Plant-based cuisine has moved far beyond tofu stir-fries and lentil burgers. Across NSW, chefs are redefining what it means to eat green—delivering dishes full of technique, creativity and depth of flavour. These restaurants aren’t just catering to vegans or vegetarians—they’re elevating the experience for everyone who enjoys thoughtfully prepared, produce-driven food.
Whether you’re after a fine-dining experience with ocean views or comforting wholefoods in a lush garden café, these venues prove that plant-based menus can be every bit as indulgent, diverse and delicious as their meat-based counterparts.
The Cowrie Restaurant – Terrigal, NSW
Sitting high above Terrigal with sweeping views of the bay, The Cowrie Restaurant is known for its elegant dining and commitment to sourcing seasonal produce. With a refined atmosphere—timber accents, soft lighting and coastal sophistication—it’s an idyllic setting for any special occasion or relaxed afternoon by the sea.
The Cowrie's plant-based menu isn’t a side note—it’s a centrepiece, crafted with the same finesse as the rest of the offering. Featuring locally grown produce and seasonal ingredients, dishes here showcase the possibilities of modern vegetarian cooking. While seafood and meat options like roasted duck and pork loin shine on the main menu, it’s the dedicated plant-based degustation that surprises and delights, offering refined takes on vegetables with texture, balance and flair. This is a venue where green eating feels luxurious.
Green Gourmet Restaurant – St Leonards, NSW
For more than two decades, Green Gourmet in St Leonards has been proving that plant-based doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavour—or fun. This family-owned spot is all about reimagining Asian comfort food using 100% plant-based ingredients, drawing on Chinese and Malaysian culinary traditions. The bright green exterior welcomes you in, and the menu keeps you coming back.
Start with faux prawn dumplings wrapped in turmeric-infused pastry or the beloved BBQ ‘pork’ bun made with wheat protein. For mains, it’s hard to go past the BBQ Roast ‘Pork’, sautéed in a sticky hoisin sauce and served with roasted cashews and greens. Add a serve of Malaysian yellow curry or Shantung Not ‘Chicken’, and you’ll forget you’re eating vegan. It’s creative, comforting and completely guilt-free—plus there’s a dessert cabinet filled with Mod Oz cakes to finish on a high note.
The Foragers Wholefood Café – Nowra, NSW
Blending city coffee culture with a country garden vibe, The Foragers Wholefood Café is Nowra’s go-to for nourishing plates and friendly faces. Set in a charming space of recycled timber and antique furniture, this café brings serious food game—almost everything is made in-house, and the menu reflects a love of vibrant, unprocessed ingredients.
While carnivores can still indulge in burgers and fish bowls, the pumpkin, corn and kale fritters are a favourite for plant-forward diners. Served with poached egg, housemade relish, avocado and greens (plus optional salmon), they’re satisfying, colourful and full of texture. Pair your plate with a fresh-pressed juice or house brew, then soak up the sun in the leafy courtyard for a wholesome moment of café serenity.
The Clove Indian Restaurant – Coogee, NSW
Coogee’s The Clove has been quietly dishing out refined Indian fare for more than 20 years, and its charm lies in how it balances tradition with bold, modern flavour. With crisp white tablecloths and a warm, welcoming ambience, this beachside restaurant is as suited to family dinners as it is romantic evenings.
While meat-lovers gravitate towards chicken pistachio and beef vindaloo, vegetarians are well looked after. The Aloo Tikka is a particular highlight—mashed potato spiced and coated in semolina before being deep-fried to golden perfection. It’s crisp on the outside, fluffy inside, and pairs beautifully with house chutneys and cooling yoghurt. Combined with dishes like paneer masala or a slow-cooked dhal, The Clove makes plant-based Indian food something to truly savour.
The Old Salt Bush – Broken Hill, NSW
In the heart of Outback NSW, The Old Salt Bush brings sophisticated dining to Broken Hill with a menu deeply rooted in the region’s ingredients. Inside, soft lighting and natural textures create a calm, intimate setting—perfect for discovering a menu that fuses native flavours with modern Australian technique.
Though famous for its saltbush lamb and gin-cured salmon,
the restaurant’s plant-based offering is equally impressive. Antipasto platters
are carefully composed with housemade elements, and mains highlight native
greens and seasonal vegetables prepared with complexity and respect. End your
evening with the desert lime and macadamia cheesecake—light, creamy and bright
with citrus, it’s an elegant finale to a thoroughly modern outback dining
experience.
Plant-based food has come a long way—and these restaurants are leading the
charge. From elevated tasting menus to Asian comfort dishes and wholesome
garden brunches, there’s no compromise on flavour, texture or satisfaction.
Whether you're a full-time plant-eater or just looking to mix things up, these
spots deliver meals that leave you feeling full in all the right ways.
