Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Singapore

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Published: July 18, 2024
Friends sharing vegetarian food across a large communal table.

There’s no denying it: meat is big business in Singapore. A short stroll through any of the legendary hawker centers or wet markets confirms it, and many vegetarians will quail at the sight of ducks roasting on the spit, or stalls that advertise their wares by displaying a dangling pig carcass or two.

But that’s just one side of the story. Singapore has come a long way in recent years, with vegan and vegetarian restaurants popping up faster than bunnies in a cabbage patch, meaning there’s plenty of choice nowadays for the increasing number of people who favor a plant-based diet. Read on for our pick of the best vegetarian restaurants in Singapore.

Whole Earth

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Awarded the prestigious Michelin Bib Gourmand for six years running (2016–2022), Whole Earth is fast becoming a Singapore institution. This cute downtown eatery styles its menu as “vegetarian cuisine for non-vegetarians” and, truly, even the most dedicated carnivore might be hard-pushed to tell the difference. Or, as one impressed punter gushed in their 5-star Tripadvisor review: “Vegetarian? Nah. Can’t be.” Thai and Peranakan cuisines are king here, with highlights that include fiery sambal chili, sweet and sticky honey lotus roots and crispy monkey head mushrooms in teriyaki sauce (NB: no monkeys were harmed in the preparation of this dish). Wash it all down with a zesty lime ice jelly and warming lemongrass tea. Yum.

Find it: 76 Peck Seah St, Singapore 07933

Original Sin

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Can vegetarian food really be ‘sinful’? You bet it can! We’re talking sunny Mediterranean fare that includes the likes of creamy burrata, hearty lentil moussaka, crispy truffle fries and great slabs of devilishly indulgent tiramisu. Stuff yourself silly in the smart interior with its patterned banquettes, pretty glass murals, crisp white tablecloths and romantic candlelight. Or take it up a notch and dine al fresco beneath the stars at cute mosaic-tiled tables on the terrace. Easily one of Singapore’s best vegetarian dining experiences.

Find it: #01-62, Blk 43 Jln Merah Saga, Chip Bee Gardens, Singapore 278115

Boneless Kitchen

Looking for a casual Korean dining experience with stacks of delicious vegetarian sharing plates? Boneless Kitchen is the one for you. Grab a group of friends and head to this airy eatery in the Joo Seng area of Singapore, where all ingredients are sourced direct from Korea for authenticity and sauces and dishes are created from scratch on the premises. Order up the sundubu-jjigae (a smooth and spicy Korean broth), perfectly plump kimchi dumplings, gochujang-spiked bibimap and colorful kimbap (a bit like Japanese sushi rolls) and get stuck in!

Find it: 1 Irving Place #01-31, The Commerze@Irving, Singapore 369546

Analogue

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Analogue – in its noble mission to save the planet – really doesn’t do things by halves. That eye-catching cerulean-blue bar that dips and flows like the ocean? It’s fully 3D printed from 1,600kg of recycled plastic bottles. The beer mats? Also recycled. If that’s not enough to get the conversation flowing, there’s also a long list of quite stunning planet-based cocktails. Try the Cactus with its smoky mezcal notes and refreshing hit of pink dragon fruit, prickly pear, and aloe vera. Or send yourself into orbit with a Spaceman, a delectable punch of gin, campari, peanut butter and sweet Kyoho grapes. The food menu at Analogue is equally enticing, with hearty jackfruit tacos, eggplant curry and a must-try fermented sourdough ice cream that may have you questioning whether you’ll ever feel the need to eat meat again.

Find it: 30 Victoria Street, #01-31 Chijmes, Singapore 187996

The GoodBurger

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“Saving the world... one burger at a time” is the motto at The GoodBurger, a popular plant-based burger truck at the Coronation Shopping Plaza. Do your bit for the planet by tucking into some of the best Impossible burgers you’ll ever taste. Try the aromatic One Night in Bangkok for a spicy taste of Thailand. Or go high end with The Black Tie, with posh truffle, aioli and rocket. The Happy Days burger comes crammed with onion rings and smoky BBQ sauce, while What The Cluck – crispy Southern-fried chicken with cheese, pickles and garlic – will have you convinced you’re eating the real thing. Unmissable.

Find it: Coronation Shopping Plaza, 587 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 269707

Joie

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Vegetarian fine dining is very much the vibe at Joie (pronounced ‘joy’). Set in the tranquil surroundings of Orchard Central’s verdant rooftop garden, this sleek 11th-floor restaurant has panoramic views of Orchard Road, Singapore’s shopping mecca. Inside the bright dining room, bronze lights, plush velvet armchairs and cozy banquettes set the scene for imaginative dishes such as Japanese kelp broth with tofu, truffle risotto and warm chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream.

Find it: 181 Orchard Road Orchard Central #12-01 Orchard Central, Singapore 238896

Herbivore

Herbivore is an unassuming Japanese joint in the Fortune Center inside which, in fact, vegan and vegetarian dining options abound. Perhaps the pick of the bunch, Herbivore’s sushi dishes do a very convincing impersonation of the real thing, with salmon pieces that both look and taste like actual fish. Grilled chicken and freshwater eel taste just like, well, chicken and eel, and there’s an extensive selection of zingy noodle and ramen dishes to pick and choose from. Colorful, flavorsome salads and moreish desserts complete the line-up at this veggie favorite.

Find it: Fortune Center, 190 Middle Road, Singapore 188979

Hawker Centers

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While many vegetarians may balk at wandering through these traditional Singaporean street food emporia – due to the vast number of meat products on display – there are some fine veggie options to be found if you know where to look. And the atmosphere in these places, bustling with hungry locals, the air thick with steam and heavy with the aromatic scents of fragrant pan-Asian cooking, is something that should really be experienced by all visitors to the Garden City. Check out Victor Veggie at the Circuit Road center for his sticky satay skewers. Or hit up 33 Vegetarian in the Teck Ghee Market & Food Centre for the best poultry-free chicken and rice in town. There’s even a handful of hawker centers where vegetarian eateries can be found in abundance; try Bendemeer Market and Food Centre, Kim San Leng Food Centre or Redhill Market and Food Centre for a plant-based party in your mouth.

Find them: Everywhere! There are over 100 hawker centers in the city.

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Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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The Treetop Walks at MacRitchie Reservoir in Singapore
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Natural Attractions in Singapore

Think of Singapore and you’ll likely conjure up images of shimmering glass-and-steel superstructures; a dense forest of urban activity with soaring skyscrapers that jockey for position as they reach ever further heavenwards. But that would be to overlook the vast swathes of green space and unspoiled natural habitat that has earned this island nation the nickname ‘the Garden City’. Read on for our guide to some of the finest natural attractions in Singapore, including: Singapore Botanic Gardens The Gardens by the Bay MacRitchie Reservoir Lazarus Island Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve The Southern Ridges Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Pulau Ubin The Gardens by the Bay Yes we know: the massive durian-shaped hothouses at Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay are very plainly not the work of Mother Nature. But it’s what’s inside that counts, right? And what’s inside is nothing short of a nature spectacular. Expect an absolute riot of sights, scents and sounds in the Flower Dome, where carpets of colorful blooms emit a quite dizzying array of perfumes and a thousand-year-old olive tree forms the centerpiece of the pretty olive grove. Meanwhile, the humid Cloud Forest promises sweet-smelling orchids, jungles of ferns and trailing vines and a tall, tranquil waterfall. The Southern Ridges Six miles of jungle trails and elevated walkways connect Mount Faber Park, Labrador Nature Reserve and more along the epic Southern Ridges. Tiptoe through the treetops and shutterbugs may just sneak a snap or two of some of the abundant wildlife here: red-whiskered bulbuls, banded bay cuckoos, orange-bellied flowerpeckers and other such tropical critters await. The trail also includes a section that crosses Henderson Waves, an undulating architectural masterpiece that also happens to be the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore at a whopping 36 meters above terra firma. Don’t look down! MacRitchie Reservoir Completed in 1868, MacRitchie is the oldest reservoir in Singapore and has become both a thriving nature reserve for native wildlife and huge natural playground for locals and tourists alike. Spot macaques and monitor lizards on the seven-mile hike around MacRitchie Trails or get a birds’ eye view from the Treetop Walks, a 250-meter suspension bridge that links the reserve’s two highest points. Take to the water and spend the day kayaking or lace up your running shoes and hit one of the excellent cross-country trails here. Lazarus Island Like your beaches secluded? Lazarus Island is the place for you! One of Singapore's Southern Islands, it’s connected to neighboring Saint John’s Island by a causeway. You’ll need to catch a ferry to Saint John’s and walk the 15 minutes or so to get there but, trust us, it’s well worth the effort. Bone-white sands, swaying palm trees and tropical turquoise waters that are great for swimming and snorkeling await the intrepid traveler. Get there early enough and, who knows, you may even find you have the whole place to yourself! Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Twitchers rejoice! One of the finest natural attractions in Singapore, the unspoiled Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is a thriving habitat for native birds and a crucial stopover for migratory species including the long-legged Asian dowitcher and distinctive Pacific golden plover. Across more than 300 acres of mangrove forest, mudflats and ponds, you might also spot monitor lizards, lobsters, mudskippers, water snakes and big, beautiful Atlas moths. The occasional saltwater croc has even been known to put in an appearance from time to time. Take the two-hour loop trail around the reserve to get the most from your visit. Singapore Botanic Gardens This sprawling 200-acre tropical oasis on the edge of Singapore’s Orchard Road Shopping district has been around since 1859 so to describe the gardens as ‘mature’ would be something of an understatement. Admire colorful and aromatic plants in the aptly named Ginger Garden, take a stroll around Swan Lake, snap a selfie at the iconic bandstand, and enjoy the rare experience of wandering through a rainforest within the city limits of a vast metropolis. The gardens are open from 5AM until midnight so you'll have plenty of time to get lost among the vines, blooms and tree-lined walkways. Best of all, entry is free, though a fee applies for access to the thousands of eye-popping blooms inside the National Orchid Garden, the park’s star attraction. Pulau Ubin Boomerang-shaped Pulau Ubin is an island off Singapore’s northeast coast, where lush uncharted jungle is dotted with traditional kampongs and disused granite quarries, now reclaimed by nature, teem with diverse flora and fauna. Pick ripe, pungent durians along the cycle paths – and try one if you’re feeling bold enough or hungry enough to brave a bite! There’s an observation tower and looping walkway at the island’s otherwise wild Chek Jawa Wetlands, where you’ll hear the melodious call of the bulbul and, if you’re lucky, maybe even catch sight of the electric-blue flash of a kingfisher diving for its supper. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Last but most definitely not least in our rundown of Singapore's greatest natural attractions is the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, slap-bang in the middle of the island. One of very few designated reserves in the country to have remained untouched by timber merchants, it’s a sprawling green space containing some 400 acres of tropical rainforest as well as, at over 500 feet, the highest hill in the country. The reserve is, perhaps unsurprisingly, one of the finest treasure troves of biodiversity to be found in all of Singapore, with animal species including flying lemurs, crab-eating macaques, reticulated pythons and endangered Sunda pangolins to be found among the dense forests and thick undergrowth. There are many superb walking trails here, with options available for everyone from the amateur ambler to the hardened hiker. Head up to the peak for 360-degree views across Singapore and beyond. Save on attractions and activities in Singapore Save on admission to Singapore attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Supertree structures at twilight in Singapore's Gardens by the Bay.
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New Things to do in Singapore

Singapore’s relentless progress towards becoming one of the world’s top tourism destinations means any article fanfaring its newest attractions is destined to seem hopelessly out of date within a few months of publication. Great avalanches of new attractions have opened their doors since the turn of the decade, with many more exciting projects in the pipeline. One thing’s certain though, and that's that you’ll never go short of fun activities and attractions in Singapore! Here’s our guide to some of the best – and, for now, newest – things to do in the Garden City, including: Avatar: The Experience The Museum of Ice Cream Skyhelix Sentosa Jurassic Mile KF1 Karting Circuit Kingfisher Wetlands at Gardens by the Bay Splat Paint House Avatar: The Experience Fans of cinema’s best-loved bright-blue dudes are in for a treat. No, we’re not talking about The Smurfs, but the Na’vi people from James Cameron’s blockbusting Avatar movie series. The huge Cloud Forest dome at Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay has been transformed to recreate the bioluminescent alien environments of Pandora, the Na’vis’ home planet, with five immersive walk-through zones. Come face to face with otherworldly flora and mythical creatures like the friendly Ilu, a marine creature featured in the latest Avatar movie, The Way of Water. There’s even an opportunity to fly your own Banshee over the Hallelujah Mountains, as well as encountering a baby Banshee and a Viperwolf pup. Museum of Ice Cream Love ice cream? We know, we know: silly question. Of course you love ice cream! One of Singapore’s quirkier new attractions, the fabulously bonkers Museum of Ice Cream has a multitude of technicolor sensory zones to explore. Rediscover your inner child in the dreamlike unicorn playground, go bananas on the huge fruit-shaped swings and dive into the enormous sprinkle pool (not real sprinkles of course; that really would be bonkers). Of course what you really came here for is the unlimited ice cream to which your ticket entitles you, served throughout the zones in a rainbow of different forms and colors. Ice ice baby! SkyHelix Sentosa Perched high on Imbiah Lookout on Sentosa Island, a location already celebrated for its panoramic views, the new SkyHelix Sentosa attraction takes you even higher! Rise to nearly 80 meters above sea level from where (complimentary slushie or soda in hand) you’ll enjoy 360-degree vistas of the Singapore skyline, the Southern Islands and beyond. You get to spend a full 10 minutes at the top of the ride, where the gondola gently rotates, providing you with countless opportunities to cram your Insta feed full of humblebrag no-filter snaps – unusually, phones are allowed on the ride. Book a sunset slot to see the skies turn flaming orange and flamingo pink from one of the finest vantage points in town. Jurassic Mile Make no bones about it, the Jurassic Mile is one of Singapore's most roar-some new attractions. You'll find it along the recently opened Changi Airport Connector, a 3.5-kilometer jogging and cycling path that includes a stretch roamed by life-sized dinosaurs. Spot gentle giants including the brontosaurus, dodge vicious velociraptors and look out for the terrifying T-rex tearing through the fence! Kids and adults alike will adore this fun family activity, which also includes huge flying critters and cute baby dinos hatching from their eggs. Montane Orchidetum Opened in 2021, the Montane Orchidetum is one of the newest additions to the already spectacular National Orchid Garden, the star attraction at Singapore’s Botanic Gardens. This two-story tropical hothouse is a work of art in itself but gets even better once inside, where you’ll enjoy the somewhat immersive experience of ascending through a tropical mountain ecosystem, rich with the intoxicating sights and scents of hundreds of blooming orchids, bromeliads, magnolias and tropical rhododendrons. Afterwards, wander the scenic Secret Ravine to reach the orchid garden’s other no less impressive glasshouses. Scentopia Singapore’s floral heritage comes spectacularly to life at Scentopia, one of Sentosa Island’s most scent-sational new attractions. See what we did there? Using augmented reality exhibits and a perfumery that highlights the science behind your favorite spray-on scents, it’s something of a sensory saturnalia. Check out mind-melting augmented reality exhibits including dinosaurs, colorful blooms and huge fungi in the gallery, learn about the weird and wonderful ways in which animals smell the world around them and discover the world’s largest flower, the carnivorous Rafflesia, first documented in Singapore over two centuries years ago. KF1 Karting Circuit Go-karting is big business in Singapore, where adrenaline junkies in search of their next fix are never far from a nerve-shredding attraction or seven. Opened in 2021, the Formula One-inspired KF1 is (at time of writing) Singapore’s largest karting circuit, boasting 750 meters of track and 16 bends and corners. Advanced petrolheads can leave competitors in their wake, with karts capable of burning rubber at speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour. A driving license is required if you feel the need for such speed, but you don’t need one for novice sessions (max 30km/h) or (at the risk of stating the obvious) for circuits of the dino-themed kids’ track. Kingfisher Wetlands Gardens by the Bay’s sprawling 250-acre complex rewards multiple return visits and the Kingfisher Wetlands, one of its newest attractions is no exception. Explore the mangrove forest where native species including firefly mangroves and nipah palms can be seen, and keep your camera at the ready for snaps of the beautiful birdlife; there are over 130 species nesting in the reserve, representing nearly one-third of all Singapore bird species and including all nine native kingfishers! Eagle-eyed visitors may also be lucky enough to spot the occasional Malayan water monitor or smooth-coated otter gliding across the water. Splat Paint House Unleash your inner Jackson Pollock in Singapore’s endlessly entertaining Splat Paint House, a permanent new attraction since 2021 following a successful run as a pop-up. This is a place to let loose and create unique artworks by – the clue’s in the name – splattering paint across your canvas in as wild and creative a way as you deem appropriate. Paints are safe and overalls are provided so get busy and get creative: splatter your canvas, splatter the walls and, heck, maybe even splatter your friends! The Round Island Route Launched at the beginning of 2022, the first section of the Round Island Route encircles Singapore’s east coast, with walking and cycling tracks spanning a whopping 75 kilometers. Rent a bike and get ready for the ride of your life. Highlights along this epic coastal trail include the boardwalk and sweeping waterfront views at Changi Bay, a huge bridge that spans the Sungei Punggol canal and all manner of fascinating flora, fauna and marine life. Eyes peeled for majestic white-bellied sea eagles and brahminy kites patrolling the skies! Save on attractions and activities in Singapore Save on admission to Singapore attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
LEGOLAND® Ride
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