With the continuous rise of sustainable eating, vegan and vegetarian restaurants are becoming more popular by the second, making it easier than ever to keep up your healthy dining streak this summer. Below, we’ve compiled the most notable establishments with the tastiest, guilt-free and most innovative meat-free favourites.

1. Isoya

Tatler Asia
Above (Photo: Charmaine Mok/ Hong Kong Tatler)

Serving sophisticated Buddhist-Japanese cuisine, Isoya presents food beautifully—but it's far from being style-over-substance. The vegan sushi is delicately made with ingredients such as lotus roots and fried cherry blossoms, and every detail is done to the highest level with fresh ingredients from Japan. The passion of the chefs and the waiters are like no other place, and the flavours are exceptional. Isoya provides a unique, authentic Japanese experience with a plant-based twist, from roasted tomatoes to gluten skewers, and in-house-made koya tofu to lime somen noodles.

Isoya, 83 Wanchai, 83 Wan Chai Rd, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, +852 5500 8812

2. Grassroots Pantry

Tatler Asia
Above (Photo: Courtesy of Grassroots Pantry)

Peggy Chan, a member of Tatler’s Generation T list, has created the quintessential combination of elegance and innovation in her gourmet vegan restaurant Grassroots Pantry. It can be said that this sleek restaurant is designed almost perfectly—from the homely feel and Insta-worthy interior to the creative and beautifully decorated dishes. 90% of their ingredients are organic, and Chan has ensured that the one-of-a-kind menu provides gluten-free, Buddhist-friendly and nut-free options as well. Chan’s tomato poke or her koji smoked carrot crepes offer blasts of unexpected flavours, merging triumphantly on your tongue.

Grassroots Pantry, G/F, 108 Hollywood Rd, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, +852 2873 3353

3. Mirror and Vegan Concept

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Above (Photo: Courtesy of Mirror and Vegan Concept)

A western frenzy of decor and dishes, Mirror and Vegan Concept serves high-end, vegan Italian dishes in a cosy and comfortable space in midst of chaotic Central. The signature Italian dishes are not compromised by the vegan spin, with freshly made creamy pastas and delicious risottos still having their place on the menu, as they are made from sheese—dairy-free cheese available to buy online. As Arthur Au, founder of the restaurant explains, “the plate is your mirror, and the food becomes a reflection of who you are”. This place is a must-try for those who love Italian food, as the dishes impress with their flavours and textures, and served without the guilt. Their black truffle and asparagus risotto is an excellent example: rich with flavours and aromas, it’s a dish that could potentially persuade diners into veganism. 

Mirror and Vegan Concept, 9/F, 118 Queen's Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2868 0810

4. Lock Cha Tea House

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Above (Photo: Courtesy of Lock Cha Tea House)

Who says vegans can’t enjoy Hong Kong’s famous dim sum? Apart from being known for their selection of teas, this traditional Canton-style teahouse has another well-known speciality of vegan dim sum, available alongside other vegetarian dishes. The original Lock Cha Tea House in Hong Kong Park is packed from lunch to dinner, understandable given the venue’s cultural significance, the uplifting atmosphere and service, and of course, the food that is on par with numerous non-vegan dim sum restaurants. The new Lok Cha is stationed at historical Tai Kwun development, overlooking the courtyard. Dip into Hong Kong’s cultural delicacies, whilst immersing yourself in Hong Kong’s heritage at the same time.

Lock Cha Tea House, The K.S Lo Gallery, G/F, Hong Kong Park, Admiralty, Hong Kong, +852 2801 7177

Lock Cha Tea House, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2801 7177

5. The Cakery

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Above (Photo: Courtesy of The Cakery)

At The Cakery's two locations (at the Landmark and Lee Garden Two) queues are standard, with slews of health-conscious customers who crave the sweet taste of their baked goods. Perfect for those on diets with paleo, sugar-free, vegan, gluten-free and organic-only requirements, The Cakery also makes sure that their treats are also beautiful to look at, as demonstrated by its sunflower and rose piping cupcakes. The Cakery also offers granola, wedding cakes, dessert spreads, cake pops, mooncakes, and even recently introduced vegan smoothie bowls topped with trending superfoods such as chia seeds and blue spirulina, amongst exotic fruits and nuts.

The Cakery, Shop 303, 3/F, The Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen's Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2816 1838

The Cakery, Shop 124, 1/F, Lee Garden Two, 28 Yun Ping Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2816 1838

6. Green Common

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Above (Photo: Courtesy of Green Common)

100% plant-based grocery store and deli chain Green Common is best known for introducing the Beyond Burger from Los Angeles' Beyond Meat to Hong Kong, and for their aim to make it a place where ‘the common good becomes common sense’. Set up by David Yeung (the founder of the social enterprise Green Monday), Green Common continues to do their part in reversing our environmental impact and raise awareness of our landscape.

Kind Kitchen is the newest addition to their brand, and its trendy pastel interior and location in Central makes it perfect for families thanks to their children’s meal options, Mini Common play area and mini shopping carts in the pantry. The cafe offers vegan dishes from a diverse set of cuisines, from Italian to Vietnamese, as well as dishes made with Omnipork, the recently launched plant-based pork alternative that is free from cholesterol, antibiotics and GMO. Green Common has recently partnered with Californian brand, Just, who make ‘mung-bean ‘eggs' that taste little different to conventional fluffy scrambled eggs, but of course, made with eco-consciousness in mind.

Green Common, Wanchai, Central, Harbour City, Tseung Kwan O, and Mong Kok, more details at www.greencommon.com

Kind Kitchen, Nan Fung Place, 173 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong, +852 2110 0055

See also: Peggy Chan And David Yeung On The Rise Of The Meat-Free Movement

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