Pure Lotus is a favorite with the vegetarian community in Beijing. The place has great atmosphere and is filled with the scent of sandlewood. Baihe Vegetarian Restaurant is also a long standing favorite of the cities vegetarians.

Still Thoughts tucked away in a hutong (18-4 Dafosi Dongjie, Yuqun Hutong, Dongcheng District) has been enjoying rave reviews for years despite its simple decor and lack of onions and garlic in its food (it's run by Buddhist monks).

If you're after vegan, try the newly opened Loving Mom's Vegan Cusine (4 Gongti Beilu 工体北路4号院机电研究所院内). They feature a number or mock meat dishes, all minus any trace of animal of course.