More and more people are incorporating vegan habits into their lifestyle for both health and environmental reasons.
Veganism is the practice of abstaining from the consumption of animal products, including items such as cheese and eggs. Using solely plant-based ingredients makes for anything but a boring meal, however.
Here’s where to go in and near Joburg for a feast of vegan delights:
Leafy Greens Café, Muldersdrift
Leafy Greens Café is a neighbourhood favourite known for its hearty lunch buffet. Most of the produce served comes straight from its veggie garden, so you can be sure everything is seasonal and fresh. Hidden under oak trees and surrounded by walls of green ivy, this spot will make you feel surrounded by nature and calm – no wonder the restaurant is a popular wedding venue!
Aside from the buffet, Leafy Greens’s pizza is a must-try – it rivals any cheesy pizza.
Where to find it: Rocky Ridge Road, Muldersdrift
Lexi’s Healthy Eatery, Sandown
Lexi’s Healthy Eatery uses no refined sugars or products that contain gluten in its almost 100% vegan eats. Open from breakfast to dinner, the restaurant brings creativity and flair to its meals. For a brekkie burst of flavour, try the polenta breakfast stack, consisting of mushrooms, grilled cherry tomatoes and polenta cakes. When lunch and dinner roll around, sample the sweet potato-and-chickpea activated-charcoal burger for a sensation for both the eyes and taste buds.
Where to find it: 24 Central Centre, 6 Gwen Lane, Sandown
Conscious 108, Greenside
Conscious 108 is famous for its delectable vegan hamburgers that’ll make you double-check that you’re not eating the real thing. Who said vegan food can’t include guilty treats? Definitely not Conscious 108 – the beer-battered deep-fried tofu is beyond delicious.
Where to find it: 108 Greenway Road, Greenside
Free Food, Birnam/Melrose
Just to be clear, the name Free Food doesn’t mean the food is free. It’s actually free from animal products, gluten, sugar and preservatives. Even though it uses no sugar or dairy in its kitchen, Free Food is famed for its vegan milkshakes and ice cream. How’s that for guilt-free treats?
Free Food updates its menu on a weekly basis and the home-style meals and bowls are great for a sit-down lunch at the restaurant or takeaways to enjoy at home.
Where to find it: Shop 5 Reithmere, c/o Delta Road and Corlett Drive, Birnam/Melrose
Urbanologi, Ferreirasdorp
Urbanologi is an award-winning restaurant focused on sustainable cooking. Everything that comes out of its kitchen is centred around eco-friendly and zero-waste principles.The restaurant sources and selects all ingredients from local producers within a 150km radius. The menu caters for meat eaters, as well as vegetarians and vegans, so you can bring along all your friends for a feast of fresh and delicious culinary creations.
Where to find it: 1 Fox St, Ferreirasdorp
Fresh Earth Food Store, Emmarentia
Fresh Earth Food Store is your one-stop shop for healthy goodness. The shop sells scrumptious organic produce and food, health and personal-care products, and the café will satisfy your cravings after you worked up an appetite shopping. The café caters to vegans, vegetarians and people with food intolerances.
No matter your dietary requirements, Fresh Earth has both your tummy and your grocery basket covered.
Where to find it: 103 Komatie Road, Emmarentia