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, top-notch 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. The best vegetarian restaurants in Brisbane boast plant-based dishes and vegetarian-friendly menus that demonstrate that meat-free food can be as exciting as any other.
Head to Fortitude Valley for award-winning Middle Eastern cuisine or a contemporary Japanese izakaya. In Brisbane’s CBD, you can discover some of the best vegetarian-friendly Thai and Italian classics in town. Everton Park boasts one of the city’s best ramen spots that also happens to be totally plant-based. Or, head to Wellington Point to indulge in rich Indian-inspired plates.
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The best vegetarian restaurants in Brisbane – check out these stellar gems
For 100% plant-based Japanese dishes at one of the hottest ramen spots in Brisbane – visit Neon Ramen in Everton Park
Colourful neon lighting depicting sushi, onigiri and ramen line the walls at Neon Ramen. Add on anime murals and a chic, cyberpunk vibe and you’ve got one of the hottest ramen spots in town. Boasting flavour-packed, plant-based twists on Japanese classics, it’s a great spot to bring the whole gang. Dig into crispy vegan katsu chicken with fluffy rice or plant-based cheeseburger bao. Hearty, aromatic bowls of ramen are always the main draw, served in cat-eared bowls and packed with as many toppings as you like. Order a la carte or build your own bowl. Kids-sized servings, gluten-free options and much more ensure there’s something for everyone. Pair a steaming bowl of ramen with cool refreshing drinks like matcha cocktails and frozen fruit frappes.
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 eggplant tarte tatin with mulberry molasses, the falafel with green tahini or baba ganoush with black olive tapenade, or try the Dark Green menu on Friday and Saturday evenings for a curated dining experience.
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 a 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 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 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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