The short answer
The Vegetarian Kitchen: what visitors should know first
Worth the drive for strict vegetarians who want a sit-down meal in Quezon City. A 2014 Coconuts Manila review reports no meat, fish, egg, garlic or onion; confirm current practice when you book, and check opening days before you set out.
Diet
What we checked
- Pure Veg. The whole menu has no meat, fish or egg. Checked November 2026 · Source
Menus and kitchens change. If you follow a strict diet or have an allergy, confirm with the restaurant before you order.
History and context
The story behind The Vegetarian Kitchen
Founder Tita Soliongco opened the restaurant in 1990, according to a 2014 Coconuts Manila article. Her first location closed after a year, as vegetarian eating was not yet common in Metro Manila.
The article says the restaurant reopened in 2012, closed for renovation and reopened in August 2014 at the Mother Ignacia address.
Useful facts
The Vegetarian Kitchen facts at a glance
- Location
- 62B Mother Ignacia Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
- Dining style
- Sit-down vegetarian, cash only
- Price signal
- ₹₹; mains were about PHP 330 in 2014
- Signature order
- Try: a soy-based Filipino main such as kare-kare or caldereta
- Good for
- Strict vegetarians and families who want a quiet table
Why it matters
Why The Vegetarian Kitchen is worth your time
For Indian families, a restaurant where the whole kitchen is vegetarian removes the daily work of asking about fish sauce, shrimp paste and stock. That is rare in Manila, which makes this restaurant a useful fixed point on a longer stay.
It also has some history behind it. Wikipedia describes it as Manila's longest continually operating vegetarian establishment, and the founder's story, told in the 2014 review, runs from a first branch that closed after a year to the present Mother Ignacia premises. The food is Filipino-leaning rather than Indian, so go for the reliability of the kitchen, not for familiar flavours.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Whole-menu vegetarian
A 2014 review reports no meat, fish, egg, garlic or onion in the dishes.
- 02
Soy-based classics
Filipino stews and Western comfort dishes are made from soy and vegetables.
- 03
Family-run
The founder's children now run the kitchen and operations, per the same review.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Treat this as a planned lunch stop on a Quezon City day, rather than something to squeeze between Intramuros sights; the trip from central Manila is a slow road journey in traffic.
The menu is a Filipino and Western mix built on soy and vegetables. Spinach names caldereta, kare-kare, okoy and tomato soup among the dishes reviewers mention, and a 2014 review described soy-based fried chicken and a veggie lasagna that dates to the restaurant's first year. Ask your server to confirm what goes into any sauce, and whether the dish you want uses egg or dairy, because that same review noted a cheesecake containing dairy.
Order two or three dishes to share, as portions suit a table. Pay in cash, and keep the afternoon free afterwards, since Diliman is spread out and the next stop is usually a car ride away.
Plan with confidence
Small checks that make a better meal.
- Call ahead to confirm opening days
- Carry cash
- Ask about egg and dairy in desserts
- Book a car both ways
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- 62B Mother Ignacia Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
- Time needed
- 1 to 1.5 hours
- Best time
- Lunch, on a weekday
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- A quiet, cosy dining room with an outdoor area when weather allows, but parking is limited to the street. Take a taxi or ride-hailing car to the door, and ask about step-free entry when you call.
- Tickets and access
- Spinach lists Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 to 20:00 and Monday closed, while a 2014 review gave Tuesday to Saturday. Call before you travel, bring cash, and book for groups.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near The Vegetarian Kitchen
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
A quiet, cosy dining room with an outdoor area when weather allows, but parking is limited to the street. Take a taxi or ride-hailing car to the door, and ask about step-free entry when you call.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is it fully vegetarian?
A 2014 Coconuts Manila review states the dishes contain no meat, fish, egg, garlic or onion, and Spinach describes the menu as vegan. These accounts differ on dairy, so ask when you order.
Is it Jain-friendly?
We could not confirm a Jain kitchen. The 2014 review mentions no onion or garlic, so ask the staff directly.
Which day is it closed?
Spinach lists Monday as closed, but listings differ on Sunday. Call before you go.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
