Meat Free Haunts
Vegetarian restaurants in Sydney seem to come few and far between; after all, humans of the “chuck some kale on the baaahhrbie” variety didn’t build Australian culture.
But whether you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, or whether you’re actually vegetarian, look no further than these stellar dining options.
Nourishing Quarter - Redfern
At a glance this place looks like a kitschy antique store, but really it’s a killer restaurant that takes your tastebuds on a tour from one side of the globe to the other.
Sample their South-American-meets-Vietnamese-style rice paper rolls with quinoa and tofu, or opt for a ‘passage to India’ via their Herb and Spice Curry featuring pumpkin, chickpeas, peas and amaranth seeds.
Sadhana Kitchen - Enmore
This restaurant is all about utilising organic produce and raw foods. Interestingly, the folk here don’t prepare their food at temperatures above 40°C, which helps the food’s natural enzymes stay intact.
They also have a weekday lunch delivery, so if you want something ‘rawsome’, give them a call and you could be chowing down on their kelp and zucchini noodle Prana Pad Thai.
Suzy Spoon’s Vegetarian Butcher - Newtown
Part-café, part-commercial kitchen, part-butcher and part-display kitchen, this place is an all-heavenly place to step into off King Street. Suzy has made a name for herself via her chicken-like wheat-gluten free products and vegan sausages, but her café is also something to shout about.
The Spoon Burger with a garlic and rosemary burger patty is ace city, as is the Smoked Tofu and Vegetarian Cream Cheese Panini if you’re hankering for a smoked salmon alternative.
Earth to Table - Bondi Junction
This Bondi café is the brainchild of raw chef Julie Mitsios and sees diners dotted amongst the communal dining area with paved garden to boot. The food is raw and vegan that is just as heavy on taste as it is wholesomely organic.
The ‘pasta’ of super thin zucchini strands in a creamy cashew nut sauce, and the almond pizza bases are all big winners. Leave some space for the gluten-, dairy- and sugar-free raw cakes, sweetened with yucon syrup or low GI agave.
Two Chaps - Marrickville
The near-minimal yet very industrial feel to the interior of this café almost feels like a visual manifestation of their food philosophy. Coming out of their open gallery-style kitchen, the very Mediterranean-influenced menu is simple but packs bags of flavour.
The bread is all baked in-house so make sure you give their mushroom, haloumi and egg with beetroot relish toastie a spin.
Yulli’s - Surry Hills
Yulli’s has carved itself a nice vegetarian-shaped niche on the Crown Street strip and regularly packs out. The vegetarian menu is fusion focused, relying on amazing Asian flavours and small Mexican touches to bring the party to your mouth.
The venue is also fully licensed, so make sure to order their killer Ginger Dumplings while gulping down a beer or a wine from their 25-strong list.
Peace Harmony - King Street Wharf
This low-key restaurant near King Street Wharf cooks up some of the tastiest vegan Thai food that’s low on price and high on yummy feels. They bolster dishes with cubes of ’fake meat’ that may sound ominous, but are incredibly flavoursome.
If you work in the city, and are after a left-of-centre takeaway (or dine in) experience, look no further than Peace Harmony!
By Justin Wee