Vegetarians welcome: 5 Joburg restaurants where you can happily veg out

Eating well as a vegetarian can be tricky in South Africa, which celebrates braais, red meat and all things carnivorous. But these days, there are more and more places cropping up in Jozi that serve delicious vegetarian dishes. Here are our top picks

1. LEAFY GREENS CAFE

From the owners of Casalinga restaurant, Leafy Greens Cafe next door is situated on an organic farm in Muldersdrift which is the source of all the restaurant’s food. Breakfasts and lunches here are all 100% organic, dairy-free, free from preservatives and added sugar. Meals are buffet-style on weekends, so feast on things like creamy artichokes, kale salad and bright pink beetroot sourdough bread.

2. ELEMENTAL CAFE

Elemental Cafe on First Avenue in Linden is a vegan and vegetarian restaurant serving wood-fired pizzas, soy-free burgers, wraps, sandwiches and salads.  This bright and sunny spot also has two elaborate play areas for the kids, so you can tuck into your meal while the little ones are kept occupied.

3. GREENSIDE CAFE

Greenside Cafe is known for its vegan pizzas, but another good choice are the creative veggie burgers: think jalapenos, caramelised onion, pepper sauce, cashew cream cheese and even vegan bacon. Choose from mains such as tofu stir fry, pumpkin and mushroom lasagna, and a vegetable pie. Owner Dimitri Gutjahr says his biggest compliment is the number of non-vegetarians who come to the restaurant because “they love the taste and freshness of the food”.

4. FRUITS AND ROOTS

Located at Hobart Corner Shopping Centre in Bryanston, Fruits and Roots serves vegetarian breakfasts and lunches. Besides an a la carte menu, the restaurant is best known for its buffet-style lunches including fresh salads, veggie curries, quiches, bakes and soups. Adjoining the restaurant is an organic foods store selling everything from supplements to a wide range of gluten-free food.

5. CONSCIOUS 108

Three vegan Buddhists are the brains behind Conscious 108, a vegan restaurant in Greenside that the owners hope will further the vegan movement in South Africa. Choose from wraps, sandwiches, salads and burgers, as well as a selection of “Bakes & Bowls” such as lentil shepherd’s pie, tofu mushroom stroganoff and red lentil stew.

This article was originally published in Sunday Times Neighbourhood: Property & lifestyle guides. Visit yourneighbourhood.co.za, like YourNeighbourhoodZA on Facebook and follow YourHoodZA on Twitter.