People go vegetarian for all sorts of reasons. For some, it’s because of religious beliefs. Others worry about our planet and the environmental impact of meat production or because of animal cruelty. As for me? I’ve been vegetarian for a few months here, pescatarian there, but I’m mostly a committed omnivore. All those reasons combined were enough to get me curious about Roots Bangsar.
Since opening its doors in August 2024 and located in the heart of Bangsar, Roots offers a creative, inclusive menu that combines Asian comfort food with Western favourites – all meat-free.
We dropped by on a Monday, and instead of the usual quietness that you see in restaurants at the start of the week, Roots was buzzing. A full house, friendly chatter, and a nice vibe all around. Always a good sign!
Inside, the decor is cheerful and cosy with warm blues, light orange colours, and a casual-chic feel that’s both grown-up and kid-friendly. My plus one was another adult like me, but browsing the menu at Roots, I immediately noticed plenty of options for little eaters too: veggie burgers, pizzas, a few spaghetti dishes. No complaints there.
Let’s eat
One thing we really appreciated were the clear menu labels for vegan, eggs, dairy, gluten, and nuts. It’s all noted, so dietary needs are easily managed without having to ask the staff for explanation. Now, to the food! We started with a basket of baked bread rolls and then went on to the Mushroom Soup, which was chunky, comforting and flavourful. The Truffle Alfredo Tortellini was a real winner with just the right touch of truffle taste, a beautiful sauce, a lovely thin pasta skin and a generous morel mushroom filling. The Laksa Pizza didn’t quite wow us since it lacked a bit of oomph – but I imagine picky eaters might enjoy it.
The drinks? Oh, yes. I tried the Avocado Lassi which was creamy and fresh and the Grapefruit Paradise, which was exactly as zesty and refreshing as it sounds. The sweet finish was a Pistachio Tiramisu that was delicious – light, creamy, with a nutty twist that I’ll definitely go back for.
Veggie meal for the win
Surprisingly (even to myself), I didn’t miss meat once during our lunch. Who knew a veggie meal could be this satisfying? Though I did half a year of vegetarianism once upon a time, I eventually drifted back to the land of roast chicken and beef stew, but I might rethink that now!
One minor note – the staff were friendly, but we did have to ask more than once for cutlery and side plates. A small hiccup in an otherwise lovely lunch event.
Tip: If you’re thinking of going, check out their Parent’s Day Special, valid until 22 June 2025. It looked very tempting and would make for a great family treat.
Whether you’re veggie, flexatarious, or just after something fresh and tasty in Bangsar, Roots is definitely worth a visit. It would be recommendable to make a reservation ahead here, especially if you’re coming with a group.
We were invited by Roots. As always, our opinions are honest and our own.
