Best Vegan Dining Experiences in Dubai
Whether you are a vegan by choice or due to health concerns, or you have made a new resolution to follow a healthy diet or include plant-based meals once in a while, vegan foods are as tasty as non-vegetarian meals, and they can be easily prepared at home. Or, if you want to skip preparing vegan meals at home, which we completely understand, there is a plethora of vegan restaurants in and around Dubai City. Therefore, InsideMENA has curated a list of the best dining vegan experiences in Dubai to offer you enough options to explore vegan delicacies throughout the city.
SEVA Table
Our first pick is none other than ‘SEVA Table’ located around Jumeirah Beach in Dubai. This restaurant features a Bali-like dining experience, where you can relish their delicious vegan dishes while surrounded by greenery. SEVA Table is well-recognized in the town for using fresh ingredients sourced from nearby local vendors, making the foods free from unhealthy substances like MSG and GMOs.
Moreover, the restaurant also offers health treatments and fitness classes! Their vegan menu comes with soy-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free. If you ever visit this nature-based diner, make sure to try their veggie burger, vegetable rolls, chickpea omelette, acai bowl, chocolate smoothie, tacos and nachos. They also make their special vegan cheese toppings, making this place one of the best vegan meal experiences.
Location: Jumeirah Beach Road, 27B Street, Villa 5/1B – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Opening Days: Monday – Sunday
Operational Hours: 08:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Little Erth by NABZ&G
Just like its name, Little Erth by NABZ&G is a small and cosy little café in Dubai that offers you a wide range of delectable plant-based menus. This cute restaurant is famous for many good reasons, not simply because of its unique vegan mac and cheese that is prepared using pumpkin, roast garlic, miso paste, and coconut cream. Little Erth prioritises the preference and health benefit of the people who prefers eating vegan foods over meat-based meals by offering an expansive assortment of dishes. Delicious vegan menus to try at Little Erth are, fresh and tangy raw papaya spring rolls loaded with homemade guacamole, butternut squash curry stew, vegan cheese tartine, burger sliders, marinara meatball spaghetti, and truffle mushroom risotto.
Location: J2 Building – JLT Cluster J – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Opening Days: Monday – Sunday
Operational Hours: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Sukhothai
The architecture of this beautiful Thai restaurant was highly inspired by the ancient palace of emperors and serves many delightful plant-based Thai menus. If you love vegan foods and are open to experimenting with menus from other cultures, this restaurant is recommended. For example, they have something called Som Tum Je, which is a salad made from green papaya, nuts, long beans, carrots, and lime dressing. Another popular dish you can try from this unique diner is Pak Thod Je, which is prepared with a mix of crispy, battered vegetables like baby corn, broccoli, and carrots served with plum sauce. Their special menu called Phad Thai Je cannot be skipped as well. It is a traditional Thai dish made with rice noodles that are stir-fried in a big pan. This dish is served with tofu, mixed vegetables, and peanuts, which is really yummy!
Location: Le Meridien Dubai Hotel – D89 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Opening Days: Monday – Sunday
Operational Hours: 12:30 PM – 02:45 PM; 07:00 PM – 11:45 PM
Bounty Beets
Step into this super cool café in Dubai that is all about pink, creating memories, and originality. This café is a buzz on Instagram as well because of the setting and vibe it offers, which makes it Instagrammable. And guess what? They recently introduced more vegan menus for us. You need to try their “Bunbelievable”, an organic vegan item from the menu, which is made with a Beyond Burger patty. Varieties of delicious plant-based ingredients are added to it, such as cheddar cheese and BBQ mayo. Another popular item from their menu is the “Spectacular”, a special taco, where the shell is made from zucchini and loaded with seasoned vegan meat, guacamole, and slaw. With plenty of vegan options offered in this café, Bounty Beets is definitely one of the top vegan eateries in Dubai.
Location: Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Opening Days: Monday – Sunday
Operational Hours: 08:00 AM – 10:00 PM
The Coffee Club
A popular place to eat in Dubai with a vegan menu option, The Coffee Club offers plant-based and keto-friendly foods to food lovers. The setting of this café exudes a chill and relaxing vibe that goes perfectly well with its food items. The café has several yummy dishes that are loved by the regulars, such as the famous healthy quinoa salad, impossible burger, and mouthwatering acai bowls. The locals as well as visitors from different countries who prefer vegan meals hop into this chilled eatery, so if you are in town, you should definitely check it out. One dish that we highly recommend for you is the Mushroom and Spinach Fusilli – it’s really delicious!
Location: Ground Floor، Dubai Marina Mall – Dubai Marina – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Opening Days: Monday – Sunday
Operational Hours: 08:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Planet Terra
Every food item served at Planet Terra is 100% natural and organic. They serve only vegan food exclusively prepared by the chefs, who get inspiration from their trips around the world. The chefs bring back flavours, traditions, and recipes that are good and safe for the planet. The menu at Planet Terra is meticulously prepared with strong and appetising flavours. The food is carefully made by hand and they do not add msg or any other artificial sweeteners to the foods. Try their shawarmas, Vurgers, and lasagna, and complete your meal with their homemade smoothies, organic coffee, or their cold-pressed juice. Additionally, the café is pet-friendly, so you can bring your furry friends along! A wide terrace awaits them.
Location: Panorama Building – 6th St – The Greens – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Opening Days: Monday – Sunday
Operational Hours: 07:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Wabi Sabi
Looking for really healthy and money-worthy food in town? Wabi Sabi is a haven where you can relish top-quality vegan foods in a relaxing setting. The place looks lovely with the interior setting designed with marbles, pleasant music, soft lights, and mirrors. The restaurant presents appetising menu items like vegan tacos, vegan burgers, WAKAmole, beetroot hummus, Arabian spring roll, and their signature sauce. The chefs of Wabi Sabi are expertise at balancing every food item, making the dishes healthy consumption and also flavourful. You will definitely want to visit again after trying their food. Even though it might be a bit of a trip to Sharjah, it’s totally worth it!
Location: 8F9J+WF4 – Aljada – Muweilah Commercial – Sharjah – United Arab Emirates
Opening Days: Monday – Sunday
Operational Hours: 08:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Wild & the Moon
Wild & The Moon is a suburban-style restaurant with minimalist decor, which is well-recognized for preparing every food item from its own kitchen. Moreover, Wild & the Moon is also known for sourcing their fresh ingredients organically and ethically from local farmers, which makes this restaurant an excellent choice to dine in and advertently help the environment. Their food menu displays a wide list of meal varieties, including popular orders like bowls, sandwiches, burgers, salads, quesadillas, sushi, rolls, and hummus. All these foods are prepared using vegan ingredients, which do not contain gluten. You should really consider having one of their special lattes, but be careful, you might really like it!
Location: Alserkal Avenue, Street 8, H-77 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Opening Days: Monday – Sunday
Operational Hours: 09:00 AM – 08:00 PM
Just Vegan
Launched in 2017 only, Just Vegan is one of the most popular dine-in havens for vegans in Dubai. The restaurant has a family-friendly interior setting with a spacious sitting area full of plants and flowers dangling from the roof. Just Vegan is famous for offering vegan versions of non-veg foods like shakshouka, pizza, cheeseburgers, and curries. They also have yummy desserts like churros and blueberry pie. Even food lovers who are usually picky at their tastes can find something they love here. The restaurant serves both European and Arabic vegan dishes, such as moussaka, English breakfast, penna pasta, burgers, and pizza.
Location: Shop No.2 – Jumeirah St – next to Dubai Islamic Bank – Jumeirah – Umm Suqeim 1 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Opening Days: Monday – Sunday
Operational Hours: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Green Earth Café
Our next best pick is this aesthetically pleasing vegan café located at the Wasl 51 Mall called Green Earth Café. This eatery presents vegan food menus like sushi, Asian-style noodles, and nasi goreng, which are really scrumptious. They also make their unique vegan milk which you can taste if you order their drinks like coffee and boba tea. You can choose the milk type from various options like cashew, hazelnut, almond, and pumpkin. They even have plant-based ice creams, which are very rare for vegan people to find in the UAE when we crave something sweet. This place is excellent for people who can’t have gluten or sugar, and even for those who have diabetes.
Location: Wasl 51 Mall – Al Wasl Rd – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Opening Days: Monday – Sunday
Operational Hours: 10:00 AM – 09:00 PM
Sushi Samba
Sushi Samba is a high-standard vibrant restaurant located at The Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. This luxury dine-in offers a unique fusion of Brazilian, Japanese, and Peruvian flavours, creating an exciting blend of cuisines. The restaurant provides a luxurious and stylish atmosphere, making it a popular choice for those seeking an intimate and upscale dining experience. With a menu featuring a broad selection of varieties of items fused with multiple cultures like Plantain Moqueca, Samba Salad, Maki Sushi, Nigiri Sushi, and more, Sushi Samba offers a delightful culinary experience that combines tradition with innovation. Your tastebud will definitely be spoilt once you get a taste of the vegan menus at Sushi Samba
Location: St. Regis Hotel – Level 51 – The Palm Jumeirah – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Opening Days: Monday – Sunday
Operational Hours: 12:00 PM – 03:00 PM; 06:00 PM – 03:00 AM
Soul Sante Café
For an unforgettable vegan café dining experience in Dubai, Soul Sante Café is our next favourite pick. This café makes its name well-known by sourcing its ingredients from local farmers and vendors, ensuring the menu items are served with the freshest flavours. In addition to that, the eatery skillfully blends modern cooking techniques to offer the healthiest meals, making this restaurant a go-to spot if you are a health conscious person. This combination of fresh, organic ingredients and customised meal plans truly sets Soul Sante Café apart as a fantastic destination for those who wish to enjoy healthy yet delectable meals.
Location: Al Barsha – Al Barsha South – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Opening Days: Monday – Sunday
Operational Hours: 07:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Koko Bay
Koko Bay restaurant boasts a Bali-inspired interior design, offering a broad selection of vegan menus. This superior restaurant not only welcomes its customers with a holiday-themed ambience but also delights your taste buds with an array of vegan dishes. If you ever visit this cafe, try their Edamame, Water Chestnut and Truffle Dim Sum – a unique blend of flavours and textures that presents their creativity. Their “very vegan” salad is another popular item on the menu, featuring a delicious combination of French beans, kale, barley, orange, edamame, pistachio, pomegranate, and almonds.
Location: West Beach Palm – Jumeirah – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Opening Days: Monday – Sunday
Operational Hours: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
How a Plant-Based Diet Can Improve Your Overall Well-Being
Following a plant-based or vegan diet means eating meals that mainly come from plants. This means that any meal that is prepared with fruits, veggies, beans, nuts, whole grains, seeds, legumes, and oils is considered vegan-friendly. However, it does not mean you can’t have dairy or meat sometimes if you want. It is more about choosing a meal where the majority of the ingredients are sourced from plants.
There has been a lot of nutrition research made regarding plant-based diets and their advantages, mainly a vegan diet and a Mediterranean diet.
Mediterranean Diet
This type of diet was first introduced in the 1960s inspired by the food diets commonly followed in southern Italy, southern Spain, and Crete. A Mediterranean diet is mainly established on plant-derived foods, however, it also includes fish, cheese, poultry, eggs, and yoghurt. According to research and studies conducted by professionals, actively following this certain diet in our life have proven to reduce the higher chance of heart condition, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, depression, and risk of deficiency among elders, and improves physical and mental health.
Vegan Diet
On the other hand, a vegan diet is purely based on plant-derived and plant-based foods and does not consume foods that derive from animals, such as eggs, meat, and dairy products. This type of diet also has major health benefits as per research and studies done by experts, including a lower chance of developing coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes, and increased longevity. Unlike the common beliefs of non-vegan diet followers, a vegan diet provides enough protein, fats, vitamins, carbohydrates, and minerals, which are very essential to maintain the best health. Maintaining this diet in our life also supplies higher phytonutrients and fibre, which are excellent in preventing various illnesses. However, certain people who follow the vegan diet may find it necessary to combine some supplements in their diet, particularly vitamin B12, to receive the best nutritional value in their body.
Varieties of Vegetarian Diet
Did you know that there is more than one kind of vegan diet around the world? Yes, there is a wide array of variations within vegetarian diets, and it is important to choose the kind that best works with your health and preferences.
Flexitarian — This type of vegan diet is also known as a semi-vegetarian diet or SVD, and it usually includes dairy foods, eggs, fish, meat, poultry, and seafood in the diet from time to time.
Pescatarian — This diet includes eggs, fish, seafood, and dairy foods, but refrains from consuming poultry or meat. People who follow this type of diet consume all types of vegan foods along with selected seafood and fish. They can take legumes and beans, and even fish oils, which are highly essential in one’s diet.
Vegetarian — This type of diet abstains from consuming any type of red meat, poultry, and fish, including consuming by-products derived from animals that have been raised for food production. A vegetarian diet is further sub-categorised into 3 types-
- Lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet: This category of vegan does not consume fish, meat, and poultry from their diet while still incorporating eggs and dairy products.
- Lacto-vegetarian diet: This category of vegan does not consume fish, meat, and poultry from their diet while still incorporating dairy products.
- Ovo-vegetarian diet: This category of vegan does not consume fish, meat, and poultry from their diet while still incorporating eggs.
FAQ
Is Dubai Restaurants Suitable For Vegans?
Dubai restaurants offer a diverse range of options in their menu for vegans with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables sourced straight from local farms. The city has become more open to a vegan lifestyle and healthy diets in recent years.
How Does A Vegan Diet Benefit Us?
Being vegan means changing how you consume food to avoid harming animals, even in the smallest habits. The purpose of becoming vegan is to lessen the suffering of animals and promote a more humane lifestyle by abstaining from food and products that derive from animals.
Is A Vegan Diet Better For Health As Compared To A Non-Vegan Diet?
According to world studies, vegan diets can offer better health benefits compared to a non-vegan diet or the American diet, which mainly includes fast foods and meats. However, abstaining completely from all animal-derived foods may also lead to deficiencies in essential nutrients such as calcium, vitamin B12, magnesium, omega-3, zinc, iron, and proteins.
What Kinds Of Cuisines Are Available At Vegan Restaurants In Dubai?
Many vegan restaurants in Dubai offer a diverse range of cuisines, including Mediterranean, Asian, Indian, Middle Eastern, Italian, and more.
Do Vegan Restaurants In Dubai Offer Gluten-Free Options?
Yes! Several vegan restaurants in Dubai are mindful and knowledgeable about dietary restrictions and offer gluten-free options to accommodate those with gluten sensitivities or allergies.
Are The Prices At Vegan Restaurants In Dubai Affordable?
Just like any regular restaurant, the menu prices at vegan restaurants in Dubai can vary depending on their location, ambience, and menu items. Some vegan restaurants might be upscale, while others offer more affordable options.
Are There Any Restaurants In Dubai That Sell Vegan Desserts?
Absolutely, many vegan restaurants in Dubai offer a selection of vegan desserts, including cakes, ice creams, pastries, and more.
Do I Need To Be Vegan To Dine At These Restaurants?
Of course not, you don't need to be vegan to dine at these vegan restaurants. Both vegan and non-vegan people alike can dine at these restaurants.