Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants to Book for Your Next Birthday Bash

No building in New Farm says ‘we know how to have a good time’ more than the bright red and yellow exterior of Himalayan Cafe. At first glance, the place looks more like a circus shop than a restaurant — but that’s kind of the point. Low-set tables, ambient lighting, colourful wall hangings and vibrant carpets create a warm atmosphere that’s perfect for celebrations. Authentic Tibetan and Nepalese dishes are the staple here — think hearty noodle soups, flavour-packed salads and marinated meat and vegetables with rice — which you can pair with BYO wine and beer. Don’t leave without trying the Himalayan bread with dipping sauce.

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Image: Hennessytrill

If vegan takes on Italian classics like risotto with aged Acquerello rice, capsicum and broccolini or a blondie with lemon sorbet and toasted meringue sound appealing, then Otto Ristorante is the place for you. Considering the restaurant’s fine-dining status, you may be surprised to see it appear on this list of BYO spots, but we’re not pulling your leg — the Queen Street spot offers a set lunch menu on Saturdays with BYO wine and champagne for $95 per person (which includes corkage and service charge). Here, it’s all about la dolce vita — you know, the sweet life — so you’ll also be treated to sprawling city and river views and the type of jovial but swift service that is never unwelcome. Of course, everyone wants a piece of the pie so make sure to book and let them know about dietary requirements in advance.

Pick up a bottle of Noble Fellows Pinot Rosé.

Image: Nikki To

There’s no hard and fast rule that your celebrations have to be a nighttime affair. After all, who doesn’t love a champagne breakfast? If you agree, then we can’t think of a better place to get your boozy birthday brunch on than Pawpaw Cafe in Woolloongabba. The all-day breakfast will have you salivating thanks to moreish dishes like potato hash cakes with poached eggs, turmeric hummus and haloumi; mushroom croquettes with truffled ricotta; and raspberry white chocolate cheesecake pancakes. Meanwhile, the lunch menu features eggplant and decadent waffle fries with cheddar cheese sauce. Come dinnertime, you can choose a selection of wok stir-fried dishes and curries. And if you’re feeling especially keen, the vegan banquet menu ($35 per person) is always a good shout.

Pick up a bottle of La Planchelière Cabernet d’Anjou Rosé. 

Auchenflower doesn’t have much of a buzzing dining scene but the inner-city suburb is housing one poorly kept secret — and that’s Deer Duck Bistro. Inside, the eccentric collection of mismatched antique furniture, wonky lamps and ominous paintings look like they’re straight out of the parlour from Cluedo, but that’s the venue’s charm. And while the decor may be old-world, the food is anything but. The modern Australian menu features not one but three vegetarian degustations, ranging from $85–129 per person. Within these menus, you’ll find flavour-packed dishes like smoked mushroom carpaccio with olive oil caviar, decadent orecchiette with truffle mascarpone and deliciously sweet vanilla and cardamom milk cheesecake with mango pearls and pickled strawberries. The restaurant offers BYO wine between Tuesdays and Fridays, and corkage is $20 per person — a little steep, but it’s a special occasion after all.

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It goes without saying that E’cco Bistro is one of the best restaurants in Brisbane. Its location may have changed but the essence of excellence that the place has always maintained hasn’t gone anywhere — in fact, it has only grown. The new and improved contemporary space reflects a progressive food offering of carefully considered vegetarian options like gorgonzola gnocchi topped with pine nuts and pea, spinach and fennel risotto, as well as perfectly charcoal- and wood-roasted dishes from the South American Scheer Parrilla grill. You can opt to dine from the vegetarian a la carte menu or settle in for the five-course vegetarian tasting menu for $89 per person. This slick joint offers BYO wine on Thursdays across both lunch and dinner and corkage is $20.

Pick up a bottle of Cat Amongst The Pigeons Fat Cat Eden Valley Riesling.

Image: Atlanta Bell.

Finding a decent bowl of vegetarian or vegan noodles is not an easy feat, but this Brisbane-based chain is certainly a worthy option. Famed chef Taro Akimoto tinkered around with different flavours until he had created a versatile meatless offering. The biggest drawcard is the vegan ramen with tofu char siu, burnt garlic oil and your choice of chilli, but there are also dry noodles, cold tomato noodles and a vegan (and gluten-free) curry with rice. Be warned, this pocket-sized eatery in Brisbane City is popular and has just enough space for a small- to medium-sized party, so call ahead. Plus, BYO is just $3 per person.

Pick up The Indigo Organic Grape Growers Collective Field Blend White.