The best vegetarian restaurants in Manchester

The Walled Gardens is not only the home of award-winning chef Eddie Shepherd but also houses his unique dining experience. Shepherd focuses on contemporary vegetarian fine dining, hosting intimate dinners for just eight guests that sell out months in advance. In a relaxed, convivial atmosphere you'll get to enjoy a multiple-course tasting menu of ambitious plant-based dishes, accompanied by BYOB drinks or a wine pairing.

The Bundobust joints serve Indian street food and craft beers in a relaxed, industrial-themed space featuring communal tables. Whether you're in the mood for small snacks like parathas, heartier options like dhal or vada pav, or a combination of flavourful dishes, there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options to choose from here. The affordably-priced eateries also offer takeaway.

ARMR Cafe & Kitchen, initially based in Ardwick, has since moved to manage the bar and kitchen at Contact Theatre. The menu here revolves around wholesome, vegetarian-friendly Caribbean dishes, featuring plant-based takes on classic dishes such as curried chickpeas, red lentil & potato stew, and crispy jackfruit wraps. Serving breakfast and lunch, this contemporary theatre café also offers catering services.

Fuel Cafe Bar, a lively vegetarian restaurant in South Manchester, offers a unique combination of a downstairs dining area serving globally-inspired cuisine from breakfast to dinner, and an upstairs event space hosting concerts, comedy nights, open mic events, and more. Open to local promoters, this inclusive venue is proudly rooted in the DIY ethos.

Lily's Indian Vegetarian Cuisine, an award-winning, family-run restaurant in Ashton-under-Lyne, is renowned for its exclusively vegetarian menu. It offers a wide range of dishes including street food, curries, and Indian sweets. The restaurant's spacious and casual setting is complemented by the tempting array of desserts displayed at the counter. In addition to the original restaurant, you can get their curries, sweets, and other snacks to go at the spin-off Lily's Deli in Chorlton.

Established in 1970 as a workers' cooperative, The Eighth Day continues to uphold its original ethos. Dedicated to supporting an ethical, eco-friendly lifestyle, the store features an extensive range of meat- and animal cruelty-free products, including groceries, fresh fruits and vegetables, along with beauty and cleaning items. At the colourful on-site café, you can enjoy wholesome meat-free lunch options like curries and bowls, as well as cakes, speciality coffee, freshly-made smoothies, and more.

Greens in Didsbury had been a cornerstone of vegetarian dining in Manchester for over three decades before closing in 2024. Chef Simon Rimmer continues his life's work at Greens' sibling in Sale, offering a globally-influenced assortment of small and large dishes, each either vegetarian or vegan. Alongside the main dining space and an outdoor terrace, Greens Sale also features a seasonal rooftop bar.

The Garden Eatery, established by two close friends, began as a juice bar and raw food café before evolving into a comprehensive wellness hub that provides nourishing meals, including a signature range of cold-pressed juices. Located in Hale, the café serves an all-day brunch menu focusing on health-oriented vegetarian options such as avocado and eggs, sweetcorn fritters, and supergreen omelettes. In addition to its daily lunch specials, this trendy venue also serves a variety of juices, smoothies, and hot drinks designed to enhance your wellbeing.

Bondi Bowls, part of the Kampus residential area near Piccadilly Station, boasts a straightforward and minimalistic design. This informal eatery specialises in bowls brimming with fresh and nutritious ingredients. You can choose from a variety of plant-based foundations, like an Indian or Mexican bowl, and add feta to keep it vegetarian. The menu also features soup and smoothie bowls, alongside classic smoothies and invigorating health shots.

With its unpretentious decor and ample seating both indoors and outdoors, this Indian restaurant is suited to a variety of occasions. Sanskruti's menu showcases an array of vegetarian and vegan Indian dishes, encompassing specialities from the vast country's different regions, with everything from street food and spicy curries to comforting dals on the table. This was one of the first vegetarian restaurants to open in Manchester.