Do you know a vegetarian? Chances are the answer is yes. They might be full on vegan, they might be a ‘proper’ vegetarian that doesn’t eat fish or eggs. Or like me, they might be a ‘pretend’ vegetarian that still loves a bit of seafood and pretty much lives off scrambled egg.

Agreeing on where to eat when you have a food restriction can be a bit cumbersome, especially when you’re the vegetarian in question…you want somewhere you can get a tasty meal and be sure you don’t end up with a moaning meat-eating mate at the dinner table with you.

Well, be gone awkwardness, here’s ten places that you can get a great veggie meal…

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10. Little Bangkok

Although not a ‘full on’ vegetarian restaurant, this Thai chain has a lot of veggie and vegan options on the menu. And best of all they will alter anything to make it so, if you ask. Little Bangkok has locations all over Dubai including Media City, JLT, The Greens and Motor City, and is reasonably priced too, with mains starting from around AED 35. Choose from the veggie pad thai, dim sum or green curry – to name just a few options.

9. Ottimo

Imagine a restaurant that does amazing Italian and Mexican food with an Indian twist..and everything on the menu is vegetarian. No need to imagine, just head over to Ottimo in Oud Metha for an extensive menu that includes tacos, pizzas, pastas, lasagna, nachos and so so much more. Finish with one of their delicious desserts (be sure to try the cheesecake). Expect to pay around AED 35 for a main dish.

8. Mint Leaf of London

Want somewhere a little posher for your veggie meal? Look no further than Mint Leaf of London in the Emirates Financial Towers. Not only is the menu full of delicious Indian vegetarian dishes but also has vegan, gluten free, dairy free and nut free. The menu is also divided into veg and non-veg sections for starters and mains, and their business lunch has a vegetarian set menu option too. Start with the Aloo Chaat and the tuck into the dal makani (buttery dark lentils) and the Sambhar Spice Chatpati Subzi (a tasty exotic vegetable curry). It’s not cheap here but the best thing is veggie options are always less dear when it comes to curry!

7. 77 Veggie Boutique

As the name suggests everything on the menu at 77 Veggie is meat-free. It’s also super healthy and there’s tons of vegan options too. They offer a monthly healthy food plan too, but you can also just get yourself some lunch, by either popping into the JLT eatery or ordering online. Give the Petit Paneer Platter or the Spinach Jacket Wrap a whirl, and whatever happens…don’t leave the Vegan Chocolate Cake off your order!

(Folks, you’ve got to try these 10 Awesome Veggie Dishes That Aren’t Just Another Friggin Mushroom Risotto)

Prices are around AED 40 for a main dish, with desserts around AED 14.

6. Pizza Express

Might not be the first place you think of when you think meat-free food…but Pizza Express is the perfect place to take a veggie friend for dinner. We all know Italian food is carb heavy and that suits us veggies, there’s options when it comes to the pastas, pizzas, starters and the salads. Go for the stuffed portobello mushroom for starters then choose from the delicious asparagus gnocchi or Padana goat’s cheese pizza. Mains cost around AED 60.

5. Mantoushe

It might not be a full-on veggie restaurant but the food is so good, it’s a favourite with many vegetarians and vegans alike. The beauty of Mantoushe (located in cluster P, JLT) is that the ingredients are incredible but if you don’t fancy any of the veggie wraps or salads on the menu (you’d be hard pushed not to), there’s a create your own option…so you can eat as veggie/vegan as you want.

We’re big fans of the ‘FETAZEE’ wrap (Feta, Zaatar with olive oil, Lettuce, Cucumber, Pomegranate) get the regular for AED 18 or the half portion for AED 9. Add a portion of the awesome sweet pepper fries to complete your order!

(Looking for a guilt-free meal? A Healthy New Food Delivery Place Has Opened In JLT And It Actually Tastes Really Good)

4. Bikanervala

Indian restaurants are great for veggie options and Bikanervala is one of the many in Dubai that is 100% meat free. Originating from Delhi, the various locations around Dubai are quite often full of Indian people – which is a great sign when looking for a good curry. The variety of curries and deserts available are huge, to save yourself having to choose – go for the mini or deluxe thali – that way you get to try a bit of everything and it’s cheap as chips. Prices start at less that AED 30.

3. Little Italy

This restaurant in Al Karama is totally vegetarian…yes, every single thing on the endless pages of the menu is meat-free. And don’t let the name ‘Little Italy‘ mislead you – yes, there’s tons of pizza and pasta on offer but there’s a fair number of Mexican dishes too, think: enchiladas, nachos, burritos, tacos and of course, guacamole. If you’re the sort of vegetarian that likes tasty food that comes in huge, no nonsense portions, then this place is for you. Mains cost around AED 40.

2. Be Super Natural

This healthy veggie food haven is situated in Galeries Lafayette in Dubai Mall, look out for it at Ripe Market too and now you can even get it delivered thanks to Deliveroo (Downtown only). Be Super Natural sells itself as free from meat, dairy, gluten, sugar and synthetic chemicals. As well as packaged goods like chocolates, popcorn and almond butter, you can also have fresh treats like smoothies, salads and deserts. Best of all…everything tastes as clean and delicious as it looks.

1. Spice Kraft

Not only has Spice Kraft taken the number one slot in this list of top veggie places to eat, it wouldn’t be out of place in various other top tens too… think: best Indian restaurants, best places to eat in JLT, best budget eatery…the place is a total winner.

As soon as you arrive, you’re won over by the quaint outside seating that includes secluded tables, where you’re hidden by the huge drapes that surround them and being on the lake level of JLT means it’s also dog-friendly. It has an extensive menu of vegetarian curries but the stand out winner is the Punjabi Thali for a mere AED 22, complete with at least four curries, yoghurt, a starter, rice, a variety of breads, popadoms and a desert. Totally delicious and super kind on the wallet.

Now read: 21 Vegetarian Recipes That Won’t Leave You Craving Meat