Canberra's delightful food scene has embraced the growing demand for different dining options and there are now plenty of delicious vegetarian-friendly restaurants across the city. Whether you're committed to not eating meat or simply looking to reduce your animal consumption, the nation's capital offers a range of places that cater to diverse tastes. So, we have put together a list of some of the best vegetarian restaurants in Canberra for you to enjoy.
Skip to the list of the Canberra's top vegetarian restaurants
- Au Lac
- Brodburger
- Delhi to Canberra
- Lazy Su
- Monster Kitchen and Bar
- Spice Route
- Utopia Vegan
What makes a great vegetarian restaurant?
A great vegetarian restaurant possesses several qualities and attributes that contribute to its excellence in providing a satisfying and enjoyable dining experience.
Delicious and varied menu: A great vegetarian restaurant offers a diverse and enticing menu that showcases variety of fantastic flavours, textures and creativity.
Quality ingredients: Top-shelf ingredients are the key to making delicious food. The dishes should be made using fresh, locally sourced, and organic ingredients whenever possible.
Culinary skill and expertise: The restaurant should have a team of skilled chefs who possess a deep understanding of vegetarian cuisine. They are knowledgeable about different cooking techniques, flavour profiles, and ingredient combinations that bring out the best in vegetarian dishes.
Innovation and creativity: A great vegetarian restaurant embraces culinary innovation and creativity. It introduces unique and inventive dishes that challenge traditional perceptions of vegetarian cuisine. By experimenting with new flavours, textures, and presentations, the restaurant keeps its menu exciting and encourages diners to explore the diverse possibilities of plant-based eating.
Warm atmosphere: A warm, inviting, and comfortable atmosphere is important when dining out. The staff should also be friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, providing excellent customer service and making diners feel valued and well-cared for.
The best vegetarian restaurants in Canberra 2024
To be listed as one of Canberra’s best, Canberra Daily requires them to have maintained a track record of positive reviews on Google and Facebook, with a minimum average of 4/5 stars.
When looking for delicious vegetarian food in Canberra, check out Canberra Daily’s list of the best local restaurants below.
Brodburger
Brodburger is one of Canberra’s most beloved eateries and their burgers are renowned across the region.
They have two burgers suitable for vegetarians, the Oh My Vegan (made using a vegan meat patty) and the Veg (flame grilled veggies with halloumi cheese), while they also have chips and onion rings.
They have locations in Kingston, Fyshwick and Woden.
Jame Alexander left this five-star Google review: “Delicious burger and fries and amazing service. We will be back! Thank you Brodburger!”
Au Lac
With two locations across Canberra (Dickson and Woden), Au Lac is the perfect place to go if you are looking for fresh and tasty vegan food.
There is no meat or dairy found in any of their dishes, with the menu instead consisting of fresh vegetables and herbs, noodles and rice, tofu and soy imitation meat.
Some of their most popular dishes include satay stir fry, soy beef rendang, fresh cold rolls, eggplant in claypot sensation and vietnamese crepe.
Rohan Martin left this five-star review on Google: “Au Lac never fails to impress. With a wide menu range and quick ticket time, would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone, not just vegetarians/vegans.”
Delhi to Canberra
Located at the quiet Melba shops, Delhi to Canberra serves outstanding food in a nice atmosphere.
They use quality, fresh ingredients and have crafted an extensive menu of delicious Indian food, featuring a wide variety of gluten free, vegetarian and vegan dishes.
Some of their most popular dishes include daal makhani, mix vegetable jalfrazi, vegetable samosa and more.
John Bruyn left this five-star review on Google: “Delicious food. Truly outstanding. We love coming here at least monthly. Great place to bring your friends, including vegetarians.”
Spice Route
Located at the quiet Torrens shops, Spice Route Indian Restaurant delivers Indian food that is spicy, rich, flavourful and diverse.
They offer a cuisine with whole palette of flavours—spicy, sour, sweet, and hot all at the same time, to fulfil cravings for all Indian food lovers. They have a range of vegan-friendly curries that are delicious and have an authentic Indian taste.
Spice Route offers dine-in, take away, home delivery and outdoor/indoor catering services.
Amit Kothari left this five-star review on Google: “Great ambience, friendly staff. Authentic Indian taste, we are vegetarian and often visit this place and there Curries are delicious, all breads are nicely done. Always enjoyed dinner here and recommend to try at least once, you won’t regret it.”
Monster Kitchen and Bar
Monster Kitchen and Bar is located on the ground floor of Ovolo Nishi in the city, cooking delicious meals using local and seasonal produce.
The restaurant is part of Ovolo’s veg pledge, meaning the menu is filled with vegan and vegetarian cuisine. They use locally sourced and seasonal ingredients to ensure the dishes are full of flavour.
Lara Schroeder left this five-star review on Google: “Monster Kitchen and Bar is a vegetarian’s dream come true! No need to worry about what’s inside a dish because you know the menu is 100% vegetarian. So you can order to your heart’s content! Also, there’s nothing boring about the meals so you can absolutely expect fine dining 5 star quality food.
The venue is gorgeous and the service always friendly. Would 110% recommend!”
Utopia Vegan
Everything on Utopia Vegan’s menu is prepared using solely plant-based ingredients and their food is inspired by the traditional cuisine of Vietnam.
Some of their well-liked dishes include Vietnamese pancake, laksa, green curry, eggplant hot pot and more.
Joanna Morriss left this five-star review on Google: “Amazing & delicious. Have eaten here 5 times in 3 months and every time the service is quick and friendly. Food is so flavoursome. Would eat here every week if we could! Love it!”
Lazy Su
Lazy Su is a popular modern Asian restaurant located in the heart of Canberra, featuring a vibrant and cozy ambiance with a diverse range of delicious dishes.
Their menu features various vegan options, including potato nori taco, crispy salt and pepper tofu, peking vegan ‘duck’ and even a vegan banana fritter sundae.
Ren Hunter left this five-star review on Google: “Absolutely delicious! Have had both the vegan and non-vegan degustations multiple times. My favourite dish is the miso carrots! Yum!”
