Contrary to popular belief, vegetarian food has its own charm, and when there are places around the city that present nothing short of perfection, vegetarian food becomes even more appetizing. Although there are some foods that are surprisingly not vegetarian, the technique, presentation, and love that goes into a dish are of far more importance than paneer or meat. The vegetarian restaurants mentioned here are infamous across the city. While some of these restaurants deliver pure vegetarian food, others are adept at whipping up a lovely vegetarian meal.
1. Burma Burma
A glorious haven for Burmese cuisine, Burma Burma is an unparalleled restaurant in terms of ambiance, presentation, and of course, taste. They offer a range of delectable Burmese dishes with equally amusing desserts to finish off your meal on the right note. The presentation and plating are pleasing to the eye, just as the flavor and aroma are pacifying to your senses.
Where: Select Citywalk Mall, Saket; Cyber Hub, DLF Cyber City; DLF Mall of India, Noida
Price for two: ₹1500
2. Saravana Bhawan
The sheer popularity of this place can be gauged by the long waiting queue outside the restaurant. When it comes to South Indian food, Saravana Bhawan is an iconic restaurant in Delhi. If you haven't tried their tangy sambhar, crisp-to-the-core dosas, and fluffy uthappams, you haven't yet experienced the delight of excellent South Indian food.
Where: Connaught Place; Janpath; Select Citywalk Mall, Saket
Price for two: ₹500
3. Cafe Turtle
The urban-chic hangout of bookworms, Cafe Turtle personifies elegance and quality. The best part about this cafe, apart from brilliant food that almost tastes homelike, is the Full Circle Bookstore underneath it. Cafe Turtle also exhibits a few bookshelves with books you can choose to read with your meal. They boast about having no Wi-Fi to encourage people to engage in conversations. Their spongy, homemade cakes are the star of the menu.
Where: Khan Market; Greater Kailash-1, M-Block; Nizamuddin
Price for two: ₹1100
4. Coffee Bond
As the name conjectures, this restaurant is known for its comforting coffee and food, alike. The restaurant, albeit not pure vegetarian, has a variety of palatable dishes such as pizzas, pasta, sandwiches, and waffles, all prepared from fresh produce. They also have these little nooks and corners near the windows, with cushions, and a bell to call for service. I find it soothing to sit in this very spot, my fingers wrapped around a cup of hot coffee, reading for hours.
Where: Greater Kailash-1, M-Block; Uday Park
Price for two: ₹800
5. Carnatic Cafe
For a classic, sumptuous, and filling South Indian meal, you don't need to look beyond Carnatic Cafe. The sheer variety of dosas is enough to make you salivate. Of course, there are other piquant items on the menu including idlis, dahi vadas, and rasam, and the ambiance adds to the charm of your dining experience.
Where: Greater Kailash-2, M-Block; New Friends Colony; Sector-15, Gurgaon
Price for two: ₹500
6. Masala Trail
Masala Trail is an absolute delight when you wish to try food from various parts of India. Being an all-vegetarian place, they combine cuisines from Maharashtra, UP, Gujrat, Kerela, and a multitude of other states and curate them under one roof. You cannot imagine the diversity of cuisines and its beauty unless you try them all.
Where: Ansal Plaza; Janpath; Select Citywalk Mall, Saket; Sector 12, Dwarka
Price for two: ₹800
7. Veg Gulati
The famous Gulati's vegetarian cousin, Veg Gulati, is a vibrant abode for Indian food at Pandara Road. They have a menu dedicated only to vegetarian Indian cuisine, and honestly, this place seems like a blessing for vegetarians like me who are tired of having all meat dishes hoard more than half of the menu.
Where: Pandara Road Market
Price for two: ₹`1200
8. Kiara Soul Kitchen
Tucked in the bustling GK-2 M Block market, Kiara Soul Kitchen knows how to deliver soul food that's plated to impress. The perfect place to hog on vegetarian Thai, Asian, and Japanese cuisine. Even their salads, albeit expensive, are wholesome and delectable, and certainly worth the money.
Where: Greater Kailash-2, M-Block Market
Price for two: ₹2500
9. The Society Cafe
If you and your vegetarian friends are looking for a quiet, quaint, and laid-back place to chill, you've hit the jackpot here. Society Cafe is a gorgeous little place with a standard yet appetizing menu. Their pizzas are crisp to the core, and their pasta sauce makes you longing for more. Weekend plans sorted.
Where: D-15, South Extension-2
Price for two: ₹800
10. Amaterasu Cafe
One of the best Japanese restaurants in town, Amaterasu is a dream for vegetarians who fancy Asian cuisine. Their menu is brimful with tofu dishes; good news for all the vegans out there. I've heard that their Siphon coffee is excellent and you cannot walk out without trying their Miso soup.
Where: Greater Kailash-1, M-block market
Price for two: ₹1200
The above-mentioned restaurants and cafes are a testimony to the fact that vegetarian food is anything but boring or monotonous or "all leaves and salad". When cooked well, plated aesthetically, and served with love, any food item becomes tempting and satisfying. Now, you know where to head when you're cutting down on meat or, like me, belong to the minority of vegetarians.