As a meatatarian, I’ve always wondered if the grass is greener on the other side. After all, avoiding an entire portion of the food pyramid has always seemed very much like limiting your choices. And indeed, when I undertook a mission to look for good, green food for Vegan Month, it definitely took some serious (soul) searching.
Perhaps meat and I are never meant to part, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t room for alternatives. The same goes for everyone, be it pure vegan, vegetarian, or even just a regular omnivore feeling peckish for some green food. The road to healthy greens is long, but those embarking on the journey can check out these nine vegetarian-friendly restaurants to get a good dose of healthy eating.
Restaurant Ards
This new Asian fine-dining establishment is located along Duxton Road and helmed by a mighty pair of chef-owners Ace Tan and David Lee with a mission to celebrate Asia’s rich variety of culinary cultures and exquisite techniques with the world. Their vision is to bring nature to the table, which means the freshest of ingredients. Of course, this includes all things green!
As a vegetarian-friendly restaurant, there is a special 15-course vegetarian dinner apart from their normal dishes which you have to book 2 days in advance for! (Trust me, it’s worth it.) With dishes named Touch of Asia and The Art of Roots, you’ll definitely be in for a treat.
Find it at 76 Duxton Road, Singapore (089535)
Book a table at Restaurant Ards and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG.
Cafe Salivation
If the name doesn’t make you drool, it just means you haven’t been there. This casual dining place has found the secret to drool-worthy healthy food that keeps customers coming back for more. The most amazing part? It is completely, 100% vegetarian.
With bright and bold aesthetics and an equally disarming mix of Mexican, Asian, and Italian cuisines available on the menu, Cafe Salivation does not disappoint. The Enchiladas Remo or Desi Sandwich will surely have you hooked!
Find it at 176 Race Course Road, Singapore (218607)
Book a table at Cafe Salivation and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG.
Open Farm Community
A unique combination of urban farmland, horticultural hub, and restaurant, this concept is a revolutionary collaboration between the Spa Espirit Group, celebrity chef Ryan Clift, and award-winning food garden specialists, Edible Garden City. The food here is a fresh as you can get, and you can admire the sprawling gardens as you tuck in. There’s a strict no-no policy towards processed ingredients, imported produced, and unsustainable farming practices which means that everything is locally-sourced and, I repeat, absolutely fresh!
While Open Farm Community isn’t 100% vegefied, there are more than enough vegetarian dishes to satisfy the most discerning of palates! (And if you’re like me and have lesser willpower, take a stab at some of the meat dishes too. Shhh.)
Find it at 130E Minden Road, Singapore (248819)
Book a table at Open Farm Community and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG.
Real Food
What does it mean to eat real food? This popular cafe-bistro demonstrates with plate after plate of juicy burgers, hearty stews, and rich pastas. Take the idea that vegetarian = salad and throw it out the window right now! This place turned my belief in the deliciousness of meat upside down. Turns out, you don’t need to eat meat to have a delicious and satisfying meal. Hands-down, this is now at the top of my list for luncheons. But don’t leave just yet! Take a sip at their wonderful selection of aromatic teas and tisanes. After such a heartening meal, a hot cup of Listen to Your Heart tea sounds heavenly.
Find it at 44,45 Pekin Street, #01-01, Far East Square, Singapore (189768)
Book a table at Real Food and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG.
Original Sin
When you think of vegetarian food, you definitely can’t avoid Original Sin. This is, after all, one of the first vegetarian restaurants in Singapore. It’s been here serving locals since 1997 – that’s 20 years of constantly perfecting an already exquisite menu right there! Mediterranean, Greek, Italian, and Middle Eastern tastes converge at this famous hot spot. There are both indoor and al fresco dining here. If you didn’t know, you an also save 10% at Original Sin when you purchase vouchers from the Chope Shop!
Find it at Blk 43 #01-62 Jalan Merah Saga, Chip Bee Gardens, Singapore 278115
Book a table at Original Sin and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG.
Afterglow
Since we’re talking about vegetarianism, why not push the boundaries a little and go vegan? And with the impressively innovative dishes at Afterglow, they’ll have you forgetting that you’re tucking into cuisines that are meat-free and void of any animal by-products. You really need to applaud their creativity, and boy do those efforts pay off. What to try: Raw Vegan Nut ‘Cheese’ Platter with Crackers and Afterglow Kimchi Nori Rolls (psst, the rice is not rice). Fans of desserts need not fret either because their Raw Chocolate Salted Caramel Fudge is 100% indulgence with 0% guilt.
Find it at 24 Keong Saik Road, Singapore (089131)
Book a table at Afterglow and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG.
KARA Cafe & Dessert Bar
Here’s the grain bowl I’m sure you were waiting for! KARA is a cute little cafe in Bukit Timah that dishes out absolutely yummy grain bowls! While it may not be completely vegefied, there’s absolutely no reason for true blue vegetarians to avoid it. There are more than enough selections for you to choose from, and you’ll definitely have more than just a salad.
Oh, but grab their special Chope Exclusive lunch set now! For the entire month of October, you get a complimentary bowl with every lunch set purchase. Make a reservation with us and use promo code CE10KC to get it! (And yes, there’s a vegetarian bowl: the Coco Cashew Pomelo Quinoa grain bowl)
Find it at 617 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore (269718)
Book a table at KARA and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG.
Open Door Policy
We’ve saved the best for last, so don’t hold back! Open Door Policy has just recently updated its menu to be completely gluten and dairy free. Vegetable Tempura Risotto, anyone? ODP is always looking to improve their menu to provide healthier meals to its guests, without sacrificing taste. From the taste of their Signature Fluffy Souffle (acai berry créme anglaise), it’s a definite rousing success.
There’s no vegan stamp just yet, but there’s definitely plenty of vegetarian dishes to choose from. Seats are always filled, so be sure to Chope those tables fast and early!
Find it at 19 Yong Siak Street,Singapore (169650)
Book a table at Open Door Policy and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG.
