5 Vegan-friendly spots in the city

Given the tremendous health benefits (and how jaw-droppingly gorge the food looks!), vegan diets are becoming increasingly popular. Nevertheless, it’s not always easy to find an eatery that caters to those with special dietary requirements. If you’ve been struggling to find takeout, don’t despair! Here are the Cape’s coolest vegan-friendly spots to sate your appetite.

1 Royale Eatery

Calling all burger-lovin’ vegans! With a dedicated ‘Vegetarian and Vegan’ category on their menu, you’ll no doubt find a meal that you simply can’t resist. Try the Georgia Brown, a wheat-free patty cooked with black-eyed beans and finely cut veggies or their vegan-friendly version of the traditional cheese burger. All their meals are freshly prepared on site and contain no MSG, colourants or additives. To drink, we suggest you sip on one of the herbal or fruit teas, with flavours changing daily.

OF NOTE
When Monday to Saturday 12  pm – 11:30 pm
Where  273 Long Street, CBD
Contact +27 21 422 4536, [email protected], royaleeatery.com

2 Scheckter’s Raw

After a stint in New York, owner Toby Scheckter was awestruck by the creativity flowing from the health food realm and developed a penchant for nutritious delicacies. So when he returned to South Africa, Scheckter’s Raw came to life. The establishment’s meals, injected with the flavours of Mother Nature, are just as pleasing to the eye as they are to the tastebuds. Scheckter’s also offer a restorative cleansing programme, guaranteed to flush the toxins from your system. To complete the cleanse, pick up a few bottles of their exclusive ‘mylks’ and drink them in place of your regular meals.

OF NOTE
When Monday to Wednesday 8 am – 4 pm, Thursday to Saturday 8  am – 8 pm, Sundays 8 am – 4 pm
Where  98 Regent Road, Sea Point
Contact +27 21 434 1364, [email protected], schecktersraw.com

3 Zucchini’s 

This little treasure trove might not be the easiest to find but their patrons can attest to the fact that their tasty, home-made food more than makes up for it. Think refreshing smoothies, hearty soups, piping hot pies and even chickpea and almond fudge – yum! The aromas wafting through the restaurant as early as 10 am, along with the warm smiles from their staff, make Zucchini’s feel like a second home. If you’ve decided to pop in during your lunch hour, going back to the office will be no easy feat.

OF NOTE
When Weekdays 8 am – 4 pm
Where 83 Loop Street, CBD
Contact +27 21 424 8571, [email protected], Facebook

4 Gather

Founded by professional chef Filippa Harrington and fine artist Daniela Puccini, Gather is an environmental sustainability venture offering nutritious, plant-based food and a host of workshops on topics such as gardening, farming and home maintenance. The 100% plant-based cuisine is a fusion of Italian and Swedish dishes and the kitchen is stocked with produce from Cape Town’s peri-urban organic farmers, incorporating excess waste crop wherever possible. Plus, Gather incentivises its patrons to live a green lifestyle by offering discounts if you bring your own take-away container.

OF NOTE
When TBA on Facebook
Where 196 Victoria Road, Woodstock (entrance in Victoria Healing Centre)
Contact [email protected], filippaharrington.com/gather

5 Maharajah Pure Vegetarian Cuisine

Its central location and close proximity to popular retail stores such as Clicks and Pick n Pay make Maharajah Pure Vegetarian Cuisine a convenient spot for grabbing a quick bite between shopping errands. Although their menu is based on a lacto-vegetarian diet, they whip up several options for vegans too. Tuck into one of their curried wraps, such as the butter bean curry or mixed vegetable curry, then finish off with a scrumptious vegan muffin. With their priciest repast going for only R66, you’re promised tempting food at even more alluring prices. What else could you ask for?

OF NOTE
When Monday to Saturday 10 am – 9 pm
Where  6 Rondebosch Court Fountain Square, 45 Main Road, Rondebosch
Contact +27 21 685 7891, [email protected], vegetarianfoods.co.za

Photography Courtesy images