Dalat is full of nhà hàng chay (vegetarian restaurants), most of which are very average. Hoa Sen Restaurant is an exception to this rule because of the variety of dishes on their menu and the delicious, colourful and fresh food. Unlike many of the other vegetarian restaurants in Dalat Hoa Sen doesn’t focus on ‘fake meat’ dishes. Instead, they use the fresh vegetables that Dalat is famous for and cook them simply and beautifully. My favourites are steamed mustard leaf with ginger, aubergine fried in a light ginger and lemongrass batter, and lotus seed rice. They also serve vegetarian versions of Vietnamese classics, such as phở. Anyone who thinks vegetarian food is bland should try dipping their food into the chilli and ginger sauce here to change their minds. The restaurant is big, bright and airy with wooden furniture. Prices here are very reasonable: 20-60,000VND

Add: 62 Phan Dinh Phung, Dalat, Vietnam
Tel: 063-3567999