The notion that you’ll get punished for being vegetarian has been disproved by Sydney’s abundance of vegetarian dining options. Here’s a sneak peek of the top 10 most vegetarian restaurants in the forthcoming issue of The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2017.

The Bridge Room

In 2016 the Restaurant of the Year, Chef Ross Lusted, used the charcoal burn of his robata grill to enhance the flavor of vegetables and create an exquisite taste. The cos lettuce, seductively marked with heavy singe-marks, receives an extra boost of firepower thanks to the smoked enoki mushroom and then rounded off by parsley root cream, the oil of fennel, and basil. Slow-roasted beetroot cooked with sheep’s milk curd is delicious, too.

Chat Kazz

If you’re willing to go with Chat Kazz’s quirky style, it’s enjoyable. The vegetarian Indian menu is packed with fast-food vibes, and you can get Tandoori paneer pizza for those who like it. You can stock up on a basket of Uttapam pancakes that are savory, or keep those towers of batter-crisp Jini dosa stacked with vegetables, along with (if you’re feeling adventurous) Try the cumin soda.

Gigi

When this famous pizzeria announced its switch to vegan food, some considered it a real doomsday scenario. The menu for Gigi’s vegan-friendly eateries has some standouts, however (like the artichoke and cauliflower calzones or astonishingly delicious Swiss brown mushrooms paired with blue cheese and radicchio). The pizzeria still boasts Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana endorsement and long queues. The biggest challenge here is ensuring that portions are controlled.

Loving Hut

People who are averse to mock meat might want to leave; however, it’s pretty difficult to feel offended by this fun and cheap vegan restaurant chain. Even Buddhist monks adore the food (apt given that the meat alternatives are renowned for their centuries of religious repute). There are many plastic-sleeved books to look through, and among them, the Viet-style chicken salad, banh cuon rice noodles, vegan-friendly pho, and sweet and sour fish are worth looking into.

Moon Park

It’s not advertised on the site. However, Moon Park’s vegetarian menu is worthy of a spotlight and attention. It’s one of Sydney’s top. A dish stated as “corn, tofu, pickled onion, and eggplant” offers an array of depth, color, texture, and savouriness that needs an even better PR agency. This Korean one-hatter can also add the same quality to zucchini bulgogi potatoes, shiitake pancakes, and many more. Plan your visit now before the restaurant (sadly) is closed in September.

The Plant Gallery

There needs to be a museum wing that’s with well-framed carrots. However, The Plant Gallery’s style is certainly different. The menu for the opening night included raw, vegan Peruvian dishes, such as spicy gazpacho shots, Caesar salad with bacon from eggplant and coconut crisps, zucchini spaghetti kissed with a Romesco-like sour sauce, and an Inca cheesecake made of berries with orange nuts crumble. Take your time ordering – certain dishes are similar to stunt doubles.

Soul Burger

Do you think vegan food is only healthy greens and a weak weapon against hunger? Check out this hamburger joint. You can savor its herbed fries that are thickly cut with coconut ice cream shakes, compelling choices made of plant-based ingredients (like battered fish Burger with tartar sauce or the cheeseburger of old), and you could get so blissfully in a state of utter coma that a forklift driver will be required to take away from the restaurant.

Two Chaps

The restaurant’s double act: the lunchtime menu is filled with cafe favorites (blueberry crumpets made of sourdough, delicious hash browns, delicious baguettes) while the evening menu has Italian top-rated dishes like mushrooms, garlic casarecce, and smokey mozzarella. The food is so delicious that you’ll require a group to deal with the fact that you’re physically unable to eat everything. Another sister establishment, El Chapel, is situated in Enmore.

Waqu

There’s no reason to limit yourself to miso soup or avocado sushi (again) in a Japanese restaurant. Its innovative takes on veg-friendly choices include Tomato and Tomato and Tomato x Tomato (with tomato cloudy ‘clouds’ along with goat’s curd and basil sorbet), and mushroom tempura is served with the stuffed zucchini flower as well as the left-field drop of the romesco sauce. The caramel-poached apples paired with candied nuts, baked white chocolate, and praline powder are delicious.

Yellow

This renowned restaurant achieved an upward trajectory with its vegetarian-only dinners this year, and it did it without a mushroom-based risotto or an obnoxious meat-free option. Be sure to try the fantastic snack options (such as smoked macadamias or baby corn with almond crunch) or the vegan menu with the delicious whipped coconut, carrot sorbet, Koji-rich snake bean, and black rice. Sister restaurant Bentley is home to one of the best vegetarian degustations.

The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide evening of awards, hosted by Citi and Vittoria, is on September 5. The guide will be available for sale in bookshops and newsagents starting on September 6, with every book purchase getting free access to the latest Good Food app.