Eating out in Sydney as a vegetable-lover used to be a tough gig and even tougher if you’re vegan. But over the past few years, Sydney has stepped up its veggie game and according to new research from Roy Morgan so has the rest of Australia. Apparently the number of Aussie vegetarians has risen from 1.7 million to 2.1 million in the past four years. That’s good news for cows, lambs, pigs and chickens! So considering that there are so many of you that want cruelty-free food, we went in search of the best veggie-friendly restaurants in Sydney. And as we’re kinda busy, and there are about a bazillion restaurants in the CBD, we asked the guys at OpenTable to help us narrow down the best vego-friendly venues. The good news? You can take your meatiest meat-lover friends to these restaurants and they’ll be happy too.
Dead Ringer, Surry Hills
From the team behind the sleek CBD bar Bulletin Place, comes this uber-cool diner located in a classic Surry Hills terrace – the kind you wish you could inherit from some wealthy great uncle. Dead Ringer is described by its loyal fans as a neighbourhood hang, with a simple menu packed full of vegetarian options. The guys are also on top of your no-gluten needs, as the menu contains ninety percent gluten-free options.
• Ricotta, honey, witlof and rosemary oil
• Crispy polenta, mushroom and sweet corn
• Roasted celeriac, with macadamia pesto
• Toffee ice cream, bee pollen and malt crunch
Thievery, Glebe
This relaxed eatery is fast-gaining a reputation for their adventurous take on Arabic cuisine, with a menu featuring both modern and traditional Middle Eastern dishes. Thievery’s colourful décor, quirky cocktail menu and overflowing share dishes make this Inner West restaurant a mecca for vegetarians. Don’t leave without trying these dishes:
• Hummus, burnt butter, paprika (amazing)
• BBQ broccolini, pomegranate butter, chilli, za’atar
• Felafel kebab, tahini yoghurt, pickles
Kepos & Co. Waterloo
Helping to lift Danks Street’s vegetarian offerings, Kepos & Co is a great low-key lunch destination. It’s modern Middle Eastern menu is designed to be shared, and relies heavily on vegetarian-friendly options. There’s a nicely lit outdoor area for the warmer months, plus the eclectic wine list will make you want to try every bottle (dangerous…). Don’t fill up on the freshly-baked bread, as you won’t want to miss these:
• Fried cauliflower, almonds, tahini and dukkah
• Labneh cappelletti, burnt butter and almonds
• Roasted eggplant, almonds, burrata, chervil
• Fig salad, haloumi, honey, walnuts, fresh za’atar
Yellow, Potts Point
Housed in a 1950s gallery space, this modern European eatery turned 100% vegetarian earlier this year and they have won much praise ever since. The guys at Yellow create delicately styled dishes with a range of options that are inventive and downright beautiful. They even offer a separate vegan menu to cater for plant-lovers of all varieties. Our pick of the best dishes? Order one (or all) of the following:
• Mexican Cucumbers and Greek Basil
• Kohlrab, enoki mushroom and vegetable broth
• Black rice, snake beans and koji
• Salted carrot, buckwheat and kale
• Raspberry sorbet, plum, hazelnut
Red Lantern on Riley, Surry Hills
The beauty of Vietnamese cuisine comes from its use of fresh produce, and Surry Hills’ Red Lantern on Riley lives up to that, promoting ethical eating by using the freshest in local sustainable and organic produce. The result? A feisty menu with a truck load of plant-based vegetarian options. It’s hard to narrow it down to our favourite dishes, but these three deserve your undivided attention:
• Cha Gio Chay: Vegetable, tofu and glass noodle spring rolls served with fresh herbs and lettuce to wrap
• Goi Ca Thim Nuong vao Sot Chao: Oven roasted eggplant, daikon and tomato salad with bean curd dressing
• Cai va Nam Xao Toi va Sot Hau: Wok tossed bok choy, soy beans and mushrooms with mushroom sauce and soy
Otto Ristorante, Woolloomooloo
One of Sydney’s most exclusive restaurants has responded to the vego movement by launching a complete vegan menu, offering five dishes and one dessert. Otto Ristorante is equally famous for its fresh culinary twist, as its very ‘Sydney’ location halfway along a finger wharf on the harbour. Go there to celebrate something special or to impress the hell out of visitors. Our menu favourites are:
• Panzanella: Tomatoes, cucumber, capsicum, croutons, olives, capers, basil
• Finocchio: Fennel, Heirloom carrot, pistachio, apple
• Fiori di Zucchini: Beer-battered zucchini flowers, caponata
• Orecchiette: Ear-shaped pasta, Napolitana sauce, semi-dried cherry tomatoes, confit tomato, olive dust, baby basil
• Meringa: Pavlova, coconut custard, pineapple, passionfruit sorbet
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