Review Lentil As Anything Newtown - Newtown

I am always here cos I love the food and simplicity I making the food. It's all different everyday and that's something I really enjoy and purely by donation 🙏I'd recommend this place to anyone who is along Newtown to pop in and try this amazing food they prepare 🥰The deserts are something to die for especially the sauces they pour through their cakes 🤪

One of my favourite places in the whole city! I try to come there whenever I can and I always leave with a smile, full stomach and a sense of peace and joy. I've met many wonderful friends through their events (before COVID) which are now an important part in my life. The food is always different, delicious and healthy.

Its one of the best places to experience vegan food. They have roughly 3 different vegan dishes on the menu daily along with a dessert. The restaurant runs entirely on the volunteer basis from the kitchen staff to floor staff. The food is not priced and instead the person can donate money based on what he thinks should be best. The staff is lovely and adorable. It is at an easy walk from the Newtown station, on the King Street

As a vego I think this is a great thing and it's nice to see it flourishing too. It was actually the most busy restaursnt at the time when I dined in. It would be great if more restaurants took on this idea. The food is good but the best thing was the volunteers they were so happy and accommodating towards customers. Will come back just cus it was such a pleasing experience.

Absolutely wonderful food. They have a policy of pay how much ever you can to feed the poor without money. So remarkable!

Amazing dining experience! Very friendly and lovable volunteers ans in-house staff. Loved the whole concept of pay as you want and you can also pay extra which goes to support the local community. Food was very good, packed with flavours and big portions! Loved the little poppy seed cake too! Will be back!

We enjoyed our vegetarian lunch and our puppy was sitting outside the restaurant while eating. It is a busy place. This restaurant is a non-profit organization, mainly run by volunteers. Customers only need to pay according to their own ability. All they have done is very admirable. The food is simple but delicious. There are three options on the menu: lentil soup, pasta, sweet potatoes and rice. We have tried all three, and we like to eat spaghetti. The sauce tasted light and tender. The staff is very friendly.

This is a gem of a place in Sydney! A great initiative of pay as much as you want. The volunteers were very friendly and polite. There are big tables and we should be prepared to share our tables with other people around. Just not go for a meal but also provide your volunteer services if you wish to.

A true act of loving and kindness. The concept of this place is so heart warming. The food is for anyone who wants to eat and as much as we want to eat. It is different delicious menu daily. The superb quality food serve here is homemade vegan/vegetarian serves with fresh juice and desserts. Both the quality of the food and service is 7 Stars�� And the highlight of this eatery is, we only pay the amount we can. For example; if we can afford only $5 for our 3 course meal, we can contribute only $5. If we can afford $10/$15/$20, we make the contribution accordingly. If we cannot afford any amount, we have an option to payback by volunteering to serve others. There is no pressure to our contribution. All the money made, goes back to the expenses of running the place such as rent, food and electricity bill. The enviroment is so welcoming and pleasant. My favourite eatery in Sydney�.

An absolute pleasure. It was my first experience of dining there tonight after hearing much praise about it over the years. Honestly it has been one of my favourite (if not best) dining experiences in Sydney. The food is hearty, healthy, tasty and wholesome; the voluntary staff are genuine and friendly; it’s a safe, inclusive place with a great unifying atmosphere, and the social cause is worthwhile. If there were more vibrant, soulful restaurants out there that followed a similar model the world would be a little happier!

I love this place! The food is healthy, and almost homey. We ordered every dish on the menu (there were only 4) and every single one was delicious and top quality. I hope people don't take this place for granted and be stingy on the payments! Would be sad to see a place like this not survive.

It's a shame that some people use this place for free food. The hard work that is put into this place. Seriously people...if you want free food then at least throw something in to keep this place going. The food was fabulous, absolutely outstanding....

My first experience at Lentils As Anything was more than amazing! Its a much needed concept and a way of giving back to the society. They also organise various events from music to human psychology talks every day. The best part is meeting unknown friends from all around the world!

Went in today for lunch. It was incredibly good. Friendly volunteers and amazing food. The entire concept of the place is fantastic.

This place really has ambience :) Fantastic concept, delicious vegan meal, friendly volunteers, great idea <3

A little gem 💎 Fantastic place to experience. Friendly servive too. Loved the vegan food. Enjoyed meeting new people. This is how restaurants should be. Great music suited the atmosphere. Will come back for sure.

Love this place, beautiful people doing priceless work, worth more than any amount of money you guys are amazing every one of you ��������������������������������

Unfortunately I was unable to evaluate the food and service, dishing out a two star rating...a FAIR because it was a ‘touch and go’ on a mid Saturday afternoon when everything sold out at 2.30pm except spicy tomato pasta and chai tea. Disappointed as anything.

Amazing food, great service and awesome vibe. Also so packed which is good to see! Definitely recommend this to anyone, vegetarian, vegan, or not!

Amazing service, amazing food! Had the curry plate and it was fresh and tasty. Loved the tapioca dessert. Was sitting on communal table with friendly customers and thoroughly enjoyed myself !

Lunch at Lentils is a favourite for me: if I am sad, happy, stressed or chilled, I find a safe space. You can eat alone, with friends, with enemies and vegetarians don't have to think before eating! Love not having to study the menu and switch out ingredients I choose not to eat. Always delicious and heartening. Thanks for being there.

The vibe of this place is amazing and the food is awesome

Beautiful concept very well executed. Great food, volunteers & atmosphere. Loved it.

Great people comfortable food warm brilliant concept overall

Everything was satisfactory, but the service repeatedly coming up to us asking for a chai which we said no to multiple times. I ordered the hommos plaste which was delicious but absolutely too big! The whole point of this joint is to not waste food but they definitely served to much. On the opposite side the cake I ordered after was cut too small but I understand they need to serve many people. The idea that you pay what you feel is a great idea and overall was a good experience.

Always used to enjoy visiting Lentils As Anything and loved the different meals available on the menu. Today I tried their bean wrap while a friend went with the curry plate. Service is still prompt and friendly, with the food tasty. Portion is also generous. It’s great that such place with this “donate what you can” concept exists, hopefully people don’t take advantage it!

Really impressed with the veg food - lots of flavour in the curry but the crunchy quinoa balls were what really impressed me.  No silly fake meat, no wimping out with bland stew.  Creative dishes that are easily worth the full $15 recommended.

Lentil As Anything has been around for many years, but I've never had the opportunity to enjoy their tasty vegan dishes until recently. We were welcomed by two friendly volunteers who showed us to our tables. After ordering from the daily menu board, our food arrived shortly. The Srilankan curry, the falafel wrap, the chocolate peanut butter slices, the smoothie, oh, everything was delicious. <br/><br/>I'm so glad to see how the 'community' grows here, from very few tables, now they have plenty of seats for people from all walks of life. Admiring the vibrant decor, the white tables and tools, and the smiles on every volunteer faces, I feel inclusive, equal, and happy. I enjoyed my vegan meal in contentment, knowing that my shares will pay forward for someone else's' meals. Aren't it wonderful when less unfortunate ones don't have to go to sleep being hungry? Hats off to all the selfless volunteers. You guys are the true heroes.

Love this place- It has consistently delicious vegan food, a high energy atmosphere, a diverse mixture of people, and an amazing concept. The Sri Lankan curry plate is a regular dish on the menu which never disappoints all elements in the plate are always so tasty and filling.

Ate here yesterday. Was around 2pm and still very packed and busy. There were barely any seats left so we were lucky to get a spot.<br/><br/>Ordered soy chai drink which was very aromatic and flavourful. Would definitely get it again it's really nice. Had pancakes and a stew of some sort (I can't remember the names).<br/>The pancakes were unexpectedlyfluffy which was a very nice surprise. The apricot on top were nicely grilled with cinnamon and desiccated coconut which was a great flavour combo. The pancakes were quite amazing.<br/>The chickpea stew was well-spiced and very warming. The rice, tomatoes, and coleslaw all paired very well together. The coleslaw was bland though - just vinegared.<br/><br/>Had a really great meal overall. I would definitely come back again. I've heard the food can be a hit or a miss sometimes though, so I would suggest checking their menus at menulentilnewtown on Instagram where they update their menu everyday, to check :D.

Lentil As Anything is seriously by far the best vegetarian in Sydney! The food is finger licking delicious and the staff friendly the location so easy to get to in the heart of Newtown - what more could you ask. You pay based on your satisfaction - but with food this good you will always be satisfied! It’s for a noble cause - so please give generously.

This restaurant being a non for profit organisation is amazing and food is always brought to you quickly and with kind staff. The food is quite good and always has multiple options, all vegan. I also love the attitude of paying as much as you can

Hats off to creativity and charity, but food wise this place is most average. The service was amazing but people don’t come here for the food. It’s cause is much more important and participating is quite satisfying. Go for the cheap food and a great cause!

Potato & Leek Soup : 😁 Great <br/>Sri Lankan Curry : 😍 Amazing <br/>Spinach & Feta Pie : 😁 Great <br/>Japanese Pancake : 😁 Great<br/><br/>I love the concept of Lentil As Anything. Very tasty food and the wait wasn’t too long. Great service by the wait staff. I loved the atmosphere the most. The place was filled with chatter, laughter and good music. We were lucky enough to come when a live band was playing. A very good place to visit.

Good food for a good purpose! Just walk in, take a seat and the service provided is quick and friendly. Form curries to savory pancakes and pie, the menu is ever changing with a wide variety that suits all. <br/>Servings are just right and pay what you feel.

Food here have changed. Use to be very nice but now it very either over seasoned or under seasoned. I did finish the plate because I hate wasting food. I will only come here for the quick bite and nothing else. very popular with locals and gets crowded.  <br/>I have found the pasta here to be the best.

Lovely place! The menu changes daily so you are in for a surprise always ( or check their instagram page before going). I used to volunteer here and I had the best time here with a bunch of high energy awesome people. <br/><br/>The food is of course great, but I must say not everyone enjoys it. <br/><br/>I brought some friends and they didn't enjoy it a couple of times while some just loved it. <br/><br/>Nonetheless, you should definitely try this place and volunteer if you have the time.

A few things to note: all menu items are vegan/vegetarian friendly, the menu changes daily and there aren't any price obligations and so you determine what you pay. The staff are all volunteers and the proceeds from your meal go to charity. Pictured below are the Sri Lankan curry plate (mix of chickpea and potato-base stews) and the baked lentil 'meatballs' with tofu salad and onion jam. The Sri Lankan plate was definitely a standout, all the flavours were distinct but complimented each other well and the poppadum was nicely fried. The baked meatballs were a bit strange so I would have to give it a miss. Really fun concept and the place is very popular with the locals.

Never thought I would say this, but the tucker at this VEGAN restaurant was GREAT! We got Sri Lankan curry - plate of yellow rice, papadum, beetroot, eggplant and salad. We also got the broccoli soup which tasted SO creamy 😍 - I don't know how they achieved this taste but KUDOS! For drinks we had watermelon, apple and ginger juice which was so refreshing and went well with the food. 😋 The restaurant is not-for-profit and you pay what you feel you should contribute! $15 per meal keeps the place alive but there is no bill at the end or any pressure at all - you enter the amount you want to pay in the EFTPOS machine anonymously or you can contribute with cash too. Also note that they change their menu every day so it should be a different meal every time you go! Only rated 4 stars as the ambiance was a little strange.

Super interesting concept. The vibes here are awesome - the staff are super friendly and energetic. Very heartwarming atmosphere. This place is vegan friendly too!

Whatever they have sold out, ask for that next time you see it! Majority of the dishes are very lovely and filling. My favorites are Curry Plate and hmmm some kind of veggie fritters. The deserts are always cool and you gotta try the banana smoothie when it is on! Food is very fast as they have been cooked and ready to assemble before open.<br/><br/>The wait staff are volunteers (not all vegan), mostly very down to earth people! I used to volunteer there for a summer and it was awesome! I recommend a couple things to make their life a bit easier. Go in, be sitted, look at the menu board on the wall, decide on what you want to eat and drink NOW, hail the wait staff, order, tell them your name for food delivery. <br/><br/>When done eating, you can put cash in the magical donation box by the entrance or play with the efpos machine at the counter. It is lots of fun!😏

Okay Enyi said why you always gave 5 stars 🌟 awww, if nothing wrong, why not 5 stars? <br/><br/>Okay so I am 5 star deliverier, am I ? <br/><br/>Vegan friendly and pay what you think it’s worth it. (Yes! Pay what you like, even you can walk away after meal) <br/><br/>Service (they are all friendly and lovely volunteers!! How amazing they are!) <br/><br/>Food ( lol, Enyi said it can be the top two within the meal we have had. Btw, he used to voluntarily working here) <br/><br/>💓💓💓

cheap cheap cheap as you want it to be. Great story of honesty and trust. You pay what you think its worth. The quality is actually there. I recommend it and also recomend paying extra as its fully staffed with volunteers.

Pretty interesting concept of a restaurant. Came here with a friend who was very keen on trying this place out. I like the idea of paying what you feel like, and the idea that you can pay your price forward. <br/><br/>The food was vegan, and very nice. I liked the Bahn Mi, but they put a little too much soy sauce on certain areas. I did not like the Chai Soy Milk tea at all, but I've never been a fan of Chai. The lentils smelled amazing and was a nice big portion. <br/><br/>Worth a try for sure, and all I can say is that this is possibly the most Newtown thing I've ever seen.

With the most welcoming ambience and a great initiative, Lentil as Anything stands out on so many grounds. While the food might not be extraordinary, it makes for a tasty meal, good deed and a great place to catch up with friends. It’s bustling with a crowd, given its “pay as you like” concept. I only hope people genuinely pay the good deed forward and help support the great social initiative.

Finally tried this place and I love it. The staff are all lovely and the purpose of the restaurant is awesome. The menu changes every night, so we ordered the tofu stir fry and lentil spaghetti. The tofu stir fry was delicious, not very filling though. Lentil spaghetti was not super flavoursome but a bigger serving size. The curry plate looked so good!! I had food envy. We also had dessert which was a slice of cake and chai tea. Would love to return!

good concept. it’s really welcoming and friendly and the service is very good. the food came out like within 7min of me ordering. the food however isn’t actually too amazing and i was a bit disappointed. I wouldn’t go back for the actual food itself, but it is a great system with “pay as you feel”

Vegan and light food at a place which is buzzing during lunch. The food was delicious and served hot and quick! Our favourite part was the very authentic chai and the lovely staff (volunteers). Would love to visit again for their open mic or yoga.

Newtown never disappoints. Vegans, Hipsters, Inner city Hippies - didn’t see a pram tho🙄. All share the same space in this place. Great concept and really well considered food. You really want to give this place a try!

The menu changes at Lentil every day, so you can check their daily menu on their Instagram account! They serve pretty tasty vegan food and my personal favourite is their curry. The hot chai is also amazing, as you can really taste the spices in it. And especially in the cold weather, it really warms you up. Love the vibe of this place. You would mostly be sharing tables with other customers and it’s hard not to strike up a conversation if you’re sitting facing someone else! 😂 you pay as you feel for your meal into a contribution box at the entrance of the store.

Great concept, and the food isn't half bad. The donation based payment is great for struggling students. If I'm paying for the value I wouldn't be paying over $7 though, as the portion is quite small and generally not enough as a full meal. Then how can I complain.

For me, this is an excellent example of how to do nice, tasty and good looking vegan food. Service is always friendly, place is always clean. I totally recommend this place, any day, any time.

Ever changing menu so you don't have to worry too much about ordering the wrong dish. Staff here all lovey and great vibes all around. Favourite place to go!

Lentil as anything has a fantastic atmosphere! The menu is constantly changing and there is a 'pay what you feel the meal is worth' system. Overall I've enjoyed eating here.

Frequent customer here. <br/>Come here for an honest and unpretentious meal. <br/>Flavours are always wholesome and you’d be surprised that all menu items are vegan. The menu changes everyday so be sure to check their Instagram (menulentilnewtown) prior to see what’s on offer. Some of my past favourites include Shepard’s pie, broccoli pasta (shown in picture), chickpea tagine - and always remember to order a spiced chai to wash everything down!<br/><br/>Everything here is also pay as you feel, so it’s a good place to eat out without breaking the bank.

Atrocious. This place was a huuuuuge let down. The food was horrible. Stone cold 'fries' and a potato burger, again stone cold, the patty of which simply disintergrated first bite. All this on a bun that was totally stale. After all that they suggested I COULD pay $20. You'd get better food at homeless shelters than this trash. I paid $10 and that was $9.80 too much. Never would I spend a single cent in this rubbish hole again. P.S I'm vegan and really wanted this place to be be decent. Avoid like the plague. No wonder people leave without paying - the "food" is a culinary abortion.

Amazing concept. Great atmosphere and decent food. All the folks working at this place are volunteers. You pay what you like when leaving the resturant. They have a box near the exit. Menu keeps changing Depending upon what’s fresh. I would recommend a visit just to see and feel something different.

Came here with my cousin today for lunch. Its so nice, all the drinks and mains or even desserts don’t have the prices. So we just paid what we think how much it worths. Pretty cool!!! we had their hot chai tea and iced tea as well. I love here, there are three different branches in Melbourne too. I will definitely go and check out.

Lentil as Anything is a not-for-profit vegetarian restaurant near Newtown Station which offers a pay-as-you-feel vegan menu. The profits from the restaurant is used to fund projects to help migrants and refugees acclimatise to the city. <br/><br/>A noble project, but food is really rudimentary. My Lebanese chickpea and crispy bread, is just so dry and awful that I cannot finish them at all. The crispy bread is soaked in oil (probably used for a long time) whereas the peas appeared to come from pre-packages <br/><br/>Whatever the taste, please remember to contribute and help the disadvantaged sections of our community eh. Don’t be a cheapskate and spread the love this Christmas 😀 God bless folks!

Lentil opens at 6pm for dinner and it was already full of people when we arrived 6 on the dot! And I can certainly see why :) <br/>- Sri Lankan Curry Plate (4/5): This is the recommended dish to order if it's your first time here as this is what everyone comes here for. There were three curries/dips - one pumpkin based, one coconut based and one eggplant based and all three were cooked perfectly and flavoursome. I just wish I had more! The poppadum was light and crispy and although the rice was a bit undercooked, the curry flavours made up for it. The salad was just a mixed leaf salad with no dressing so I could give or take that part of the dish. Everything else was lovely though! <br/><br/>- Pumpkin & Mushroom Soup - This soup was creamy with bits of pumpkin and mushroom throughout. It was a delicious and hearty soup and the garlic bread that came it it was extremely buttery (for a vegan garlic bread)! My partner was too full from a late lunch so I polished his soup, delicious! <br/><br/>I had major food envy seeing the vegan tacos and fajitas, I definitely have to come back here!

I'm in love with the concept of Lentil As Anything and encourage such non-profit restaurants. This place was full of people as we arrived. We could see that most of the staff were volunteers and the concept of this place was to pay as much as you wanted to. We ordered for a Sri Lankan Aloo Roti and Chilli Beans w/ garlic bread + Masala Chips. Both the dishes were made very well, the Chilli Beans being on the spicy side. Lentil As Anything changes its menu for lunch and dinner every day. So if you like variety and you are vegan, you can always come back here just like I would.

I love the concept here, as well as, the casual and vibrant atmosphere here. It's almost always too busy especially during dinner time but the service is fast, friendly and efficient! - A loyal supporter ❤️

That warm fuzzy homely feeling you get when you experience simple soul food it feeds more than your tummy, it's the tasty food and the concept is awesome!! For some reason I love the non commercial profit line chasing concept give a very different vibe to eating out and it's blowing my mind. Atmosphere is hip noisy long tables non booking needed service was attentive informative and friendly. I had the Curry plate which wasn't as spicy as I would like but it was still flavoursome and just what wanted, also got the cake which was simple along with a spicy chai tea. Okay it's not flashy fine dining or complicated food with explosions of expensive ingredients and that's more than okay for me. I hope more places consider this giving back to the community restaurants and hope all patrons give generously and pay it forward for others when they can or give what they can afford. Cheers thanks for making me feel welcome awesome work keep it up.

I love the idea behind Lentil As Anything! The daily menu is always exciting - be sure to follow them in Instagram to find out as soon as the menu is up! We got the Mexican Chilli Bean with Rice and Moroccan Chickpeas and Vegetables Targine Cous Cous, which were full of flavours and very generous serving sizes. However, I was not the biggest fan of the hot chai because I personally prefer my chai to be spicer. The volunteers that worked there were very helpful and friendly, and provided us with great service. I'll definitely visit Lentil As Anything again!

Much respect for this place! As someone who really struggles to get by especially when it comes to affording food, Lentil As Anything ends up being a lifesaver when I'm hungry and broke in the area. I always get some variation of the mixed curry plate because daal is one of my favourite dishes! Their take on lentil curry is interesting. It's definitely not authentic and often lacks seasoning (at least compared to what my Pakistani tastebuds are used to), but at least they've got salt shakers on the table. At the very least their meals are filling, warm, and healthy. Not to mention, their staff are very friendly. I will definitely come back again.

I love this place! The structure of the restaurant, the main cause, the dishes, everything. Maybe the attention of the personal could be better but I understand the pressure by all the people that go to this place. The food is really nice, very tasty and the plates are huge! With one it's more than enough. The desserts are not very good, always just a fruit, so I recon to choose a very good dish and you'll be happy all night. One thing, try to get early because they have a limited stock of dishes, so you can choose the one you want or maybe two if you feel piggy!

I dont know what else but to say fantastic for this place. Been here many times. Food, people, the spirit and the benevolent purpose of this place shines bright attracting all passersby. Bring a smile to this place and you shall be granted some happy faces and happy food. <br/><br/>For those who havent heard of this place, Lentils As Anything a completely vegan place ran by volunteers and you pay how much you can afford or want to pay. It is a charity place for thoes who are suffering in our community and offers food along with various entertainments. I have to say this is the busiest Lentils As Anything branch I have been to.<br/><br/>I recommend the creamy mushroom spaghetti.

Really sad that I don't get to visit this place more often. The food is tasty and the ambience is inviting and releases a very quirky and fun vibe. The food comes out very fast, too. The chai is always lovely and warm. A lot of the dishes they offer are culturally diverse, which is great for people looking to try dishes that cannot be found regularly. The restaurant goes off a 'pay as you can afford basis,' which shouldn't be abused if you can pay fully for your meal. This place is definitely a highlight in the Newtown community!<br/>(Their green curry is so so so tasty! If you're given the chance, order it! Very creamy and every bite is as good as the first!)<br/>// <br/>WENT AGAIN TODAY AND GOT POTATO CURRY AND DAL ALONG WITH A PLUM CAKE. SUPER DELICIOUS AND DEFINITELY A 5/5

Lentil as anything is a great concept. My suggestion is to go with people you can have a good chat with as sometimes service can be slow, but given the nature of the place and the fact that it is staffed by volunteers, this is hardly an issue. The portion sizes are fair and the variety is great.

We finally made it there!!! Opened at 6pm, we got there at 6.05 and it was absolutely PACKED. We were instantly greeted by a friendly volunteer (i like how each person have their own role) and got seated on a a shared table, there wasnt a lot of room for sam, unfortunately this is the predicament for dining at lentil as anything.<br/><br/>We both ordered the sri lankan curry bowl, it was magnificent, delicious and very filling. The chai wasnt too bad, came in a small cup, quite sweet and quite watery.. but still nice. Chocolate cake was sauce came in a small bowl.but it was rich and delicious!<br/><br/>If you are not aware there is a donation system and you pay what you think is fitting, meaning people are able to walk out after a meal without providing any donations. but we want this place around and always happy to give a little more. We love the concept and will definitely be coming back more frequently.

Great friendly volunteer run service and great fresh produce used to make a number of dishes. Come out and support a great cause by eating great vegan food and paying as you wish ❤️ we had 2 servings of the spaghetti carbonara and one curry and rice with a fried bread cracker.

It was an amazing experience to sit with a homeless and eat together. This place made me want to cry, it was so touching. Go and try some delicious food and donate as much as you can.

Amazing concept! I dined here for the first time on Tuesday night, the place was packed but we were lucky enough to be seated straight away. The staff were very friendly and welcoming, the whole vibe of the place was so relaxed and felt like its own little community. There were three choices available from the menu, as we were a table of 5 I got to try a bit of each and they were all so delicious - a real tasty home style cooked meal with lots of love. We were supplied with endless cups of hot chai, which tasted insanely good! And finished off with the dessert which was also really good. I have absolutely nothing to fault about my first dining experience at Lentil As Anything. 11/10.

A feel good concept of a volunteer run not-for-profit vegetarian restaurant where you choose how much to pay. <br/>The menu focuses on lentils. There were 3 options from 10am and 3 more available after midday. Don't expect fine dining but the food was homely.<br/>Maybe it's the fact the staff are volunteers but it felt genuine and friendly. Overall I love the idea and hope that those more well off can visit and pass along their generosity.

I love this place; the concept is amazing and the food doesn't stay behind. Always delicious !! And you can even chose a dessert and/or coffee. I would go every time. Great job for the lentil community, thanks!

For what it is, a house of volunteers and hospitality experience of all levels, it is a house of wonders.<br/>Every time I dine here, the food leaves me feeling loved and blessed to be able to experience a variety of tastes that my stomach can digest. Each ingredient is always so fresh and carefully cooked.<br/>I've only had one weird experience where no volunteer came to take my order but a volunteer called, Maria, has been the superstar of turning it around every time I am there. She is passionate and knowledgeable.<br/><br/>Lentils As Anything has an amazing concept that I wish more diners would take seriously in their donations. Nevertheless, it's a perfect example of give and take and what works when the goodness of the heart is at its highest.

I quite enjoyed the food here but one thing that made me upset was the amount of people putting a few coins in or nothing at all, people that go out to dinner often should put in what they would expect to pay at a restaurant not a couple of cents or dollar coins.<br/>You don't have to pay a fortune but at least be fair. Other than that it was a tummy meal.

I liked the concept of this place, it's aim of providing an affordable meal for those doing it rough financially, not for profit and how you could pay anything you feel like, within moral restraints. <br/><br/>I came here here with not too high expectations as ofcourse a place run by volunteers and serving food at any cost shouldn't exactly hype the taste of the food that much.<br/><br/>There were four mains available, me and my friend tried three of them. <br/><br/>Pasta: had a nice but sometimes overly strong sour taste to it, interesting to try purely vegan pasta, but it's not really my thing. Pasta quite overcooked but bearable<br/><br/>Curry: pretty nice! Creamy texture curry with an accompanying spicy/sour sauce. Was pretty enjoyable<br/><br/>Wrap: a bit dry and didn't have any sauce<br/><br/>Lentil soup: nice flavour but shame let it cool for too long. Somehow it didn't taste too bad when Cooled either. Knew it was healthy but it didn't taste bland so that was a plus! <br/><br/>Caramel slice: greasy, soft, peanut butter with a toffee butterscotch taste to it- ending the three courses pretty nicely <br/><br/>If it was a normal paying vegan restaurant I'd give it only 2.8ish/5 but have given an extra point for the concept and considering how my expectations were not that high for this restaurant type

Had 2 specials last night. The Lebanese plate was great. The Sri Lankan curry was bland - institutional food bland. All the Sri Lankan food I have ever had was always tasty.

We love how Lentil As Anything is a non-for-profit organisation who give back to the people in need. Every time we've come, the food has been great and the service is always friendly and accommodating. This is a pay as you feel, vegetarian cafe and we both really enjoy coming here!

Lentils is always awesome. Came here for brekky for the first time and it was awesome. Such a great concept and great to see so many people supporting this not for profit organisation.

Lentil as anything is a great concept of 4 dishes on the menu and chai tea and a non for profit organisation on which you make a donation of how much you think the meal is worth. You can order a dish at a time and started off with the chickpea and rice and pumpkin and lentil with paperdum, the presentation was great and had a bit of spice to it although it was a bit salty for my liking but still tasty. The food came out reasonably quick and the volunteers were quite friendly. Next up I wanted to try the mushroom creamy sauce spaghetti with and vegetable leaves. Quite different to what I normally get but it filled up my appetite, could of probably done with a dessert but didn't see any on the menu, I was quite happy with the setting although it was a bit loud with the music but still a good evening there is always a queue outside but we didn't have to wait to long to get a seat.

How community should be. Fantastic vibe, loved the minimalist menu, and LOVED that you paid what you wanted as you left. Unbelievable. Also, sit by the window and people watch for hours!

The food was lovely and filling! I absolutely loved the curry plate, very tasty. Ratatouille probably wasn't as good but still nice, but seriously who can complain with such an awesome idea behind the restaurant!<br/><br/>The vibe of the place is really happening and buzzing, and we even had a nice conversation with the old man behind us in line/in front of us on the table. He told us he comes by every day.<br/><br/>The volunteers who work there were so lovely and friendly. Really efficient too. Quite busy so good for a quick bite and move on to let other people in. Would love to go back because the meal was great and truly satisfying!

I don't know how this place doesn't have a consistent 5/5. You choose to pay however much you want! As a bonus, the food is always sublime and changes every day. There is even desert! Everything is vegan and there is always a creative twist to one or more of them menu items. This is one of my go to spots in Newtown where I know I'll always leave happy.

I love this place. Food is really good and the volunteers are very kind. <br/>The best thing about this place is the atmosphere .. And Definitely try the chai

Good vegan food that is paid through donation. These people do good work and give back to the community. Always love the chai. Standout was probably the spicy Middle Eastern inspired soup with dumplings. I ate the leftovers my friend couldnt finish!

What a beautiful concept. This vegan restaurant is not-for-profit and run by volunteers (who are really lovely), and you pay what you think the meal is worth. There's live music and the place is usually packed. There's definitely a sense of community here that is rare in restaurants. <br/><br/>The food is good and simple but not every dish is equally good. However, I've never been disappointed. The chai here is lovely too. <br/>Lentil As Anything is a unique restaurant and I'm glad it exists here in Sydney. :)

Coming to the restaurant for the first time, it was a little hard to understand how it worked, but it turned out it was easier and more delicious than expected. I love this place, the concept, the atmosphere and the beautiful food. However, you kinda have to love rice to love this place.. The chai was amazing and the staff was friendly. I wanted to go back the very next day!

I have been to Lentil as Anything in Melbourne and loved the concept. Simple food, pay as you feel, somewhere for the community to come together and do a little good along the way. So i was curious to see how that has translated to Sydney, an altogether quite different city from Melbourne. Bigger, brasher, flasher.. If Friday night was anything to go by, the concept seems to be workng. The restaurant was busy, people wedged into any available space, eating among a hubbub of conversation. There were 4 choices on the menu and between us we tried 3 of them - masala mushroom, a mixed curry plate and a Turkish bean stew. The curry plate was the universal favorite, masala mushrooms an honorable second and the bean stew puttered in behind. The presentation was pretty ordinary on our dishes, but peeking at others' plates, some looked better. The food was also lukewarm. But these are minor quibbles when eating somewhere like Lentil - after all it's your choice how much you pay and it kind of comes with the territory - volunteers, social enterprise etc.

Amazing food and great staff!!! Definitely recommend!!! Will be back soon xx This restaurant serves great vegan food with delicious curries and great chai.

Great experience. Two dishes on offer - a curry with rice, salad, a small pappadum and a very sweet chai tea or sweet banana pancakes with syrup and a chai tea. The food was nice, service friendly and the concept is awesome. You pay what you think the meal is worth which is a great concept. I would go again, but I would like to see three options on the menu - two savoury and one sweet.

I believe this started in Melbourne<br/>It's a crowded and popular place,nice tasting vegetarian food and you pay by donation<br/>I just hope this concept isn't up for abuse<br/>I believe all the workers are volunteers and I can see it! They forgot our water and had to double check what we ordered<br/>Worth going but just be aware your most likely you will have to wait for a table

What a great idea! Pay as you like. The food was very tasty and impressive for simple home style food. My favourite part was the chai drink they give you when you first sit down. While I felt the portion was slightly small, it could have just been that dish that night as I have seen many other better sized portion plates.

Funky, cool and aspirational, a new wave of collective eating that is sweeping the world. Menu is tasty and changes daily, as per the chefs and cooks who are volunteering on the day. You could come every day for a week and be satisfied by the variety of the food and the mish mash of people who come in for the food and yummy Chai, atmosphere is like a busy work canteen, but even with the noise about you, you can still enjoy your meal and the experience. Payment is by donation, but don't be stingy ! I usually pay in $10-15 depending which meal I order, which I think is fair.

Amazing concept. 4 seasonal dishes available every night + chai tea + dessert on some night and drinks on Fridays. The food was fresh and tasty, the atmosphere was cosy and busy and the service was SUPER friendly (all volunteers apparently). My friend dines here 3 or 4 nights a week. Even if you're not vegan and can afford an expensive meal, this is just a lovely place to go, and donate what you like for a good meal.<br/><br/>Will be baaack!

The menu consists of four main meal choices and one dessert and it all changes daily based on what they have in supply. The main difference between Sydney’s Lentil As Anything and Melbourne’s Lentil As Anything outlets is that in Sydney there is a menu and they have a suggested donation of $12, whereas in Melbourne it is a buffet where you can eat as much as you want and no recommended donation. I wonder if that’s because the rent in Sydney is that much higher? Because there were f

Lentil As Anything is a vegetarian, not-for-profit restaurant in which there are no set prices, you pay what you feel is right and what you can afford. The underlying principle is those that can afford more will pay more to cover those less fortunate so they can still eat a wholesome meal. With four restaurants in Melbourne, they just recently opened a Sydney store in Newtown. We arrived at Lentil As Anything at around 6pm on a Wednesday night (walked straight passed the first time because it is located inside the cafe, Cookies & Milk, who kindly lend out the cafe to Lentil As Anything at night) and it was already packed (opening hours are from 6pm to 9pm). We could already observe the chaotic nature of the business (which we did expect, having watched the SBS series "The Naked Lentil" which follows Lentil As Anything's struggles to keep afloat), when we arrived one waiter only remembered some of the dishes on offer (the menu is always changing but that night the selection was a vegeta

Lentil as Anything opened their first NSW location in Newtown earlier this month. They are a Melbourne institution that are famous for their pay-what-you-think-it’s-worth policy (openly abused by at lease one of my dining partners) and all vegan menu.

Lentils as Anything is a vegetarian (Sydney's one is the first vegan one) that runs on a honesty pay-as-you-like model. It is a not for profit organisation, that gives back to the community, feeding those who can't afford to and also taking on board those who have had rough segments in their lives, training them up so they can be back up on their own feet in the near future. What a worthy cause!  The mastermind behind this worthy concept is Shanaka Fernando, he

I love the concept and vibe of the place, such a great idea. The food is very simple and it feels like you're dining at a friend's place

...a not-for-profit restaurant with a unique business model of pay-as-you-like, all in the name of the community. But the question remains: how is the food? We were greeted by little bowls of cous cous, with bits of green apple and sultanas. So far, so good. This was actually pretty tasty. But we needed more food, so we ordered off their four-dish-menu (It wasn’t long, but it sounded really interesting!). You can choose one dish per person – which is smart, cause you get piggies like me who order wayy too much because I want to try everything – so we got the Pumpkin Soup, the Chilli (as in the dish, not the plant), and the Burger (pictured above), which was the most highly recommended dish from friends. Pumpkin and Apple Soup Chilli on rice The food took ages to come out, which I s

Not as good as usual. The first few times i went here it was delicious and i enjoyed the bohemian atmoshphere. But tonight ( a tuesday ) the service was poor, and the food was bland. The menu was written on a small whiteboard that was impossible to read without walking over to the wall. The staff treated us with indifference, closing up early and taking our unfinished food away from us. It felt like a cafeteria or a soup kitchen. But while we were waiting for a table the waiter offered us chai, which was a nice touch.

Mental As Anything !!!. This restaurant is so dark and gloomy that you better take some torch light with you. The shortage of staff is applauding, we were asked to share our table for two with two other complete strangers just so they can stuff more people inside this made house.The menu had a few things we wanted to try,but the waitress had no clue if the food was spicy, just because people can pay what they want doesn't mean they want to eat crap.Not to mention how full it was from all the hobos.Music was in your face, loud and horribly disturbing and waitress could barely hear us. We left without eating,it was just so strange and disappointing. Don't go to this mental place !!!

Awful. Most of the patrons stunk of bad body odour. The waiters looked as though they hadn't washed. The seating was cheap, nasty and uncomfortable. I've eaten in better cafes in Nimbin than this horrendous place. Don't bother. Food was disgusting. I felt like I was in a prison where the kitchen had opened large cans of war food.

Awesome experience. I had the pleasure of trying the delights of 'Lentil As Anything' on Sunday evening. The food was outstanding I particularly enjoyed the North Indian Curry (The Cabbage was out of this world). A special thanks to Juhi for her fantastic cooking & hospitality. Highly recommended - I will be back!!

NOT A FAN. The live band here is amazing! However I don't understand how they think it's appropriate to be 3 steps away from tables blasting music. I had a really difficult time enjoying my meal & company whilst the band was playing music. It was SO loud we didn't bother talking, we couldn't wait to leave the restaurant to catch up. I've always enjoyed the meals here, unfortunately tonight was a big NO DEAL for me, the girl didn't mention nor did the menu mention that the dish was spicy, I can handle spicy foods, however I walked out tonight with a numb tongue & face burning face due to that dish. Very disappointed & I won't be back again! If they want people to pay restaurant dollars for their meals & services I suggest making some changes to their choice of LOUD music whilst ppl are eating & perhaps being more specific on the menu. Also horrible chai too, maybe just take it off the menu all together if you guys can't get it right. Plenty of cheap eats & good quality food in Newtown, don't make this your first stop.

Great food great service.. Go here. The Dahl was excellent. Service great.

Epitome of Newtown. This place epitomises newtown - a radical business approach, 100% vegan and filled to the brim with hipsters. The noise level can be excessive even though they have moved to a new venue, not a good place for a date. The menu is a changing selection of vegan mains, tasty and filling rather than spectacular. Potted herbs and help-yourself fruit baskets are a nice touch. You will enjoy your experience more if you come to support the cause and understand how the place works, rather than expect a mature service restaurant

Food Community. I would recommend Lentil As Anything for people who want to have a warm, unassuming and friendly meal. The food varies from night to night, as does the service - but they always mean well. I am from Melbourne and wanted to visit the Sydney counterpart of one of my favourite vegetarian spots and the tagine I ordered was lovely.

Good concept, ok service (the "host" of our table is nice, but one of the waitress really destroyed one of my friends mood), taste soy chai, disaster main, disaster dessert.<br/><br/>Main: mix bean with rice=mixed bean with tomato sauce, and very dry rice (that rice felt like overnight rice)<br/><br/>Dessert: coconut cream rice. I've never had any dessert as bad as rice soaked in coconut "cream" . I love ethe Thai coconut sticky rice dessert, n this is definitely ruined it.

Great service and delicious good. Came out and suprised us with a starter of amazing dips with beautiful chai tea. <br/>Moussaka wasn't cooked all the way through, however, which was disappointing. Great community.

Good food but booking is impossible. Great concept and great food.<br/><br/>But it is impossible to book. The number on Urban Spoon (9999 9999) is not a real number. Googled a mobile but there was no answer. Texted the mobile number, but there was no confirmation.There is nothing in White Pages. So we just showed up and struggled to find a table only to be told that we should have booked!