Every now and then when you seek out vegetarian restaurants, you might think it’s just salads and burgers, but there are in fact a wide variety of vegetarian cuisines from all over the world. The best thing? They’re all accessible right here in our little red dot and our melting pot of cultures!
Here are 9 international vegetarian cuisines to indulge in – for health reasons, of course. They look and taste great, so what’s not to eat?
1. Real Food: Western and Asian organic vegetarian and vegan restaurant
As one of the rare organic and vegetarian restaurants out there, Real Food is well-known for their extensive and detailed menu of exotic and fresh ingredients, plated with innovative taste. Think beet burgers, pumpkin pancakes, and balsamic beancurd – and they still have dessert options to go around. They have a decent selection of gluten-free food options, and the place gives off a cozy and homely vibe that makes it an excellent dating spot.
Signature menu items include the vegan Portobello Burger ($14.80) and Lentil Quinoa Coquette Burger ($15.80), where the patty is made of roasted walnuts, mushrooms, quinoa, oregano and Himalayan lentils. They also have more unique combinations such as Belachan Fried Rice ($10.80) and Fruit Rojak ($7.50), along with organic cold-pressed juices and special blends like Butterfly Pea Tea With Chia Seeds ($8). Wait times can be a little long as the food is made from scratch after you place an order, but if it’s delicious, we say it’s worth the wait.
Location: 181 Orchard Road #02-16, Orchard Central, Singapore 238896 (map) (other outlets include Novena, South Beach, and Yishun)
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 10am–8.45pm
Contact: 67379516
Delivery: Check out their menu or WhatsApp 90884516, with minimum order of $50
It can get pretty crowded, so do call to book in advance! For more information and the latest updates, check out their website.
2. Daehwa Vegetarian: Korean broths, stew, and pancakes
Koreans love their red meat, but they love their vegetables too. Nestled within the busy office buildings of one-north is Daehwa Vegetarian, social enterprise and sister restaurant to The Boneless Kitchen. Their plant-based diet offers Korean fusion cuisine with environmentally beneficial ingredients and food as part of their effort towards a climate solution.
For a cold and rainy day, be sure to try their spicy Army Stew ($13) or Kimchi Stew ($13) – or treat yourself with their Truffle Cheese French Fries ($12)! If you’re craving for the delicious Korean snacks you see in K-dramas, check out their spicy Kimchi Pancake ($8), Tangsuyuk (sweet and sour mushrooms, $13), and finish off dessert with Hotteok with Ice Cream.
Location: 1 Fusionopolis Place, Galaxis Building, #01-35 Singapore 138522 (map) (nearest MRT: one-north Exit D)
Opening hours: Daily, 10.30am–9pm
Contact: 62548446
Delivery: Check out their website
Check out their Facebook for the latest updates.
3. Herbivore: Japanese and Western-style vegetarian dishes
Herbivore serves vegetarian cuisine prepared in Japanese and Western styles, with the founder Mr Ho himself being a vegetarian for more than 23 years. You might not be able to guess that some of the dishes are vegan at first sight as the food looks convincingly like the real deal.
Besides sushi, they have an array of udon, burgers, sandwiches and even shabu shabu. Their drinks such as the Hot Macadamia Latte ($5.50) and Cold Butterscotch Latte ($7) also come with a non-dairy option, along with desserts such as Mango Sorbet ($6) and Lemon Sorbet ($6). Be sure to taste their grilled dishes drizzled with smoky teriyaki sauce and mock Salmon Sashimi ($9) for yourself!
Location: Fortune Centre, 190 Middle Road #01-13/14, Singapore 188979 (map)
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 11.30am–2.30pm and 5–9pm | Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays 11.30am–9pm
Contact: 63331612
Delivery: Check out the menu, contact 63331612 or 90810078
For more information, check out their website.
4. Annalakshmi: North and South Indian vegetarian buffet
There’s no menu at this buffet, nor do they have a price tag as they operate by a pay-as-you-wish system. Annalakshmi rotates a hearty selection of around eight tasty dishes, along with dessert. The restaurant at Havelock Road serves a spread of home-style North and South Indian cuisine and is completely volunteer-run. Anna means “food” and Lakshmi is the presiding deity, and Annalakshmi runs on this concept of “Eat as you want, Give as you Feel.”
This unconventional dining concept stems from their main motivation to provide service to their diners rather than focusing on the amount of profit they earn. The volunteers participate in everything from cooking, serving, setting and clearing tables, to dish washing, taking orders, and even transporting. That said, many who tried their food can attest to the quality of their dishes, so it’s well worth a bite.
Location: 20 Havelock road, Central Square #01-04, Singapore 059765 (map)
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 11.30am–3pm and 6–9pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 63399993 or message them on Facebook
Delivery: Deliveroo, Foodpanda, Grab Food
Check out their Facebook for the latest updates.
5. Whole Earth: Peranakan-Thai vegetarian restaurant with Michelin Bib for four consecutive years
Whole Earth began its journey in 2003 as the first Peranakan-Thai vegetarian restaurant in Singapore. They are the first and only plant-based restaurant to be awarded with the Michelin Bib Gourmand for four consecutive years, from 2016 to 2019.
The best-selling dish is the Enchanted Forest ($23), consisting of monkey head mushrooms and broccoli, doused in a special sauce mixing angelica root and wolfberries. Another must-try is the Olive Rice ($10), along with other popular dishes like the oatmeal tofu, braised shiitake mushroom kong bah, Penang rendang infused with Peranakan herbs and spices, as well as their yam ring basket. Remember to complete your meal with their desserts as well – their Nyonya Golden Pumpkin and Glutinous Rice with Coconut Milk ($6) sounds absolutely delectable.
Location: 76 Peck Seah St, Singapore 079331 (map)
Opening hours: Daily, 11.30am–3pm, 5.30–10pm
Contact: 62216583
Delivery: Check out the menu here
For the latest updates, follow their Facebook.
6. The Kind Bowl: Plant-based Vietnamese vegetarian restaurant
The Kind Bowl sources for sustainable ingredients to create an affordable yet ethical menu. The plant-based restaurant believes that consuming even one plant-based meal a month can make a difference for the earth.
Popular crowd favourites include The Kind Pho ($9.80), where the silky flat rice noodles swims in a deliciously spiced umami broth, topped with shredded marinated “no chicken” seitan (wheat gluten), sweet frizzled grilled oyster mushrooms, sprouts, fresh herbs and lime. Make sure to order the Summer Roll ($3.80) along with your meal, for these refreshing rice rolls are jam-packed with flavourful strips of seasoned soy-based seitan and tofu, with fresh crispy pickles and an exciting mix of herbs for that extra kick!
Location: 71 Killiney Road, Singapore 239527 (map)
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 11am–2pm and 5.30pm–9.30 pm | Friday to Saturday –9.30pm | Sunday 11am–8.30pm
Contact: 68140808, with reservations made via their Facebook or Instagram
Delivery: Grabfood, Foodpanda, or WhatsApp 97117572
For more information, check out their website.
7. Coco Veggie Nyonya Cuisine: Vegetarian Nyonya food
Photos from Coco Veggie Nyonya Cuisine Facebook Photos from Coco Veggie Nyonya Cuisine Facebook
A taste of Nyonya runs through the flavours of Coco Veggie Nyonya Cuisine – complete with a homely space, Peranakan-style interior decoration, and a mini-exhibition along their walls.
Popular dishes include the Fried Monkey Head Mushroom with Butter ($18.90) and Stir Fried Mix Veg with Sambal Sauce ($15.90). Perhaps you’re interested in trying out more unique offerings such as their Butterfly Pea Flower Coconut Rice ($2.50) or Yuan Yang Rice (blue pea flower and turmeric rice combination for $3)?
Location: Raffles Boulevard, #03-130A, Marina Square, Singapore 039394 (map)
Opening hours: Daily, 11am–3pm, 5–9pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Contact: 62610369 or 91868796
Delivery: Grab Food (or WhatsApp 98826765 for self-collection)
For the latest updates, check out their Facebook.
8. Tea Villa Café: Lebanese, Indian and Mexican vegetarian cuisine, including pizza!
The extensive menu is aesthetically combined with a taste for interior design at Tea Villa Café along East Coast Road. Among the Middle Eastern dishes like Enchiladas and Pocket Falafel, their menu also features an Indian-Chinese selection, with notable highlights being their use of schezwan sauce – an Indo-Chinese condiment made with red chilli, garlic, soya sauce, vinegar, and Sichuan peppers for that spicy kick.
If you’re an avid cheese fan, you might enjoy the luxurious Mac And Cheese Pizza ($20) or Cheesy Maggie ($9). A colourful choice is the Villa Special Hummus Platter ($20), where a variety of brightly-coloured hummus dips come with falafels and pita bread for dipping. Other popular and delicious go-tos include their Pesto Sauce with Sun Dried Tomato (chef’s recommendation, $19) and Grilled Paneer/Tofu Sandwich (also a chef’s recommendation, $15).
Like their name suggests, Tea Villa Café is a haven for tea-lovers with over a hundred tea selections. They range from your basic Mixed Berry Tea ($6) to premium teas like the Guava Flavoured Tea ($14), which happens to be one of their flowering teas – it blooms into a flower when soaked in water!
Location: 97 East Coast Road, Singapore 428794 (map)
Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 12–10pm (Closed on Monday and Tuesday)
Contact: 85184250
Delivery: Deliveroo, Grab Food, YQueue
For the latest updates, check out their Facebook.
9. Blu Kouzina: Greek and Mediterranean vegetarian food
Vegetarian platter, photo by @shrubbing Photo from Blu Kouzina Facebook
Even if you can’t read Greek, you can appreciate the universal language of good food. As the oldest and one of the finest Greek restaurants in Singapore, the lovely Blu Kouzina is tucked away along the gentle slopes of Dempsey Hill like an open secret waiting to be discovered.
Besides the attention to detail (even down to Greek utensils and cups), they have a wide array of choices. You’ll be spoilt for choice among the range of quality Mediterranean cuisine, Greek wines, and Greek products within their stores – which has also moved online as Blu Mart.
Give their vegetarian Greek Cheese Wrap within a Talagani Wrap ($23.80+) a try, which features their special vegetarian Blu sauce – with an alternative non-cheese vegetarian version with grilled vegetables, tomatoes, tzatziki (a Greek appetizer made of salted yogurt and cucumber) and paprika. If you like your salads, be sure to check out their classic Horiatiki (Greek salad, $17.80+) consisting tomatoes, cucumber, onion, olives, feta cheese, extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar – or try the refreshing Watermelon Salad ($18.80+).
Location: 10 Dempsey Rd, #01-20, Singapore 247700 (map) (other outlets include Boat Quay, Lavender, Katong)
Opening hours: Daily, 11.30am–3.30pm, 5.30–9pm
Contact: 68750872
Delivery: Deliveroo or their website menu
For more information, check out their website. Do note that their yogurt contains animal rennet, so it may be best for strict vegetarian to avoid containing yogurt (e.g. Tzatziki dip). You can read a more detailed review of their vegetarian cuisines here.
9 Ways to Go Vegetarian Without Going Hungry
Clearly, being vegetarian or vegan doesn’t mean eating grass, as these extensive menus can attest. Why not indulge your taste buds by going on a flavourful trip around the world while in Singapore?
If you’re still hungry for more, check out our 8 places to find authentic dialect cuisines – ranging Michelin-winning restaurants, traditional delicacies, and even humble noodle shops!
