Top 7 Vegetarian Restaurants In Joburg

Vegetarian and vegan lovers will be pleased to know there are now more vegetarian options to choose from in Joburg. We round up a list of our favourite veggie and vegan spots in the city:

Free Food

Always prepared with natural ingredients, Free Food in Melrose offers wholesome meals that are gluten-free, wheat-free, sugar-free and vegan. They do delicious breakfasts like millet porridge, flapjacks made from quinoa and rice flour and a tofu omelette. Lunch dishes include a variety of wraps, burgers and salads as well as hearty curries and stir-fries. As for dessert? Choose between their healthy version of a milk tart, apple crumble or vegan chocolate ice cream. www.freefood.co.za

The Greenside Café

Trading since 2012, The Greenside Café in Greenside is vegan cuisine at its best, even the non-vegans and vegetarians will find something to love about this buzzing café. Think bacon and cheeseburgers with tofu bacon, homemade sourdough pizzas with toppings like napolitana, spicy beans, salsa, avo, tomato and cashew sunflower cheese and tofu ribbon pastas. Dessert options include the raw ice cream and hot chocolate sauce, their raw maple cheesecake and their brilliant bar made with peanuts, chocolate, goji berries, maca, hemp and popped rice. www.thegreensidecafe.co.za

Fruits and Roots

Fruits and Roots in Bryanston is a firm favourite amongst vegans. Located at Hobart Shopping Centre behind William Nicol, Fruits and Roots is known as the organic health and vegan store of choice. Their café offers breakfast and lunch options like sandwiches, pizzas, tramazzinis and hot meals as well as a delicious buffet, of salads, quiches and bakes, that changes daily. www.fruitsandroots.co.za

Bella Anima

Bella Anima is a newly opened restaurant in Sunninghill that puts an Italian spin on vegan. There’s a broad and exciting menu, ranging from starters like pesto mushrooms and a trio of bruschetta with marinated brinjals and capers, peppers and olives and tomato and basil, to burgers (try the Bella Burger with mushroom salsa and cashew cream) and pastas like with vegan cheese. Their chocolate tart with berry coulis and peanut butter milkshake are a must-try. www.bellaanima.co.za

Conscious 108

Small and intimate, Conscious 108 in Greenside, attracts its fair share of customers. Popular dishes include their Buddha bowls and their dairy and egg-free desserts, but for starters try their loaded lentil potato skins or potato quinoa croquettes, for mains, dig into one of their wholesome salads, their potato and aubergine bunny chow or their Very Deluxe pizza with soya strips, roasted butternut and toasted pumpkin seeds. 011 6467250

Aurelie’s Health & Lifestyle Café

Located at Waterfall Country Estate, Aurelie’s Health & Lifestyle Café is a trendy venue with a Mediterranean vibe that caters for vegans and vegetarians. They specialize on holistic health and wellness. Experience tasty dishes that come with tofu, falafel and veggie sausages and patties as well as healthy drinks from their smoothie and juice bar. They also offer gluten-free baked treats, lunch boxes for children, full-day cleanse packages, health supplements and much more. +27 10 596 8900

Leafy Greens Café

Possibly one of the most loved vegan restaurants in Joburg, Leafy Greens is located in the countryside, on the same farm as Casalinga restaurant in Muldersdrift. Apart from their a la carte menu, they also offer a harvest table from Friday to Sundays. Expect refreshing salads like their avocado, mango and tomato salad, their Mung bean sprout salad with mixed veggies or their baby marrow salad with peppers and a homemade dressing. Other delicious items include their baked pizza slices and a variety of vegan cheesecakes. Plus, they offer a catering menu for any occasion. www.leafygreens.co.za