Banzai Restaurant
(Asian, Japanese)Vegetarians know how difficult it can get to fill the tummy at even the most high-end Japanese restaurants in Auckland, no thanks to the seafood focus of the cuisine. Why, even the deceptively clear miso soup's got fish stock in it!

It will come as a pleasant surprise, then, that Banzai Restaurant makes our recommended Vegetarian Restaurants in Auckland list. While the restaurant evidently isn't fully vegetarian (which Japanese restaurant in New Zealand is, really), this Japanese eatery comes with many vegetarians and vegans' seals of approval. Banzai Restaurant makes a great vegetarian Japanese option with its diverse vegetarian options. The Blue Bird Vegetarian Cafe
(Cafe, Vegan, Vegetarian)The Sri Chinmoy run Blue Bird Vegetarian Cafe is one of the more unique cafes in Auckland, not only because the food that they serve is fully vegetarian, but also because of the spiritual nature of this Mt Eden local. Also vegan friendly with loads of egg-free vegan cakes and slices, the Blue Bird Vegetarian Cafe serves up some of the heartiest and most flavourful vegetarian food in Auckland, thanks to the inclusion of Indian spice influences in their food. Cosset Cafe
(Vegan, Vegetarian)The first of its kind in Auckland, Cosset Cafe is a cafe based in Mt Albert, Auckland that has a fully vegan menu apart from the inclusion of certain dairy-based options, namely milk, cream and yogurt - which obviously makes Cosset Cafe an entirely vegetarian cafe. The magical thing about Cosset Cafe, though, isn't just the fact that it only serves vegan food, but that the omnivores of Auckland would even flock to this vegetarian cafe. This proves that the food at Cosset Cafe is so universally good, nobody will even miss the meat or eggs in their usual brunch or baked treats selection. Domain Ayr Cafe (formerly Kokako Cafe)
(Cafe, Vegetarian)Domain & Ayr Cafe - recently rebranded from being Kokako Cafe - needs no introduction in Auckland. As one of the most avid organic and fair trade supporters in New Zealand's hospitality industry, it may even be fair to say that the Kokako brand is the forefront in heightening awareness of the organic and fair trade movement here in Auckland. As vegetarian and vegan lifestyles often co-relate with organic and fair trade beliefs, it's only natural that Domain & Ayr Cafe is regarded as one of the prime vegetarian spots in Auckland city. Hectors Restaurant & Lobby Bar
(New Zealand, Vegan, Vegetarian)The Heritage Hotel's Lobby Bar has got be the Auckland central city's best kept vegan secret. Head chef Jinu Abraham had outdone himself with an Auckland first - a fully vegan set of menus for the Lobby Bar, inclusive of a vegan breakfast menu, vegan lunch menu, vegan high tea, vegan tapas menu AND vegan petit fours - phew! Where so many other Auckland restaurants and cafes have trouble putting together even a single decent vegetarian or vegan menu the Lobby Bar serves up in spades and aces. And for those who want a more substantial stomach filler at night, the Hectors Restaurant - also headed by the brilliant Jinu Abraham - offers at least four vegan options each for starters, mains AND desserts. Where do we address the fan mail to already? Little Hero Cafe
(Cafe, Vegan, Vegetarian)The Little Hero Cafe from Point Chevalier, Auckland deserves a spot on our top recommended Vegetarian Restaurants in Auckland list because not only is it a fully vegetarian cafe; this Auckland local is also committed to the organic way of living. Little Hero Cafe is the epitome of the good life - it's very child friendly (think sandpits and a toy trolley), feeds you with wholesome organic food and even has a mini supermarket section where you can grab fresh seasonal or packaged organic produce to prepare at home. Ras Vatika Indian Vegetarian Cafe
(Indian, Vegan, Vegetarian)While Indian vegetarian restaurants in Auckland aren't difficult to come by thanks to the beliefs of certain groups in the Indian race, it sure is difficult to find ones that don't serve up watered-down curries, microwaved rotis, or even more commonly half-hearted vegetarian options that hardly pass muster.

Which is why we so openly shower our love on Ras Vatika Indian Vegetarian Cafe of Balmoral, Auckland. Ras Vatika excels in so many ways that many other central Auckland commercialised Indian places do not, even offering vegan and Jain (essentially lacto-veganism without onions or garlic) options upon request. With such an informed understanding of the vegetarian and vegan diet, you can rest assured that your food will be impeccably prepared here. Rasoi Vegetarian Restaurant
(Indian, Vegan, Vegetarian)It is likely that most of us have sauntered past Rasoi Vegetarian Restaurant many a time without really noticing it. But this Indian vegetarian restaurant couldn't have servived on K Road, Auckland for well over a decade for naught, so what gives? Their amazing Indian (or Gujarati, to be more exact) delicacies, of course. Apart from their dosas, pretty much everything on offer at Rasoi Vegetarian Restaurant is authentically Gujarati, down to the non-usage of rich creams in their curries. A vegetarian and vegan friendly restaurant that serves not not only tasty and authentic ethnic foods, but healthy, non-oil or butter laden ones as well? We'll take it! Raw Power Cafe
(Cafe, Vegan, Vegetarian)Raw Power Cafe is our go-to vegetarian option in the Auckland CBD. Not only is this vegetarian (and vegan friendly) cafe cozy and hidden away enough for a quick lunch hour catch-up with the colleagues, but Raw Power Cafe also serves up some of the yummiest and most innovative self-serve salads in Auckland. Not only does the self-service vegetarian salad bar allow us to exercise optimal portion control and minimise wastage; we also get to save enough tummy space for their vegan boozy chocolate rum balls - nothing like a mini-alcoholic hit to sustain us until pre-dinner drinks ;) Soul Thai Takeaway & Delivery
(Asian, Thai, Vegan, Vegetarian)Yet another difficult cuisine to find vegetarian options for is Thai - fish/chicken based stocks and sauces are so integral to the Thai cuisine that it's difficult to find an authentic option here in Auckland that will be able to cater to vegetarians without detracting from its original flavours.

You'll be excited to hear, then, that Soul Thai Takeaway & Delivery based in Grey Lynn has a dedicated vegetarian menu with well over a dozen vegetarian options that can even be made vegan friendly upon request. From vegetarian corn cakes and tofu satays to vegetable coconut soups and a wok-fried sweet basil stir-fry, Auckland vegetarians certainly find something authentically Thai to grab from Soul Thai. Vinyl Coffee Shop
(Cafe)It's hard enough finding a cafe on Dominion Road; what's more a vegetarian and vegan friendly cafe? Luckily for those on this side of Mt Eden, Auckland, there's Vinyl Coffee Shop. Owner of Vinyl Coffee Shop, while not vegetarian or vegan himself, has plenty of vegan friends; it shows in this Auckland based cafe's menu and cabinet offerings. And if the very fact that he once held a vegan-friendly hot-dog eating competition doesn't capture the hearts of you vegetarians or vegans, we don't know what will!