The best vegetarian restaurants (and menus) in Sydney

Cairo Takeaway 

Where: Newtown 

It’s no frills and all flavour at Cairo Takeaway. This tiny corner restaurant is always busy, serving up authentic Egyptian street food to hungry crowds that regularly spill out onto the footpath in front. The bright green falafels are made from fava beans (as is the way in Egypt) and stuffed inside overflowing pita pockets or plated alongside fried cauliflower, salad and pickles. Order a side of koshari (lentils and rice) or fuul madamas (slow cooked fava beans) for the perfect meal. 

Cairo Takeaway, Enmore

Emma’s Snack Bar 

Where: Enmore 

Tucked away in the quiet backstreets of Enmore, you’ll feel like a local as soon as you walk in to Emma’s Snack Bar. Take one of the seats at the large communal table in the centre and create your own Lebanese feast of dips, fried Brussels sprouts, fatouche salad, oven roasted eggplant and felafel. There are also plenty of options for meat eaters, with fragrant lamb kibbe, tangy Moorish chicken and crispy fish kebabs. 

Flyover Fritterie  

Where: Redfern 

Inspired by the street food stalls that are tucked under the highway overpasses of Delhi, Flyover Fritterie specialises in pakoras. These crispy, crunchy fritters can be made with vegetables, tofu, paneer or a mix of tapioca pearls, potatoes and peanuts, served with delicious chutneys. More substantial dishes are also on offer, like daal and roasted cauliflower, plus Indian-inspired toasted sandwiches with chickpeas or potato. Pair it all with a spiced chai cocktail. 

Flyover Fritterie & Chai Bar, Redfern - Credit: Alana Dimou

Pizza Madre 

Where: Marrickville 

Before you even get to the vegetarian toppings, Pizza Madre’s bases are a little unusual. Made with Australian wholemeal grain and a sourdough starter rather than yeast, the dough is fermented for 24 hours then hand stretched. On top, expect mushroom ragu, harissa roasted pumpkin, charred broccolini, confit garlic and plenty of different cheeses. If you still have room for dessert, the pistachio tiramisu is legendary. 

Colombo Social 

Where: Enmore 

Part restaurant, part social enterprise, Colombo Social promises homestyle Sri Lankan cuisine that will fill your belly and warm your heart. Working with local support agencies, they hire recently-arrived refugees and asylum seekers to work in the kitchen or front of house, gaining valuable skills. Around half the menu is vegetarian, from traditional kottu roti (chopped flatbread with vegetables and sauce) to roast veggie curries and dahl. 

Colombo Social, Enmore - Credit: Colombo Social

Two Chaps 

Where: Marrickville 

Just about everything is made from scratch at Two Chaps, from the broccoli and pea patty that goes on the burger to the ‘corned beet’ beetroot for the Reuben sandwich. All the bread is made on site as well as next-level pastries and sourdough crumpets. The fit out is basic and on sunny days you’ll find most people sitting out the front with dogs at their feet. It also opens for dinner on Friday and Saturday, serving a rich Italian set menu with BYO wine and beer. 

Don’t Tell Aunty 

Where: Surry Hills 

With its bubblegum pink walls, blue velvet sofas and a stuffed peacock above the self-serve wine shelf, Don’t Tell Aunty doesn’t feel like your ordinary Indian restaurant. Its brand of ‘unauthentic Indian’ includes vegetarian dishes like Tso cauliflower (inspired by General Tso’s chicken), yoghurt kebabs and soya chaap tossed with tangy plum and pickles. Pair them with a colourful cocktail or a bottle from the impressive wine list.  

Don't Tell Aunty, Surry Hills

Kindred 

Where: Darlington 

The one-hat Kindred is on busy Cleveland Street, but inside is a calm haven of classic Italian-inspired cooking with an excellent vegetarian selection. The pasta is all made in house and every meal here should include at least one serving. Agnolotti is stuffed with seasonal vegetables, from cauliflower to celeriac to parsnip. Pillowy potato gnocchi and carrot triangoli are dressed with simplicity and style. Don’t miss the exquisite vegetable sides. Buon appetito. 

Kindred, Darlington - Credit: Kindred

Maydanoz 

Where: CBD 

This opulent, one-hat fine diner is the first plant-forward from Somer Sivrioğlu (best known for Efendy and Anason). While Maydanoz keeps the same Turkish theme, vegetables are the star. You could make a feast from the starters and small plates, with a menu of the flavourful dips, salads and meze that Turkish cuisine is famous for. The dining room itself is just as impressive, all rich velvet, green marble and low lighting. 

Rising Sun Workshop 

Where: Newtown 

The clang of hammers and the hum of blowtorches will accompany your meal at Rising Sun Workshop, a ramen bar/motorcycle workshop hybrid. Vegetarians can go for The Monk, a shitake and sea kelp broth ramen topped with miso pumpkin, black fungus shiitake, bamboo and marinated egg. Other options include mushroom bao buns, vegetable gyoza, crispy fried tofu and fried Brussels sprouts with vegan fish sauce caramel. 

Rising Sun Workshop, Newtown - Credit: andre&dominique