Go meat-free at the 10 best vegetarian restaurants in Hong Kong

Vegetarian restaurants in Hong Kong are growing in popularity, along with plant-based foods. People are becoming more aware of the meat industry’s environmental damages as well as striving to be more health-conscious, so the expanding variety of the best vegetarian restaurants in Hong Kong is no surprise.

A recent study conducted by Green Queen showed that around 44% of participants switching to the vegan or vegetarian diet were doing it for reasons concerning animal rights and ethics. Sustainability and environmental reasons came in second with 24% of respondents, and 23% were doing it for personal health reasons.

Ever since Impossible and Beyond Meat made their mark in Hong Kong, several local companies have started producing and selling their own plant-based products such as Green Monday, whose OmniPork products have seen immense success through their availability in most convenience stores – and even at fast-food mogul McDonald’s.

Although vegetarian and vegan diets are surging in popularity in Hong Kong, the availability of plant-based products is still growing. So, it can be a bit expensive to adopt these lifestyles. 58% of respondents in Green Queen’s survey said that being vegan is much more expensive than maintaining their current diets.

The expensive nature and rise of vegetarianism and veganism make the plant-based industry quite lucrative. As such, there are a plethora of vegetarian restaurants in Hong Kong to choose from. We’ve compiled a list of the 10 best vegetarian restaurants in Hong Kong to check out. Ranked in no particular order, all of these picks are exclusively vegan or vegetarian.

Woodlands

Labeled “The ‘OG’ Indian Vegetarian Restaurant in Hong Kong,” Woodlands is also the very first Indian vegetarian restaurant in Hong Kong. Promoting vegetarianism since 1981, this restaurant offers a wide range of delicious and authentic Indian vegetarian and vegan dishes. Offering both North and South Indian dishes, Woodland’s is also one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Hong Kong if you’re looking for great value.

Their mission says it all: “Vegetarianism is neither a fad nor a passing fancy. It is a long and widely established way of life not only for whole communities in the far east and Asia but all over the world among individuals who are making an independent stand for a better, healthier and more compassionate society.”

Address: UG Shop 16 & 17, Wing On Plaza, 62 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon

Light Vegetarian Restaurant

If Woodlands is considered Hong Kong’s “OG" Indian vegetarian restaurant, Light Vegetarian Restaurant deserves the title of “The ‘OG’ Chinese Vegetarian Restaurant in Hong Kong.” Located right outside Exits B1/B2 of Jordan MTR Station, Light offers a daily buffet lunch from noon to 3 p.m., an a-la-carte menu and a take-away counter for famous Chinese snacks such as dim sum or spring rolls.

Their menu is mostly vegan, but a few of their dishes do contain dairy. The lunch buffet comes to around HK$150 (US$19) per person, which can be a little pricey but is worth it for the vast array of food on offer. You won’t find English-speaking staff here, so you better brush up on the local language if you aren’t a native speaker (or bring a friend to help). Light is the place for enjoying popular vegetarian Chinese dishes that aren’t solely mok food.

Address: G/F & 1/F, 13 Jordan Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon

Big Dill

Finding tasty and authentic plant-based burgers can be a challenge in Hong Kong. However, Big Dill offers an exquisite range of vegan burgers and various American foods like French fries, hot dogs and more. Located in Sai Ying Pun, you can enjoy “The Big Dill Experience” and “indulge without the guilt!”

The founders of Big Dill are on a mission to serve delicious housemade recipes made with high-quality plant-based ingredients. Big Dill are fans of the rising popularity of veganism, as their slogan reads “the future is vegan, dill with it …”

Address: 123 Third Street, Sai Ying Pun

Sangeetha

With Woodlands already being an established hot spot in Hong Kong, it is often difficult to get a table without a reservation. However, don’t worry! Located just opposite Woodlands is another Indian vegetarian restaurant known as Sangeetha. Offering the same kinds of dishes Woodlands is known for, Sangeetha adds an extra Indian spice (known as gunpowder) into all of their dishes for a one-of-a-kind flavor. If you’re a spice lover, Sangeetha is where you’ll find amazing Indian spicy dishes to hit the spot.

Address: UG 1-5 & 31, Wing On Plaza, 62 Mody Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon

Mirror & Vegan Concept

Enjoy exquisite plant-based Italian dishes at this deli restaurant located in Central. Although their dishes are pricier, this fine-dining joint is the perfect location for business meetings, romantic dates and private functions. Here you’ll find a wide variety of Italian food from spaghetti to risotto to ravioli.

Mirror & Vegan Concept have engineered their dishes to “coax the most savory, meaty flavors from plant-based produce.” Hailed as one of best vegetarian restaurants in Hong Kong, they pride themselves on making customers forget that they aren’t eating meat, and they pack in all the flavors necessary to make your dish taste amazing, without any of the guilt.

Address: 9/F, 118 Queen’s Road Central, Central

Kailash Parbat

Located in Tsim Sha Tsui is Kailash Parbat, another popular Indian vegetarian eatery. Unlike Woodlands and Sangeetha, Kailash Parbat specializes primarily in North Indian cuisine. The restaurant also boasts many locations worldwide, including in Singapore, India, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and the United States. Their vast selection of chaats, noodles, flatbreads and North Indian drinks make this restaurant a must-visit for vegetarians in Hong Kong.

Address: 302, 3/F, Multifield Plaza, 3-7 Prat Ave, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

Three Virtues

Operating two branches in Hong Kong, Three Virtues offers some of the best mok-food Hong Kong has to offer. Established in 2003, this restaurant incorporates the values and beliefs of the Confucian and Buddhist cultures into its dishes. Their main purpose is to “produce food while lives are preserved.”

Noted for its cozy ambience, cordial staff and affordable prices, this is a top pick among the best vegetarian restaurants in Hong Kong, especially for fans of mok-food.

Address: See the Three Virtues contact page for a list of locations.

Hemingways

Located in Discovery Bay, this vegan bar and grill offers all kinds of cuisine, from Lebanese to Mexican to Indian to American. Hemingway’s was first established in 2006 as a Caribbean bar and BBQ restaurant. However, as the restaurant started offering more mainstream dishes and its ownership changed, it made a radical change to its menu and became 100% plant-based.

Hemingway’s aims to use their “plant-based menu to encourage people to try plant-based food without preaching.” Every weekend, the bar and grill hosts live music sessions featuring local bands, creating a fun and lively atmosphere. Their impressive range of different cuisines makes this the perfect place to enjoy great food and music with friends and family.

Address: Shop G09, G/F, D’Deck, DB Plaza, Discovery Bay

Treehouse

One of the pricier plant-based restaurants in Hong Kong, this Central spot offers healthy plant-based flatbreads, salad bowls, soups and burgers. Perfect for office lunches or mini social gatherings, Treehouse allows diners to fully customize their meals according to their tastes and preferences. So, don’t worry about making requests or asking for substitutions.

It’s the perfect restaurant for picky eaters wanting to adopt a vegan lifestyle. The customization available at Treehouse makes it a worthy try in Hong Kong, especially for vegans that struggle with cooking or just don’t have the time.

Address: Shop 1, H Code, Ground Floor, 45 Pottinger Street, Central

Amitabha Buddha Vegetarian Restaurant

Located in between Whampoa and Ho Man Tin, this restaurant is one of the few vegetarian restaurants in Hong Kong which still offer ovo-lacto vegetarian dishes. Most of their offerings are Buddhist dishes, and it’s the perfect place to eat for those wanting to get more bang for their buck.

Amitabha holds charity sessions every Saturday where they donate food to the elderly who visit the restaurant, and customers are encouraged and welcome to participate in the event and donate to the cause. Although it is a bit of a walk from the MTR, the amazing dishes and relatively affordable pricing makes this a must-try if you are interested in Buddhist Chinese vegetarian foods.

Address: G/F, 41-43 Station Lane, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon

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