Plant-based food used to be elusive in Sydney, with just a few vegan chefs championing the lean green movement. But that’s no longer the case: Veganism is a full-fledged way of life for many Sydneysiders—and a part-time pursuit for others. In a city renowned for its multicultural food scene, it’s no surprise that the best vegan restaurants in Sydney, ranging from plant-based Thai dishes to dairy-free pasta bowls, are just as varied.
Whether you’re embracing Veganuary, trying out Dry January, or simply looking to explore the city’s innovative culinary offerings, the best vegan restaurants in Sydney promise some memorable times. Enjoy classic souvlaki and fluffy baos with a plant-based twist, or treat yourself to some vegan fine dining, rooted in Middle Eastern flavours. Whatever you’re craving, the best vegan restaurants in Sydney have you covered.
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The best vegan restaurants in Sydney to book ASAP – read on for a guide
For a 100% vegan menu – visit Mina Maria in Newtown
Newtown is home to a number of vegetarian restaurants, but Mina Maria is among the very best. The kitchen prides itself on using bold flavours to recreate European favourites, all in a 100% plant-based package. Souvlaki is still the big draw here, and any Greek food lover will be satisfied by the signature 60-hour marinated mushroom filling. The platter for two with your choice of mushroom, ‘Chick’n’ or ‘Ultimate Lamb’ souvlaki is the perfect date night meal. Alternatively, try a UK classic, like the beef-style Wellington made with a garlic and thyme-infused plant-based mince. On weekends, head here for breakfast and enjoy Mina Maria’s plant-based croissant benedict. Expect a relaxed, casual feel during breakfast and lunch as you dine on pink wicker chairs, or cosy up in plush booths. In the evenings, things kick up a notch as the neon lights switch on, ready for a refined dinner experience.
For fine dining with a plant-based degustation menu – book a table at Coya in St Leonards
Coya’s degustation menus shake up modern Australian cuisine with a Middle Eastern twist. Designed for adventurous foodies hoping to surprise their palate, each dish is inspired by Australia’s varied fresh produce. The menus may change day to day, so the kitchen can bring diners the best, freshest, market produce. The 6-course vegan plant-based menu features dishes like tender grilled eggplant with a rainbow emulsion, and delicate potato mille feuille with a spicy chilli emulsion. Step into a brightly lit restaurant where bold colours, unique artwork and elegant light fixtures line the walls and ceilings. From the carefully plated dishes to the unique floral arrangements, a night out at Coya is always a work of art. Plus, if you fall in love with the flavours, you can purchase some of the spice mixes at the restaurant.
For one of the best vegan restaurants in Sydney for Asian street food – check out Belly Bao in Newtown
The first dedicated bao restaurant in Sydney, Belly Bao’s handmade buns offer fluffy, flavourful fun for all diners. Vegans can enjoy the crispy tofu bao served with a spicy kick of chilly and a sticky sauce. Don’t forget to try the bao bun burgers with eggplant or a Beyond Meat patty and vegan cheese. Alternatively, try the papaya salad with fried tofu, perhaps with some Gai Lan Chinese broccoli on the side. The pandan-infused bao balls served with brown sugar syrup and pandan coconut whip are the perfect sweet end to any meal. A bold, tropical mural lines the back walls of this fun, casual eatery that blends creativity and tradition. Embrace the tropical vibes with a fruity cocktail like the Lychee Lolly or the Jungle Juice mocktail with mango popping balls.
For some of the best vegan pasta in Sydney – head to Andiamo Trattoria in Summer Hill, Rhodes and Chippendale
With outposts in Summer Hill, Rhodes and Chippendale , Andiamo Trattoria is one of Sydney’s best Italian restaurants. The dedicated plant-based menu features penne arrabbiata, baked gnocchi Sorrentina and wood-fired pizzas with vegan mozzarella. Finish off with a refreshing lemon sorbet or some fresh Italian Zeppole (Italian doughnuts dusted with cinnamon sugar). Pair your meal with one of Andiamo’s mocktails like the Berry Fauxito, or opt for an Italian beer like the Peroni red lager. If you’re planning a big get-together, consider booking the Festa Di Famiglia Gourmet Selection or the Grande Feast. Both offer a selection of Andiamo’s best dishes, sure to wow a crowd.
📍 Summer Hill — Check availability
📍 Rhodes — Check availability
📍 Chippendale— Check availability
For a stellar vegan Thai restaurant in Sydney – visit Little Turtle in Enmore
The Thai flavour trifecta—sweet-sour-salty—fuels every dish on Little Turtle’s all-vegan menu. The restaurant, known for being one of the best vegan restaurants in Sydney, is the brainchild of Vinita Chumsri, who takes cues from her parents’ home country but ditches traditional standbys such as fish sauce and shrimp paste for her fully plant-based dishes. Highlights include chewy poh pias (fresh spring rolls) filled with mushrooms and vermicelli noodles, sticky sesame wings made from battered and fried cauliflower, and caramelised eggplant in Panang curry, the house specialty. Enjoy one of Enmore’s most colourful vegan spreads in an industrial-chic dining room decked with recycled timber furniture and dark green subway tiles.
For outstanding vegan ramen and curries – book at O’Uchi in Sydney CBD
Vegans are spoiled for choice at O’Uchi, a sake bar and eatery known for rare plant-based versions of Japanese classics. There are gluten-free gyozas stuffed with shiitake mushrooms and tofu and delicately fried agedashi tofu cubes in shiitake soy broth. But the unicorn at this CBD spot are the vegan ramen options featuring a citrusy yuzu chilli oil ramen packed with vegetables and a meat-free take on tantan ramen studded with shiitake and sesame mince instead of the traditional ground pork. It’s all enough to make you lift a glass of naturally fermented sake and shout “kanpai!”
For a vegan banquet with a group and bottomless brunch – head to China Diner in Tramsheds and Bondi
With outposts in Tramsheds and Bondi, China Diner’s contemporary Cantonese menu was made for sharing. And luckily it’s a crowd-pleaser, thanks to many plant-based à la carte options. Dig into a procession of dishes including vegetarian lettuce wraps, steamed silken tofu doused in a black vinegar dressing, chilli, and sesame seeds, and bowls of rice topped with mixed mushroom stir-fry and garlicky market greens. Dine in a dimly lit space that exudes Sydney-meets-1930s-Shanghai vibes. Or pick a perch on an al fresco terrace that overlooks the grass for one very memorable meal. This is also one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Sydney for brunch, with plenty of vegetarian options available on request. Book the bottomless brunch and get 90 minutes of free-flowing prosecco, wine, and beer for just $65 per person. The plant-based set menu is also great for groups, featuring spicy edamame, seasonal vegetables and vegetarian san choi bao.
📍 Tramsheds — Check availability
📍 Bondi — Check availability
For the best vegan pizza in Sydney – try Verace Pizzeria at Macquarie Park
Verace Pizzeria claimed the gold medal for Australia’s Best Pizza from 2015 to 2019, and it’s one of only four Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana-accredited joints in NSW. The pizzaiolos follow strict guidelines to protect that Old World accreditation, but they also sling some of the tastiest, most progressive plant-based pies in town. Plus, with gluten-free bases available, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Pizzas such as the tomato-based Lord Byron (eggplant, mushroom, vegan cheese, and peppery rocket) or the white Kondalilla (broccolini, roast potato, vegan cheese, garlic, and chilli) come out of a wood-fired oven at an incredible pace, resulting in traditional slices that refuse to hold their shape—but that’s part of the charm at this award-winning icon. The open, airy interior with brick walls and a semi-open kitchen create a rustic, family-friendly atmosphere, perfect for group dining.
For one of the best vegan-friendly Indian restaurants in Sydney – try The Grand Palace Indian Restaurant Fine Dining in Sydney CBD
A guide of the best vegan restaurants in Sydney wouldn’t be complete without the vegan-friendly fare of The Grand Palace Indian Restaurant Fine Dining. This subterranean dining room is designed to resemble an opulent Rajasthani home, and come Wednesdays, it’s especially welcoming to plant-based eaters. A weekly all-vegan feast features an exclusively plant-based spread that celebrates fresh Australian produce and aromatic Indian spices, including palak patta chaat (fried spinach leaves), peas and mushrooms cooked in a tangy onion gravy, and tofu simmered with capsicum and onions. Though the regular weekday menu is adored for solid South Asian standbys such as butter chicken and mutton kebabs, expect plenty of vegetarian go-tos such as pumpkin dal, stuffed eggplant curry, and more.
For outdoor dining at one of the best vegan-friendly restaurants in Sydney – book at OTTO Sydney in Woolloomooloo
Spectacular Finger Wharf views aren’t all that dazzle at OTTO Sydney, a Woolloomooloo institution. The Italian stalwart is helmed by MasterChef Australia alum Richard Ptacnik, who serves up famous housemade pasta and a dedicated vegan menu including plant-based ravioli with cashew nut cream and aged risotto with mushrooms and hazelnut thyme crumb. On a sunny day, ask for a table outside and cap off your meal with vegan meringue with pineapple and passionfruit sorbet and an equally delicious waterfront vista.
Featuring cuisines from around the world, the best vegan restaurants in Sydney have something for everyone. Savour fresh Thai flavours or dig into perfectly spiced Indian curries. From creamy pasta to flavour-packed ramen, Sydney is the place to be for vegan diners.
Still can’t decide? Explore more of the best vegan restaurants in Sydney on OpenTable.
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