Finding satisfying vegetarian and vegan food in Metro Manila is becoming easier as more restaurants expand beyond traditional meat-free side dishes and offer full menus built around plant-based cooking.
From dedicated vegetarian institutions and vegan cafés to meal subscription services and delivery-focused kitchens, diners now have plenty of choices for everything from Filipino comfort food to Asian favourites, pasta, pizza, burgers and desserts.
Among the notable options is Corner Tree Café, a long-running name in Manila’s plant-based dining scene. Its menu includes vegetarian and vegan comfort food such as arroz à la Cubana, bibimbap, falafels and Thai curry, offering familiar flavours in meat-free versions.
Cosmic is another popular choice, with branches in Poblacion, Kapitolyo, Zamboanga and Alabang. The restaurant focuses heavily on Filipino-inspired plant-based dishes, with sisig and kare-kare among its standout offerings, alongside choices such as lasagna and tempura.
For those looking to stock up at home, Forget Meat! offers ready-to-cook and heat-and-eat plant-based products. Its selection includes frozen versions of Filipino favourites such as tapa, longganisa and embutido, as well as prepared dishes including tofu picadillo, baked macaroni and buko pie.
Pizza lovers can also turn to Gatto Slice, which serves entirely vegan pizzas. Its menu puts a plant-based spin on familiar favourites, including versions inspired by burrata and cheeseburger pizzas.
Green Bar in Legazpi Village offers an all-day plant-based menu covering breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with drinks and baked goods. The restaurant makes its plant-based meats, cheeses, sauces and sweets in-house, while its doughnuts remain a popular choice.
Greenery Kitchen takes a Filipino approach to plant-based cooking, offering dishes such as vegan-friendly versions of malunggay dilis, salpicao, liempo and papaitan. The kitchen also accommodates requests for gluten-free meals and dishes without onion or garlic.
For those who prefer meals delivered on a regular schedule, Outtahere specialises in plant-based meal subscriptions. Its plans feature different cuisines throughout the week, including Vietnamese noodle salad, jap chae, pasta salad and Arabic majboos. Diners can also order additional dishes à la carte, with macro counts available for its meals.
The Plant-Based Project PH offers another creative selection, ranging from vegan grazing boxes and Filipino-inspired platters to plant-based versions of bolognese and other comfort foods. Customers can also look out for its vegan buffet offerings or order meals for delivery.
The Real Happy Cow, meanwhile, focuses on plant-based food designed to appeal to both vegans and meat-eaters. Its selection includes dishes such as seven-layer dip, palabok, beef rendang-style meals and longganisa pasta, with ready-to-eat and frozen options available for home dining.
Through Habit in New Manila takes the café concept further with a fully plant-based menu. Light options include kamote crisps, cauliflower poppers and mushroom calamari, while heartier choices include a pesto sandwich, vegan mac and cheese with mushroom bacon, and tofu sisig rice.
The Vegetarian Kitchen, which has been serving customers since 1990, remains another established name in the local meat-free dining scene. Its menu includes vegan-friendly takes on Filipino favourites such as pancit palabok and batchoy, as well as international dishes like seitan steak sandwiches and tomato-basil soup.
Vutcher caters to diners who want plant-based food at home, offering vegan-friendly frozen products and party platters inspired by dishes such as empanadas, binagoongan, corned beef and Bicol express.
For Asian comfort food, Wabi-Sabi Noodle House offers meat-free versions of favourites including pho, ramen and tom yum, alongside dumplings and spring rolls.
Meanwhile, Wild in Poblacion combines a café, bar and art-lounge atmosphere with a broad food and drinks menu. Its plant-based selections include burgers and “chikn” sandwiches, making it another option for diners looking for casual meat-free meals.
With choices now ranging from traditional Filipino dishes and Asian noodles to vegan pizza, comfort food, frozen products and weekly meal plans, Metro Manila’s plant-based dining scene has grown into a diverse option for both committed vegetarians and anyone simply looking to eat more meat-free meals.
