During our most recent vegan luxury travel adventures throughout Southeast Asia, we have been impressed by how seriously luxury hotels are taking plant based dining. In Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Singapore, Bali, and Saigon, we found hotels that don’t just offer a token vegetarian or vegan option, but genuinely thoughtful and indulgent culinary experiences. From buffets and brunches overflowing with nutritionally packed and creative inclusions to a fully plant based café where every dish is carefully composed and an exceptional vegan fine dining experience that is sure to impress, it has been exciting to see how chefs are pushing the boundaries of flavour and presentation. Each hotel we visited showed that plant based dining can be as considered, luxurious, and memorable as any other part of a five star hotel or resort stay. The following five properties stood out for us, not only for the quality of the food but for how naturally it fits into the overall experience, leaving us nourished, satisfied, and eager to return to each and every one.

St Regis Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia

As part one of the world’s most exclusive hotel brands, St Regis Kuala Lumpur stands firmly among the finest luxury hotels in the bustling Malaysian capital. Every detail, from the interiors to the service was exquisite and refined, and this same attention carries through to the dining experiences during our stay. On the first Saturday of each month, the hotel hosts ‘Plant & Palate – A Vegetarian Brunch’, at The Brasserie which combines a refined à la carte menu with an extensive buffet featuring new and creative additions each month.

During our visit, standout dishes included the roasted miso eggplant, vibrant salads, vegan cheeses, and a selection of delectable desserts. Whilst the core structure of the brunch remains consistent, the evolving buffet keeps the experience fresh and engaging for guests that choose to return. The relaxed yet polished ambiance featuring a classical violinist, paired with attentive and professional service, makes Plant & Palate at St Regis a true highlight for vegetarian and vegan diners during their time in Kuala Lumpur.

Paradox Bangkok Sukhumvit in Thailand

Paradox Bangkok Sukhumvit which was formerly Four Points Sheraton Bangkok Sukhumvit, continues to host one of the city’s most impressive plant based brunches. The ‘Vegan and Vegetarian Buffet Brunch’ takes place on the second and fourth Saturday of each month at Local Table, the hotel’s main restaurant, and features over 100 dishes from around the world, the majority of which are vegan. We have returned several times and are always impressed by the variety and quality of the offering. Thai curries, noodle dishes, stir fries, pizzas, fresh salads, smoothie bowls, vegan cheeses and delightful desserts are all presented in abundance, encouraging exploration without feeling overwhelming.

Don’t miss out of the small selection of a la carte options which are available in addition to the expansive buffet, especially the CFC (Cruelty Free Chicken) which is naughty but oh so nice. The buffet brunch is very well labelled, clearly showing vegan and vegetarian options, also those dishes that don’t included onion and garlic, this approach alongside the relaxed atmosphere that makes it appealing to both hotel guests, travellers and locals alike.

Viceroy Bali in Indonesia

Viceroy Bali represents the pinnacle of luxury living in Bali, as a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World the resort offers exceptional privacy, attentive service, and breathtaking valley views with rice paddies stretching into the distance. The vegan and plant based food that we enjoyed during our stay was of an exceptionally high standard, beginning with a varied and nourishing breakfast and continuing throughout all of our meals at Cascades.

But it was whilst experiencing ‘The Art of Culinary Gastronomy’ at Aperitif, the resort’s fine dining venue, where we were treated to one of the most memorable vegan multi course degustation menus we have experienced in Southeast Asia, with each course executed with precision and depth of flavour. The service was refined and our plates were works of art that looked almost too good to eat, everything was just perfect and have created memories that will last forever, or at least until we return which we most certainly will! Viceroy Bali is a place where elevated luxury and refined plant based fine dining come together effortlessly, creating an experience that is both indulgent and memorable.

New World Saigon Hotel in Vietnam

New World Saigon Hotel has been welcoming guests to the Vietnamese capital since 1994 and they continue to evolve in every way including catering for the ever growing demand for vegetarian, vegan, and plant based dining. Park View, the hotel’s all day dining restaurant, offers a range of plant based dishes alongside Vietnamese favourites such as fresh spring rolls, rice noodles, and fried rice, as well as Western options including pizza with vegan cheese, cashew cheese tacos, and a vegan burger. The very impressive ‘GO LUNCH Vegetarian Buffet’ is available every lunchtime, presenting an extensive selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes in a bright and airy setting.

With its central location, established reputation, and focus on flavour and variety, New World Saigon Hotel has firmly positioned itself as a vegan friendly luxury option with their thoughtful approach to catering for those who wish to enjoy healthy and nutritious plant based food.

Maxwell Reserve, Autograph Collection in Singapore

Our stay at Maxwell Reserve, Autograph Collection felt relaxed and quietly refined, which was perfect after a long day of travel to reach Singapore. Our suite was well appointed and the service was attentive, but it was the food which was the icing on our vegan cake. ‘Cultivate Cafe’ is the hotel’s fully plant based restaurant (open daily from 11am to 9pm) and where we enjoyed a long and leisurely lunch with everything we tasted being genuinely satisfying. We enjoyed vibrant bowls packed with grains and fresh vegetables, hearty mains with layered flavours, and desserts that felt indulgent without being heavy.

Finding an all vegan restaurant in a hotel is a huge treat and something we wish was more common, Maxwell Reserve are certainly leading from the front and hopefully others will follow. Breakfast at the hotel’s main restaurant included vegan options such as chia pudding, vegan yoghurt, oatmeal, and smoothies, making our mornings straightforward and enjoyable. But the highlight was of course dining at Cultivate Cafe and how each dish was nutritionally balanced, thoughtfully presented and delicious. Maxwell Reserve is a luxury hotel where plant based dining is an integral part of the stay, making it one of our favourite vegan friendly luxury hotels in Singapore.

After staying at each these five hotels and resorts (some already more than once) it is clear that vegan and plant based dining is no longer an afterthought at luxury properties throughout Southeast Asia. The food at each and every one was creative, generous, and full of flavour. Whether it was the refined buffet at St Regis, the extensive global spread at Paradox, the bowls and desserts at Cultivate Cafe, the finest of fine dining at Aperitif, or the impressive daily buffet at Park View, each culinary experience left us feeling nourished and genuinely satisfied. These hotels and resorts have shown us that vegan, vegetarian and plant based food can be exciting, indulgent, and completely integrated into a luxury stay. For anyone seeking comfort, variety, and thoughtful dining in the region, choosing any of these properties will provide a real treat and allow you to make your own memories.

Paul Eyers

Paul Eyers is co-founder of Vegan Food Quest who write about luxury hotels and resorts in Southeast Asia with a focus on sustainable travel, eco travel and vegan travel. Currently based in Malaysia, Paul also writes about sporting events and some of the finest golf courses throughout the region.