7+ Best Vegan Restaurants in Johannesburg
Since I left the nest for Cape Town in 2014, I’m happy to report that Johannesburg’s vegan restaurant scene has grown and is slowly giving the Mother City a run for her money.
There are cute cafes aplenty, more restaurants than ever before are offering soy milk on the menu, and it’s becoming harder to find a vegan option on a menu that isn’t a salad.
Whether you’re visiting the City of Gold on holiday, for a stopover, or you’re a local looking for a few new haunts, I’ve whittled down my go-to vegan eats list to the best of the best (in my hungry opinion).
Here’s where to find the best vegan food in Johannesburg!
Table of Contents
Naked Café (Vegan-Friendly)
I came across Naked Café in Morningside by accident. I was on Instagram, scrolling away, when I saw a photo of their beautiful green-tiled wall.
The name of the café quickly captivated my attention, and it wasn’t long before I was dragging my boyfriend out of the house to grab breakfast here.
Naked Café serves one of the best cups of coffee in Johannesburg. You can choose your dairy-free milk alternative, and while the menu isn’t entirely vegan, there are more than enough options that will keep you satiated.
Another thing that I love about Naked Café is its attention to detail. The café has beautiful cutlery, and every single piece of décor adds to the vibe.
It gets jam-packed here on the weekends, especially around brunch time. You might have to wait for a table, so it’s best to phone ahead and reserve one in advance (even if you’re only two people).
What to Try: If you’re coming here for breakfast, try one of the smoothie bowls, and their iced coffee is my go-to order on a hot summer’s day in Johannesburg.
Saigon Suzy (Vegan-Friendly)
Located in Rosebank, around the corner from Sin Tax (one of the best-hidden bars in Johannesburg), is Saigon Suzy. It’s a Vietnamese restaurant decked out with incredible murals of life in Vietnam and has an entire wall devoted to golden cats nodding their heads, each with a single paw raised.
While Saigon Suzy isn’t a fully-vegan restaurant, it’s easy to adjust the menu to your dietary preferences if you order the DIY your wok dish.
You can pick and choose every single ingredient, down to rice noodles, tofu, and plenty of vegetables.
I’ve been here a few times and have found that coming here for dinner on a Friday evening isn’t the best idea. It’s super busy, and the quality and quantity of the food seem to go down.
The best time to come to Saigon is for lunch or brunch when the restaurant is quieter.
You can pick and choose your table. If you’re after cute Instagram pics, sit in front of one of the murals or ask for a table upstairs.
There is a second-level courtyard that has even more murals, plenty of natural light if you like documenting your meals, and it’s where you’ll find the wall of cats!
What to Try: DIY your wok and try the teriyaki or peanut satay sauce! You can’t leave without trying their authentic Vietnamese coffee.
Col’cacchio (Vegan-Friendly)
If you follow me on Instagram (and if you don’t, you should *wink wink*), you’ll know that I have a major weak spot for Uber Eats. At the heart of this first-world convenience obsession is Col’cahico’s.
It’s the only restaurant in my neighbourhood that offers delicious vegan pizza. The only downside? It will cost you a pretty penny.
You can expect to pay just over R 200, including the delivery fee, but it’s worth it. I think Col’cacchio makes the best vegan pizza in Johannesburg!
My bank account might shudder and cry each time I give in, but my taste buds and stomach are always grateful for my weak will.
What to Try: The Lazio vegan pizza!
Asian Herbivore Restaurant (Fully Vegan)
If you love Asian food and you’re vegan, Asian Herbivore is going to become your new favourite plant-based restaurant in Johannesburg.
Serving up an impressive menu of Asian-inspired dishes like dumplings, baos, ramen, and stir-fries, all completely animal-free and delicious!
The portions are generous, the flavours are bold, and nothing on the menu tastes like a compromise. It’s not “vegan food that tries to be Asian food.” It’s just excellent Asian food that happens to be vegan.
What to Try: The spicy ramen.
Fruits & Roots (Fully Vegan)
Fruits & Roots is an organic health store in Johannesburg with an affordable vegan restaurant.
It focuses on fresh, nourishing food, and it’s the perfect spot for a healthy breakfast or lunch. The wraps are excellent, the pizza is delicious, and the green curry is a must-try!
What to Try: Thai green curry and Mexican bean wrap
Leafy Greens Cafe (Fully Vegan)
Leafy Greens has been flying the flag for plant-based eating in Johannesburg for years, and it’s still one of the best fully vegan restaurants in the city.
The menu is extensive, with a strong focus on whole-food, plant-based cooking that doesn’t rely on processed meat substitutes to make things interesting.
What to Try: Shakshuka Stack and the Chili Protein Bowl
The Vegan Chef (Fully Vegan)
The Vegan Chef is a fully plant-based restaurant. There’s no sad salads, no afterthought mushroom options, just proper, restaurant-quality food that happens to contain zero animal products.
The menu is creative and changes regularly, which keeps things interesting and gives you a reason to keep coming back.
What to Try: Crispy Chickn Burger and Loaded Nachos
Are you impossibly hungry and ready to go on a vegan food adventure? Or did I miss your favourite vegan restaurant in Johannesburg? Let me know in the comments below!
Want more vegan food inspiration or things to do in South Africa? Check out my other posts:
- The Best Vegan Restaurants in Cape Town You Need To Try
- 12 Vegan Travel Products You Need for Your Next Trip
- Where to Find The Best Vegan Food in Berlin
- Staying in a Cabin at Rosemary Hill Farm in Pretoria
- The Best of the Panorama Route South Africa: 2-Day Itinerary
- 10 + Best Hiking Trails in Johannesburg (A Local’s Guide)
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Hi Lauren
The greenside cafe was also my introduction to vegan life about 6 years ago.. it is not there anymore. The Fussy Vegan is in it’s place in Greenside. TFV has two other branches at city rock and blairegowrie. I swear the fussy vegan is the best place on the planet.
You must definitely check them out
Cheers michael
Hi Michael! Thanks for the rec 🙂 I’ll def go check them out the next time I’m in Jol’burg.