Did you know that New Zealand ranks third in the world for veganism? in 2018 10 per cent of Kiwis surveyed said they were vegetarian or ‘mostly’ meat-free. As concerns of climate change become more and more pressing, and with the development of meat-simulating substitutes like the Beyond Burger, here are 4 restaurants in Central Auckland ahead of the curve, serving up plant-based goodness all day long.

LORD OF THE FRIES

18 Commerce Street
179-189 Karangahape Road

Vegan junk food fans – rejoice! Founded by a Mandy, a Canadian, and Mark, an Australian, who met in Taiwan, Lord of the Fries was born with one mission in mind – give the people what they want! Specifically, damn good fries.

Sick of fries drowned in beef tallow or cooked in cheap oil and smothered in watered-down tomato sauce, Mandy and Mark started Lord of the Fries from the back of a van, roaming around Australia and serving up golden, crunchy fries in a cone, with home-made sauces inspired by flavours from around the world.

In 2005 they got their own permanent store in Melbourne, and since then they’ve expanded across the ditch to open up numerous stores around New Zealand, including two in Auckland.

Their menu includes a range of burgers, hot dogs, sides, breakfast options, and of course their famous fries, and is 100% vegan-friendly. They use their own recipes for their mock beef and veggie patties, and have ‘phish’ and ‘chick’n’, patties too. For an extra $4, you can swap out your pattie for a Beyond Burger, the hip new protein-rich meat alternative of the moment, all the way from the USA.

lordofthefries.co.nz

RAW POWER CAFE

10 Vulcan Lane

Serving up healthful vegetarian cuisine in the heart of the city, Raw Power Cafe has been going strong for over 10 years. The cafe is right off central Queen Street, and serves up a range of whole foods plant-based meals including a tofu burger, falafel pita pocket, and a soup of the day, as well as more juices and smoothies than you could shake a stick at.

Raw Power Cafe is vegetarian and so serves eggs and dairy in some meals, but they helpfully mark out vegan options with a (V).

facebook.com/rawpowercafe

REVIVE VEGAN CAFE

24 Wyndham Street
33 Lorne Street

Another option for a meat-free lunchbreak, Revive Cafe serves meals packed full of plant-based whole foods. Alongside an extensive menu of hot meals, Revive serves a huge range of salad boxes, including a dukkah roasted potato salad with cashew aioli, and the “Greenalicious” salad, with spinach, broccoli, and edamame beans, garnished with Vietnamese lime and mint.

Revive Cafe was founded in 2004 by Jeremy Dixon after a 10-day cleanse at a health retreat. After returning to Auckland, he and his wife Verity soon realised how thin on the ground healthy food options were for busy workers on the go. Revive now has two outlets in Central Auckland, and has launched a number of cookbooks too.

revive.co.nz

SUNFLOWER

6/50 High Street

Serving up delicious vegan Thai food by the bowlful is Sunflower Thai Restaurant, located opposite the Central City Library in downtown Auckland. Using tofu as well as soy ‘chicken’, ‘duck’, ‘beef’, and even soy ‘fish’, Sunflower offers delicious, satiating meals that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. Alongside their mock meat offerings are plenty of vegetable dishes, including classic green, red, and massaman curries for as little as $15.

facebook.com/sunflowerthairestaurant