Vegetarian Sydney, Australia: A Plant-Based Visitor's Guide

Sydney is an outdoor-lover’s paradise: from the abundance of parks and coastlines to explore to the incredible wildlife and biodiversity, it’s no surprise that millions of nature enthusiasts flock Down Under year after year to experience everything the country has to offer — and that zest for life and sustainability makes being a vegetarian in Sydney pretty simple.

The ongoing pandemic makes booking a flight to Sydney difficult right now — but it doesn’t hurt to plan in advance! We’ve been busy dreaming up our next trip to the Australian city and as such, curated a comprehensive guide to all things eco-friendly and plant-based in the city. Here’s everything to look forward to on your next trip Down Under.

Vegetarian Sydney Guide: Where to Stay

Shangri-La Hotel Sydney

The Shangri-La Hotel Sydney has a lot of good things going for it—it’s perfectly positioned in the middle of the Sydney Harbour, it boasts panoramic views of the Sydney Opera House… and it also happens to be one of the most sustainable hotels in the city. The luxury hotel features wooden key cards (rather than plastic), follows ORCA clean food waste recycling technology, and makes it a point to exclusively offer paperless check in and check out. 176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks; shangri-la.com

Vegetarian Sydney Guide: Eat & Drink

Icebergs Dining Room and Bar

The Icebergs Dining Room and Bar isn’t a strictly vegetarian venue — but the venue does offer a vegetarian menu with plenty of vegan options, too. Although the food and drink is delicious, it’s the striking views of the Bondi Icebergs and the ocean below that keeps both locals and visitors coming back. 1 Notts Ave, Bondi Beach; idrb.com

Bodhi Restaurant

Bodhi Restaurant is a plant-based foodie heaven—especially for those who might miss certain meat-centric dishes. The strictly vegan restaurant has a beyond creative menu with impressive herbivore takes on plates like prawns, fried chicken, and even peking duck. 2 – 4 College Street, Sydney; bodhirestaurant.com.au

Yellow

Looking for a more formal vegetarian Sydney restaurant? Look no further than Yellow. The vegan restaurant offers an exquisite five-course tasting menu that includes dishes like blini and nasturtium or shio roasted carrot with macadamia. The restaurant also offers a choice of wine or non-alcoholic wine pairings. 57 Macleay Street, Potts Point; yellowsydney.com.au

Flyover Fritterie

Described as a “joyful mix of Indian street food and nourishing home cooking,” Flyover Fritterie offers modern takes on classic Indian dishes in snack-sized portions to go. The charming restaurant is tucked into a quiet lane where diners can hang out and nosh in the road without worrying about street traffic. 1 Temperance Lane, Sydney; flyoverfritterie.com

Alibi

Alibi has made a name for itself for its inventive plant-based menus — but it’s the afternoon tea you’ll want to check out. The high tea menu is an extravagant experience and includes free-flowing Perrier-Jouet Champagne, tea, coffee, and a tower of gorgeous vegan-friendly sandwiches and sweets. 6 Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo; alibibar.com.au

Two Chaps

Featuring local ingredients like sustainable and organic Australian flour and small batch cheeses, this vegetarian-friendly bakery is a must visit for anyone who loves a good pastry or fresh pasta. We recommend grabbing a sourdough crumpet or housemade sourdough toast with a generous helping of vegemite. 122 Chapel St., Marrickville; twochaps.com.au

The Dolphin Hotel

Don’t let the name fool you: the Dolphin Hotel doesn’t actually offer overnight accomodations. Instead, the indoor/outdoor bar and restaurant serves up a slew of pizzas crafted from local ingredients as well as an impressive wine list that features natural and organic Australian bottles. 412 Crown St, Surry Hills; dolphinhotel.com.au

Vegetarian Sydney Guide: Things to Do

Royal National Park

Hoping to spot some of the abundance of fauna and flora unique to Australia? You’ll want to spend as much time in nature as possible—and there’s no better place than the Royal National Park. The oldest national park in Australia—and the second oldest in the world—is packed with different activities for all fitness levels, including bushwalking, bird watching, whale watching, and more intense hiking opportunities. nationalparks.nsw.gov.au 

BridgeClimb Sydney

BridgeClimb Sydney offers a unique opportunity to see the sights and sounds of Sydney from above—by way of your own two feet. The outdoor experience allows visitors to climb the ladders and stairways to the summit of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge (about three hours total climb time) while taking in the unparalleled views of the harbor from nearly 450 feet above sea level. 3 Cumberland St, The Rocks; bridgeclimb.com

RELATED: See All Our VT City Guides for Plant-Based Travelers 

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