Singapore's fascinating mix of cultures has created a food-crazy city with no end of options, from Malay to Indian, Chinese to Peranakan, and Western to Japanese. If you're vegetarian or vegan and visiting Singapore, there is a huge array of dining options available that will allow you to explore the city's food culture just as well as any omnivore.
Whole Earth, 76 Peck Seah Street, Tanjong Pagar (in photo)
This affordable restaurant located in Chinatown focuses on Thai, Chinese and Peranakan (Straits Chinese) cuisine, and aims to cook food that appeals to both vegetarians and meat-eaters. They do this by emphasising the texture of their food and exploring soy products and tofu. A highlight is the Penang Rendang, which blends the umami bite of shiitake mushrooms with a delicate mix of traditional Peranakan spices. The eatery has also earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand award, a testament to its skilled mastery of vegetarian cookery.
Loving Hut, 229 Joo Chiat Road, Geylang
For a vegan restaurant serving local, Asian and Western favourites, Loving Hut is a great option which also happens to be easy on the purse strings. The global vegan chain, with over 200 outlets worldwide, plays with meat free versions of local classics with great results. Start with their soy-based version of hawker favourite chicken satay and enjoy their char kway teow (stir fried flat rice noodles), made with mushrooms. Subtle Teochew dessert Or Nee, made from yam paste, is the perfect way to finish off. This is undoubtedly one of the best places in Singapore for vegans to sample local food.
Veganburg, 44 Jalan Eunos, Eunos
For trendy vegan fast food by way of San Fran, Veganburg is well worth a visit. Their branch in East Singapore cooks up vegan patties with soybean and mushrooms - try the locally inspired Rasa Sayang burger, exclusive to their Singapore branch and topped off with spicy sambal and vegan fried egg - then finish off with a side of seaweed fries. Everything on the menu is handmade, cholesterol free, GMO-free and sustainable - a sin free way to get your junk food fix.
Afterglow by ANGLOW, 24 Keong Saik Road, Tanjong Pagar
Hip health food restaurant Afterglow doesn't just focus on plant-based cookery, it's also a forerunner in the farm-to-fork movement sweeping Singapore, and sources many of its fresh veggies from local farms. Start with their avocado sushi rolls, filled with homemade kimchi which is aged in house for seven days. The raw pizza here makes ample use of locally sourced ingredients, and tops off an almond crust base with flax seed and seasonal veg.
Komala Vilas, 12/14 Buffalo Road, Little India
Komala Villas is a historic institution in Little India, serving tasty, no-frills South Indian food since it was founded in 1947. All food here is 100% vegetarian and served on freshly cut banana leaves, and chefs here take basic components like rice and lentils and transform them into local delights like dosai (fermented rice and lentil pancakes), vadai (savoury fried snacks) and idlis (steamed rice cakes.) Combine them with a wide selection of currys, raitas and pickles and don't forget to wash it all down with a frothy glass of teh tarik (pulled tea.)
Peace Cafe, 4 Dalhousie Lane, Little India
Pizza joint and dessert specialist Peace Cafe, located in historic neighbourhood Rochor, serves pizza, wraps and salads with vegan and gluten free options available, and eggless desserts with a multitude of vegan options. Try their Sambal Pizza for a classic with a spicy local twist, and follow up with a mouth-watering banana walnut cupcake with chocolate chips. At Christmas, order their vegan gingerbread or triple ginger cookies to take away with you. They also offer island-wide delivery.
Brownice, 8 Sin Ming Road, Bishan
For all-vegan ice cream, visit one of Brownice's two outlets in Singapore. Most central is their store in Bishan, which produces sixteen different flavours, from Chocolate French Kiss and The Perfect Matcha to locally inspired Gila Gula Melaka, combining palm sugar and organic brown rice milk. All varieties are made using the latter, along with organic evaporated cane juice and fresh fruit and nuts, bringing each scoop to a healthful 80-140 calories each. And you can also arrange for your ice cream fix through Uber Eats or Food Panda, or if you're in the neighbourhood, visit their second branch in Jurong.