Beyond Soup & Salad: 5 New Must-Try Vegetarian Restaurants (And Not In Central)

It is a great time to be a vegetarian in Hong Kong with what feels like new plant-based openings every week! Gone are the days of struggling with waiters to get a side of steamed greens, there are now oodles of options all over Hong Kong. Green Queen has pulled together the below list of five gorgeous new vegetarian restaurants for you to check out, none of which are in Central (go on, get out and explore the city!), and many of which offer serious healthy meal bargains. Enjoy!

Leisurely Veggie

This popular new vegetarian restaurant located in Causeway Bay offers its guests both Western and Asian vegetarian fare without relying on the ubiquitous faux-meat often found in local vegetarian haunts. Leisurely Veggie serves lunch and dinner with a tea service in between that includes vegetarian dim sum. Their menu spans everything from cold-pressed juices to Japanese hand rolls, salads to creamy risottos. Their dessert selection is extensive too. They have a fair amount of vegan and egg-free options too.

25/F, Jardine Center, 50 Jardine’s Bazaar, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Island. +852 3565 6393. Open daily 11:30AM – 4:30PM, 6:00PM – 10:30PM.

Ahimsa Buffet

Possibly the deal vegetarian deal in town, Ahimsa Buffet offers a flat-fee, all-you-can-eat buffet. Lunch is a HKD 58 bargain and dinner is a just a tiny bit steeper at HKD 98. The Rules: you can help yourself to as much food as you can cram into your mouth in the space of 60 minutes for lunch and 90 minutes for dinner. The buffet is located front and center in the sparsely decorated space, with a friendly dining hall feeling that proffers a sense of community. The buffet focuses on an Asian with lots of dim sum, rice & tofu dishes and stir-fried vegetables, though they also include Western-style salads and vegan options. Did we mention that dessert is also included? Barely a month after opening and they have lines every day! Can’t say we are surprised!

Shop B, G/F, Wah Hai Mansion, 10-16 Fort Street. North Point, Hong Kong Island. +852 2528 2368. Open daily 12PM – 2:30PM, 6PM – 9:30PM.

Saravanaa Bhavan

This world-renowned South Indian vegetarian restaurant chain has finally come to Hong Kong- dosa lovers rejoice! Famous for their ultra-clean digs, massive menu selection, wallet-friendly prices and the best dosas bar none,  Saravanaa Bhavan is true gem of a vegetarian eatery. Take your prick from over 100 different dishes on the menu, from vadas to idlis to appams, all served with homemade coconut chutneys and sambar of course! Note: They use ghee so this is not super vegan-friendly.

4F, Ashley Centre,  23-25 Ashley Road,  Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. +852 2736 1127. Open daily 11:30AM – 3PM, 6PM – 10:30PM. 

Wild Thyme

December 2016 Update: Wild Thyme is now permanently closed. 

Wild Thyme endeavours to bring Middle Eastern cuisine to new gourmet heights, albeit with a plant-based spin. The menu features lots of traditional mezze of all kinds, minus the meat- think hummus, tabouleh and falafel a-plenty. They also offer more unusual dishes, such as shishbarak-Jordanian dumplings served on yoghurt sauce and booza, an Arabic twist on ice cream. Whilst there are some dairy-free options, this is primarily a vegetarian place.

Lee Wai Commercial Bldg, 4th Floor, 1-3 Hart Avenue,  Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. +852 2577 3662. Open daily 6PM – 11:30PM.

Thai Vegetarian Food

As its name suggests, Thai Vegetarian Food serves up heaps of delicious vegetarian Thai food. This hidden gem located in Kowloon City has developed a cult following thanks to their authentic Thai flavors. The menu features classics of the cuisine such as fresh spring rolls, papaya salad and curries as well as lots of noodle and rice dishes. The entire menu is vegetarian, and vegan options are available.

G/F, 28 Nam Kok Road, Kowloon City, Kowloon. +852 6153 7421. Open daily 12PM – 3PM, 6PM – 10PM.

Photo Credits: Ahimsa Buffet, Saravanaa Bhavan, Wild Thyme, Thai Vegetarian Food, and Leisurely Veggie.