What Vegan Restaurants in Dubai Are Getting Wrong — and How Wandr is Fixing It

Vegan food isn't a dichotomy between good and bad, healthy or unhealthy. Sometimes, it just has to speak to everyone. This is our goal at Wandr.

A 50% reduction in the world’s overall meat and dairy consumption will be essential to fighting climate change, with researchers finding that plant-based alternatives could reduce 31% of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by 2050. While Dubai’s food scene is flashy, fast-paced, and increasingly forward-thinking, when it comes to vegan restaurants, something’s still a little...off.

In most vegan spots in Dubai, you’re likely to encounter one of two extremes: neon-coloured burgers stacked with ‘fake-meat’ patties and artificial yellow cheese, or zen-like temples of raw food, cold-pressed juice, and cashew cream everything. That binary isn’t just tired, it’s alienating. At Wandr, we’re not trying to “fix veganism.” We’re just asking: what if vegan food didn’t have to pick a side?

1. Not everything needs to be raw or deep-fried.

Vegan junk food has its place. Trust me, I am a sucker for an impossible meats smash burger. Raw vegan cuisine, on the other hand, can be nourishing and impressive in its discipline. But neither of these represents the food for the everyday eater. The person who wants to eat more plants without eating like a monk or like it's cheat day.

That’s the middle we live in. We cook the way your ‘friend who knows how to cook’ would, casually inventive, seasonally aware, globally inspired. Our food is conscious but cool and built to be eaten more than once a week. Not everything needs a spiralizer or a deep fryer.

2. Let veggies be the main character.

There’s a strange irony to some vegan menus: in trying to move away from meat, they end up chasing it. We get it… vegan bacon, vegan sausage, vegan cheese, vegan shrimp, its endless... This represents a wider trend around the globe, and we can already see it driving consumers away from some vegan options. Sales of plant-based meat alternatives declined precipitously this year. According to Chef Daniel Humm, the main challenge is that "meat alternatives are marketed by what they are not".

Tofu-Mami, one of Wandr's vegan market plates, featuring: Crispy Tofu, Peanut Satay Drizzle, Herbed Quinoa, Miso Aubergine, Chilli Garlic Broccolini

These are smart tools for transition, but they can also send the message that plants aren’t enough on their own. At Wandr, we think they are. We use flame, smoke, pickle, spice and let vegetables show off. We don’t need to disguise our carrots as hot dogs. We want you to fall in love with carrots as carrots that are roasted, charred, pickled, fermented, caramelised. Real food with real flavour.

3. We don’t just “veganise” classics — we start fresh.

A lot of vegan places aim to replicate the things people miss: a mac and cheese, a chicken nugget, a pepperoni pizza. And sure, that hits a nostalgia nerve. But we’re more excited by innovation than imitation.

Sweet Potato Chipotle Humus, one of Wandr's vegan side signature dishes, featuring: Chickpea hummus turned sweet ‘n’ smokey with chipotle peppers and sweet potatoes. Served with Sourdough Nachos

We don’t just swap dairy for oat milk at every chance we get. We reimagine the dish entirely, asking how we can tell a new story on the plate, not copy an old one. Our approach is to build dishes that don’t feel like the “vegan version” of something else. It is just really good food. Period. 

4. Vegan shouldn’t mean exclusion.

Vegan restaurants often struggle with a cultural contradiction: being inclusive to some, but alienating to others. Many of them feel like they were built only for vegans, and if you’re not one, you can sense it in the tone. That can make plant-based eating feel like a club you’re not invited to.

Our Bangkok Bundle wrap. All of Wandr's wraps are vegan by default, with an option to add a meat protein for those who choose to, judgement free.

We’ve flipped that. At Wandr, our menu is designed for everyone (including our home planet!). That means omnivores, flexitarians, curious carnivores, and herbivores all find a place at the table. We believe in quietly prioritising plant-forward food without making anyone feel like they need to pick a side.

5. You can’t vibe your way out of bad food.

Here's the part no one likes to say out loud: some vegan restaurants in Dubai are more aesthetic than they are delicious. Think: clean interiors, airy branding, plants everywhere — but under-seasoned dishes and ‘okay’ service. The kind of place you visit once, post on stories, and forget the next day.

It takes a lot to curate the perfect vibe. We still haven't totally figured it out yet but what we do know is that Wandr's spaces in Dubai are warm, our service is friendly, and our food is cooked with intention. Cultivating community is part of our mission and we hope you’ll join us!

In the end, we’re not here to force veganism. We’re here to make good food that happens to be plant-first, culture-crossing, and community-minded.

Because when you do that right — people stop asking “Is it vegan?” and start asking “When can I have that again?”.

People also asked (about Wandr and vegan restaurants in Dubai)

What makes Wandr different from other vegan restaurants in Dubai?

Wandr doesn’t follow the usual extremes of vegan dining — our plant-forward meals aren’t raw food rituals or ultra-processed meat substitutes. We focus on real vegetables, global flavours, and inclusive food that tastes good no matter your diet.

Does Wandr serve only vegan food?

No, Wandr is a plant-forward brand, meaning most of our dishes are vegan by default, but we offer high-quality meat add-ons for those who choose them. It’s a judgement-free space where everyone—from vegans to flexitarians—feels welcome.

Are there vegan wraps and bowls available for delivery in Dubai?

Absolutely. At Wandr, all of our wraps are vegan by default, and our signature bowls like the Tofu-Mami are packed with flavour, protein, and whole ingredients. We deliver across Dubai on Deliveroo, Talabat, Careem, and Noon.

Is Wandr considered one of the best vegan-friendly restaurants in Dubai?

Many locals consider Wandr a top choice for healthy vegan food thanks to our creative dishes, whole ingredients, and welcoming philosophy. We don’t “veganise” fast food—we reinvent dishes from the ground up with real culinary intention.

Can non-vegans enjoy the food at Wandr?

Definitely. Our food is made for everyone. Whether you’re a committed vegan or just trying to eat more plants, our flavour-first approach and inclusive menu design mean you’ll enjoy a delicious, nourishing meal without compromise