A trip to the Las Vegas of the Middle East is sure to offer a few surprises, but here’s something you can rely on: there are plenty of vegan and vegetarian friendly restaurants. But they are not all made equal, so make sure you visit the ones that stand out. Here are the best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Dubai.
Govinda’s
Hours: Noon to 3:30pm, 7pm to Midnight
Address: Umm Suqeim 2, Beach Road, Jumeirah
Phone: 04 321 1884
Website: http://mygovindas.com/
An international chain offering Sattvic food, a tasty and healthy range of vegetarian and vegan dishes prepared without oil, garlic, onion or mushrooms. This is ideal for those who follow Jainism, have food intolerances, or simply find themselves with finicky tastes. In spite of the limitations on ingredients, the food from Govinda’s is excellent. Every dish and flavor is crafted with expert precision. We’ve heard many say Govinda’s serves the best vegetarian food in Dubai.
Be Super Natural Kitchen
Hours: 11am-7pm
Address: 2nd-floor Gourmet section, Galeries LaFayette, Dubai Mall, Downtown
Phone: 050 242 9408
Website: https://www.facebook.com/BeSuperNatural/
Dubai’s first raw food restaurant is on a mission: use local organic food that reduces waste and is nourishing to your body. If you’re new to raw food, it can come as a surprise that the dishes are all served below 46 degrees Celsius. This doesn’t stop the food from being absolutely delicious and very broad reaching in texture, flavor, and color. This restaurant is 100% vegan and raw.
Rasoi Ghar
Hours: Noon to 3:30pm, 7pm-11:30pm
Address: Zainal Mohebi Plaza, Sheikh Zayed Bin Khalifa Road, al Karama
Phone: 04 388 5711
Website: https://www.facebook.com/rasoigharuae/
Amongst the eclectic restaurants that line the back lanes of the Karama food street area, Rasoi Ghar is a notch higher than its neighbors. Offering Kathiyawadi, Rajasthani and Gujarati cuisines, the key item on their menu is a Thali platter which changes every week day. Check their website for the ‘Thali dish of the day’.
One Café by Life’n’One
Hours: 10am-10:30pm
Address: 5/1a 31 A Street, Jumeirah 1
Phone: 600 541 007
Website: https://www.facebook.com/OneCafeDubai/
A hidden Dubai gem, if ever there was one. One Café is tucked away in an atypical Dubai garden in the heart of the well-established Jumeirah district. It is also a wellness center offering yoga and meditation. Its colorful décor has touches of Glastonbury about it, and the kitchen puts out a fabulously healthy, organic menu.
They’re pretty well known for their Vegan Sushi bowls, which come with a tamari and ginger sauce. Rolled in the delicious nori, you’ll enjoy fresh ingredients such as edamame, avocado, seasonal veggies, quinoa, and cauliflower. The almond milk lattés are frequently praised. It’s on the expensive side, but all meals do come with complimentary water, which is uncommon in Dubai.
Wild & the Moon
Hours: 7am-8pm
Address: Alserkal Avenue, Street 8, Unit H77, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz 1
Robinsons Dept Store, Festival City, Business Bay
Phone: 04 343 3392
Website: http://www.wildandthemoon.com/
The sister company to Comptoir 102 (an organic cafe option but not strictly vegetarian so we haven’t listed it here) has two branches in Paris and more recently, two in Dubai. This chic lifestyle store and eatery was founded by a tribe of chefs, nutritionists, and naturopaths and strives to be Dubai’s go-to for wild, local, ethically sourced, seasonal, and pure ingredients. Their pressed juices are available all over town, but the full food menu is served exclusively at the main 2 locations.
Sai Dham
Hours: Noon to 3:30pm, 7pm-11:30pm
Address: by Lamcy Plaza, Saleh bin Lahej Real Estate, 14th St, Oud Metha
Phone: 04 335 8788
Website: http://www.sai-dham.com/
Sai Dham offers a vast array of vegan and Jain cuisine. All food is dedicated to Shirdi Sai Baba and is ayurvedic. Menu highlights include Dal Makhani, Veg Thali, and Kurkuri Bhindi. The restaurant’s décor is reminiscent of a bygone era which helps to create its traditional ambiance. The service is good and the polite waiters knowledgeable about the ingredients used in the dishes. The food is cooked upon ordering and not refrigerated once prepared.
XVA Café, Hotel & Gallery
Hours: 7am-10pm (last call for orders at 9:30pm)
Address: al Fahidi Neighbourhood. Opp Musallah Post Office, al Fahidi St
Phone: 04-353 5383
Website: http://www.xvagallery.com/hotel/
A former Emirati residence that has been tastefully converted into an eclectic, boutique guesthouse with a café and art gallery. Not 100% vegetarian, as they serve fish and eggs as a small part of the menu, however, XVA earns their inclusion in the top 10 as the beautifully historic location is so unique in Dubai.
Once you’ve discovered it in the winding old streets of Bastakiya district, be sure to try their specialty, Mint Lemonade, as you unwind in the serene courtyard cafe, open to the blue skies but under the cooling shade of an old tree. House favorites are beetroot kebabs and aubergine (eggplant) burgers. There are a few bedrooms on site, but almost always fully booked as the tranquil XVA provides a rare contrast to the modern, mirrored skyscrapers and malls which surround the Creek. A genuine Arabian oasis!
77 Veggie Boutique
Hours: Weekdays 8am-10pm, Weekends 11am-10pm
Address: Tiffany Tower, Shop 11, Cluster W Jumeirah Lake Towers
Phone: 04 422 4116 // 055 717 8866
Website: http://www.77veggie.com/
77 Veggie boutique runs a charming dine-in café in Jumeirah Lakes Towers and a home delivery plan of their rotating menus. In-house, we love their Signature Balti Low-fat Potato dish; baby potatoes sautéed in fenugreek, pepper strips and aubergine, garnished with spices and their own vegan yogurt. The vegan chocolate cake is very popular. Service can be a bit on the slow side, so make sure you’re not pressed for time when you eat here.
Old Wood Village
Hours: Sat-Wed 11am-11pm, Thu-Fri 11am to Midnight
Address: Dragon Mart 2, International City
Phone: 04 453 5241
Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Old-Wood-Village-Restaurant/1561076224219401
An interesting Chinese vegetarian restaurant, serving almost all vegan dishes. The International City location isn’t central but certainly worth a visit if you are en route to Hatta or visiting the Dragonmart shopping complexes. The Mall and the restaurant are very new and not over-crowded, which makes for an enjoyable dining experience.
The wooden beams that shape the building create a relaxing environment. The area is spacious and the staff helpful and knowledgeable about the menu. There is plenty of mock duck, veggie chicken as well as spicy Ma Pu Tofu dishes, all full of flavour and completely meat-free. Many non-vegetarians diners here are pleasantly surprised to learn what they are eating doesn’t contain meat or fish!
Quattro Ristorante
Hours: Noon to 5:30pm, 6:30pm-11:30pm
Address: Shop 2, Al Rafaa C Bldg, Kuwait St., Mankhool, Bur Dubai
Phone: 04 393 1233
Website: https://www.facebook.com/QuattroDubai/
A restaurant well known for serving quality vegetarian food and for bending traditional food barriers by experimenting with new technologies. Quattro Ristorante’s characteristic charm and elegance have earned it a loyal following in Mumbai and Hyderabad. The Dubai menu includes a wide array of dishes of Italian and Mexican origin and the rustic, earthy ambience lends itself to a unique dining experience.
Quattro has recently taken a leap forward by introducing molecular gastronomy and liquid nitrogen in their food and beverages, which is certainly a novel approach in Dubai. If you order Guacamole, the avocados are chopped and infused with spices and liquid nitrogen, right in front of your eyes.
Update from the Author - Feb 2020 - My Govinda's branch in Jumeirah has closed but there is a location in Karama serving the same delicious cuisine.