10pm; Tuesday to Sunday, 11:30am – 10pm. Located at 417 Crown Street, Surry Hills, Sydney 2010.

The Gantry

A hatted restaurant showing craftsmanship in every vegan plate.

Open Monday to Sunday, 12 – 2:30pm and 6 – 10pm. Located at 11 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay, Sydney 2000.

Alibi Bar

Boutique restaurant inside the Ovolo Hotel that serves international vegan dishes.

Open Sunday and Monday, 3pm – 12am; Tuesday to Saturday, 12pm – 12am. Located at Ovolo Hotel, 6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo, Sydney 2011.

Otto Ristorante

A waterside, vegan-friendly restaurant combining Italian cuisine with Australian wine.

Open Monday to Sunday, 12 – 10pm. Located at 8/6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo, Sydney 2011.

The Hold

A bustling bar and restaurant in Manly serving artisanal vegan burgers.

Open Monday to Friday, 5pm – 12am; Weekends, 12pm – 12am. Located at 24 Sydney Road, Manly, Sydney 2095.

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