Best vegetarian restaurants in Singapore
The sovereign city-state of Singapore is off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula and just about 100 miles from the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the Singapore Strait to its south. Once an area full of rainforest and wildlife, the islands are not heavily urbanized with very little primary rainforest left. While this is definitely unfortunate, Singapore offers tons of great things to do to make any visit here worthwhile.
It's relatively easy to travel around Singapore as an English speaker, as most commerce and government business is done in English. Although most Singaporeans can get by in English, their first languages tend to be Mandarin, Malay, Tamil, or Cantonese. As you travel around seeing all the sights like exploring the vibrant Chinatown or climbing up the iconic Marina Bay Sands Skypark for amazing views, you're bound to work up an appetite. And, luckily, for any vegetarians and vegans out there, Singapore is home to an array of vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurants to tempt you.
As you might expect, the vegetarian restaurants in Singapore tend toward Asian cuisine, but you can still get some other favorites like burgers, salads, pizza, and sandwiches. Knowing where to go is half the battle, which is why we have compiled this list of the tastiest vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Singapore for your dining pleasure.
Before you embark on a culinary island tour, make sure your bags are safe. There's nothing worse than looking for your next veggie meal while dragging your suitcases behind you. Bounce is here to help with luggage storage locations conveniently placed throughout the city. Let us worry about the bags while you worry about finding the best vegetarian fried rice in town! Now, let's get to the list of vegetarian restaurants before you start feeling any hunger pains.
LingZhi Vegetarian
What it's like:
LingZhi is the first vegetarian restaurant on our list because it's been around for ages and its focus is on classic Chinese cuisine made without meat. You simply can't travel all the way to Singapore and not get some Chinese food.
How you choose to dine at LingZhi is entirely up to you. They have a vegetarian lunch or dinner buffet, an a la carte menu, a set menu, and special menus for different occasions. If you have the stomach for it, the buffets are a great way to sample multiple items without a serious commitment. Fresh vegetables are the focus here, and there is less emphasis on mock meats and anything with artificial coloring or additives.
The restaurant's interior is upscale with tablecloths, comfortable seats, and warm but neutral colors.
Our recommendation:
The restaurant is open from 11 am to 3 pm for lunch and again from 6 pm to 10 pm for dinner. Reservations are recommended. As for the food, this place makes the best vegetarian fried rice in town, so that's a good place to start. Add any fried monkey head mushroom dish and you're dining on one of the vegetarian restaurant's specialties.
Location:
541 Orchard Rd, #05-01 Liat Towers, Singapore 238881
Kitchen by Food Rebel
What it's like:
In the heart of Chinatown, Kitchen by Food Rebel has a mission to bring healthy food to the masses. The fact that there's usually a bunch of people waiting for tables here tells you that they're on to something. The plates are full of colorful offerings and they do everything from a full breakfast complete with plant-based sausage to Buddha bowls, wraps, and pizza.
The atmosphere here is cozy and welcoming with dark wood high tables and chairs and lots of greenery. Since this vegetarian restaurant gets super busy, try to plan ahead and make a reservation online before you go.
Our recommendation:
A rarity in Singapore, opt for one of the Mexican-themed dishes here. The Mexican burrito wrap and the Mexican salad are quite tasty. Otherwise, anything with the imitation beef short ribs is also excellent.
Location:
28 Stanley St, Singapore 068737
Whole Earth
What it's like:
Another of the great vegetarian restaurants in Singapore is Whole Earth. You won't find cuisine like this anywhere else in town - they specialize in Peranakan-Thai vegetarian food and are the only ones in Singapore doing it. And, this might be your only chance to sample this kind of food as a vegetarian since it is normally loaded with meat. The elephant toes are definitely a fun item to order. Rest assured that no elephants were harmed in the making of this dish. It uses omni meat, fresh vegetables, and ginger to create an unforgettable plate.
The interior of the restaurant is clean and casual with bright-colored booths and warm wood tables. They're open for lunch and dinner but do close in between at 3 pm.
Our recommendation:
You've likely heard of a bread bowl, but at Whole Earth, they have the same concept but the bowl is made up of a deep-fried yam pocket. You have to try the handmade yam treasure ring for the Instagram posts alone. Not big into yams? Go for the sambal king with a mix of veggies - it's their best seller.
Location:
76 Peck Seah St, Singapore 079331
Joie by Dozo
What it's like:
For the fanciest meatless cuisine in Singapore, head to Joie by Dozo in Orchard Central. This upscale vegetarian eatery is a little on the pricy side, but the experience you get is well worth it if you can stretch your budget. You have two options here: a six-course set lunch or a seven-course set dinner. And while the restaurant isn't technically vegan, you can absolutely make your own tasting menu from the vegan options on the menu. One of the best features of Joie is how everything looks. From the plates and bowls themselves to the colorful food and creative presentation, this is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for your stomach.
The Joie dining room is full of eye-catching glass, beautiful chandeliers, and comfortable armchairs all in a neutral palette. You can enjoy your modern meatless cuisine inside or on the patio in their rooftop garden.
Our recommendation:
Since you have to go with a set menu here, our recommendation is easy. Get the set menu. You have vegetarian options for starters, side dishes, cold dishes, soup, mains, and dessert. It's easy to customize a wonderful meal with all the vegan and vegetarian dishes available.
Location:
181 Orchard Rd, #12 - 01, Singapore 238896
Genesis Vegan Restaurant
What it's like:
Genesis is one of the most popular vegan restaurants in Singapore because it's a casual place that offers a range of vegan bites, including Singaporean food, Korean food, and Italian cuisine. This is a great place to eat like a local, even if you can't eat meat. Genesis has made all the favorites plant-based. The white walls, wood counter, and brightly colored chairs have a fun vibe and the restaurant is anything but stuffy.
The variety is what makes Genesis so special. You can get an order of bibimbap rice, vegan lasagna, steamed dumplings, and fresh-baked bread all in one place.
Our recommendation:
Since you probably didn't come to Singapore for lasagna, go with the bibimbap or any of the rice dishes, and try a yuba roll. It's similar to a rolled-up omelet loaded with veggies.
Location:
2 Havelock Rd, #B1-01 Havelock Ii, Singapore 059763
New Fut Kai Vegetarian Restaurant
What it's like:
For another of the best vegetarian restaurants in Singapore, visit New Fut Kai. This is a casual and fast-food type place, which makes it both convenient and relatively affordable, especially if you get the lunch menu. The kitchen cooks up all the freshest veggies in interesting combinations and offers mock meat if you want it. The woks are going constantly and the best vegetarian hot pots in the city are simmering in the kitchen.
Our recommendation:
The charcoal hotpots are the star of the show at this low-key vegetarian food joint. The hotpots are simmered for hours and end up full of flavor. You can choose your soup base and pair it with one of the chef's special wok creations.
Location:
282 Jln Besar, Singapore 208945
Warung Ijo
What it's like:
Warung Ijo is the best at Indonesian vegetarian cuisine in town. The restaurant's interior is charming and quirky with mosaic tiles on the walls, bricks, and even a bike hung above the counter. the result is a welcoming space where you can enjoy a lovely meal. This place has all your Indonesian favorites like mee goreng, bee hoon soto, and pan-fried gyoza. The flavor is high and the prices are low, so you should add this to your Singapore itinerary and head here at least once on your trip. Every dish except one, the tahu telor, can be made vegan - just ask.
Our recommendation:
It's really hard to choose just one item on the menu to recommend. Assuming you are already a fan of Indonesian food, just get your usual favorite and you'll be amazed. If you truly can't decide, the mee goreng is always a safe bet!
Location:
337 Beach Rd, Singapore 199565
nomVnom Bistro
What it's like:
In a rush and need some vegan fast food? Head to nomVnom Bistro and grab a quick meal at Clarke Quay Central. They have everything from vegan cakes to udon to pizza and vegan burgers. This is a great place when you just want to fuel up and then be on your way. The prices are higher than you probably think, but the service is always friendly and speedy.
Our recommendation:
Any of the vegan burgers are delicious. They come with fries, salad, and a drink to complete the meal.
Location:
6 Eu Tong Sen St, #3 - 105 / 106 / 107, Singapore 059817
Afterglow
What it's like:
On the edge of Chinatown, Afterglow specializes in vegan cuisine with both indoor and outdoor dining. There are vegan versions of all your favorites here, like sweet potato fries, teriyaki meatballs, fish burgers, and cauliflower steak. There are also quite a few raw food items on the menu if this suits your diet better. To say this place is inclusive sounds like an understatement. They have all the allergens listed clearly on the menu, have gluten-free options, and allow you to make substitutions to remove anything from nuts to garlic to soy.
Our recommendation:
Start with the sharing dip platter to sample as many of the tasty dips as you can. The hummus and "tuna" tartare are especially good. Since you may have already had your fill of noodle dishes and fried rice, go for the epic veggie burger or cauliflower steak for something a little different.
Location:
24 Keong Saik Rd., Singapore 089131
Ananda Bhavan Vegetarian
What it's like:
Ananda Bhavan specializes in traditional Indian vegetarian dishes in the heart of Singapore. You can get everything from South Indian snacks to North Indian tandoori dishes here. The menu is huge and even caters to any vegetarians in your group that doesn't go a bundle on Indian food. The burgers and pizza will satisfy their dining needs too.
Not only is this vegetarian restaurant full of the best Indian vegetarian cuisine in town, they have a long history in Singapore. Now with five locations around town, this place has been slinging the best vegetable curry since 1924. In a sea of vegetarian restaurants in Singapore, this one has managed to stand out and grow exponentially over the years. If that doesn't tell you how good it is, nothing will.
Our recommendation:
Narrowing down one or two vegetarian dishes here is probably going to be your biggest challenge. We recommend any of the daily specials. For a true culinary adventure, try the mock meat soya Mysore. The mock meat mutton is definitely not something you can find easily.
Location:
58 Serangoon Rd, Singapore 217964 plus other locations.
Conclusion
With all the amazing vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Singapore, you're never going to go hungry eating here. The options are scattered throughout the city, so it's easy to find one or two and add them into your sightseeing plans every day. You might need to extend your trip in order to try the countless vegetarian food options!
