Bentley Restaurant & Bar

Even if you have low expectations about vegetarian dining, this will feel like an adrenalin shot. Unapologetic flavours and thrill-seeking ingredients – try cauliflower custard, black potato with beetroot – make it a standout.

Corner Pitt & Hunter Streets, Sydney, 02 8214 0505, thebentley.com.au

Bread and Circus

You don't need a guilt trip to eat here. Hefty salads with full-blast flavours such as cabbage, kale, and shiso with a zingy yuzu pomegranate dressing will inspire voluntary visits to this great wholefoods canteen.

21 Fountain Street, Alexandria, 0418 214 425, breadandcircus.com.au

The Bridge Room

Ross Lusted can definitely stand the heat, as high-impact smokiness and true elegance smoulders from his veg-friendly menu. Try his campfire-cosy kipfler potatoes and mushrooms cooked over coals or exquisite robata-grilled lettuce with smoked pumpkin.

Ground Level, 44 Bridge Street, Sydney, 02 9247 7000, thebridgeroom.com.au

Duy Linh

Need an express tour through the more than 200 vegan items at this casual Asian eatery? We suggest ordering the authentic-as-hell canh chua sweet and sour 'fish' soup, banh cuon rice noodle dish and lemongrass tofu.

Shop 10, 117 John Street (enter via Hill Street), Cabramatta, 02 9727 9800

LuMi

The Chawanmushi custard – an inspired take on a Japanese staple – is not the only one-of-a-kind feature here. Even the snack plate, where free-form salt and vinegar rice chips are a highlight, demonstrates chef Federico Zanellato's impressive originality.

56 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont, 02 9571 1999, lumidining.com

Moon Park

Ask for the vegetarian menu at this inventive Korean establishment, and you'll score knockout dishes: think potato pancake with shiso, biscuit with black garlic and cauliflower, and charred eggplant with mung bean jelly and zucchini namul.

34 Redfern Street, Redfern, 02 9690 0111, moon-park.com.au

MissChu

From the killer rice paper rolls to vegan options aplenty (there's even a vegan pho), these Vietnamese tuck shops don't just subtract meat from part of their menu – they offer a tasty selection built on striking Vietnamese flavours.

Locations include Bondi, Darlinghurst, Elizabeth Bay Marina, Sydney CBD, Martin Place and Manly, misschu.com.au

Pilgrims

This popular Cronulla offshoot of the vegetarian institution seems destined to last as long as the much-loved Milton original (established in 1980). By day, it offers old-school health-conscious fare, by night, it hits full Mexican mode.

97 Gerrale Street, Cronulla, 02 9523 7580, pilgrimsmenu.com

Taj Indian Sweets

The loud orange decor isn't the only thing making this eatery stand out on a street of Indian restaurants; its vego menu makes a more subtle case for your attention. Try the puris, masala dosa and jalebi.

91 Wigram Street, Harris Park, 02 9633 2118, tajindianrestaurant.com.au

Veggie Patch Diner

Unable to chase the Veggie Patch Van food truck (@veggiepatchvan)? Head to its stationary spin-off, Veggie Patch Diner, for brilliant burgers (the haloumi; zucchini and feta; or smoked mushroom and tempeh are all winners) and much more.

239 Glenmore Road, Paddington, 02 9331 5992, veggiepatchdiner.com.au