Choosing where to eat isn’t binary – it’s about creating a happy balance where everyone is satisfied with their meals. The next time you’ve got lunch with both vegetarians and carnivores, check out these five locations to keep everyone contented!
As the resident foodie in my social circle, I’m commonly asked “what’s good to eat in <insert location>?” I’ll typically have at least two locations to recommend, even if it’s somewhere ulu like Neo Tiew.
Recently though, I got asked the same question, but with a caveat. My friend was looking for a place to eat, but – wait for it – there was a vegetarian in the group. As you might already know, veggies are my kryptonite. I only eat vegetables when forced to…
It stumped me for once. My initial response was thus, “err, wait ah,” as my brain furiously worked to recall any vaguely vegetarian dishes. I conceded defeat for the moment, but heck, I wasn’t going to let my foodie reputation take a hit.
That evening, I had a look through my list to see where I could possibly recommend. Happily, it turns out that some of my favourite makan places offer dishes for both vegetarians and carnivores. Here’s the list of places my friend eventually got – you might see a big group at the next table!
happy hawker.
There’s no better go-to for an inclusive meal than a hawker centre, newly added to UNESCO’s list of intangible heritage. The beauty of our hawker culture is really how it allows dishes from different origins to share the same table. Of course, that also means it satisfies both vegetarians and carnivores…
I recommended Block 216 Market in Bedok, which houses several famous stalls including Chris Kway Chap and Hon Ni Kitchen. Apart from numerous stalls that keep the carnivores happy, 216 Market is also home to four vegetarian food stalls.
Lei Yin Vegetarian (#01-34) stands out for their incredibly flavourful vegetarian bee hoon. I know it sounds weird that I, a carnivore, am here talking about vegetarian bee hoon – but it’s that good! What makes it even better is that each plate is priced at a very affordable $2.50.
Block 216 Bedok Food Centre and Market (Lei Yin Vegetarian)
Address: 216 Bedok North Street 1, #01-34, Singapore 460216
inviting italian.
Italian is a safe bet if you’re looking for vegetarian-friendly meals that also satisfy the carnivore. It’s impossible to dislike hearty Italian food like pizzas and pastas, especially when they’re done this well.
Tucked away at the back of the Greenwood restaurant cluster in Bukit Timah is La Braceria. Unassuming, but it serves up authentic Italian grub that even the local Italian Embassy approves of! La Braceria’s Chef Giovanni keeps it simple, but uses fresh, high quality ingredients to set his dishes apart.
For vegetarians, try the Pizza Bufala – tomato sauce, bufala mozzarella and basil leaves – it’s the epitome of ‘less is more’. For the carnivores, the Penne Bolognese is a must-try. Alternatively, the whole grilled chicken is hard to beat for a low-carb option.
La Braceria Pizza & Grill
Address: 5 Greendale Avenue, Singapore 289501
iconic indian.
As the country home to most of the world’s vegetarians, Indian cuisine is something you can’t possibly go wrong with. Both vegetarians and carnivores will find something they love at an Indian restaurant, whether its masala chicken or vegetable korma.
Situated amidst the trendy Dempsey Hill enclave, Samy’s Curry is an institution in Singapore, dating back to the 1960s. In fact, it’s occupied its current premises since the 70s. Unchanged since, the restaurant is a homely time capsule filled with the aroma of Indian herbs and spices.
Whatever dishes you can think of, you’ll find them cooking in the big woks at the back of the restaurant. Herbivores, you won’t regret trying the Palak Paneer with Naan. As for the carnivores, you’ll certainly be satisfied by the Chicken Tikka or Curry Mutton with fragrant briyani rice.
Samy’s Curry Restaurant
Address: 25 Dempsey Road, Singapore 249670
modern mexican.
Second only to India for the number of vegetarians in the population, Mexican cuisine is extremely vegetarian-friendly for this reason. Equally famous for their burritos as they are for their salsa, meat components of Mexican dishes can easily be substituted for meatless options without drawing disapproving looks.
Located in the lively Katong area, Platypus Cantina isn’t strictly Mexican, but serves up Mexican-inspired grub with a local twist. They’ve got everything you need for a great night out – great food, decadent desserts, and a comprehensive drinks menu. Oh, and did we mention that it’s happy hour all day on Thursdays?
I’ve heard that the ‘La Neta’ Mexican Tempeh & Avocado burger is great for a veggie option. Personally, I find it hard to not order the Torched Beef Mac & Cheese each time I visit. Like the menu claims, it is really ‘really really good’ – no lie.
Platypus Cantina
Address: 171 East Coast Road, Singapore 428877
tempting turkish.
Want something a bit less conventional, yet concurrently comforting and exotic? Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine might just be the answer. More than just hummus and kebabs, it’s a satisfying, multi-layered landscape for your tastebuds to explore.
In the middle of the bustling Kampong Glam area, Alaturka serves up authentic Turkish cuisine in an ambience that teleports you to the Middle East. For the owner Nafiz who had no prior F&B experience, he simply did what he knew best, and done well. It’s paid off – Alaturka was conferred Bib Gourmand status in the 2016 Michelin Guide Singapore!
Try the Imam Bayildi – eggplants with vegetable stew, baked with cheese – as a spectacular vegetarian option. Otherwise, the Adana Chicken/Lamb Kebab is a delightfully smoky strip of minced meat that’ll please any carnivore. Finally, don’t forget to end your meal with the decadent baklava.
Alaturka Mediterranean & Turkish Restaurant
Address: 15 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199436
In case you missed it, let me tell you about the time I tried meat-free nuggets. Know any awesome F&B eateries we should feature? Tell us where we should dine next!
