Updated on 10th May, 2021
There was a time in Singapore when you wouldn’t have heard meatless and fine dining in the same sentence. That is no longer the case. Long gone are the days when you were presented with a plate of steamed broccoli and salad greens when you asked for a plant based meal at a fancy restaurant. With Singapore’s growing number of star-studded restaurants, more and more chefs, including Michelin Starred Chefs are stepping up to the challenge of presenting vegetables and grains in more innovative ways to make them worthy contenders in front of their meaty counterparts. Some offer specially crafted vegetarian degustation menus, while others are adding more meatless options to their à la carte spread, so that your whole dining experience is more inclusive and exquisite.
While it continues to be a challenge to find fully vegan menus at Michelin restaurants, we were pleasantly surprised to find that many are happy to tailor a vegan menu upon request. The plant forward food scene is rapidly evolving in Singapore but there’s still a long road ahead for fine dining to truly embrace this phenomenon. In the meanwhile, here are our top picks for vegan and vegetarian-friendly Michelin-starred restaurants in Singapore who are hopefully paving the way for more to join the tribe!
Restaurant JAG
The Ortie at Restaurant Jag (Image source : Restaurant JAG’s FB page)
We start the list off with a bang, with one of our favourite veg-friendly restaurants, Restaurant JAG! A collaboration between Chef Jérémy Gillon and Restauranteur Anant Tyagi, JAG’s food is inspired by the beauty and nature of the mountainsides in Savoie, France. 40 indigenous herbs are thoughtfully selected from the region then exclusively flown into Singapore. Chef Gillon personally sources all his produce and transforms his selection of ingredients into edible art, each plate delighting diners with intriguing textures, temperature, aromas and flavours. We love that in Chef Jérémy’s plant-based plates, there is no intent to replicate textures or flavours of meat, instead letting the vegetables shine bright. The 3 Expressions Executive Set Lunch is available for S$58++; Discovery Degustation Measured Indulgence, An Introductory Omakase Experience at S$175++ and the Discovery Degustation Oppulent Indulgence, The True JAG Omakase Experience at S$223++. Vegan options of these menus can be available on request.
Look no further for a fantastic fine dining meal.
Restaurant Jag: 76 Duxton Rd, Singapore 089535. P: +65 3138 8477. Website
Saint Pierre
Organic Hass Avocado, Holy Basil, Amera Tomato, Lily Bulb at Saint Pierre (Image source: Saint Pierre’s FB page)
When the chef himself is vegetarian, you can only imagine the level of execution his vegan and vegetarian plates would have. Using only the freshest natural ingredients possible, 2 Michelin-Starred chef-owner Emmanuel Stroobant offers a duo of vegetarian menu options for the plant-based diners. Full vegetarian/vegan menus are available as the 5-course Classic Menu (S$158++) or the chef’s choice 7-course Discovery Menu (S$188++); just state your veg or vegan preference when you reserve. Read Saint Pierre’s Immaculate, Modern, Michelin-Starred, French Vegetarian Menus.
Saint Pierre: 1 Fullerton Road, #02-02B One Fullerton, Singapore 049213. P: 6438 0887. Website.
Candlenut
Plant based Ngoh Hiang (Image source: Candlenut’s FB page)
Always intrigued by local Peranakan fare but never had the opportunity to try it or know what to expect? Candlenut is a must-do then. It’s not just another veg-friendly Michelin-starred restaurant in Singapore, but it is the world’s first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant. Enjoy a contemporary creative twist to traditional Straits-Chinese cuisine as chef Malcolm Lee refines and preserves the essence and complexities of the traditionally complex fare. For plant based diners, Candlenut offers an à la carte vegetarian menu to order from. While most of the dishes on the vegetarian menu are accidentally vegan you can also call in ahead and inform them of your preferences.
Candlenut: 17A Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249676. P: 1800 304 2288. Website.
Jaan
Saffron Pasta with White Truffle and Chestnuts at JAAN (Image source: JAAN’s FB page)
Enjoy executive chef Kirk Westaway’s specially-crafted 5-course Set Lunch Menu (S$148++) or 8-course Set Dinner Menu (S$278++) boasting natural premier ingredients only. The menu is British-inspired and Westaway’s dishes are seasonality-based, so expect menu changes every quarterly as he showcases only the best quality harvested vegetables from the world’s best producers, minimally prepared so that their natural taste speaks for themselves.
Jaan: 2 Stamford Road, Level 70, Equinox Complex, 178882. P: +65-68373322. Website.
Garibaldi Italian Restaurant & Bar
Garibaldi provides a fine example of a stylish Italian eatery – modern, elegant yet friendly and dynamic, where Executive Chef & Owner Roberto Galetti‘s aim is to offer a complete representation of traditional Italian cuisine. Vegans and Vegetarians can choose to go à la carte to enjoy the many veg dishes on offer, we loved the Gnocchi di Spinaci al Gorgonzola con Noci e Balsamico (Spinach & Potato Gnocchi with Italian Blue Cheese Sauce, Walnuts & Balsamic) and the Minestrone di Verdure. Some of the Set Menus already offer at least one veg option for each course, but if unavailable for a particular course, vegan and vegetarian options can be done upon request. The veg-friendly set menus include Weekday Set Lunch Menu (S$39++) and The “Garibaldi Signature” Menu (S$108++).
Garibaldi Italian Restaurant & Bar: 36 Purvis Street #01-02 Singapore 188613. P: +65-68371468. Website.
Braci
With a name that translates to ‘embers’ in Italian, Braci’s menu redefines traditional Italian classics using primitive forms of cooking like wood, Josper ovens and the shichirin grill. Choose one of chef-owner Beppe De Vito’s degustation menus (only available for the entire table) for a journey from the South of Italy to Asia. For dinner, choose from the 5-course Epicurean Menu (S$158++) or the 7-course Gourmand Menu (S$208++). 3-course (S$55++) and 4-Course (S$88++) lunch menus are available every Tuesday to Friday afternoon, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options available on request.
Braci: 52 Boat Quay, Level 5/6, Singapore 049841. P: +65 6866 1933
Odette
Roques-hautes Asparagus at Odette (Image source: Odette’s FB page)
The only three-star contender in our list, Chef Julien Royer offers a full plant-forward French-style tasting menu, which like his other menus, change on a daily basis. Lunch (Tuesdays to Fridays) options include 4 Acts, 6 Acts and Epicure 6 Acts for S$188++, S$248++ and S$398++ respectively. But if you’re lucky enough to snag a dinner reservation, go for the 8-course Tasting Menu at S$398++.
The vegetarian tasting menus are not vegan friendly.
Odette: 1 St. Andrew’s Rd, #01-04 National Gallery, Singapore 178957. P: +65-63850498. Website.
Corner House
Jason Tan’s interpretation of Kaya Toast (Image source: Corner House’s FB page)
Local celebrity chef Jason Tan uses the ample botanicals in his backyard, including tubers, roots and fungi, to vines, fruits and herbs to showcase his contemporary French fusion cuisine. A two-storey black & white bungalow built in 1910 is home to Tan’s innovative Gastro-Botanica, known for his must-try signature interpretation of kaya toast for dessert. Although not available online, Tan is happy to create vegetarian versions of all his available menus according to diner preferences. Choose from the following set vegetarian menu options:
- Lunch: 4-course (S$98++) or 5-course Menu Experience (S$158++)
- Dinner: 5-course Corner House Degustation Menu (S$208++)
At this time, the vegetarian set menus cannot be made fully vegan, unfortunately.
Corner House: 1 Cluny Road, E J H Corner House, Singapore Botanic Gardens, (Nassim Gate Entrance), Singapore 259569. P: +65-64691000. Website.
This list is always evolving and is by no means exhaustive. Rather, it’s based on personal experience and recommendations by fellow vegans and vegetarians. More often than not, you won’t find vegan or even vegetarian menu online (when checking the restaurant websites), but please call the restaurant directly – chances are that you will be pleasantly surprised most times.
At EatRoamLive, we promote and facilitate a healthier, ethical and environmentally friendly veg way of life. ERL is a Media & Events platform connecting veg-friendly restaurants and brands with vegetarian and vegan consumers or those who are consciously looking to make their plates greener. Be it food, travel fashion or skincare, we help you discover brands and experiences that are ethical, sustainable, cruelty-free and simply fabulous.