Vegan Dining

As a vegan blogger, I am frequently asked about eating out in Abu Dhabi, where do I go, am I able to find places to dine easily? I can honestly say that I did struggle when I first transitioned to vegan, I had no idea where to start and I was constantly worried about being served animal products unknowingly or being stuck with a salad! However, I love dining out and throughout these past few years I have tried several restaurants in Abu Dhabi and in doing so hunted down the best vegan friendly places in town. It is no secret that Abu Dhabi hosts some mind-blowing dining experiences, here are three of my favourites….. where you won’t be served a plain salad!

Sontaya, The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi 
I am totally obsessed with Sontaya for a few reasons, the main one being that they have an entire menu titled ‘Vegetarian Corner’ dedicated to both vegans and vegetarians. It’s great going out to eat and having so many amazing dishes to choose from! Sontaya serves the best satay tofu I have ever had (and I have had a lot of satay tofu) along with the most gorgeous rice paper spring rolls. There are plenty of delicious veggie side dishes to choose from as well as vegan salads, soups and curries. Not only is the food out of this world, the restaurant sits on a floating pavilion and the view is beautiful. I highly recommend heading there for sunset, be sure to book an outdoor table before it gets too hot!

Hoi An, Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi 
As soon as you step into Hoi An, you feel like you have been teleported to South East Asia and you just know the food is going to be good. The menu boasts an entire page of mouth-watering vegetable dishes and there is even a veggie set menu option available which is something I don’t see often. Crispy Mushroom Rolls, Tempura Eggplant and Sweet and Sour Soup are just a few of the delicious veggie starter dishes available. When it comes to the main course, the Clay Pot Braised Tofu steals the show. Tomato sauce, eggplant, onion and sweet basil are combined to create a generous tofu dish bursting with flavour. Hoi An is the perfect mix of chic yet authenticity, I can’t wait to visit again! Sit outside to enjoy a stunning setting under the Vietnamese lamps and get that real feel of Asia.

KOI, The Collection, Saadiyat Island
If you fancy a night of sushi and other Japanese delights then KOI is a must. The restaurant itself is elegant and oozes charm, friendly and attentive staff who welcome you as soon as you step inside. The extensive menu clearly lists which dishes are vegetarian and also highlights dishes that include dairy, which makes it really easy to order. Enjoy the ridiculously addictive Edamame or the Chilled Tomato and Crunchy Sweet Potato to begin this impressive culinary experience, I also love the Seaweed Medley. The Sushi is fantastic with avocado, cucumber and mixed vegetable rolls available and the Grilled Eggplant is a must try. KOI hosts one of the best Friday brunches in Abu Dhabi which can be created to meet the needs of vegans and vegetarians, a five course Japanese food journey not to be missed!

Words by Jessica
Jess is a 26 old Scottish vegan and ethical lifestyle blogger living in the UAE. She is passionate about veganism and sustainability and uses her blog as a platform to raise awareness on a range of issues she cares about. Jess hopes her blog inspires people to think about making changes and to show compassion not only to our planet, but everyone else we share it with.

Follow Jess on her blog,  www.foxesandfood.com
Instagram: @foxesandfood