Nanjing — China's former capital and a city of profound Buddhist heritage — has 140+ plant-based venues enriched by temples like Jiming Temple and the historic Confucius Temple district. The Qinhuai River district is Nanjing's culinary heartbeat, with vegetarian versions of the city's famous snacks: vegan tangbao (soup dumplings) and mock salted duck. Nanjing's six ancient Buddhist temples have served vegetarian cuisine for over 1,500 years, making it one of China's deepest plant-based food traditions.

Last updated: April 2026

📍 Where to Eat Vegan in Nanjing by Neighborhood

Explore the best neighborhoods for plant-based food in Nanjing.

📍 Confucius Temple / Fuzimiao (夫子庙)

Historic temple district along the Qinhuai River with traditional vegetarian snack shops, Buddhist restaurants, and Nanjing-style temple cuisine.

📍 Xuanwu Lake / Ming Palace (玄武湖 / 明故宫)

Lakeside park area with peaceful vegetarian restaurants, Buddhist dining near Jiming Temple, and scenic plant-based cafés.

📍 Xinjiekou (新街口)

City center with modern vegan restaurants, health food stores, and affordable vegetarian lunch spots in the busiest commercial district.

📍 Laomendong (老门东)

Restored Ming-Qing dynasty quarter with traditional vegetarian restaurants, artisan tofu shops, and historical Buddhist temple food.

🌮 Local Vegan Dishes to Try in Nanjing

These dishes represent the best of local plant-based cuisine in Nanjing.

🌱 Nanjing Salted Duck 素盐水鸭 (Vegan Mock)🌱 Duck Blood Vermicelli Soup 素鸭血粉丝汤🌱 Tangbao 素汤包 (Vegan Soup Dumplings)🌱 Luohan Zhai 罗汉斋 (Buddha's Delight)🌱 Osmanthus Pastries 桂花糕🌱 Tofu Nao 豆腐脑 (Savory Tofu Pudding)

Browse by Cuisine in Nanjing

Nanjing 9 restaurants Chinese 3 restaurants

🍽️ Popular Vegan Dishes in Nanjing

🥟 Dim Sum 3 spots

🌍 Popular Cities on VeganBites

Portland, Oregon 521 restaurants Berlin, Germany 514 restaurants Amsterdam, Netherlands 446 restaurants Bangalore, India 298 restaurants New York, New York 267 restaurants Paris, France 260 restaurants

Frequently Asked Questions

How many vegan restaurants are in Nanjing?

Nanjing has 12 vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants listed on VeganBites. Of these, 8 are fully vegan, 4 are vegetarian, and 0 are plant-curious. The listings cover 2 different cuisine types.

What cuisines are available for vegan dining in Nanjing?

Vegan restaurants in Nanjing span 2 cuisine types. The most popular are Nanjing (9), Chinese (3). Options range from casual to fine dining across multiple price points.

Is Nanjing vegan-friendly?

Nanjing has a moderate vegan dining scene with 12 plant-based options. While not the largest, it offers 2 cuisine types and 8 fully vegan restaurants, making it possible to eat plant-based across the city.

What is the price range for vegan restaurants in Nanjing?

Vegan dining in Nanjing covers all budgets. 2 restaurants are budget-friendly ($), 5 are mid-range ($$), and 5 are upscale ($$$+). The most common price tier is mid-range.

✈️ Plan Your Vegan Trip to Nanjing

Partner links

🏨 Where to Stay in Nanjing

Planning a vegan trip to Nanjing, China? Find hotels near the best plant-based restaurants.

Search Hotels on Booking.com

✈️ Flights to Nanjing

Find the best deals on flights and start your plant-based food adventure.

Find Flights on Skyscanner

Get updates about vegan spots in Nanjing

New restaurants, closures, and the best dishes — straight to your inbox.

I agree to receive emails. Unsubscribe anytime.

🏆 Top 50 Vegan Restaurants in the World 2026 →

Crystal Nanjing House (清素园)

Forest Nanjing House (竹小厨)

Jiming Temple Vegetarian (鸡鸣寺素食)

Fuzimiao Vegetarian Snacks (夫子庙素食小吃)

Gentle Nanjing House (缘素居)

Gulou Serene (庄厨房)

Harmony Vegetarian (善素堂)

Jade Lotus (鲜蔬阁)

Ming Dynasty Vegetarian (明朝素食)

Pure Vegetarian (清素轩)

Rainbow Nanjing House (净素阁)

Zen Vegetarian (轩素堂)