10 Vegetarian restaurants to check out in KL

1/10
The Ganga Cafe
One thing that's a huge relief even if you had to have vegetarian meals for the rest of your life, is that you probably still can indulge in your favourite Indian dishes! Many of these are made with natural herbs and spices that don't involve animals at all, but are extremely flavourful - perhaps even more so than the flavours that meat can provide! The Ganga Cafe is one of the most natural and healthy vegan restaurants you can find in the city, consistently offering nourishing meals that will leave you not heavy and bloated, but satisfied and recharged.
19 Lorong Kurau, Off Jalan Riong, Bangsar Pertama, Kuala Lumpur

Photo: The Ganga Cafe Facebook
2/10
Simple Life Healthy Vegetarian Restaurant
Only completely natural and organic food is served here at Simple Life. This means that you don't need to worry about MSG, preservatives, colouring and all that nonsense. The presentation of the food here is simply immaculate, as each dish is usually separated from the rest, instead of a messy heap that some people are particular about. Portion sizes are just right, and the menu options are priced very reasonably as well. This is the place to be if you're looking for healthier options to your usual hawker meal.
Click here for a list of outlet locations.

Photo: Simple Life Facebook
3/10
WTF Restaurant
WTF, an initialisation for What Tasty Food, boasts of a large selection of north Indian food that has become very popular with the masses. They do also provide a mix of other cuisines as well, with the common idea that everything is vegetarian and ultra delicious. Go for the pizzas, flavoured with interesting Indian tastes, for a unique change from what you would usually have for a meal.
98, Lorong Maarof, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur

Photo: WTF Facebook
4/10
Dharma Realm Guan Yin Monastery Canteen
Since this place is a monastery, it is of course expected that its canteen would only serve vegetarian food. However, who knew the food would be so good that it has attracted crowds of daily, loyal customers over the years? The mixed rice stall is the obvious favourite, with plenty of different dishes you can choose to accompany your rice. With such yummy food options, you'd expect to pay a little more than the average market rate, but no! A plate of vegetarian mixed rice here typically costs RM4!
161 Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur

Photo: Dharma Realm Guan Yin Sagely Monastery Facebook
5/10
Nature’s Vegetarian Restaurant
Vegetarian dim sum, vegetarian fried noodles and vegetarian fried rice... how appetising can that get? Extremely, apparently. We haven't heard of anyone who's eaten here and left dissatisfied, even if they happened to be big meat eaters. The use of sauces and ingredients here are ingenious, resulting in amazing renditions of your favourite meat dishes, just without the meat. Oh, also, they're most famous for their noodles which are to die for, so you've definitely got to check that out.
No. 24, Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur

Photo: Nature's Vegetarian Restaurant Facebook
6/10
RGB & The Bean Hive
Nestled away from the crowds, in the enclave of a quaint little bungalow is this restaurant that tends to all your vegetarian needs and dietary requirements. Customers love how they get to enjoy a peaceful lunch by themselves, while partaking in an undeniably healthy meal that's packed with so much punch and flavour. Catering not only to your dietary preferences, but also your need for sweet indulgences, feel free to order an aromatic, dairy-free cappuccino and a slice of vegan cake as dessert!
35 Jalan Damai, Kuala Lumpur

Photo: RGB & The Bean Hive Facebook
7/10
Annalakshmi
This restaurant is another Indian vegetarian eatery that deserves our every mention, not only because the food quality is excellent, but also because it offers a banana leaf buffet! Yes, you heard right - take all that you can eat. Come here on the weekends for lunch to enjoy this amazing option, and we guarantee you'll be charmed by the variety of food as we all have.
116 Jalan Berhala, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur

Photo: Annalakshmi Facebook
8/10
Tian Yian Cafe
We only have good things to say about this restaurant, and it's because we're thoroughly impressed by the plethora of vegetarian Chinese and Western dishes that are offered in this humble eatery. You don't have to be afraid of ordering the wrong food, because it probably doesn't matter what you choose; it'll be delicious anyway. This is one place you've got to try it for yourself to believe it.
5, 7 & 9 Jalan 3/93 (Taman Miharja Jalan Cheras), Cheras, Selangor

Photo: Tian Yian Cafe Facebook
9/10
Chef Low Organic Kitchen
No MSG, no preservatives, minimal dairy and mostly organic, these are the typical characteristics of the vegetarian food you see today and at Chef Low Organic Kitchen. However, your experience at this restaurant will be far from typical, when you savour the clever blend of tastes and fragrances in your mouth with every dish and every bite that you won't find anywhere else. The diverse menu choices are truly Chef Low's unique creations, which explains why celebrities from far and wide specifically make this place a pit stop when they travel to KL!

Unit C-G-43, Blok Camilia, 10 Boulavard, Lebuhraya Sprint, PJU 6A,
Petaling Jaya

Photo: Chef Low Organic Kitchen Facebook
10/10
Ashley’s by LivingFood
From the highly-acclaimed LivingFood Group comes a completely different menu served at Ashley's, but equally (if not more) delicious as what you find at the original outlet. Customers are given different dietary options such as vegetarian, vegan or carnivore (yes, they do serve meat for your non-vegetarian friends) prepared with the most care to ensure your food is made with only the freshest, healthiest and most organic ingredients. This cafe may not be the cheapest option, but it is one of the best if it's one of those days you feel like you need a treat.
11 Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur

Photo: Ashley's by LivingFood Facebook

The choice of being vegetarian has been an ongoing debate in society for decades. Due to the rising number of people who have chosen this lifestyle, there has been an increase in eateries that offer this option as well. The best part about vegetarian food is discovering that there are actually so many ways we can play around with ingredients and tastes, even without meat or dairy. This realisation has truly reinvented the notion of becoming vegetarian and the consequences, or lack thereof, that follow suit.

If you’ve never tried vegetarian food in your life, we can only tell you that you’re passing up on something great. Perhaps, for some of you, your only experience with vegetarian meals have included terrible mock meat and bland salads, but we’re here to inform you that this need not be the case. Once you step into these eateries, you’ll understand why so many people have gone vegetarian – and never looked back.

Have a good browse through our gallery up top for the best places in town to have your veggie fix. Who knows, perhaps after learning about all the benefits being vegetarian can give to you, on top of all the yummy meals available without a trace of the meat you once thought you so loved, you might just rethink turning vegetarian yourself.

Dione Chen

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