Restaurant recommendations for vegetarians and vegans
Posted on
Finding a vegetarian or vegan-friendly place to eat in Canberra can sometimes be a bit of a mission.
But as more diners opt for plant-based meals and vegetables continue to be hot property in fine-dining restaurants (with options branching beyond the uninspiring side salad), there are plenty of creative options popping up around town.
Here’s a list of local venues that offer a substantial and delicious meat-free selection that’s sure to impress even the most dedicated carnivore – perfect for date night, catching up with friends, or when you just want to treat yourself to a meal out.
So, where should you book into?
AuLac Royal Vegan Cuisine (Woden and Dickson)
View this post on Instagram
Open in both Dickson and Woden, Au Lac is proof vegetarian and vegan food doesn’t have to be boring. Serving some of the finest Vietnamese in town, you won’t find any dairy or meat in any of their meals – only fresh, flavoursome, and inventive plant-based dishes.
4/35-39 Woolley Street, Dickson and Westfield Woden, Shop G90A, Corinna Street, Phillip | Hours vary at each location | aulac-restaurant.com.au
Dada (Woden)
View this post on Instagram
The beauty of Dada is simple: most of the menu is, or can be, vegan. Perfect for those who want or need a plant-based menu, from Pumpkin Potato Gnocchi with edamame pesto to housemade Jujube Ciaba and rice cake skewers, dada sweet sour chilli sauce and cashew, this Asian fusion restaurant is the place to go if you want a delicious and casual meal that will impress every guest.
G4, 12 Furzer Street, Phillip | Lunch: Tuesday to Saturday 12 pm – 2 pm. Dinner: Tuesday to Saturday 5.30 pm – 9 pm | dadarestaurant.com.au
Med (Barton)
View this post on Instagram
Newley opened in Barton, Med is headed by two-hatted DOMA culinary director Ben Willis, and promises immersive, relaxed dining experience steeped in Mediterranean charm and a menu that’s packed with the region’s flavours – which includes a Vegetarian Banquet. Enjoy freshly baked pide bread with traditional dips, falafel, cheese and spinach borek, cauliflower with preserved lemon and yoghurt, mujadara-lentil and rice salad and a drool-worthy baklava sundae.
1 Burbury Close, Barton | Lunch: Tuesday to Friday, 12 pm – 2:30 pm. Dinner: Tuesday to Saturday 5:30 pm – late | medbarton.com.au
Bar Beirut (City)
View this post on Instagram
At Bar Beirut, dietary requirements aren’t just an afterthought. With a menu that is a modern interpretation of where the Middle East meets the Mediterranean – which means bold and punchy flavours – some of the highlights for vegetarians include the Hazelnut Falafel with Tahini Crème Fraîche, White Bean Hummus and Smoked Baba Ghanoush. With last orders taken at 10 pm, you can enjoy your meal long into the night.
25 Garema Place, City | Open Tuesday to Saturday, 5 pm – 2 am | barbeirut.com.au
Inka (City)
View this post on Instagram
Always delicious, the veggie dishes at Inka are sure to delight. With plenty of options for vegetarians, the fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine sees options like Yasai Maki, Potato Crips Huancaina, and Matcha Cheese Cake on the menu. Overwhelmed by choices? Try the tasting menu – it will have you reaching for more.
Shop B11A/148 Bunda Street, Canberra City | Lunch: Tuesday to Sunday, 11.30 am – 2.30 pm. Dinner: Sunday to Thursday, 5.30 pm – 10.30 pm and Friday to Saturday, 5.30 pm – 11 pm | inka.com.au
Monster Kitchen and Bar (Acton)
View this post on Instagram
You can’t talk about vegetarian and vegan recommendations in Canberra without mentioning Monster Kitchen and Bar. Serving seasonal dishes made from local ingredients, their cutting-edge vegetarian dishes range from crispy tofu with chilli jam, coconut, coriander, and Vietnamese mint to spinach gnudi with stracciatella , brown butter, crispy sage, pine nuts. Need we say more?
Ground/25 Edinburgh Avenue, City | Dinner: Thursday to Saturday 6 pm – 10:30 pm | ovolohotels.com
Corella Bar (Braddon)
View this post on Instagram
From plant-based tacos to BBQed leeks, and an apple tart served with macadamia ice-cream, the Australian (and native) focused menu at Corella Bar is the perfect mix of polished yet unpretentious. With an abundance of delicious options (including a set veggo and vegan tasting menu), it’s the perfect location for a casual drink and dinner or date night.
14 Lonsdale Street, Braddon | Open Tuesday to Thursday from 5 pm until late and Friday to Sunday from 12 pm until late | corellabar.com.au
Zaab Street Food (Braddon)
View this post on Instagram
Combing the flavours of both Lao and Thai cuisine and serving it with a modern twist, you can’t go past Zaab’s vegetarian Feed Me menu for $59 per person. Best enjoyed with a group of friends, the intense and delicious food promises to be unforgettable –but if you’re after something more filling, their al a carte menu has plenty of veggo options, including the Zaab staple: the famous Betel Leaf. Add in one of their creative cocktails and make a night of it.
2/9 Lonsdale Street, Braddon | Lunch: Tuesday to Sunday, 12 pm – 3 pm. Dinner: Monday to Saturday 5 pm – 9 pm and Sunday 5 pm – 9 pm | zaabstreetfood.com.au
Lazy Su (Braddon)
View this post on Instagram
Fast, loud, rebellious, upbeat, and confident, this Asian eatery has a menu packed full of delicious food – including plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Some highlights? A Jalapeno Noodle Popper (made with scorched jalapeno, sweet potato noodle, shiitake mushroom, spring onion, and vegan aioli), a Crispy Peking Vegan ‘Duck’ Bao Plate with wheat protein, hoisin, sliced cucumber, shallots and Crispy Salt and Pepper Tofu with crumbed tofu, black bean, salt, chilli, and lime.
1/9 Lonsdale Street, Braddon | Lunch: Friday to Sunday, 12 pm – 4 pm. Dinner: Tuesday to Thursday 5 pm – 10 pm and Friday to Sunday 5:30 pm – 11 pm | lazy-su.com.au
KOTO (Parkes)
View this post on Instagram
Their Eggplant Nasu Dengaku made our top dishes of 2023 list so it only feels right to mention the vegetarian options at KOTO. With a full vego menu on offer, anyone eating plant based won’t be disapointed with the selection of Daikon To Tofu Salada (with renkon pickles, crispy kale and onion soy dressing), Yasai (seasonal vegetables, shitake mushroom, red capsicum, tofu puree), Mekyabetu (brussel sprout, yuzu soy, aonori, apple, and parsley) and more.
1 King George Terrace, Parkes | Lunch: Monday to Saturday, 12 pm – 3 pm. Dinner: Monday to Saturday, 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm | kotodining.com.au
Feature image: via Facebook.
