A Guide To Vegan Eating In Hong Kong

Healthy and organic food is on the rise nowadays, which means plenty of creative menus with an array of vegan, raw and gluten-free fare. Try out the popular Home – Eat to Live in Central Hong Kong, serving flatbreads, burgers, and earth bowls with an eco-friendly ethos, or Veggie SF (Central), a delightfully retro 1950’s San Francisco-themed diner. Also don’t miss The Herbivores (various locations), a cozy café serving international vegetarian cuisine with Japanese influences.

Be sure not to miss Artichoke Canteen (Ap Lei Chau), a chic, upscale vegetarian restaurant with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options.

Looking for more exciting, foreign flavors? Middle Eastern restaurant Wild Thyme (TST) caters to vegan and Jain diets. Of course, Indian cuisine is a gift to the world’s vegans and vegetarians, and restaurants like Branto (TST) and Woodlands (TST) both fit the bill and are regularly frequented by members of Hong Kong’s Indian community.

Lastly, if you’re looking to splurge on a fine dining experience, there’s Nur (Central). A treat for the true gourmand, this Scandinavian dining room offers 9- and 12-course tasting menus based on the concept of ‘nourishing gastronomy’, culinary delicacies made from nutritious, organic ingredients. Make sure to book ahead of time and state your dietary requirements.

Dim sum is the pride of traditional Cantonese dining, and the good news is, vegans and vegetarians don’t have to miss out.

Dine at the Lockcha Tea House (Admiralty), which serves traditional Hong Kong dim sum with a vegetarian twist. Located in a gorgeous colonial building, this restaurant’s tranquil atmosphere and traditional Chinese interior will make you feel relaxed and rejuvenated.

Buddhist restaurants are a go-to for vegetarians in Asia as they adhere to the Buddhist principle of non-harm. The posh Pure Veggie House (Central) prides itself in not resorting to imitation meat or MSG. Similarly, the Three Virtues Vegetarian Restaurant (North Point) serves a vegetarian take on dim sum staples like buns, dumplings, flour rolls and pastries.

Kick back and indulge at Grassroots Pantry (Sheung Wan), a classy upscale restaurant dedicated to clean food. Their menu draws from European, Japanese and South Asian influences and their exotic cocktails are uniquely delicious. Lemon chia seed pancakes, anyone?

Alternatively, Maya Café (Sheung Wan) serves excellent Mediterranean vegan fare. Their brunch menu is available all day on weekends and public holidays, and comes with an appetizer, main, fresh juice and dessert.

For a light snack or a casual meal with coffee, there’s no shortage of vegan and vegetarian cafés in Hong Kong. For quality organic salads, sandwiches and pastries, visit 3/3rds (various locations) or OVO Café (various locations).

Meanwhile, Mana! Slow Fast Food (Central) specializes in customizable wraps made from freshly oven-baked Lebanese flatbread. And be sure not to overlook Organic 21 (Central), offering affordable farm-to-table fare with ingredients sourced from Hong Kong’s only USDA certified organic farm.

For the super busy looking to grab a bite on the go in the city of Hong Kong, Supafood’s organic sandwiches and snacks are a no-brainer (and their quirky superhero theme doesn’t hurt). Swing by their Sheung Wan location or order online.

Likewise, Fresca (Central) is an adorable little joint serving healthy soups, salads and baked goods. Last but not least, Sheung Wan-based Zumufi’s superfood-inspired smoothies and sandwiches are bound to satisfy whether you visit in person or order delivery.