Vegetarian Dining in the Philippines

Finding vegetarian restaurants in the Philippines is a piece of cake (vegan chocolate cake, that is!). If you’re dining out anywhere in the country, a great way to try new foods is to eat at restaurants that offer a variety of vegetarian entrées—and fortunately, there are lots to choose from!

At Chinese, Italian, Indian, Japanese, Middle Eastern, Thai, and other ethnic restaurants, you’ll find bean-curd (tokwa) dishes, vegetable fried rice, pasta, fabulous vegetable curries, lentil soup, potato-filled samosas, vegetable sushi, exotic dips, and other delights.

Green Bar’s Breakfast Burrito

The following are some additional tips for finding great vegetarian food in any Philippine town:

If you’re stuck at a behind-the-times restaurant without many meat-free options, ask if the chef can whip up a vegetarian entrée. Some easy dishes include roasted eggplant, vegetable chop suey, pancit, kangkong adobo, and laing. Most restaurants will gladly accommodate special requests, and you’ll be surprised by the creativity of some chefs!
When dining at someone else’s house, let your hosts know in advance that you’re a vegetarian. Offer to bring a vegetarian dish to share, or buy some vegetables at a local market and prepare a dish for everyone to try.
Street stalls throughout the country offer meat- and dairy-free foods, such as banana-que (fried bananas), fried tokwa, cassava cakes, plain puto, kamote-que (fried sweet potatoes), turon, and suman.
Don’t forget—most Starbucks, Seattle’s Best, and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf outlets offer soy milk as an alternative to cow’s milk in their drinks.

There are dozens of vegetarian restaurants scattered throughout the country. Try the following for some of the best vegetarian food in the Philippines!

Angeles City

Linpopo Veggie Restaurant and Mini-Mart
16-12 Grande Street
Riverside Subdivision
Barangay Anunas
0905 311 1982; 045 321 0294

Linpopo’s owners started their Chinese-influenced restaurant to show everyone just how delicious vegetarian food can be! Diners can eat outdoors in a garden setting; take-out is also available. The mini-mart sells wide range of faux-meat and faux-fish products—the soy barbeque is an absolute must-try!
Bacolod

Sian Tian Food Center of the Bacolod Divine Institute of Chong Shu
6100 Burgos Street at Lacson Street (near the YMCA)
Negros Occidental

Sian Tian is located in a temple, and with flat-bottomed spoons and wooden chopsticks provided for diners, your visit is sure to be a unique, authentic experience! À la carte menu options include stuffed tokwa, sweet-and sour “fish,” and savory potato salad, all served with healthy organic red rice. The temple also sells frozen mock meats, silken and firm tokwa, and fresh soy milk.
Baguio
Azotea Greens
La Azotea Building, 2nd Floor
Session Road
Baguio City

This small, quaint café serves very reasonably priced vegetarian dishes that will give you a true taste of the Philippines and Baguio. Be sure to try the adobo, afritada, nilaga, kaldereta, ginataan, and the best-selling mushroom sisig. Azotea Greens also sells a variety of frozen mock meats, soy milk, cruelty-free body-care products from Human Nature, and dairy- and egg-free cookies from Love Bites.

Heaven on Earth Vegetarian Center
Abanao Square, 4th Floor
Abanao Street
Baguio City

Heaven on Earth, owned by local Rafael Wasan, was opened to encourage people to embrace a healthier lifestyle through vegetarian eating. It serves delicious Filipino-inspired dishes including adobo, afritada, and sisig; other dishes include faux meat and tokwa accented by fresh spices such as basil and oregano. Prices are very reasonable.

Oh My Gulay!
La Azotea Building, 5th Floor
Session Road
Baguio
0918 667 6025

Oh My Gulay! (owned by independent-film director Kidlat Tahimik) is well worth the trek up five flights of stairs at the La Azotea Building. With lush indoor gardens, breathtaking viewa, and art space, the restaurant is a tourist attraction in itself! Even nonvegetarians can’t help but love the lumpia salad—a mix of fresh lettuce and watercress tossed in Asian dressing and served alongside pieces of deep-fried lumpia filled with tofu, mushrooms, and vegetables. Oh My Gulay’s best-selling dish is the Pasta Primadonna (hold the cheese and butter), a robust mix of Baguio vegetables (beans, carrots, baby corn, cauliflower, green bell pepper, and tomatoes) topped with a sweet tomato sauce. It’s best paired with the restaurant’s delicious dayap iced tea.
Batangas
The Farm, San Benito
119 National Road
Lipa City
889 1150

The restaurant at The Farm spa and resort offers extensive raw lunch and dinner buffets. Don’t let the “raw” factor scare you—this raw food is delicious! The elegant cuisine—made entirely from fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, and seeds prepared without cooking in order to retain nutritional value—will tempt your eyes and satisfy your palate. Delightfully creamy yet dairy-free pastas, rich soups, tangy stir-fries, and fresh salads blanket the buffet tables.
Boracay
Prana at the Mandala Spa & Villas
Boracay Island 5608
036 288 5854

With a focus on health, rejuvenation, and relaxation, the Mandala Spa in Boracay is the place to be when you really want to get away from it all. In keeping with its focus on health, the spa has a completely vegetarian restaurant serving classic cuisine that’s filling yet nutritionally balanced. Try the pan-fried tofu—which is served stir-fry-style with beans, asparagus, pechay, and sprouts and topped with peanut sauce and crushed peanuts. Another favorite is the pad Thai (hold the egg), which is topped with a sweet tamarind-based sauce and spring onions. Finish off the meal with a light dessert of scrumptious apple crumble.
Butuan
Natural Health Care and Vegetarian Cuisine
Cor. Gomez and M. Calo Street
Butuan City
085 360 1430

Owned by a doctor, this restaurant offers healthy, reasonably priced vegetarian options in sparkling-clean setting. The menu features dairy-free carrot cake, veggie burgers, stir-fries, and more.
Cavite
Rohini’s
244 Buck Estate (at Metro Manila)
Alfonso, Cavite City
0919 860 0389

Set inside a private garden hideaway in Tagaytay near Sonya’s Garden restaurant, Rohini’s relaxing atmosphere and gourmet cuisine are not to be missed. Lunch is served as an eight-course meal with drinks and dessert for around P600. Call ahead for reservations.

Nature’s Original
Km. 53 Gen. E. Aguinaldo Highway No. 082
Brgy. Buho, Silang
Cavite City
09177389982

Vegetarian grocery store Nature’s Original offers local candies and sweets, herbal teas, barako coffee, vegetarian cookbooks, cocoa tablets, and a variety of frozen and dried mock meats.
Laguna
Vita Grazia Vegetarian Grocery
Santa Rosa, Laguna
049 837 6710

Vita Grazia offers frozen, dried, and ready-to-eat mock-meat products; soy milk; vegetarian oyster sauce; and fresh juices.
Lucban
Steps to Eden
102A Mabini Street
Quezon Province
042 540 2440

This restaurant offers a wide variety of vegetarian menu items, including veggie burgers, salads, casseroles, organic pasta, fresh juices, and shakes as well as raw-food options (dine-in or take-out). Cleansing and rejuvenation programs are also available.
Naga City
Green Earth Café
Third Street cor. Soriano Avenue
Villa Sorabella Subdivision (4400) at Concepcion Grande
Naga City
054 475 5018; 09285505246

This quaint café with a relaxed atmosphere serves an extensive array of salads, burritos, stir-fries, pasta dishes, pizzas, and nachos. Outdoor seating is available in a peaceful garden setting.
Olongapo City
Hapilife Healthy Food Corner
18 Corpuz Street
W. Tapinac, 2200
Olongapo City
0919 807 0968

Tucked away on a quiet street in Olongapo is this little gem of a restaurant, which offers great food at very reasonable prices as well as excellent service. The range of tempting options includes vegetarian “steak,” “tuna,” “drumstick,” and “roast duck” mock-meat combo meals; meat- and dairy-free versions of traditional Filipino fare, including adobo, sisig, pancit miki, and misua soup; and detoxifying fresh fruit and vegetable juices.

Ro-Dhel Vegetarian Restaurant
Public Market, Lot 10 Blk. 13
Mayumi Street (in front of Conti-J)
Olongapo City
0917 512 1499

Ro-Dhel serves healthy Chinese- and Indian-inspired vegetarian food and drinks, including carrot juice and fresh green salads. Herbal products are also available.
Puerto Princesa
Ima’s Gulay Bar
46 Fernandez Street
0920 533 3210
Puerto Princesa

The menu at Ima’s Gulay Bar boasts such a wide variety of dishes that it’s hard to choose just one! From pizza, Mexican-style burritos, and jambalaya to fresh salads, filling soups, and a variety of sandwiches and veggie burgers, you’re likely to find whatever you’re craving at Ima’s! Try the spicy-bean burger, curried-tofu sandwich, or sausage fajitas (hold the cheese and sour cream). If you’re in the mood for something different, try the spicy okra and mango pasta. Finish off your meal with a delicious soy shake, available in a variety of fruit flavors as well as coffee, carob, and ginger.

Suma Ching Hai Vegetarian Restaurant
79 Burgos Street
Puerto Princesa City
048 433 9248

This vegetarian restaurant is operated by followers of the Supreme Master religion.
Santa Rosa
Vita Grazia Vegetarian Grocery
B8 L16 Myna Road
Southdrive Village, Santa Rosa City
09178265826

Vita Grazia offers frozen, dried, and ready-to-eat mock meat products; soy milk; vegetarian oyster sauce; and fresh juices.
Makati
Corner Tree Café
150 Jupiter Street
Bel-Air Village
Makati City
(02)8970295

This small café has a homey feel and comfort food that’s also healthy. Choose from the extensive menu of filling soups, fresh salads, and wholesome entrées, including stews, burgers, ethnic cuisine, and pasta. Corner Tree even has a Filipino dish of the month! Start off your meal by sharing the Starter Plate, a combination of Egyptian dukka and white-bean hummus served with chunks of whole-wheat bread and vegetable sticks. The Tofu Walnut Burger, served with sweet-potato fries or an organic green salad, is an absolute must-try.

Green Bar
252 Sen Gil Puyat Ave Makati 1229
(02)8857537
Tue-Sun 10am-7pm

This all vegan café serves some of the best comfort food in Makati. Choose from various salads, sandwiches and wrap options. Don’t forget to treat yourself to cruelty-free coffee and donuts afterwards. You can also order from them via Food Panda.

Greenery Kitchen
4067 Ground Floor B Kalayaan Avenue
09276069983

Miss traditional Filipino food? Greenery Kitchen have veganized it all – you won’t believe the food on your plate is actually vegan mock meat. They can also deliver.

Hummus Elijah
Second Floor, Commercial Building, 7850 Makati Avenue, Poblacion, Makati City
(02)8021885
Mon-Sun 9am-3am

Ideal place for hummus and falafel lovers. Choose from various hummus dishes, falafel and pita dishes. You can also order from them via Food Panda.

Juicesabel
The Collective, 7274 Malugay St,. San Antonio Village, 1203 Makati, Philippines
09064683426

Juicesabel is an all-vegan café that offers delicious dishes from burgers, mac’n cheese to eggplant lasagna, pizza and cake. They can also deliver.

Live Life! Vegetarian Food
Cancio Bldg., 2240 Chino Roces Ave.
(02)4786310 / 09178117435 / 09274525871
Mon- Sat 10am-9pm

Live Life! Vegetarian Food is a small restaurant that sells a wide variety of vegetarian fare, including pastas, burgers, and traditional Filipino dishes. Vegan and raw options are available.

Wabi Sabi Noodle House and Vegetarian Grocery
7274 Malugay Street, Brgy.
San Antonio, Makati City
09189622935

Wabi Sabi serves Japanese- and Chinese-inspired dishes including ramen with “fish” balls and chunks of mock meat, dumplings, sipao (Chinese-style stuffed buns), vegetarian chicharon, and more.
Metro Manila
Barbara’s at the Orchidarium
Rizal Park, Maria Orosa Street cor. Finance Street
(located inside the park; enter via Finance Street or Maria Orosa)
Malate
527-3893 / 527-4086

Barbara’s is a Taiwanese-style restaurant that offers a buffet—including soups, appetizers, and tofu and vegetable dishes—for P199 per person.

Blissful Belly
(formerly Satya’s Vegetarian Junction)
Llanar Building, 2^nd Floor
77 Xavierville Avenue
Quezon City
426 6363

If you want great-tasting vegetarian food with a local flair, look no further than Blissful Belly! The menu features great takes on classic Filipino dishes such as sisig and adobo, and the desserts and shakes are to die for! With its serene and peaceful ambience, Blissful Belly also offers diners a respite from the hustle and bustle of Quezon City.

Bodhi (aka Evergreen)
Outlets at SM Cubao, SM North EDSA, SM MegaMall, SM South Mall, SM City Manila, SM Makati, Tutuban Center, and Banawe Street cor. Del Monte Avenue

If you’re craving traditional Pinoy food, head to your nearest Bodhi stall. Fortunately, they’re easy to find; stalls are located in many Metro Manila malls. Bodhi offers great vegetarian food at affordable prices—try vegetarian versions of Pinoy dishes such as kare-kare, menudo, and afritada. Pure and simple, Bodhi’s mock meats have it all over the “real thing.”

Country Vegefoods
161 Luna Mencias Avenue
San Juan, Metro Manila
724 4379; 723 8614; 727 5763

Country Vegefoods is a grocery store that offers mock-meat products and other vegetarian options.

Daily Veggie N’ Cafe
114 Sto. Domingo Ave
Quezon City
(02)7118209

Tucked away in Quezon City, Daily Veggie N’ Café is a haven for vegetarians. If you love the taste of meat but hate the cruelty and cholesterol that comes with it or if you want to introduce meat-eaters to some flavorful and fabulous flesh-free fare, this could be the place for you. Try the curry (on its own or with noodles), the sweet-and-sour nuggets, and the sizzling fillet.

Green Wok Deli & Café
70 Kamuning Road
Quezon City
(02)3827018

If no one told you that all the food at Quezon City’s Green Wok Deli & Café (GWDC) is vegetarian, you’d never know! This small street-side carinderia sells traditional Filipino cuisine that packs all the flavor of meat-based dishes but lacks the cruelty and cholesterol. Menu items include barbecue, caldereta, pancit malabon, and vegetarian curry. Favorites of PETA’s staff include the GWDC Adobo and the Green Wok Sisig. The Vegetarian Humba—GWDC’s take on the traditional sweet-and-sour braised dish and made with faux-meat cutlets, laurel leaves, saba, and banana blossoms—is another must-try. For the truly adventurous, try the Black Bean Nuguan, a thick and chunky vegetarian version of dinuguan made with black beans, radishes, eggplant, and tofu. Green Wok also sells a selection of fruit- and herb-based drinks and has one of the best veggie burgers in Metro Manila. It’s a great place to show nonvegetarian friends and family members just how hearty and flavorful vegetarian cuisine can be!

Greens Vegetarian Restaurant and Café
92 Sct. Castor (off Tomas Morato)
South Triangle, Quezon City
413 2705

A visit to Greens Vegetarian Restaurant and Café, located in the heart of Quezon City, is a truly memorable experience. It’s hard to say which is better: the tempting traditional sisig and embutido dishes or the mouthwatering modern fare, such as the clubhouse sandwich and various veggie burgers. But one thing is certain—the vegan chocolate cake is taste experience guaranteed to be the subject of daydreams for weeks to come.

Greens Spot Cafe
Food Square Building
51 Magiting St., Teachers Village
Quezon City
(02)5773387

Greens Spot’s menu of nourishing, affordable meals includes the popular pad Thai, the vegan Grilled Liempo, and the Heart Burger, which comes complete with Greens Spot’s signature egg-free Soyanaise.

Heavenly Grace
(near Sakya School and Metropolitan Hospital)
1451 G. Masangkay Street (near Bambang Street, Tondo)
Manila
252 6852

Heavenly Grace offers delicious vegetarian food at great prices!

Kong Tiak
27 Macopa Street
Santa Mesa Heights, Quezon City
732 1917; 0917 608 7362 (cell)

Kong Tiak serves vegetarian Chinese food that is delicious, healthy, and affordable. Open for lunch and dinner, Kong Tiak offers vegetarian stir-fries, mock-meat dishes, and more.

Lucy in the Sky Café
222 Wilson st. Greenhills San Juan 1500
(02) 370 4113
Mon-Tue,Thu-Sun 11am-9pm

Lucy in the Sky offers a range of great comfort foods. Be sure to try their best-selling chocolate cake, ‘The Scream’.

Manila Sanitarium Hospital
Ground Floor, 45 Donada Street (cor. San Juan Street)

This unique vegetarian-only cafeteria is located inside a Seventh-Day Adventist hospital. Although it may seem like an unusual location, the food is worth the trip. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack on the run or just a break from the hustle and bustle of Pasay City, be sure to stop in and try it.

Quan Yin Chay
821 Masangkay Street
Manila
243 3356

This Chinese restaurant specializes in mock meats—including “fish,” tempura “shrimp,” and even “shark-fin” soup! The restaurant is 100 percent vegetarian, and the majority of the dishes are vegetable- or soy-based. The food is great and inexpensive!

Soy Yummy
SM MegaMall, Ortigas Center
(just inside the southeast ground floor entrance)
Mandaluyong, Metro Manila

Soy Yummy operates small food booths in multiple SM and other Metro Manila malls. The chain offers soy milk in regular, chocolate, and melon flavors as well as several soy fruit shakes and taho.

The Vegetarian Kitchen

62 B Mother Ignacia Avenue, Diliman
Quezon City, Metro Manila
09954507249

The Vegetarian Kitchen has an extensive menu of delicious dishes and even offers cooking classes!

Varona Vegetarian Health Foods
2008 Leveriza Street
Pasay City
525 0389; 536 7426

Varona Vegetarian Health Foods has a canteen offering lots of vegetarian- and vegan-friendly options as well as a fantastic store with a huge range of mock meats. For just P175, you can enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet meal.

Veggie to Go
168 Mall Food Court, 3^rd Floor
Divisoria, Manila

Veggie to Go offers inexpensive vegetarian meals (P60, with two viands). Check with the cook about vegan options, as some dishes contain egg white and dairy ingredients.