Few people know that among Singapore’s many vegan food options, one of the community’s best-kept secrets is nestled inconspicuously among the shophouses along Neil Road. Step into Ahimsa Sanctuary, a Bali-like haven for delicious vegan eats that’s smack dab in the busy city and wallet-friendly to boot. Setting the scene for a perfect escape is the swaying ferns in the café’s courtyard, ornate teak wood furniture, and an indoor skylight casting a glow throughout the space. Ahimsa Sanctuary’s menu mainly consists of inventive bagels and burritos, sourdough plates, and a grain bowl option. The remaining bulk of the menu features smoothie and acai bowls, and plenty of coffees, teas, and fresh juices.
The Nourish Bae-rrito Bowl ($11.90) is a Mexican-inspired grain bowl, with a base of lemon herb quinoa served with quintessential Mexican toppings like guacamole, salsa, jalapeños, and tortilla chips. The vegan twist comes in the form of perfectly grilled and juicy slices of lion’s mane mushrooms seasoned with a tandoori-style marinade. A squeeze of lime and a quick mix makes for the most refreshing and delectable twist of flavours – the guacamole’s creaminess isn’t cloying thanks to the tortilla chips, the salsa and lime give off a zesty tanginess, and the chillis and mushrooms are spiced perfectly. We insist that this dish is a must-try, not only for its excellent and addictive taste but also for being the most value for money.
A table favourite is the BLT Bagel ($13.90), but not for reasons one might expect. The café stuffs smoky tempeh, veggies, pickled onions and a slathering of garlic aioli between a toasty, beetroot red bagel. The smoked tempeh balances the sharp saltiness of the aioli while the jalapeños and onions give a good firm crunch to the sandwich. Like the grain bowl, the flavours of each component work harmoniously with each other, creating an umami bomb with each bite. However, the unexpected standout is the bagel itself. Crisp on its edges and well-spiced – we guess with tomato and chilli bits – the plain red bagel is anything but. It's the perfect vessel for this symphony of flavours and aligns with Ahimsa’s goal of creating mindful and delicious eats.
The Clean Freak Burrito ($12.90) also contains smoky tempeh. Within the burrito is sweet potato, plenty of veggies, toasted pumpkin, crunchy sunflower seeds, and a moringa cashew pesto. We notice that the burrito has a crisp panini-pressed exterior, a nice touch. Though the seasoned pumpkin and sweet potato provide a creamy bite alongside the chewy tempeh, we can’t help but agree that the burrito tastes more ‘green’ than the other dishes we’ve had. If you lean towards ‘healthier’ tasting food, you’ll enjoy the burrito for its filling of pesto and veggies like kale, slaw, and tomatoes.
Make sure to quench your thirst with the assortment of drinks at Ahimsa Sanctuary. We especially liked the ashwagandha latte ($6.50), made with oat milk and coconut sugar. Ashwagandha is known to help with stress and regulate blood pressure and sugar levels, so you’re getting all the good stuff in one drink. Or if you’re looking for a substantial breakfast or snack, try the Golden Glow overnight oats ($8) for a delicious pick-me-up.
After work, unwind and recharge at Ahimsa’s upstairs yoga studio, where there are daily classes suitable for all ages. Sign up for the Playful Mobility class, a fun session of movement sequences that promotes a better range of motion, muscular flexibility, spinal posture, and overall alignment and balance. Or try the Pranayama and Meditation class to deepen your breath awareness and enhance mental clarity. If you just want a quiet space to read or relax, Ahimsa has a cosy corner with comfortable cushions just outside the yoga studio that guests are free to use too.
Despite being in the middle of the city, Ahimsa Sanctuary manages to slow things down with its chill and cosy ambience, allowing its customers a breather to have truly delicious vegan eats. Of the three dishes tried, we can say with certainty that the BLT Bagel comes in first place, while the grain bowl is a close second. While opinions are split on the burrito, it’s still a hearty meal that we’d gladly return for.