Brisbane has a world-class dining scene that is getting hotter by the minute. In recent years, many of the world’s top chefs and leading brands have migrated to the capital of Queensland, delivering brand-new, high-quality options for eating out. There are more than 2.5 million Aussies who eat a completely meat-free diet today, and many more who are open to more sustainable choices when it comes to eating out or at home. On OpenTable, find some of the best vegetarian restaurants in Brisbane. Meat-free, these hotspots open up new possibilities and demonstrate that plant-based food can be as exciting as any other.
Head to Fortitude Valley for award-winning Middle Eastern cuisine or contemporary Japanese izakaya. In Brisbane’s CBD, you can discover some of the best vegetarian Thai and Italian food. Or head to Woolloongabba for some modern Australian fine dining with both an omnivore and a herbivore menu to choose from.
Make your next booking at one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Brisbane on OpenTable today.
The best vegetarian restaurants in Brisbane – check out these stellar gems
For one of Brisbane’s best Italian restaurants with vegan and gluten-free options – try Olive and Angelo in the Brisbane CBD
A family-owned business run by Angelo and Yuliya Leonforte, Olive and Angelo works on the philosophy of welcoming everyone to the table, regardless of dietary requirements and preferences. This means the menu contains a wide range of traditional, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, all homemade and inspired by Italy. Warm and welcoming, this place could easily become your new go-to place for post-work bites, meals with friends or even date nights. Vegetarian highlights from the menu include zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta, lemon and herbs, and fried in a Napoli sauce; mixed mushroom risotto with truffle oil; and bucatini pasta with chilli and guanciale. Or try a hand-stretched pizza with your choice of toppings (you can substitute vegan cheese or house-made coconut feta for a completely plant-based experience).
For one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Brisbane for Middle Eastern dishes – check out The Green in Fortitude Valley
Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, private parties and events, The Green in Fortitude Valley brings you modern Middle Eastern cuisine perfect for sharing. Winner of the 2022 Diner’s Choice award on OpenTable and set in beautiful surroundings, The Green is a must-try when dining out in Brisbane. Book a private event space or even the entire restaurant for your next celebration, or just a cosy table for two – whatever the occasion, you’ll feel right at home. It’s Lebanese food with a twist, inspired by family dinners and showcasing the generosity, sharing and love that is synonymous with Middle Eastern dining. Try the foraging plate (a selection of fresh vegetables from associated local farms, served with house labne), or the falafel with green tahini or baba ganoush with green oil and pepita dukkah – all vegetarian and all gluten-free. Or go Dark Green on Friday and Saturday evenings with a carefully chosen set menu.
For award-winning contemporary Thai food in a vibrant setting – book a table at Jumbo Thai Restaurant & Bar in the Brisbane CBD
Serving award-winning Thai food and Eastern-inspired cocktails, Jumbo Thai Restaurant & Bar is chic, slick and contemporary. Located above the Embassy Hotel, you can expect great views through the huge windows while you eat; the late-opening kitchen means this is the ideal spot to pop in for a late-night bite, post-theatre meal or a nightcap. The restaurant is a two-time winner of the Best Thai Restaurant in South Queensland and silver award winner in the Best Thai Restaurant in Australia category at the Restaurant and Caterers Association’s National Awards. Sample quality vegetarian Thai delights, including roast pumpkin red curry with coconut cream, pad Thai noodles with tofu and beansprouts, and som tum salad with papaya, red chilli and roasted peanuts. Finish with a refreshing signature cocktail – perhaps the little red lotus with sloe gin, watermelon, ginger beer and lime.
For one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Brisbane with the soulful vibe of Tel Aviv – book a table at ZA ZA TA in Fortitude Valley
A fully vegetarian and vegan bar and kitchen, ZA ZA TA is one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Brisbane, set among a sprawling urban oasis and inspired by the dining culture of the Middle East. This hotspot gives centuries-old flavours a contemporary twist, with hints of Mediterranean influence. Rich and vibrant with an eclectic character, ZA ZA TA won Best Vegetarian Restaurant in Queensland in the 2022 Delicious 100 Awards. With a menu designed to facilitate the sharing of stories as well as the communal breaking of bread, experience the soulful nature of old Tel Aviv. The menu showcases the best of plant-based dining – think crispy tofu seasoned with salt and Aleppo pepper with onion toum; BBQ cauliflower shawarma with kohlrabi; and coal-roasted mushroom shish with a pomegranate and walnut sauce. There’s also a fully vegan menu and a set menu for larger group bookings.
For one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Brisbane for fine dining – take a seat at Detour in Woolloongabba
A unique fine dining experience with a focus on sustainability, sharing and meeting all dietary requirements, Detour can easily hold its own as one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Brisbane. The menu does contain meat dishes as well but offers a wide range of both vegetarian and vegan options, as well as gluten-free meals. Detour has won multiple awards over the past few years, including three wins of Best Vegetarian Food from Delicious 100 and two Wine Glasses from the Australian Wine List of the Year Awards. The wine menu showcases small Australian producers of natural wines crafted organically and biodynamically. The herbivore menu includes delights such as beetroot tartare with capers and macadamia nuts; smoked pumpkin with maple and pepitas; and coal-roasted broccoli with miso, seaweed and spinach. Wash it all down with a chilled glass of world-leading white wine.
For a buzzing hotspot to visit with a group – pay a visit to Persone Italian Restaurant in the Brisbane CBD
Persone Italian Restaurant literally translates to people, and that is exactly what this restaurant is all about – creating a spectacular experience for the people who dine there. It’s a place to indulge yourself in la dolce vita, with spectacular views, a warm and welcoming atmosphere and exquisite Italian cuisine. It won Best Italian Restaurant in Queensland for 2020, and for good reason. Start with a bruschetta topped with whipped ricotta, semi-dried tomatoes and fresh basil leaves, with a side order of Grana Padano and truffled honey. Move on to fresh rigatoni with zucchini, stracciatella and sundried tomato pesto, and a side of roasted beetroot with juicy orange segments. All this while you take in stunning views across the water and the cityscape, from the terrace or through the picture windows.
For one of the best vegetarian restaurants with a view in Brisbane – pull up a chair at El Planta in South Brisbane
Casual and understated but completely unforgettable, El Planta brings you an ever-changing plant-based Mexican menu, alongside great cocktails and bar snacks. Take a seat on the terrace and enjoy a glass of natural wine or a traditional margarita while you peruse the menu. Open for dinner from Tuesday through Saturday, pop in for a quick taco after work or spend the evening sharing dishes with friends. The menu changes monthly to showcase the best of seasonal produce and caters to sharing – bring your friends and family and let the good times roll. You might see dishes such as oyster mushroom skewers with garlic butter and crunchy peanut mole, jackfruit tacos with pineapple jam and adobo sauce, or sugar loaf cabbage with crispy chilli oil and creamed tofu. If you can’t decide, go for the banquet menu and let the chefs serve a selection of tacos and snacks to your table.
For one of the best Indian vegetarian restaurants in Brisbane – book a seat at Jaipur Palace in Wellington Point
Indian dining is all about spending time with family. At Jaipur Palace, you’ll quickly feel like you’re dining around the family table – except you won’t need to help with the washing up. Dharminder (or David to his customers) will greet you on arrival and make you feel instantly at home, along with his wife Sheena. The food is spectacular, and the service is outstanding – your comfort and enjoyment are a priority. The Indian-inspired menu is diverse and varied, served in a tastefully decorated environment with real charm. Add to this the top-notch customer service and you’re in for a real treat at one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Brisbane. Try the masala kulcha naan filled with lightly spiced fried potatoes; the chana masala curry with chickpeas, tomato, onion and cumin; or the slow-cooked dahl masala with yellow lentils and a mix of spices.
For the joy of home dining, Japanese-style – book a table at WAGAYA Japanese Restaurant in Fortitude Valley
You’ll find izakaya-style Japanese dining at its best in Brisbane at WAGAYA Japanese Restaurant. Warm and welcoming, the restaurant’s name literally translates as home, and that’s where you’ll feel you are when you visit. A real sense of joy and belonging awaits you behind the doors of WAGAYA, with an embracing ambience detectable from the moment you walk in. It provides a heartwarming and nostalgic experience coupled with some of the best vegetarian food in town. The menu ranges from nibbles to noodles and everything in between, with lots of vegetarian options. Perhaps start with pickled cucumber and miso paste or a tofu and seaweed salad, before sampling baked mentai tofu with cheese or the potato pumpkin gratin. And be sure to leave room for dessert – green tea parfait and black sesame panna cotta are just two of the well-made offerings.
For seasonal fare in stylish surroundings – take a trip to Harveys Bar and Bistro in New Farm
A calm and cool oasis amid the hustle and bustle of the city centre, Harveys Bar and Bistro brings you all-day dining in inviting surroundings. Steered by the well-regarded PJ McMillan, Harveys is timeless, unpretentious and always welcoming. Take a seat at the bar for nibbles and drinks, in the stylish restaurant area for dinner, or take lunch al fresco in the outdoor seating area. It’s the perfect spot to visit after a day’s retail therapy on James Street, providing seasonal food with a focus on local produce and a real communal atmosphere. Try the potato and feta roesti with herb salsa and poached egg for breakfast or pop in for a lunchtime snack of fried olives with feta and aioli. For dinner, perhaps the grilled avocado with spiced pumpkin, lentils and cashew yoghurt on a bed of kale and quinoa.
Vegetarians and vegans have more options than ever before, from casual eats to fine dining and everything in between. Whether you’ve sworn off meat for good, are experimenting with another way of life, or are simply looking to try something new, there’s a great restaurant serving vegetarian fare in Brisbane for you.
Book yourself a table at one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Brisbane right now on OpenTable.
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