Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get our top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
Header image courtesy of Lior Shapira (via Unsplash)
Originally published by Inés Fung. Last updated by Celia Lee and Jen Paolini.
We love a good chicken tikka masala and lamb rogan josh as much as the next person, but the beauty of Indian cuisine truly shines through in its meatless dishes. India has the world’s largest vegetarian population and the major religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Islam) practised in India all have dietary restrictions pertaining to not hurting life forms, with modern Jainism advocating for vegan diets. Regardless of your ethnicity or dietary choices, eating less meat is always beneficial to your health. Here’s where you can find the best Indian vegetarian restaurants in Hong Kong.
What started as a small street-food venture in Mumbai nearly 70 years ago has grown to become a globally-renowned restaurant franchise, bringing authentic Indian flavours to over 60 locations across the world. Nestled in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kailash Parbat’s Hong Kong branch sports a casually upbeat atmosphere with spacious interiors and colourful décor, making it a prime location for relaxed get-togethers with friends or family.
Expect to be spoiled for choice with their endless selection of hearty rice and noodles dishes, traditional street food, homemade soups, Indian bread, desserts, and more. With so many options, your best bet is to share a scrumptious mixed chaat platter and try a bit of everything; but if you're ordering just for one, our go-to is the paneer tikka lababdar—and don’t forget to pair the luscious curry with a side of garlic naan.
Kailash Parbat, Unit 302, 3/F, Multifield Plaza, 3 Prat Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui | (+852) 3428 5545
A relatively new edition to BaseHall’s scrumptious line-up of eateries, Bengal Brothers is a favourite amongst foodies and workers on Hong Kong Island. Serving up reimagined but equally authentic Indian street fare, Bengal Brothers has a selection of vegetarian options for diners to choose from. Bengal Brothers’ famous kati rolls are a must-try for lovers of Indian cuisine. The achaari paneer roll has marinated smokey cottage cheese wrapped in their flaky paratha with makhani sauce and mint chutney.
Bengal Brothers, G/F, Man Hee Mansion, 6 Johnston Road, Wan Chai
This hole-in-the-wall in Chungking Mansions may not look like much from the outside, but it serves up some of the best vegetarian curries around. They keep the menu pretty simple, specialising in dosas, veggie curries and stews, and biryani rice dishes, but you’re always guaranteed fresh ingredients and rich, aromatic flavours that capture the best of North and South Indian cuisine. Opt for either the chana masala or the aloo gobi and wash down your meal with a warming Indian masala tea.
Saravana, Shop 105, Chungking Mansions, 36–44 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Branto is well known amongst the Indian community in Hong Kong for its authentic vegetarian South Indian cuisine. Offering an extensive menu of favourites like mysore masala dosa, dahi puri, and dal fry, its dishes are Jain-friendly and not overwhelmingly spicy. You will also find variations of Indian-style pizza here—the paneer pizza is to die for—as Branto was the first restaurant to introduce vegetarian pizza to its hometown in Gurjarat, India. Don’t judge a restaurant by its entrance—you’ll feel right at home once you’re inside and chowing down on their signature thali (set meals).
Branto, 1/F, 9–11 Lock Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | (+852) 2366 8171
Beginning in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, you can expect a plethora of authentic South Indian cuisine from Sangeetha Vegetarian Restaurant. Apart from the staples of Indian cuisine, Sangeetha also works to introduce a variety of indigenous dishes from across India to their menu. As expected of an Indian restaurant, spices and aroma are at the centre of Sangeetha’s culinary ventures, which are internationally oriented whilst being rooted in authentic recipes from India. Dishes are derived from the traditional Udupi and Chettinad styles of cooking, whilst drawing influences from Mughal-Chinese cuisine.
You can safely choose from the wide selection on Sangeetha’s fully vegetarian menu. Try the dhal tadka for a plant protein-filled addition to your meal, or the paneer butter masala for a deliciously hearty main course that will leave you satisfied yet wanting more!
Sangeetha Vegetarian Restaurant, UG 1-5 & 31, Wing On Plaza, 62 Mody Road, East Tsim Sha Tsui | (+852) 2640 2123
Woodlands has long been a foodie favourite and a plant-based staple—it holds the title of Hong Kong’s oldest Indian vegetarian restaurant, and its quality has held up even after nearly 40 years. It has also recently added non-alcoholic beer and halal-certified alcohol-free wine to the menu, as well as a dedicated vegan menu featuring curries that retain all the lush flavours of say, a makhani, without the use of any cream or dairy products.
Woodlands, UG 16 & 17, Wing On Plaza, 62 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | (+852) 2369 3718
Covering the hottest new eats, the best places to play, offbeat takes on local culture, and so much more, Localiiz is every Hongkonger’s destination for how to live a well-rounded life in our vibrant city. Why the strange spelling? Well, Localiiz is designed to be your “local eyes”—and for that, you need two i’s.
Top