Let’s talk Veganuary. It is both, a non-profit organisation and an annual 31-day event that has inspired people, since 2014, to adopt a vegan lifestyle for the month of January (and after). This worldwide initiative aims to educate and motivate people into a plant-based way of living, reducing one’s carbon footprint for a cleaner, greener, and a more compassionate, kinder planet. If you’re looking to embrace Veganuary, look no further than this nifty guide for spots to dine at
Brunch & Cake
Love cheesecake? Opt for a guilt-free version at Brunch & Cake. Other menu highlights include the creamy, herbed scrambled tofu with crispy sourdough toast; a vegan chickpea omelette filled with roasted pumpkin, vegan cream cheese, caramelised peppers and a veggie breakfast burrito with protein rice, sweet potato fries. All dine-in customers receive a complimentary vegan cheesecake when ordering any vegan main.
Daily from 8am-10pm (Sunday to Wednesday) and 8am-10:30pm (Thursday to Saturday) at their Al Wasl venue. Call 800 4726362.
BiCE Ristorante
This renowned Italian dining hotspot now at Hilton Dubai Jumeirah has collaborated with celebrity entrepreneur and recipe developer Kamilla Omarzay to launch an exclusive variety of vegan pizzas. This limited-period menu features six vegan pizzas including the Trofulicious pizza with cream of pumpkin as a base topped with roasted tofu, grilled eggplant and black truffle; Mas-calzone pizza with creamy vegan cheese, mushrooms and broccoli cream; Frue Frue pizza with cream of artichoke, and plenty more. And yes, there’s a dessert pizza too that’s worth saving space for.
Available January 13-31. From 5-11pm (Tuesday to Thursday) and 12:30-11pm (Friday to Saturday). Call +9714 318 2319 or email restaurant.JBR@hilton.com.
Sukhothai
Indulge in a delectable array of traditional Thai vegan dishes at Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre such as Som Tum Je, a green papaya salad with nuts, carrots, long beans and lime dressing; Pak Thod Je, a mixed vegan veggie tempura with a plum sauce; Geang Dand Pak (red curry sauce with mixed vegetables, tofu and basil) and more.
Daily for lunch (12:30-4pm) and dinner (7-11pm). Call +9714 702 2455.
Bounty Beets
A must-visit for any avid foodie! Kick start your day with a fresh, organic meal. This Instagram-worthy cafe captures all things pink, fun and vibrant. Dishes to try includes the Bunbelievable (a Beyond Vegan patty with all the trimmings, BBQ mayo, cheddar and sweet potato fries); ‘I Carrot About You’ (spiced roasted carrots served with green lentil, cucumber, kale, pomegranate, almonds, finished off with tahini sauce), and loads more.
Daily from 8am-10pm at their venue in the Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort. Call +9714 399 4141.
Parlour Boutique
This French-Mediterranean café is now offering a variety of vegan and vegetarian all-day breakfast choices. Among sweet and savoury options, tuck into dishes such as the L’acai with fresh fruit, granola and grated coconut; the L’Italien (a toasted ciabatta topped with homemade burrata, pesto, olives, cherry tomatoes, baby rocca and a balsamic reduction); and the Le Levantine, a toasted slice of rye bread with mashed avocado, beetroot hummus and halloumi, garnished with pomegranate seeds and pistachios, to name a few breakfast delights.
Available daily from 8am-7pm.
EETEN Urban Kitchen
This modern restaurant-café at Dubai Marina Mall has rustled up new vegan additions to their all-day breakfast, lunch and dinner menus this Veganuary. Expect vegan pancakes, a crispy grilled veggie sandwich with an avo-hummus spread, the Urban green salad and an aubergine salad with tamari gluten-free soy sauce. Diners can also enjoy vegan soups such as lentil, butternut squash, carrot-ginger and lemongrass, and cream of kale and spinach. These new additions along with specialty coffees and freshly-baked pastries are best enjoyed al fresco, where you can take in stunning views of the Dubai Marina.
Available daily from 8am-11pm (12am on weekends). Order online.
Gourmet Burger Kitchen
A healthier option to your standard burger, GBK’s vegan burger (known as the Californian) is a pan-fried bean patty topped with vegan cheddar, smashed avocado, harissa mayo, paprika onions, relish and salad. You can also customise your burger with a wide selection of sides such as the GBK homeslaw, chunky fries and truffle parmesan fries.
Available for dine in at GBK locations in DIFC, Mirdif City Center, Jumeirah Lakes Tower and Abu Dhabi Mall. Order via the GBKUAE app.
Maiden Shanghai
If you’re in the mood for an intimate dinner with stunning views of the Dubai Marina, Maiden Shanghai is the spot to make a beeline for. This award-winning restaurant serves Cantonese, Sichuan, Shanghai and Beijing flavours. Top vegan options are the MaPo Tofu, wok-braised aubergine in Yuxiang sauce, and mushroom and vegetable stir-fried noodles with soy sauce.
Available for lunch from 12:30-3:30pm (Tuesday to Saturday) and dinner from 7-11:30pm (daily) at FIVE Palm Jumeirah. Book online.
Fuchsia Urban Thai
Boasting an extensive menu of vegan Thai offerings, foodies have the option of corn fritters, Tom Yum with coconut, papaya salad, mango sticky rice and much more. Furthermore, dine-in customers will also be treated to a complimentary dish of pumpkin red curry with Thai rotis when they order a main dish off the vegan menu.
Until January 31. 2-11pm (Sunday to Thursday) and 12pm-2am (Friday to Saturday) at their venue in Barsha Heights, and from 12-11pm at their venue in Business Bay. Call +9714 361 7117 or +9714 425 3080.
Ronda Locatelli
With a wide selection of vegan dishes on the menu, you won’t run out of options at this well-loved eatery at Atlantis, the Palm. The new menu also features vegan cheese in their delish spinach salad. Last but definitely not the least, wrap up your meal with a decadent vegan chocolate sphere.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12-10pm. Call +9714 426 2626.
ZOCO
Hotfoot to this Mexican diner at The Atrium for their revamped vegan menu showcasing vibrant, flavourful dishes. Indulge in a selection of antojitos, tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, chilaquilies, garnachas, street corn and more. Don’t miss their fruity, refreshing sorbets including mango, lime and passion fruit.
Available Monday to Saturday from 5pm-1am. Call +9714 437 0044.
