theaustralian
2011
150+ nationwide reviews of vegan, vegetarian and veg friendly restaurants
VIC | Brunswick
The Radical Grocery Store
Sydney Road, Brunswick, Victoria 03 9077 5512 | www.radicalgrocery.com Tues - Fri 10am -7pm Saturday 11am - 6pm Sunday 12 - 5pm
100% Vegan Gluten Free Options Cash, Credit, EFTPOS
The constantly growing Radical Grocery Store is a vegan wonderland with exciting new products to discover every time you visit.
A favourite with vegans from all across the state, Radical Grocery is certainly worth the trip. The shelves are packed with a huge range of vegan and vegetarian specialty products but it's much more than just a vegan store. Radical has something for everyone with a full range of organic and Fairtrade groceries, Choose Cruelty Free accredited health, beauty and cleaning products and an impressive range of books.
If that's not enough to lure you, they even have plans for a massive store expansion in early 2011 with the new premises to include organic beer & wine, fresh baked organic breads, Aussie organic fruit & veg and co-op style bulk foods. However, what really sets Radical apart is knowing that every product in the store meets their strict ethical standards and owner Anikee, who is a wealth of information on all things vegan, ethical and sustainable, is always in store to answer questions.
theaustralian
2011
Made possible by and with thanks to Bill & Doris
First published by aduki independent press in Australia 2010 Copyright Š aduki independent press 2010
The opinions expressed are those of the authors and not of the publisher or editor. All rights reserved
ISBN 978-0-9803351-9-4
Cover photo is of the East Brunswick Clubs’ vegan parma, thanks to Kory All layouts, typesetting and designs by aduki independent press National Library of Australia Catalogue in Publication Data
Title: The Australian veg food guide 2011 / editor, Lisa Dempster. ISBN: 9780980335194 (pbk.) Notes: Includes index. Subjects: Vegetarian restaurants--Australia--Directories. Other Authors/Contributors: Dempster, Lisa. Dewey Number: 647.9594 PO Box 119 Brunswick Vic, 3056 03 8300 0233 www.aduki.net.au
Contents
Introduction
6
How to use this guide
9
Get involved and community
10
The aduki / uproar awards
11
eBook notes
11
Australian Capital Territory
13
New South Wales
25
Northern Territory
60
Queensland
63
South Australia
81
Tasmania
93
Victoria
103
Western Australia
205
Introduction Australia is known for its fantastic food and restaurant scene - we are blessed with excellent produce, have gorgeous places in which to eat it and have perfected a style of dining that is laid back and relaxing. Yes, we are a nation of foodies, and that isn’t a bad thing. With our growing passion for food there has been a flourishing of interest in vegetarian dining. It is something that we in Australia do particularly well, due in equal measure to our amazing produce and our multicultural heritage.
Following the success of The Melbourne Veg Food Guide in 2009, aduki independent press realised that there is a very real thirst for knowledge about vegan and vegetarian food and were excited to expand the scope of the guide to include other states around the country. Through reviewing and researching, we realised that vegetarian dining is booming right across the country, and are happy to capture this wealth of great food within the pages of this, the first Australian Veg Food Guide. Whether you’re vegan, eat meat-free occasionally or are looking to entertain vegetarian friends, I am confident this guide will help you discover Australia’s fantastic plant-based dining experiences.
6
From cafÊ food served in stunning surrounds in Perth or a fast food burger in Sydney to raw food degustation dining in Melbourne, there is a vegetarian meal in Australia to suit all occasions, budgets and tastes. Their common factor is simply the deliciousness of the food. While I hesitate to characterise how we dine by state, it is easier to make broad generalisations about vegetarian food as a whole across the country: we do multicultural food very well, particularly Asian and our mod-Oz casual dining scene is thriving as well. CafÊ culture is, of course, a big part of how we enjoy vegetarian food now and there are some fantastic leaders in this field right across the country. People are increasingly looking for meat-free dining options, whether it’s for health or environmental reasons, or simply to explore new kinds of eating experiences. This guide was created with one goal in mind: to assist diners to find new and interesting plant-based restaurants and meals.
For vegetarians, I hope this guide enables you to expand upon your current dining experience. We cover the gamut from raw food and vegan to ovo-lacto veg options and we are confident that no matter what your dietary requirements you will find something delightful within these pages. For readers who eat meat, I hope this guide assists you to discover what us vegos already know - that vegetarian food in Australia is interesting, varied and delicious. 7
Above all else, the Australian Veg Food Guide is a celebration of our diverse and wonderful food culture. With a plethora of fantastic, accessible dining establishments across the country - including in our regional areas - we really are spoilt for foodie choice in Australia. In closing, I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the committed team of foodies who helped to put this guide together: Cassie Flanagan, Lyndal Greenslade, Stu Hatton, Blair Kelly, Philippa O’Shea, Kristy Riley, Mandee Salles, Rachel Templeman, Harriet Wynne, Lidia Bier and the team at aduki independent press. Without your excellent knowledge and superior taste buds, this guide would not exist. Lisa Dempster Editor, The Australian Veg Food Guide
8
How to use this guide With this edition we have attempted to create a consistent look and feel across all reviews with easy to understand and see icons, ratings and details. We may not have completely hit the nail on the head, but it’s a step in the right direction. With regards to ordering, States are in alphabetical order, within each state reviews are listed by suburb in rough geographical proximity with reviews then in alphabetical order. The unreviewed listings are establishments we would like to have had reviewed but no reviewer was available, however they were still worth including. The bean ratings are out of five and are an average of the detailed ratings to allow a quick peak at what our reviewer thought of an establishment, if you want to look beneath the surface, more detailed ratings can be found beneath. Indicates an alcohol license.
BYO is available, check to confirm which type and how much corkage is.
A reasonable amount of gluten free options available.
Some gluten free options. No icon means that no gluten free options available.
Indicates the establishment is purely vegetarian or vegan.
Indicates the establishment is veg friendly, selling a mixture of foods.
No alcohol is allowed or available on the premises.
A reasonable amount of vegan options available.
Credit cards and eftpos are accepted, if no icon is present, cash only.
Some vegan options. No icon means that no vegan options available.
9
Get involved and community We make no pretence that everything in the guide is 100% accurate and in the undertaking of a project of this size, there will be mistakes, inaccuracies, changes in details and restaurants have bad days. Whilst we worked very hard to ensure the guide was truly nationwide, it is still very Victorian heavy. This is due to Victoria having a lot more veg friendly restaurants, but also because we still have a lot more reviewers in Victoria and thus can review more establishments.
One new feature with this edition is the chance for you to easily get involved in ensuring the guide is kept accurate and that future editions contain more and more reviews from around the country of your favourite places to eat. Simply drop by the books’ accompanying website, register and start contributing. Your amendments and reviews could make future editions as well as the eBook and mobile versions. If your reviews are included you will also be paid for your efforts, so there are no excuses to not get involved!
The books’ website and the mobile app will also give readers the opportunity to add their own thoughts, experiences and tips on establishments to share with other readers and we have plenty more features up our sleeves meaning that even between print editions there will be plenty happening with the Australian Veg food guide.
www.vegfoodguide.com
10
The aduki / uproar awards As part of the lead up to the release of ‘The Australian Veg Food guide’ we teamed up with Uproar (www.uproar.org. au) to stage our annual awards to find your favourite Vegan, Vegetarian and Veg friendly restaurants, businesses and products, voting closed on 1st September and whilst we were hoping to include the winners in this guide, printing, distribution and publicity deadlines prevented us from doing so. If you haven’t heard the results yet and are looking for more amazing and tasty veg friendly businesses then please take a look at our special awards micro site.
www.aduki.net.au/awards
eBook notes We took the decision to create a PDF eBook to allow us to retain clear layout. Corrections will be edited and compiled into a new edition on a monthly basis. New entries will be compiled into a new edition in line with the print book. We will also be improving, tidying and adding new features (such as proper hyperlinks in review entries and Table of contents) on a regular basis, purchasers will be notified when new editions are available for download.
11
Australia’s first animal welfare Superfund Join today and make a difference www.crueltyfreesuper.com.au
Australian Capital Territory
Vietnamese
ACT | Dickson
Âu Lac Gourmet Vegetarian
Food 5 Service 5 Ambience 2 Value 4
4/39 Woolley Street, Dickson 02 6262 8922 Entrees $5 - 7.50 Mains $11 - 16 Desserts $4.50
Mon Tue - Sun Tue - Sun
6pm - 10pm 12pm - 3pm 6pm - 10pm
This small Vietnamese restaurant is a Canberra institution. It offers nearly 100 vegetarian dishes, most of which are already vegan and if not can be modified. Faux meat is Âu Lac’s speciality and it comes in every flavour, from tasty soy ‘chicken’ nuggets and sweet and sour ‘fish’ to a magnificent $42 duck and be an curd fondue. If mock meat isn’t your thing there are gluten free options such as delicious tofu with lemongrass, moreish mushroom fritters, and braised tofu and vegetables with cashews. Some of the ‘meat’ only dishes can be a bit small so you may want to opt for one of the generous noodle dishes instead - the huge laksa comes highly recommended. If you somehow have room for more, skip the dessert menu and try the refreshing (but very sweet) mixed lotus seaweed drink. There are only a few tables available and it fills up on Friday and Saturday nights making the restaurant very noisy; visit early in the week for a quieter meal and lightning quick service.
14
Asian
Dickson |
Kingsland Vegetarian
ACT
Food 5 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 4
Shop 5, Disckson Plaza, 28 Challis Street, Dickson 02 6262 9350 Entrees $4.50 - 7.20 Mains $10.50 - 16.80 Desserts $4.50
Mon - Fri & Sun Mon - Sun
11.30pm - 2.30pm 5.00pm - 10.00pm
Kingsland specialises in mock meat dishes, which are made from a surprisingly wide range of ingredients: seaweed and tofu fish, tofu and gluten chicken and pork, Chinese mushroom beef and lamb, gluten duck and yam and carrot prawns. All but a couple of dishes are vegan and the friendly staff are happy to modify them. Kingsland has recently changed hands and as well as improving the interiors, the new owner has also expanded the menu. With so many great dishes on offer you really can’t go wrong, although the sweet potato cakes, roast duck, Mongolian lamb and crispy honey prawns are standouts. The non-mock meat dishes are also worth trying, especially good is the crispy potato bird’s nest packed with veggies and the tofu in satay sauce. The desserts aren’t particularly exciting, but the sago pudding is wonderfully creamy. It’s generally not too hard to get a table without booking at any time but it’s still worth calling before you choose a day to go, as the new owner is currently offering major discounts on certain week nights.
15
Various
ACT | Dickinson
My Rainbow Dreams
Food 4 Service 5 Ambience 1 Value 5
Shop G1b Dickson Chambers, Dickson 02 6247 8591 | www.myrainbowdreams.com.au Snacks $3.50 Meals $7 - 13 Sweets $2.50 - 6
Mon - Fri Wed Sat
9.30am - 5.30pm 9.30am - 4pm 9am - 4pm
Don’t be put off by its uninspiring facade, this tiny cafe operated by Sri Chinmoy students offers a wonderful range of food at very affordable prices. Service is super quick and the staff very friendly. Virtually everything on the menu can be veganised and most dishes have a gluten-free option as well. The tasty Indian-spiced lentil burger ($8.90) and generous curry of the day ($8.90) are great lunch choices. Breakfast is served on Saturdays only, with options such as the substantial Rainbow brekkie ($13), seasoned scrambled tofu ($8.50) and buckwheat pancake stack ($9.50). A range of healthy juices and not so healthy smoothies are on offer all the time and you can round off your meal with a vegan bliss ball, one of the homemade cakes (frequently dairy and gluten-free) or a huge teapot of dandelion chai. You may want to opt for takeaway during peak times as there is only counter seating inside and the few outdoor tables are very exposed to the elements.
16
Cafe
Watson | ACT
Satis
Food 4 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 4
Windeyer Street, Watson
Snacks $0.80 - 3.50 Meals $7.95 - 14 Sweets $2.80 - 6
Tue - Fri Sat & Sun
8am - 4.30pm 9am - 4pm
This tiny cafe has a huge following, so you’ll be squeezing past other customers whenever you go, note its busiest times are breakfast on Saturday (9am-1pm) and Sunday (all day). Sher and her staff do an admirable job of handling the crowds but still expect a wait during peak times. The ‘Satis favourite’ is a fantastic breakfast - organic feta, basil and chilli with the special Satis hash browns (a delicious fried mashed potato mixture). If you’re vegan make sure you talk to the staff before ordering as most dishes (such as the scrambled tofu) contain dairy or eggs. The lunchtime offerings are standard cafe fare (homemade quiches, gourmet sandwiches and excellent value soup) but are delicious nonetheless. There’s an impressive range of teas and homemade cakes (sometimes gluten free and/or vegan), biscuits and muffins available, as well as some special drinks, such as the delightful taj mahal (chai latte). The colourful courtyard at the back is lovely on warm days, and occasionally opens in the evening for live music.
17
Cafe
ACT | Acton
Urbanfood Store and Cafe
Food 3 Service 4 Ambience 5 Value 2
Cnr Marcus Clarke and Edinburgh Streetson 02 6162 3440 | www.urbanfoodstore.com.au Entrées $4 - 9.90 Mains $12.90 - 15.90 Desserts $4.95 - 6.95
Mon - Fri Sat - Sun
7.30am - 2.30pm 8.30am - 2.30pm
Urbanfood in Civic is cavernous, but very friendly staff and live music make this wholefood cafe and store warm and inviting. Vegetarians and vegans are well catered for, as are people with gluten-free requirements, although the predominately organic ingredients do mean servings are a little expensive for their size. The tasty breakfast stack (potato rosti, marinated veggies, tofu and pesto) is the only clearly marked vegan dish on the menu but virtually all of the vegetarian dishes can be modified. A less oily breakfast choice is the delicious and chunky brioche French toast with rose and cinnamon poached apple and pear and mascarpone. Weekends are very busy and as there’s no table service, at busy times you may be waiting a while just to place an order. Bookings are recommended to get a seat inside, although there’s plenty of great fresh produce and dry goods to browse in the shop section while you wait for a table.
18
Australian
Farrer | ACT
The Ridge
Food 3 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 3
Shop 4, Farrer Place, Farrer 02 6286 8088 Entrees $4.50 - 13.50 Mains $19.00 Desserts $4 - 15
Tue - Sat
6 - 10pm
This cosy modern Australian restaurant used to be purely vegetarian but their focus is now on gluten-free organic dishes. The three vegetarian mains on the modest menu - Singapore noodles, pumpkin risotto and pappardelle with roasted veggies - are good wholesome meals that can be modified for vegans. The homemade pappardelle is particularly good and you’ll be hard pressed to finish all of the generous pumpkin risotto, particularly if you opt for the delicious vegetarian antipasto platter as a starter. There’s a good range of cakes and desserts available, including wonderful homemade organic ice cream, although nothing for vegans. Peter and Gloria Wiget run The Ridge singlehandedly but take the time to make sure you enjoy your meal. As everything is made from scratch while you wait, this isn’t the place to drop by for a quick meal, but it is perfect for a special dinner for two. Booking is advisable as it can get busy even on weeknights.
19
Ethiopian
ACT | Pearce
Ethiopia Down Under
Food 4 Service 5 Ambience 3 Value 3
70 Hodgson Crescent, Pearce 02 6286 1659 | www.ethiopiadownunder.com.au Entrées $3.90 - 9.90 Mains $15.90 Desserts $8.90 - 9.90
Tue - Sun
6pm - late
Ethiopia Down Under is a little suburban restaurant in south Canberra. The vibe here is relaxed and homely - it almost feels like you’re eating in a neighbour’s living room. The only drawback is it can get quite noisy when busy, so visit on a Tuesday or Wednesday for quieter dining. The menu features six vegetarian mains (all vegan), including the delicious alit’cha miser, a mild almost sweet yellow lentil dish and dinich wat, potatoes in rich smoky berbere sauce. If you’re having trouble deciding, go for the mosab dinner, which gives you a little of almost all dishes, served with slices of injera pancake like bread with a lovely lemony flavour. The mosab option also comes with Ethiopian coffee, made from beans roasted daily in the restaurant. There’s a good selection of homemade ice creams and vegan sorbets available for dessert. The menu clearly indicates vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options, but if that doesn’t suit the friendly staff are more than happy to customise your meal.
20
Cafe
Chifley
A Bite to Eat, a Drink as Well
| ACT
Food 2 Service 3 Ambience 5 Value 3
Shop 8, Eggleston Crescent, Chifley 02 6260 3703 Snacks $4 - 15.50 Meals $10 - 22 Sweets $10
Mon & Sat Wed - Fri Sun
8am - 5pm 8am - 12am 9am - 4pm
A Bite to Eat is a delightfully quirky cafe/bar in south Canberra. The charming combination of kitsch artwork, retro furniture, scattered crockery and excellent coffee and cakes has made this place hugely popular throughout the week, you’ll be lucky to get in without a booking, particularly on the weekend. It’s worth persevering with the long queues, particularly in the morning, for surprising (albeit expensive) breakfast choices, such as banana pizza with custard and vanilla gelato. The more recognisable roasted mushrooms with broccoli pesto, pepato cheese, baby spinach and sourdough is great too. Unfortunately, vegans only have one real breakfast option: baked beans, sourdough, spinach and olive salsa, which is less impressive. There’s a bit more choice at lunch and dinner times (including pizzas on Wednesday night), although the prices are considerably higher in the evenings. Even if you don’t want a full meal it’s still worth visiting A Bite to Eat just to kick back in the lovely courtyard with a cold drink and a serve of the fantastic fat chips.
21
Thai
ACT | Canberra
Three Mothers Thai
Food 2 Service 4 Ambience 2 Value 2
34 Garema Place, Canberra 02 6249 8900 Entrées $8.20 Mains $15.80 Desserts $5 - 10.50
Mon - Fri Mon - Sat
12 - 2.30pm 5 - 10pm
The busy Three Mothers Thai is located right in the centre of Canberra and is very convenient if you’re after a quick lunch or pre-show dinner - although the location is reflected in the prices and bookings are required from mid-week onwards. There’s a surprisingly large range of dishes listed as vegetarian (several of which are vegan) but make sure you check with the staff before ordering as a few are made with shrimp paste. The gareng jeud tawhu (beancurd with vermicelli and mushroom soup) is a refreshing starter and the gareng daeng pak (red veggie curry) and paad ped ka chai tawhu (spicy fried bean curd with beans, zucchini, capsicum, basil and ka chai) are tasty mains, but both are also super spicy. The paad preaw waan tawhu (sweet and sour bean curd and vegetables) is a milder alternative. There are two occasionally available vegan desserts - sticky rice, mango and coconut milk and delicious black sticky rice, coconut milk and taro - or you can round off your meal with a dried longan drink which is delightfully sweet.
22
Indian
Belconnen | ACT
Ruchi
Food 5 Service 3 Ambience 3 Value 3
Unit 4, 17 - 23 Oatley Court, Belconnen 02 6253 2506 | www.ruchi.com.au Entrées $7.90 - 9.50 Mains $14.90 - 16.50 Desserts $7 - 7.50
Tue - Fri Mon - Sun
12 - 2pm 6 - 10pm
Ruchi is a south Indian restaurant so it’s great for vegetarians, although its dishes are milder than you’d expect for food from this region. Don’t miss starting with the potato and pea samosas, or get the good value starter platter, which includes them. The range of mains are wonderful, but the bhagare baingun (eggplant in a coconut, peanut and sesame gravy), aloo mattar (potatoes and peas in tomato gravy) and malai kofta (cottage cheese and potatoes in a rich creamy sauce) are highly recommended. Vegans will need to check with the staff, but generally dishes that don’t contain cottage cheese are suitable. Make sure you try Ruchi’s signature dish, the dosai - it’s a massive savoury pancake served with a variety of delicious fillings, most of which are vegan. Despite being a bit hidden away at the back of Belconnen, Ruchi is consistently packed from mid-week onwards, a visit on a Monday or Tuesday night allows a less rushed dinner, although the large room can feel a bit cold with only a few diners.
23
ACT As Nature Intended Cafe
Cafe
Shop 40A, Lathlain St, Fresh Food Market, Belconnen 02 6253 0444 | www.asnatureintended.com.au Tue 11am - 5pm, Wed - Sun 8.30am - 6pm
Curry Kitchen
Indian
18 Furneaux St, Manuka Shops, Manuka 02 6239 4477 Mon - Fri, Sun 11.30am - 2.30pm & 5.30pm - 9.30pm, Sat 5.30pm - 10pm
Vegetarian House Shop 7, Homeworld Shopping Cntr, Tuggeranong 02 6293 9788 Mon - Sat 11am - 3pm & 5pm - 9pm
24
Asian
New South Wales
Modern Australian
NSW | Surrey Hills
Yulli’s
Food 4 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 3
417 Crown St, Surry Hills 02 9319 6609 | www.yullis.com.au Entrees $8.50 - 15.50 Mains $15.50 - 17.50 Desserts $9.50 Banquets $25 - 30
Mon - Wed Thu & Fri Sat & Sun
5pm - late 12pm - late 9am - late
Yulli’s is a small restaurant and bar on Crown St in Surry Hills. It offers a range of vegetarian sharing plates as well as main meals. Most of the dishes can be veganised and there are also many gluten free options. Email Yulli’s to see the vegan and gluten free menus in advance. It’s a great place to go with a group of people as you can order lots of dishes to share. Popular picks are the leek and ginger dumplings served with plum sauce ($10.50), mixed chip plate with taro and lotus root chips ($12.50), baby burrito plate ($15.50) and salt and pepper tofu with green papaya salad ($15.50). The only vegan dessert is a mango tapioca pudding served with homemade coconut ice cream ($9.50). This dessert is a must eat: smooth, creamy and a perfect combination of flavours. Yulli’s has a great atmosphere and fills up quickly so book in advance to secure a table. Also available is a small room that seats 12 people which can be booked along with a banquet menu.
26
Cafe
Surrey Hills | NSW
O-Organic Produce
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 4
487 Crown St, Surry Hills 02 9319 4009 | www.organicproduce.com.au Snacks $3.90 - 5.80 Meals $8.50 - 20.50 Sweets $3 - 4.90
Mon - Sat
7.30am - 4.30pm
O-Organic produce is a cosy little cafe located in Surrey Hills providing wholesome food using locally grown organic produce that can be eaten in or taken away. There are quite a few vegan and gluten free options that are clearly marked on the menu. For breakfast vegans can order French toast topped with sliced banana, agave and cinnamon, a delicious combination. Or for something savoury, baked beans on toast served with a spicy relish. Lunch offerings include roasted vegetables and tempeh, tofu burger with pumpkin and chilli jam, or a mung bean burger with cabbage sesame salad. There are many salads to choose from and a range of snacks such as tofu rice balls, vegetable fritters and nori rolls. If you’re in need of something filling try one of the soups (lentil and vegetable or smoked tofu split pea) or a slice of the vegetable lasagna. If you’re in the mood for something sweet you can’t go past the brownie or the jaffa cake! Tea and coffee is served with soy or rice milk.
27
Yum Cha
NSW | St James
Bodhi in the Park
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 3
Cnr College & William St, St James 02 9360 2523 Snacks $6.50 - 11.50 Meals $13.50 - 19.00 Sweets $7 - 15.50
Mon Tues - Sun
11am - 3pm 11am - 10pm
Bodhi in the Park is a family owned upmarket yum cha restaurant that has been operating for over 20 years. Located in Phillip Park, with indoor and outdoor seating it’s the perfect location for a lazy lunch or dinner. The restaurant fills up quite quickly most days so get there early or book ahead. Bodhi is pure vegan and the menu changes seasonally, with a focus on nutritious food. So alongside some deep fried dishes like spring rolls are many others featuring healthier options like brown rice and veggies. Popular yum cha dishes include satay tofu, deliciously nutty in flavour and sesame sweet potato cakes that are sticky, chewy and sweet. There is a fantastic array of dumplings, also try the shiitake mushrooms or beetroot dumplings for something different. Dessert includes sorbet, sticky rice and sago. Green tea is a must or you can order a drink from the bar. The yum cha is more expensive than other vegan yum cha on offer in Sydney, but the food and location are well worth the price.
28
Cafe
St James | NSW
Iku Whole Food
Food 4 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 3
Food Court, MLC Centre, 19a Martin Place, St James 02 9283 2828 | www.ikuwholefood.com Snacks $3.90 - 4.50 Meals $9.50 - 13.50 Sweets $3.90 - 4.50
Mon - Fri
8am - 5.30pm
Iku Whole Foods is a macrobiotic style healthy takeaway food chain serving up soup, salads, wraps, curries, snacks and sweets. Their food is organic where possible and free from additives, preservatives, dairy, meat and GM ingredients. Serving sizes are small but generally filling, packed as they are with veggies, grains and legumes. The macro burger ($9.50) is fantastic with its tofu patty and the rice noodle lasagne with miso and onion bĂŠchamel ($10.50) is similarly good. The sweets are small and lovely - try the tiny friends ($4.50) for a largely guilt-free treat. Some stores do breakfast items too. Iku exists at several locations, including: 62 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst; 612a Darling Street, Rozelle; 2/96 Glenayr Avenue, Bondi Beach; 25a Glebe Point Road, Glebe; Shop 2 The Grove Rear 168 Military Road, Neutral Bay and Shop T22 273 George St, CBD. See their website for more stores and detailed nutritional information about the Iku menu.
29
Cafe
NSW | Newtown
Naked Espresso
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 4
126 King Street, Newtown 02 9519 4880 | www.cafenaked.com Meals $6.90 - 14.90 Sweets $9.90
Sat & Sun
9am - 2pm
Sydney’s only 100% vegan breakfast place, Naked Espresso serves up a range of morning meals, including baked beans on toast ($8.90), buckwheat pancakes topped with agave nectar and seasonal fruit ($12.90) and homemade pie floaters ($10). The fry ups are large and inviting, try the morning after giant fry up ($14.90), the scrambled tofu feast ($13.90) or mix and match your own from the options available ($12.90). Gluten free diners are well looked after with separate facilities for making GF meals, although Naked Espresso shares a kitchen with the non-veg Basil Pizza, all the cooking implements are vegan - and so are the staff. The coffee is organic, Fairtrade, strong and always top notch. Desserts are decadent and include an amazing vanilla slice and gluten free chocolate ganache cake. Naked Espresso is tiny and the service can be chaotic at times, but its friendly vibe and excellent vegan menu will have you coming back time and again. Definitely the place to be on a lazy Saturday or Sunday morning in Newtown.
30
Pizza
Newtown | NSW
Basil Pizza
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 3
126 King Street, Newtown 02 9519 4880 | www. basilpizza.com Snacks $3.90 - 11.90 Meals $11.90 - 22.50 Sweets $9.90
Daily
5pm - late
Sharing a space with Naked Espresso, Basil Pizza does a huge range of mouth-watering vego pizzas, with vegan options clearly marked. Gluten free and organic wholemeal pizza bases are available, as well as gluten free pasta. Enjoy a vegan take on traditional pizzas with the Hawaiian, margarita or vegan pepperoni pizzas - all with soy cheese and mock meats, of course. Or dive into the gourmet styles, such as the charmingly named vegan lovers pizza, with tomato, eggplant, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, tofu and Cheezly. Pizzas range in price from $10.20-24.90 depending on size. There are also veg-friendly pastas and salads available, a wide range of sides, and homemade vegan Primal pies in chunky classic, mad mushroom and primal pepper flavours. Desserts are vegan and made by Naked Espresso’s resident cooks: go directly to the vanilla slice and order soy ice cream on the side. Book ahead to ensure a table in this tiny but lively cafe, particularly on weekends. If you live in the neighbourhood home delivery is also available.
31
Asian
NSW | Newtown
Green Gourmet
Food 5 Service 3 Ambience 3 Value 4
115-117 King Street, Newtown 02 9519 5330 | www.greengourmet.com.au Entrees $3.60 - 5.60 Mains $15.80 - 22.80 Desserts $6.40 - 8.80 Banquets $20 / 25
Mon - Sun Mon - Thu & Sun Fri & Sat
12pm - 3pm 6pm - 10pm 6pm - 11pm
Green Gourmet has a huge menu of mock meats and Asian goodies. Yum cha is served on Saturday and Sunday lunch sitting only; during the week there is a self-serve buffet bar charged by weight. The a la carte menu is available at all times, and includes a huge selection of dishes, from noodles to claypots, mock ‘seafood’, tofu, mushroom and soups (vegetarian ‘shark fin’, anyone?). The dumplings ($4.60/4) and steamed buns ($3.60/2)are fantastic, particularly the steamed BBQ not-pork bun, and there is a big range of deep fried mock treats, such as better than ‘oyster’ fritters (mushroom wrapped in seaweed and deep fried; $5.60). Gluten free and low gluten dishes are clearly marked. Green Gourmet is famous for its delicious dairy free homemade ice cream, which comes in interesting flavours like purple taro, avocado, lotus seed ginger and green tea ($6.40). For a special treat, order your ice cream deep fried. There is also another Green Gourmet restaurant in St Leonards: 538 Pacific Hwy, St Leonards.
32
Thai
Newtown | NSW
Green Palace Thai
Food 5 Service 5 Ambience 2 Value 4
182 King Street, Newtown 02 9550 5234 Entrees $5.50 - 9.50 Mains $16.50
Sun - Thu Fri & Sat
10am - 10.30pm 10am - 11pm
Always busy, Green Palace does a roaring trade in that rare treat - vegan Thai food. What the restaurant lacks in ambience it makes up for in flavour, friendliness and value. The food is traditional Thai, curry, stir fry, soup and noodle dishes abound, with a big selection of mock meat options. Diners can order from the menu or from the bain marie at the front of the restaurant, takeaway is available as well. Entree standouts include mock ‘chicken’ satay skewers or deep fried sugar cane ‘prawns’. Traditionally Thai, the green curry is a great main choice - be sure to let the staff know whether you like it mild or hot. Another great choice is crispy soy black pepper, chewy strips of soy with a sweet, peppery sauce. The service is always friendly and prompt, though Green Palace is generally very busy so it’s best to book in advance, particularly on weekends. There are good lunch specials available if you are ordering from the bain marie.
33
Mexican
NSW | Newtown
Guzman Y Gomez
Food 3 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 4
175 King St, Newtown 02 9517 1533 | www.guzmanygomez.com.au Snacks $2 - 5 Meals $7 - 10
Mon - Sat Sun
11am - 11pm 11am - 10pm
Guzman Y Gomez serves up tasty Mexican food. The chain is usually busy but doesn’t feel like a typical fast food joint you’ll be hit with the smell of herbs and spices as you walk in. The best option for vegans is to order the soft-shell veggie tacos as they are cheese-less and come filled with guacamole, grilled capsicum, onions, black beans, mushrooms and pico de gallo salsa. The soft-shell tacos are also gluten free. Choose the veggie burrito for something more filling, or go for a side of homemade corn chips with guacamole. You can eat your meal at the communal table inside or choose to sit out the front. The Newtown store also offers a range of Mexican beers, classic and frozen margaritas and tequila. Guzman Y Gomez is a great place to grab a quick bite to eat if you’re out and about - check out their stores in Bondi Junction (1A Bronte Road), Kings Cross (Cnr Bayswater Road and Penny’s Lane), Australia Square (246 George Street) and MLC Centre (Level 6, food court, St Martins Place).
34
European
Newtown | NSW
The Peasant’s Feast Restaurant
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 3
21A King St, Newtown 02 9516 5998 | www.peasantsfeast.com.au Entrees $10 - 15 Mains $18 - 25 Desserts $9
Tue - Sat
6.00pm - 10.00pm
The Peasant’s Feast is an organic restaurant that caters to vegetarians and vegans alongside their meat eating clientele. The cuisine is rustic, homestyle European influenced cooking. Low in sugar and salt and catering to wheat, gluten, dairy, egg, nut, soy and MSG free diets, the food at The Peasant’s Feast is wholesome and healthy. The diverse menu makes it a fantastic choice for group dining as a myriad of dietary preferences can be catered for. The vegetarian and vegan options are limited and a bit on the predictable side but appealing nonetheless - think pumpkin gnocchi, a tasting platter, and Mediterranean stuffed vegetables. There is also a very good raw salad. Portion sizes are filling but not enormous, so the sides are worth investigating if you’re starving. The fat and sugar free frozen chocolate coconut and almond slice is worth leaving room for. The interior of this restaurant reflects its rustic European leanings - it’s a little chaotic but overall homely and cosy. Bookings are recommended on the weekend, or arrive very early and try your luck. 35
Modern Australian
NSW | Rozelle
Harvest Vegetarian Restaurant
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 4
71 Evans St, Rozelle 02 9818 4201 | www.harvestvegetarianrestaurant.com Entrees $9.90 - 12 Mains $19.50 - 22.50 Desserts $12.50 Specials $10.50 - 22.50
Tues - Sat
6 - 11pm
Harvest Vegetarian Restaurant in Rozelle is a small, serene venue with indoor and outdoor seating. The menu includes a few vegan options as well as some meals that can be made vegan on request. Popular dishes include Indian pakoras, risotto cakes with roasted red pepper sauce and skewers of tofu and roasted vegetables with a delicious peanut sauce. On the decadent sweets list there is only one vegan option for dessert - an apple, berry and nut crumble which is warm, filling and not overly sweet. Specials often include green split pea soup as well as a tapas plate (a vegan version is available) and main of zucchini boats filled with garlic, mushrooms and herbs. For groups of ten, request the threecourse menu for only $39 a head. The service is friendly and with great food and lovely presentation, it’s a great place to linger over a good meal. If you are inspired by the meal, why not grab the Harvest Vegetarian cookbook on the way out?
36
American
Crows Nest | NSW
The Counter
Food 3 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 4
118 Willoughby Rd, Crows Nest 02 9436 2700 | www.thecounterburger.com Snacks $3 - 6.50 Meals $14.90 - 21.90
Tue & Wed Thu & Fri Sat Sun
5pm - 9pm 11.30am - 10pm 12pm - 10pm 12pm - 9pm
The Counter is an American burger joint with an outlet in Crows Nest. Once seated diners are offered a clip board with an order form so they can customise their own burger, there is also a ready-to-order menu. The Counter really only do one vego thing and they do it well - burgers. Start with an order of French fries or go for the unique fifty-fifty, a dish with half French fries and half sweet potato fries. The delicious veggie pattie is vegan and chock-full of vegetables. Choose to have it on a bun or in a salad bowl then pick from toppings such as roasted corn and black bean salsa, grilled onions or sun dried tomatoes. Add a sauce - great choices are the red relish or sun dried tomato vinaigrette - and your meal will be complete. With good food and speedy service, The Counter is a great place for a burger! It can get quite busy over the weekend so arrive early to grab a table.
37
Asian
NSW | Sydney
Mother Chu’s
Food 5 Service 3 Ambience 3 Value 4
367 Pitt St, Sydney 02 9283 2828 | www.motherchusvegetarian.com.au Snacks Meals Sweets Banquet
$3 - 8 $9.50 - 20 $3 - 5 $25
Mon - Sat Mon - Sat
12pm - 3pm 5pm - 10pm
Mother Chu’s has been dishing up an eclectic mix of Chinese, Taiwanese and Japanese-influenced Buddhist vegetarian meals since the 70s and is still going strong. The menu is illustrated and extensive with a strong focus on mock, from crispy gluten and soy strips to imitation ‘meat’. The salt and pepper soy strips ($16) are excellent and the Peking ‘duck’ for two ($40) is a decadent option, however, everything on the menu is good so let your tastes guide you. There are plenty of tofu and tempeh dishes for those who don’t like mock, including the hard-to-go-past tofu and eggplant in miso sauce. Soups, including a good wonton noodle soup and vegetable sides are also available. Mother Chu’s has a high turnover of patrons and the ambience reflects it, don’t expect to linger. The food is not super-cheap but it’s very tasty and the portions are huge - a perfect place to share meals with friends.
38
Japanese
Surrey Hills | NSW
Wafu
Food 5 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 5
460 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills 02 9319 1880 | www.wafu.com.au Entrees $5.80 - 17.15 Mains $20 - 28.55 Desserts $7.50
Mon - Fri Tue - Fri Sat Sat
6pm - 10pm 12pm - 3pm 1pm - 4pm 5pm - 10pm
Wafu serves up delicious home-style Japanese cuisine in a tranquil setting. All meals are 100% free from gluten, wheat, dairy, egg, MSG and refined sugar. Although the restaurant serves some meat and fish, approximately three quarters of the menu is marked vegan, including the organic wine and sake list. Everything is cooked fresh when ordered from the highest quality organic ingredients. From traditional natto to vegan brown rice sushi boxes, the menu covers a broad range of Japanese food. The food will blow you away - fresh, healthy, flavoursome and beautifully presented, everything on the menu is remarkable. The chef at Wafu goes out of her way to accommodate any dietary requirements. Sharing meals is encouraged to prevent wastage, and a 30% discount on the entire bill is given if diners finish everything they are served. During the day the lunch plates are great value ($17.85). Dinner service on Monday is vegan food only. As there are rules about new diners and takeaway food, please read the website or call ahead before visiting the restaurant for the first time. 39
Cafe
NSW | Chippendale
Cafe Giulia
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 4
92 Abercrombie Street, Chippendale 02 9698 4424 | www.cafegiulia.com Snacks $4 - 11 Meals $12 - 25 Sweets $3 - 8
Tue - Fri Sat & Sun
6.30am - 4pm 8am - 3pm
Cafe Giulia does great coffee, as the queues of people waiting for takeaways attests to. There is also a fantastic range of fresh juices to get your day off to a fantastic start. But there is plenty to tempt one to eat in as well - the cafe has a huge blackboard menu that spans from breakfast and lunch to dinner, with lots of snacks for in between. There is plenty on offer for vegetarians. Vegans have more limited choices and nothing on the menu is marked, however, staff are accommodating so many things can be adapted or made up specially. The food is made with excellent produce and the menu is generously portioned and tasty. Don’t go past the rosemary and sea salt chips ($4)! Unfortunately there are no dairy-free desserts and sweet snacks. The vibe of this small corner cafe is busy but relaxed and there is indoor and outdoor seating with plenty of nooks to curl up in. Order at the counter and take a number to your table or ask them to wrap up your meal for take away.
40
Cafe
Glebe | NSW
Badde Manors
Food 3 Service 2 Ambience 4 Value 4
1/37 Glebe Point Road, Glebe 02 9660 3797 | www.baddemanorscafe.com Snacks $3 - 10 Meals $8.50 - 14.50 Sweets $3 - 7.50
Mon - Thu Fri & Sat Sun
8am - midnight 8am - 1pm 9am - midnight
Badde Manors is a Glebe institution, serving up big meals to hungry vegetarians since the early 80s. Small and chaotic, the teahouse serves up the usual lattes and a wide range of tea, including their house recipe chai ($4.50) and other multicultural sweet drinks. The food runs to usual cafe fare and the options are quite extensive, about a third of the menu is marked vegan. For breakfast try the scrambled tofu and tamari ($9.50) or grilled field mushrooms ($8.50). At other times of the day, popular menu items are the lentil and tofu burgers ($9.50) or crispy sweetcorn capsicum and coriander cakes ($9.50). Soup, pasta and salads change daily according to the specials. The food is tasty if a little on the bland side, but the price is right and the serves are generous. There is usually at least one dairy free dessert or sweet available. The restaurant can get busy, especially on weekends, so be prepared to wait or be asked to share a table.
41
Indian
NSW | Surrey Hills
Maya Indian Sweets
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 3 Value 4
468-472 Cleveland St, Surry Hills 02 9699 8663 | www.maya.net.au Snacks $2.50 - 3.60 Meals $9.90 - 13.90 Sweets $1.50 - 2.20
Mon - Sun
10.30am - 10.30pm
Although the name suggests otherwise, Maya Indian Sweets is a great place to sit down for a filling vegetarian meal. Although the kitchen uses ghee, vegans are well catered to on the menu and staff can suggest vegan and gluten free options. The food is tasty, filling and well-priced, standouts include the large Punjabi thali ($13.90) and the vada - fried lentil doughnuts with sambar and coconut chutney ($8.90). There is also an extensive dosa list ($7.90-11.90) and tandoori menu. Unsurprisingly, the sweets at Maha steal the show, however vegan choices are a bit more limited here than the main menu. Try the besan burfi (chickpea flour, sugar, pistachios, cardamom and almonds - $1.50) or Karachi halwa (cornflour, sugar, nuts and herbs - $1.60). There is also a good range of lassi and kulfi drinks. Service is fast in this busy restaurant, and the cafeteria style dining room doesn’t encourage lingering. Great for group dining, though!
42
Cafe
Bondi Beach | NSW
Laurie’s Vegetarian Takeaway
Food 4 Service 3 Ambience 3 Value 4
286 Bondi Road, Bondi Beach 02 9365 0134 Snacks $3.90 - 4.50 Meals $9.50 - 13.50 Sweets $3.90 - 4.50
Mon - Sun
11am - 10pm
Walk uphill from Bondi Beach to this small cafeteria style takeaway joint serving up pure vegetarian nosh. It’s a cute space with a student vibe and diners can browse local notices and news as they eat. The menu is small and there are usually six or so hot dishes (including chickpea curry, lentil casserole, roast vegetables and pasta) and a few salads (tofu, green salads and cous cous salad) to choose from. Mix and match the food you want and pay by size, it’s a little pricier to eat in. The food is wholesome and healthy, while still catering for those fast food cravings - the tempeh burger with satay sauce and wholegrain lasagne come highly recommended. The pies are also good, including a muchraved-about mushroom pie. For sweets don’t go past the crumbles. The service is very friendly and staff are happy to help meet your dietary requirements, about 75% of the menu is vegan. For fresh, homely food at the beach, you can’t go past Laurie’s. Takeaway is available.
43
Pies
NSW | Bondi Beach
Funky Pies
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 4
144-148 Glenayr Avenue, Bondi Beach 0420 415 164 | www.funkypies.com.au Snacks $3 - 6 Meals $9.50 Sweets $4 - 6
Mon - Fri Sat - Sun
7am - 8.30pm 9am - 8.30pm
Are Funky Pies Australia’s best vegan pies? Visit their cute, relaxed cafe to decide for yourself. The cafe serves up all of Funky Pies’ much loved flavours, including the popular Funky Chunky pie with shiitake chunks, rich gravy and a touch of creamy mash and the Eezy Chick’n Cheezy pie with chicken style chunks, creamy cheeze sauce, broccoli and mushrooms. Pricing is very straightforward - pies are $6 a pop, or get a more filling pie with mushy peas, mashed potato and gravy for $9.50. A lighter pie and mixed salad options is also available ($9.50). In addition to pies there are snack sized rolls. The Brekkie Roll ($3) is a winner, with ‘sausage’, baked beans and ‘bacon’ bits. There are a range of cafe style sweet treats but the savoury dishes are the real stars. Food is available to eat in or takeaway, and the cafe is open all day so you can get a pie fix at breakfast, lunch or dinner!
44
Italian
Woolloomooloo | NSW
Otto Ristorante
Food 5 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 4
Area 8, 6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo 02 9368 7488 | www.otto.net.au Entrees $24 Mains $34 Desserts $18
Mon - Sun
12pm - 10.30pm
Otto Ristorante is a fine dining, modern Italian restaurant that will delight vegos with its separate vegan menu that, although limited in size, will impress with its deliciousness! The fig carpaccio is a highlight, and vegan desserts are often sorbet or fruit-based. There are more vegetarian options on the main menu also with menus change seasonally. The meals are fresh and flavoursome, making creative use of high-quality seasonal produce. A tasting menu is available for up to four diners ($130). There is a large wine list which the sommelier will charmingly help you navigate, or enjoy a classic cocktail with dinner instead. Post meal, don’t go past an excellent espresso. The dining room is upmarket yet relaxed with a big alfresco eating area - there is no better place to be on a sunny day. The service is similarly slick, making this the perfect place for a romantic dinner or a place to celebrate special occasions.
45
Cafe
NSW | Manly
Pure Whole Foods
Food 4 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 4
5/10 Darley Rd, Manly 02 8966 9377 | www.purewholefoods.com.au Snacks $2 - 7 Meals $9 - 13 Sweets $4 - 6
Mon - Fri Sat Sun
7.30am - 6pm 7.30am - 5pm 8am - 5pm
Pure is located in the heart of Manly and offers a wide variety of meals with plenty of vegan and gluten free options. Popular breakfast dishes include buckwheat pancakes with fresh or stewed fruit and the tofu scramble with toast. For lunch try the Pure burger available with your choice of vegetable patty or the dhal which is often on the menu as a special. The food is made with organic produce and is delicious. You can also choose a side of roasted or steamed vegetables or a salad to go with your meal. The kitchen closes at 3pm daily but there is always an extensive range of pre-made items to choose from such as rice balls, vegetable patties, falafel, roasted vegetables, salads and cakes. Pair one of these with a freshly made juice or a tea/coffee (available with soy or rice milk) and enjoy the busy and vibrant atmosphere of this cafe.
46
Indian
Darlinghurst | NSW
Govinda’s
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 3 Value 3
112 Darlinghurst Rd, Darlinghurst 02 9380 5155 | www.govindas.com.au Meals
$19.80
Wed - Sun
5.45 - 11pm
Govinda’s is a Darlinghurst institution, serving up an Indianstyle buffet in their 120-seat restaurant. The restaurant is cafeteria style and often gets very busy - be prepared to share tables. The buffet is large and pure vegetarian, however, there are very limited vegan and gluten free options. There is only one vegan main, the dhal soup, and while it’s nice it is not worth the price tag of the meal. There are also a few salads that may be vegan - it’s best to check with the wait staff on arrival. Dessert is generally not vegan. The food is satisfying for what it is, and diners can return to the buffet as often as they like, so it’s great if you’re starving. The restaurant has a good atmosphere and in summer it is pleasant to sit out on the balcony. For an extra $10 you can see a film in their movie room upstairs.
47
Thai
NSW | Sydney
Peace Harmony
Food 4 Service 3 Ambience 3 Value 4
44 Erskine Street, Sydney 02 9262 2247 | www.peaceharmony.com.au Entrees $3.50 - 7 Mains $9.50 - 13.50 Banquets $20 - 22
Mon - Fri Mon - Sat
11am - 3pm 5.30pm - 10pm
Sydney certainly has vegan Thai food covered! Peace Harmony is a small restaurant serving up a large menu of Thai food, with a focus on mock meat, though there are also plenty of tofu and veggie options. Standouts include Harmony soy ‘fish’ (steamed veggies topped with soy ‘fish’ and Harmony sauce), cashew nut (veggie meat, tofu with Harmony sauce, veggies and cashews) and pad cha (green chilli paste, stir fried with veggies, green pepper, galanga, basil, tofu and soy ‘meat’). The red and green curries and pad Thai will sate your appetite for this south-east Asian cuisine. Entrees are mostly deep-fried and of the small soups the Tom Yum is deservedly popular. The food is fresh, spicy and delicious. Peace Harmony gets busy so there might be a wait for a table as the restaurant is quite small. The service is friendly and informal. They have a takeaway outlet in the city at 29 King Street, Sydney (Mon-Fri 11am-3pm) which is great for grabbing lunch on the go.
48
Japanese
Sydney South | NSW
Tetsuya’s Restaurant
Food 4 Service 5 Ambience 5 Value 3
529 Kent St, Sydney South 02 9267 2900 | www.tetsuyas.com Degustation
$200
Tue - Fri Sat
6pm - late 12pm - late
Tetsuya’s is one of Australia’s leading restaurants and dining here is a meal to remember. Tetsuya’s cuisine is modern Japanese with French technique and everything that comes out of the kitchen is fresh, creative and utterly divine - expect dishes that are well balanced, unique, elegant, seasonal and delicious. Happily, Tetsuya’s caters to vegetarians and vegans very well, serving up the signature food that is just as thoughtful and tasty as the meaty menu. Booking are essential, particularly if you want to take advantage of the much-raved-about 11 course degustation ($200), which can be created vegan or vegetarian. The wine list is extensive and all dishes can be matched by the glass. There is also a good range of sake. Housed in a heritage listed building, the dining rooms are elegant and sophisticated, overlooking a serene Japanese rock garden. Service is as impeccable as you would expect from a restaurant of this standard, in fact, the whole Tetsuya’s experience is stunning and well worth the big bucks it costs to dine here.
49
Asian
NSW | Sydney South
Wagamama
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 3 Value 3
The Galeries Victoria, 500 George Street, Sydney South 02 9261 0292 | www.wagamama.com.au Snacks $5.50 - 11.80 Meals $16.50 - 22.80 Sweets $8 - 12
Mon Tue - Sat Sun
11.30am - 9pm 11.30am - 10pm 12 - 9pm
Wagamama is a wholesome, modern Japanese fast food restaurant. Service is brisk, seating is communal and the busy restaurant is not a place to linger. However it’s a great option if you’re hungry, as serving sizes are big and the food is generally tasty. Because meals are cooked fresh in the kitchen, with a bit of customisation vegans are happily catered for, however, you might need to spell out exactly what you want to the waiter. Try the yasai yaki soba without egg ($16.50) or the spicy yasai itame ($16.80) for a tasty, filling, healthy-ish meal. For something a bit lighter, the otsunaaji avocado salad ($16.80) is a great option. At lunchtime the vegetarian bento box is good value at $14. Various vegetarian sides are also available. Wagamama is a chain with several locations in Sydney (38 Bridge St; 49 Lime St, King Street Wharf, Darling Harbour; Sydney International Airport) and stores in Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Perth. All menus are available to browse online and there is information about customising meals for vegan, vegetarian and gluten free diners. 50
Cafe
Newcastle | NSW
Natural Tucker
Food 3 Service 2 Ambience 3 Value 5
108 Darby Street, Newcastle 02 4929 1229 | naturaltucker.myshopify.com Snacks $3 - 7 Meals $6 - 12 Sweets $check
Mon - Fri Sat Sun
8.30am - 6pm 8.30am - 4pm 11.30am - 4pm
Natural Tucker is a sandwich bar serving up tasty, wholesome vegan food all day long. Burgers and wraps are priced at about $7 and come bursting with delicious fillings. Standouts include the aduki and kumara burger on rye bread with tahini, sweet chilli sauce and salad ($6.90) and the tempeh salad wrap on pita, with tempeh strips and satay sauce, pickled ginger and salad ($6.90), both big enough to be a meal in itself. The big salad ($7.50) is another popular item, with dry roasted sweet potato, raw cashew, balsamic and avocado dressing and eight salad ingredients. There are a range of dairy free sweets like muffins or cookies available. The coffee is hit and miss depending on who is behind the machine, however, there is a good range of teas available. Meals are made fresh while you wait and can be wrapped up to go, or grab a spot at one of the few tables in and outside. Unfortunately the service is generally slow so be prepared to wait, especially when it gets busy around lunchtime.
51
Various
NSW | Byron Bay
Cardamom Pod
Food 3 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 4
Lawson St, Shop 7, The Pier Arcade, Byron Bay 02 6680 7383 | www.byronvegetariancafe.com.au Snacks $3.50 Meals $5 - 20 Sweets $3.50
Mon - Sun Mon - Sun
12pm - 4pm 5pm - 8.30pm
Cardamom Pod is a chilled out vegetarian eatery serving up fresh tasty cafe style food to Byron locals and tourists alike. About 50% of the menu is vegan and gluten free diets are also well catered to. The food is Indian, Asian, European and Middle Eastern inspired, with a range of different dishand-rice combos available. Try the delicious satisfyingly spiced dhal and rice ($5) or fill up with four dishes and rice for $16. A popular option is the pod supreme - four dishes, rice, pakora, lassi and halva for $20. The pickled radish and tempeh salad is another standout. There are a great range of sweets, including halava, Indian toffee fudge and many kinds of cheesecake. The gluten and nut free Byron Bay bliss balls are so popular that the Cardamom Pod supplies them to many other cafes in town! The seating is somewhat limited and the cafe often gets crowded, but meals are served quickly and if you get tired of waiting you can always order your food to go.
52
Middle Eastern
Lismore | NSW
20,000 Cows Vegetarian House
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 4
58 Bridge St, Lismore 02 6622 2517 Pay what you feel
Wed - Sat
6pm - 9.30pm
This restaurant is an ethical business dedicated to providing well priced, quality vegan food. The prices on the menu are suggestions only, as diners are invited to pay what they believe the meal is worth. The restaurant is set in an old timber home in Lismore, with the communally minded dining room and outdoor area decked out with dim lighting, fairy lights, mismatching furniture, comfy couches and homely rugs. The menu is Middle Eastern and Indian inspired, with large serves of filling, healthy, spicy and super fresh food. As much as possible is made on the premises, including the excellent homemade tempeh. The restaurant is BYO, however, leave room to explore the non-alcoholic drinks, such as the lemon squash and rosewater. The whole 20,000 Cows experience is fantastic - delicious food, friendly service, relaxed atmosphere and great value for money. Worth the drive from Byron if you’re in the neighbourhood. And if you love the food, grab the chef’s own Wolf & Lamb Animal Free Cooking cookbook to recreate the magic at home! 53
Modern Australian
NSW | North Curl Curl
Emelia’s Vegetarian Restaurant
Food 2 Service 3 Ambience 3 Value 2
41 Griffin Rd, North Curl Curl 02 9939 1317 Snacks $6 - 12 Meals $10.50 - 17
Mon - Sun
6 - 10pm
Emelia’s Vegetarian Restaurant is located in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. The menu is quite limited with only one or two vegan options such as the chickpea curry which is served with a lot of rice and a tomato-based sauce which needs a bit more flavour added to it. Their cheese contains rennet and is not vegetarian.
54
Asian
Berrima | NSW
Zen Oasis Vegetarian Garden
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 4
Lot 2, Medway Road, Berrima 02 4877 1285 | www.zen-oasis.com Buffet
$31
Sat & Sun
11.30am - 1.40pm
Zen Oasis offers what must be one of Australia’s most elegantly situated vegetarian buffets. The restaurant is housed in a beautifully refurbished wool shed in historic Berrima, with great country views. At the buffet, there are over 30 dishes available each sitting. Expect to enjoy everything from deep fried yum cha favourites to fresh salad and sushi. There is also plenty of mock meat - the barbequed ‘pork’ is fantastic. Vegans are well catered to. The food is fresh, abundant and flavoursome, using local and seasonal produce. There is a big dessert section, including plenty of fruit and tea and coffee is available to round off your meal. Work off your indulgence by taking a stroll around the beautiful Zen gardens after lunch. Only open on the weekends for lunch, the restaurant gets very busy so make a booking if you can. Zen Oasis is available during the day and evening for private functions and large groups are happily accommodated if the book in advance.
55
NSW Spring of Life
Asian
465 Smollett Street, Albury 02 6041 6141 Tue - Sat 10am - 3pm
Raw Ecstasy
Raw
Byron Bay Farmers Markets, Byron Bay Thu 8am - 11am, first Sun of every month
Krishna’s Cafe
Indian
110 King St, Newcastle 02 4929 6900 Mon - Sun 11.30am - 2.30pm & 6pm - 8.30pm
Sunny’s Cafe 86 Maitland Rd, Newcastle 02 4962 1304 Wed - Fri 8.30am - 3.30pm, Sat & Sun 7.30am - 4pm
56
Cafe
NSW Nan Tien Temple
Asian
180 Berkeley Road, Berkeley 02 4272 0600 | www.nantien.org.au Mon - Fri 11.30am - 2pm, Sat & Sun 11.30am - 2.30pm
Sushi Place
Various
Shop 2, 137 Princes Highway, Wollongong 02 4285 0707 Mon - Sun 11am - 9pm
Perfect Break
Cafe
115 Fern St, Gerringong 02 4234 1636 | www.nnss.com.au Mon - Sun 8am - 4pm
Keep it Like a Secret
Modern Australian
105 Greenpoint Rd, Green Point 04 3420 3571 Wed - Sun 10am - 4pm, Wed 5pm - late
57
NSW Sweetpea Cafe
Cafe
13 Woodlark St, Lismore 02 6622 1146 Mon - Wed 7am - 8pm, Thu - Sat 7am - 9pm, Sun 9am - 7pm
Santos Cafe
Cafe
51 -53 Burringbar St, Mullumbimby 02 6684 3773 | www.santostrading.com.au Mon - Fri 8.30am - 6pm, Sat 10am - 3pm, Sun 10am - 2pm
New Leaf Cafe
Various
47 Main St, Murwillumbah 02 6672 4073 Mon - Fri 8am - 5pmt 8am - 3pm
Tea Shrine 1/39-43 Bridge St, Muswellbrook 02 6541 0045 Opening times unknown
58
Asian
NSW Heart and Halo
Indian
Shop 32, Ocean Shores Shopping Village, Ocean Shores 02 6680 2979 | www.heartandhalo.com Mon - Sat 10am - 7pm
Bodhi Garden
Asian
341 Summer St, Orange 02 6360 4478 Mon - Sat 11.30am - 2pm & 5.30pm - 9pm
Loving Hut
Asian
Shop 3, 227 Cabramatta Rd, Cabramatta 02 9755 4410 Mon - Sun 11am - 9pm
Thien Truc
Vietnamese
1/4 Hughes Street , Cabramatta 02 9755 0988 Opening times unknown
59
Northern Territory
NT Tea Shrine
Asian
Tenancy 18, Yeperenye Shopping Centre, Hartley St, Alice Springs 08 8952 4339 | www.teashrine.com Mon - Sat 9.30am - 5pm
Eat at Martins
Various
6 Caryota Crt, Coconut Grove, Darwin 04 1151 5963 Mon - Fri 8am - 3.30pm
Lucky Cow
Mediterranean
Mindil Beach Markets, Darwin 0408 855 937 Thu 5pm - 10pm, Sun 4pm - 9pm (April to Oct)
61
Queensland
Cafe
QLD | West End
The Forest
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 4
124 Boundary St, West End 07 3846 618 | www.theforest.com.au Snacks $3 - 5 Meals $8 - 11 Sweets $5 - 8
Mon Tues - Wed Thurs - Sat Sun
5pm - 9pm 11am - 10pm 11am - late 11am - 10pm
The Forest is a pure vegan restaurant that dishes up tasty fast food in Brisbane’s West End. The menu changes daily but usually includes burgers, wraps, paninis and pies with a focus on fresh and healthy fillings. They do a particularly good line in tempeh and their tofu dishes are also worth seeking out. There is buffet style hot food served from the bain marie, including curries and stir fries that come with rice and are priced according to size. The desserts are rightly famous, so be sure to a try one of the delicious vegan cakes on offer! The variety of cheesecakes alone will have you salivating. There are loads of gluten free options on the menu and although the service can be hit and miss, the staff happily cater to any special dietary requirements. The restaurant is cute and welcoming, although there can sometimes be a wait for tables as the restaurant is as popular and is small.
64
Modern Australian
West End | QLD
Mondo Organics
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 5 Value 4
166 Hardgrave Road, West End 07 3844 1132 | www.mondo-organics.com.au Entrees $14 - 22 Mains $28 - 38 Desserts $14.50 Banquets $95
Sat - Sun Wed - Sat Fri - Sun
8.30am - 12pm 6pm - late 12pm - 3pm
Mondo Organics is a fine dining restaurant that sources and serves high quality local and seasonal produce. The menu is clearly marked with vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free options. Although it is not marked, the kitchen does cater to vegans, though you will need to call in advance for dinner bookings. The food is absolutely fresh, original and delicious, thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented. The service is casual yet attentive and the dining room has an upmarket vibe without being stuffy. With its extensive organic wine list, Mondo Organics is definitely the place to go for a special meal. Although not cheap, the restaurant offers fantastic value for the quality of food they are serving and the overall dining experience, visit at breakfast and lunch for lower prices and a more casual dining experience. Mondo Organics also do cooking and wine appreciation classes, so if you love the food you can sign up to be let loose in the kitchen to learn from the chefs!
65
Indian
QLD | West End
Ykillamoocow
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 4
Green Flea Markets, Davies Park, West End 0423 352 599 Snacks $3 - 4
Saturday
7am-2pm
On Saturday mornings in Brisbane, Matt the colourful owner of Ykillamoocow, serves up his secret recipes of hot vegan pies, pumpkin and barley rolls, dagwood dogs and samosas to hungry vegans at the West End markets. With rich juicy, TVP filling and flaky golden pastry on top, the no bull pie has become a staple of the inner city Brisbane vegan community, even meat eaters have been fooled by them. The samosas are also a treat - filled with just the right amount of spice and covered in a delicate Indian-style pastry, they are large enough to feel satisfied after just one. For a special indulgence, try the dagwood dog dipped in sauce. It suits the carnival atmosphere of the market perfectly. If you don’t mind eating on the run, Ykillamoocow serves up good quality, affordable Aussie grub - you can even order a bunch of cold pies and freeze them to tuck into during the week.
66
Cafe
West End | QLD
Sol Breads
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 3
23-27 Vulture St, West End 07 3255 1225 | www.solbreads.com.au Snacks $4 - 9 Meals $8 - 15 Sweets $3 - 9
Mon - Fri Sat Sun
7am - 5pm 7am - 3pm 8am - 2pm
Sol Breads is a bakery and cafe chain that serve up wholesome cafe-style food that caters to the vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free markets. Sol Breads is known for their amazing sourdough, which is artisan baked, fresh daily and delicious. The breakfast menu includes various delicious toast options alongside croissants and muesli. Lunchtime offerings include filled baguettes and focaccias, savoury croissants and tarts, soup of the day, salads and sandwiches. The food is fairly basic, with a focus on fresh and healthy ingredients. The coffee is usually quite good. The cafes are cute and the service is friendly across all the stores, even though they are fairly different in how they are run. After eating grab some snacks from the bakery to enjoy at home later. Other stores include 1/3 Florence St, Newstead; 20 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington; and 8/23-29 High St, Toowong. The Paddington store in particular is known for its amazing range of tasty muffins!
67
Indian
QLD | West End
Punjabi Palace
Food 4 Service 3 Ambience 3 Value 4
135 Melbourne St, West End 07 3846 3884 | www.punjabipalace.com.au Entrees $2.50 - 9.95 Mains $14.90 Desserts $14.50 Banquets $4.50 - 5.50
Mon - Sun Tue - Fri
5pm - late 12pm - 2pm
Punjabi Palace is big, bustling and busy, its large dining room always full of hungry diners. Luckily the service is swift and meals come out quickly. There is a decent sized vegetarian menu, including classics like Aloo Mater Madras, a southern Indian style curry, and three different kinds of dhal. Rice is served free with all main dishes. The food is authentic and delicious - let the waiter know whether your taste buds can handle mild, medium or hot. The kitchen is happy to recommend gluten free options, and dairy-free meals are also available, however, it is worth being clear about what you want and double checking that your meal is not being made with ghee. The food is good quality and reasonably priced, serving sizes are on the large side so order accordingly. The banquet options in particular are good value and great if you’re dining in a group. Takeaway and home delivery in the area are available.
68
Various
Mount Gravatt | QLD
Loving Hut
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 4
Shop 2, 1420 Logan Rd, Mount Gravatt 07 3219 4118 | www.lovinghut.com.au Entrees $4 - 6 Mains $8 - 11 Desserts $5 - 6
Mon - Sat
11am - 8.30pm
Loving Hut is a 100% vegan restaurant offering a choice of nine entrees and twenty-four mains, plus weekly specials and desserts. One of a chain of restaurants around the world owned by Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, Loving Hut serves up good quality every time. Although the atmosphere is cafeteria style, the food is delicious and the staff friendly. The menu goes around the globe, with Chinese, Italian, Thai and Singapore cuisine, as well as an extensive range of mock meat dishes. Standout dishes include the Malay satay sticks ($6) for an entrée and sandy beach bar or seven seas delight ($10.90) for a main. Soups and salads are also available. For sweets, the vegan cheesecakes are sensational. Also of note is the house-made soy milk/coconut crème whitener that is used in all coffees, chais and smoothies. While this might not be the best spot for a romantic first date, it definitely hits the mark for a quality vegan feed that you’ll come back to again and again.
69
Asian
QLD | Fortitude Valley
Kuan-Yin Teahouse
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 4
198 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley 07 3252 4557 Entrees $3.90 - 6.90 Mains $7.90 - 9.50
Mon & Sat Wed - Thu Fri Sun
11.30am - 5.00pm 11.30am - 7.30pm 11.30am - 8.00pm 11.30am - 3.00pm
Kuan-Yin Teahouse provides an oasis in the middle of busy Fortitude Valley. The range of Asian inspired mock meat dishes never disappoint and the menu is large enough that diners never tire of the variety. Standout dishes include the Taiwanese fried ‘chicken’ entrée and the sweet and sour ‘pork’ rice box. The boxes provide a solid meal with a mock meat option (‘pork’, ‘chicken’ or ‘fish’), seasonal vegetables, rice and a dessert fruit all served up in a neat bento style box. Although there are no desserts, the Teahouse has over forty drinks, including Chinese teas, pearl teas, frappes and fresh juices. The atmosphere is tranquil, partly due to the beautiful wooden statue of Kuan-Yin centred in the counter and the super polite and unhurried vibe of the staff. The secret is well and truly out, so be prepared to wait for a table during peak times on Friday nights and Saturday lunch. Book ahead and reserve a table to avoid salivating while you wait or grab your food to go instead, get 5% off takeaway if you bring your own containers.
70
Various
Brisbane City | QLD
Vege Rama
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 2 Value 4
Myer Food Court, Queen Street Mall, Brisbane City 07 3012 8586 | www.vegerama.com.au Entrees $1.50 - 4.00 Mains $7 - 10 Combos $8.50
Mon - Fri
10am - 3pm
For an unrivalled choice of vegan Indian food in Brisbane it’s worth battling the lunch time food court crowds to enjoy the delights of Vege Rama. Going well beyond Indian cuisine, Vege Rama serves up Thai curries, Japanese rice balls, Italian lasagna and Mexican taquito. Favourites include the masala dosa with a potato filling cooked to order. The staff are excited about their food so don’t be alarmed if they hand out free kofta balls to sample while you stand bemused at the counter trying to choose your lunch. In addition to the food being tasty, you can’t beat Vege Rama’s affordable prices. It costs under $10 for a large plate brimming with your choice of curries and rice, or lasagna and salads. Be prepared to queue at busy lunch times as city workers love this place. Fantastic food and enthusiastic staff are worth braving the low-ambience food hall dining - or get your meal to go and head outside instead. Well worth a regular visit.
71
Cafe
QLD | Paddington
Fundies Whole Foods Cafe
Food 4 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 3
219 Given Tce, Paddington 07 3367 0293 | www.fundies.com.au Snacks $4 - 5 Meals $10 - 12 Sweets $4.80 - 7
Mon - Sat Sun
7.30am - 4pm 7.30am - 3pm
Situated in upmarket inner-city Paddington, Fundies Cafe shares the same premises at Fundamental Health Food Store. Despite the bustle of the store, Fundies manages to create a cosy, welcoming space, catering mostly to lovers of good, wholesome vegetarian fare. The menu includes all the standards, from gourmet lentil burgers to pies, filo wraps and sandwiches which can be turned into a big meal with the large range of daily changing salads. Standouts include the marinated eggplant with Asian sauce and the roast pumpkin and hazelnut salad. Another popular choice is the Byron pie and roll range. Fundies boasts a large range of gluten free and vegan options, including some fancy dessert cakes and slices, although these are a little expensive for the portion size. There’s a large range of smoothies, juices, organic teas and coffees to go with your meal. Be prepared to wait for a table at busy times, particularly during breakfast on the weekends as Fundies is a hot spot for a big lazy brunch.
72
Cafe
Brisbane City | QLD
Sanitarium Kitchen
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 3 Value 3
146 Eagle Street, Brisbane City 07 3221 7988 | www.sanitariumkitchen.com Snacks $3 - 8 Meals $10 - 15 Sweets $7.50
Mon - Fri
7am - 2.30pm
Sanitarium Kitchen is owned by the same people that make the vegetarian meat range available in most supermarkets, however, their menu is not limited to their own brand of food! Instead, the busy café serves up a range of healthy soups sandwiches, pastas and salads. At $8-14 for a sandwich, the serving sizes could be larger, however most meals are tasty and satisfying, if a little on the bland side. For breakfast, the menu offers muesli, pancakes, fritters and various egg dishes. Although a pure vegetarian restaurant, there are only limited vegan items (unmarked) and staff aren’t always sure about which options are dairy-free. There are usually no vegan desserts. The café does a brisk trade all day, particularly with the office lunch crowd, and there are often queues out the door with people waiting for a table or to pick up takeaway orders. Luckily the service is quick, although lingering is discouraged, so this is definitely a place to eat and run.
73
Fast food
QLD | Salisbury
Urban Burger Salisbury
Food 3 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 4
Shop 1, 660 Tooheys Rd, Salisbury 07 3277 7435 | www.urbanburger.com.au Meals
$9.50 - 14
Mon - Sun
11am - 10pm
Urban Burger has extended its reach from Victoria to Queensland - luckily for Brisbane and Gold Coast vegos! A growing chain of trendy burger joints, Urban Burger has a focus on healthy(ish!) food made with fresh ingredients. Happily, they cater well to vegans and vegetarians, with veggie chips and vegan burgers. All bread is low-GI and gluten free bread costs extra. It’s also possible to drop the bread altogether and simply enjoy the burger fillings. Try the vegan vibe burger ($9.50) with a lentil and kidney patty, avocado, salad and relish - a tasty treat. The blissful Buddah is also good, with a tofu and vegetable patty, rocket, carrot, tangy relish and herb and chili aioli. For a little extra something, order a dipping sauce to go with the tasty fries. There is a second store on the Gold Coast (Shop 7, Crestwood Plaza, 458 Olsen Ave, Molendinar) and many located across Melbourne in Victoria. Most stores are eat in and takeaway.
74
Various
St Lucia | QLD
My Heart Garden
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 3
Shop 5 / 225 Hawken Drive, St Lucia 07 3870 8898 Snacks $3.20 - 6.50 Meals $10 - 16 Sweets $3.50 - 5.50
Mon - Wed Thurs - Fri Sat
10am - 3pm 10am - 9pm 8am - 3pm
There’s something special about My Heart Garden, and it’s not just the food. The space is so calm and tranquil that the moment you walk inside you check your troubles at the door. The staff are all incredibly nice and totally focused on creating positive dining experiences for their guests. There are lots of food options an extensive juice and smoothie selection and daily specials. Favourites include the bliss burger, meal-in-a-bowl combos and the slightly more expensive Sri Lankan plate. The food is fresh, presented with care and always delicious. Saturday’s breakfast menu is enough to make the trip to St. Lucia rewarding, with their vegan options making them the only real option for a vegan Brissie breakfast. Think scrambled tofu. Think French toast. Now that they also serve coffee, My Heart Garden is on the list of places to visit regularly.
75
Cafe
QLD | Burleigh Heads
Magic Apple
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 3
Cnr 5th Ave & Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads 07 5576 5588 | www.magicapplegoldcoast.com Snacks $3 - 8 Meals $8 - 17.50 Sweets $4 - 7
Mon - Sun
8am - 8pm
Magic Apple is a daytime cafe serving up wholesome, healthy food with a focus on vegan, gluten free and low fat diets. For breakfast, the bruschetta or scrambled tofu ($7 each) are fantastic and coffees come with a choice of cow, skim, rice, soy or coconut milk. At lunchtime, hit up the wholesome and varied salad bar (plates $7-15) or try a combo deal with dishes such as dhal, chickpea curry or ratatouille (8-17.50). Pies, burgers and wraps are also available. All the food is piled high with fantastically fresh veggies, nuts, seeds, pulses, grains, herbs and spices and is tasty and filling. There are plenty of vegan and gluten free sweets available including banana cake with cream icing ($7) and many different kinds of pie. Magic Apple claims to have invented the smoothie back in the 70s and for $6.50 a pop you can choose from their creative range, which includes the anti-PMT, Queenslander, Espresso, and Chocky-holic flavours. Meals can be eaten in the simple dining room or takeaway is available.
76
Cafe
Mermaid Beach | QLD
Threeworlds Organic Cafe
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 3
2558 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach 07 5526 0900 | www.threeworlds.com.au Snacks $4 - 11.50 Meals $14 - 22 Sweets $3 - 7.50
Tues - Sat
5.30pm - 9pm
Threeworlds is an organic café serving up wholesome food that is mostly vegan (some honey is used). Their pizzas use 100% spelt flour bases and come in reasonably priced small ($14) and large ($22) sizes, topped with tasty food. Favourites include the BBQ veg lovers, with tangy BBQ sauce, roasted sweet potato, broccoli and mushrooms, pesto perfecto with a basil and cashew sauce and sweet thyme tofu. There is also herb bread, pasta and salad available, with a few changing specials served from the bain marie. Dessert options range from chocolate crackles to cheeze cakes, but don’t go past the key lime pie ($7) - it’s amazing. There are also small treats like cookies and sago, as well as hot and cold drinks (no coffee). The service isn’t super-quick as everything is cooked from scratch, but the food is worth the wait. The vibe is chilled and friendly, with comfy couches and plenty of space to just hang out and enjoy the food and atmosphere.
77
QLD Snoogies
Various
Main Street Arcade, Cairns 04 0934 5916 Mon - Fri 11am - 2pm
Vegetarian Delights
Asian
9 Sheridan St, Cairns 07 4041 5617 Opening hours unknown
Tian Ran
Chinese
8/2464 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach 07 5572 0678 Mon - Sun 5.30 - 9.30pm
Govindas 20 James Street, Burleigh Heads 07 5607 0782 | www.govindas.net.au Mon - Sun 11.30am - 7.30pm
78
Indian
QLD Govindas Veg-o-Rama
Indian
Shop 134, Centro Shopping Centre, Surfers Paradise 07 5538 3788 | sites.google.com/site/govindasvego/ Mon - Sun 9am - 9pm
Govindas
Indian
Shop 2/7 First Ave, Maroochydore 07 5451 0299 Mon - Sat 11.30am - 2.30pm, Wed - Sun 5 - 8.30pm
Krishnas
Indian
79 Memorial Drive, Eumundi 07 5485 1024 Wed - Sat 7am - 2pm
Lama Yeshe’s Big Love Cafe
Various
33 Johnsons Road, Eudlo 07 5453 2108 | www.chenrezig.com.au Wed - Sun 7am - 6.30pm
79
South Australia
Cafe
SA | Adelaide
Bliss Organic Garden Cafe
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 5 Value 4
7 Compton Street, Adelaide 08 8231 0205 | www.blissorganiccafe.com.au Snacks $3 - 12.90 Meals $9.90 - 15.90 Sweets $3.90 - 9.90
Mon - Fri Fri Sat
7am - 4pm 6 - 9pm 8 - 3pm
Bliss is Adelaide’s leader in progressive and ethical food. Using organic, local and Fairtrade ingredients, Bliss is 100% vegan and offers gluten free, raw and onion/garlic free options to cater for all dietary needs. Located downstairs from a yoga studio, there’s a healthful vibe in the cafe. The setting is chilled and shabby chic with indoor and outdoor seating. Typical fare is the generous Bliss wrap ($12.90) - an almond, lentil and kidney bean patty with homemade onion jam and mixed salad on mountain bread. Other options include salad, soup, wedges and bruschetta. Breakfast dishes are standout and there is plenty to choose from, including a fabulous sweet, nutty scrambled tofu ($12.90), fry ups ($15.90), pancakes ($9.90) and the divine scrambled ‘eggs’ served with Turkish pide ($9.90). Drinks deserve a special mention, particularly the Bliss bomb (Fairtrade espresso, chocolate soy milk and rice syrup) and cosy hot organic apple juice with cinnamon, lemon thyme and cloves ($3.90). To finish up there are a good selection of fresh-baked cakes and slices. 82
Taiwanese
Adelaide | SA
Thea Tea Shop
Food 4 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 4
110 - 112 Gawler Place, Adelaide 08 8232 7988 Snacks $1.80 - 4.50 Meals $8.80 - 11.90 Sweets $1.80 - 4.50
Mon - Thurs Friday
10am - 5pm 10am - 8pm
Thea’s influence is Taiwanese, its food menu is small and accompanies a huge range of hot and cold teas, bubble tea drinks, and a free tea ceremony by appointment. The decor is elegant, with lots of tables, couches downstairs, and disability access through the front door. Despite its popularity and lunchtime crowds, Thea’s feels calm and comfortable. The fun paper and pencil self-ordering menu assist the prompt service so there’s never long to wait for a seat. Over half of the mains at Theas are listed vegan and there are a few unlisted gluten free options, ask the staff to cater for your dietary requirements when ordering. Thea’s standout dish is the vegetarian BBQ rice with BBQ sauce, pickled salad and deep fried gluten. Other standouts include the sweet and sour thing (seaweed and tofu wrap), mushroom nuggets with black pepper sauce and the daily specials, including dim sims (Mondays), soy fillets with tom yum sauce (Tuesdays) and Thea curry laksa (Thursdays). A small range of sweets are available including vegan options.
83
Cafe
SA | Adelaide
Vego & Love’n It
Food 4 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 5
240 Rundle Street, Adelaide 08 8223 7411 Snacks $3.50 Meals $5 - 12 Sweets $6
Mon - Fri
10am - 4.30pm
Vego & Love’n It is a vegan Adelaide institution. Everything that makes up the tiny cafe is just right - from the anticipatory climb up the steep stairs, to the mismatched retro furniture, mosaic artwork, red tea cups and polar bear serviette holders, to the visible kitchen, sardonic but friendly service and the delicious, healthful all-vegan menu. It’s best to arrive early or late to avoid the lunch rush, or be prepared to wait to be seated or asked to share a table. Meals are classic cafe fare, with soups, salads, sandwiches and wraps. The burgers are famously large and good value at $9, there are half serves available for those with small appetites. Standouts include the Mediterranean burger (garlicky olive paste spread on a brown bun with a patty, lettuce, avocado, carrot and chilli sauce) and the Vamburger, a classic Aussie burger with a croquette-style patty, tomato, beetroot, lettuce, alfalfa, tahini and tomato sauce. The massive serves of lentil soup with tomato and garlic “buttered” toast ($6) have been a standby of students for years. The standout sweet is the chocolate mousse and ice cream ($6). 84
Asian
Adelaide | SA
Zenhouse Tea Corner
Food 3 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 4
17 - 19 Bent Street, Adelaide 08 8223 2058 | www.zenhouse.com.au Snacks $2.50 - 6.80 Meals $8 - 13.90 Sweets $4.50 - 14.50
Mon Tue - Thu Fri & Sat Sun
11.30am - 4.30pm 11.30am - 8.30pm 11.30am - 8pm 11.30am - 3.30pm
Tea is the order of the day at Zenhouse with a vast array of hot and cold white, green, oolong and fruit varieties available alongside special herbal blends. The food menu is eclectic, with Asian-style mock meat dishes, steamed buns, dumplings and other yum cha goodies ($2.80-6.80) sitting alongside a ‘Western Menu’ with sometimes odd but generally good sandwiches, burgers ($8.5), chips and salads ($8-9). The Zenhouse satay and tempeh salad are standout meals, and the claypot noodles, hotplates and red roasted slices are also worth a look. Asian-style soups are available. The dessert menu also features the best vegan ice cream in town, the ‘dessert divine treats vegan ice cream’. The food has a focus on fresh, home grown and organic ingredients and the Zenhouse philosophy is on peace, relaxation and health. Vegan and gluten free items are clearly marked on the menu. Zenhouse staff are incredibly friendly and laidback, making it an ideal place for a leisurely snack, lunch or tea drinking catch up.
85
Mexican
SA | Adelaide
BURP Burritos
Food 4 Service 2 Ambience 3 Value 4
Shop 2/16 - 20 Hindley Street, Adelaide 08 8410 3034 | www.burpburritos.com Meals
$5.90 - 8.20
Daily
12pm - late
BURP Burritos is the place to go when you’re drunk, tired, in a hurry or otherwise needing some reasonable fast food. Its opening hours are a highlight, as is its central location. Hungry vegans will appreciate the El Vegano burrito with lime rice, red pinto beansutéed capsicum and onion, guacamole, black beans, lettuce, a choice of salsas, and optional jalapenos. This will set you back just $6.20 for a filling regular or $8.20 for a whopping large. The meal deal is great value, with a burrito, drink and corn chips for $10.50 or $12.50 depending on the size of your burrito. Other items on the small menu include taco salads and nachos, with churros available for sweets. There’s a range of South American beers, but the fast food style atmosphere and seating mean that settling in and making a night of it isn’t really an option. However, it’s a fantastic choice if you need to eat and run. It may not be the most authentic Mexican cuisine, but it’s tasty, kinda healthy and very satisfying fast food.
86
Asian
Adelaide | SA
Pure Vegetarian
Food 3 Service 4 Ambience 2 Value 5
Shop 8 Market Plaza Food Court, Adelaide
Meals $5 - 7.50 Sweets $2.50 - $4
Mon - Sat Fri
10am - 4pm 10am - 9pm
Although it looks like a typical food court eatery, the dishes on display in Pure Vegetarian’s bain maries are of the mock meat and tofu variety. The range is small but satisfying, and a large sign proclaims that they use no meat, dairy, egg, alcohol, MSG, garlic or onion. Dishes include curries, stir-fries and other Asian specialities. Standouts include the mock lamb and potato curry, and the chickpea curry with pumpkin. Also available is sweet and sour ‘pork’, Hokkien noodles and lots of veggies. Meals are served with a choice of white or brown rice, and an extra-large helping can be requested for the super-hungry. Prices are amazing value - $5 for one dish with rice, $7 for two dishes, rice and a soy drink, which is made on the premises. Sticky rice and tofu-based desserts are also available. The food is satisfying, the price is right and it’s fantastic to see a vegan takeaway place trading in a standard food court.
87
Dessert
SA | Goodwood
Eggless Dessert Cafe
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 4
162 Goodwood Road, Goodwood 08 8272 0777 | www.eggless.com.au Prices vary
Wed - Sun
8pm - late
Eggless Dessert Cafe is what the name suggests - a place to go to indulge in delicious sweet treats. The menu changes monthly and ingredients are sourced locally and seasonally where possible. Vegan and gluten free options are clearly marked with other allergies catered for also, just let the friendly staff know what you need. The range of sweets is large, and the options are divided into a tempting array of Western and Asian style desserts. Be tempted by everything from pudding, tarts and ice cream sandwiches to sticky rice sundaes and sweet soups. Yes, it’s hard to choose but rest assured it’s all delicious. Decadent and satisfying are also words that spring to mind. Tasting platters are available if you get really stuck for choice... and have friends to share with! And for those without a sweet tooth, there are a tiny range of savoury treats available. The cafe is cute and welcoming, and the staff friendly and accommodating. Eggless is a newcomer to the Adelaide dining scene and is already fast becoming a favourite!
88
Modern Australian
McLaren Vale | SA
Kitchen Door at Penny’s Hill
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 3
Main Street, McLaren Vale 08 8556 4000 | www.pennyshill.com.au Entrees $12.75 - 16.50 Mains $24 - 42 Desserts $3.90 - 9.90
Mon - Sun
10am - 5pm
One of many wineries in the McLaren Vale region of South Australia, Penny’s Hill stands out for its distinctive cellar door and restaurant, housed in a rather elegant tin shed. The wines at Penny’s Hill are made by winemaker Ben Riggs using only estate-grown fruit from local vineyards. The chook lives here, The Black Chook, a very drinkable sparkling Shiraz, as well as more upmarket labels Mr Riggs and Penny’s Hill. ‘The Kitchen Door’ at Penny’s Hill usually has a few vegetarian dishes on the menu and, although they do not feature vegan options, chef Ben Sommariva is happy to cater for guests with advance warning. The menu changes seasonally, draws heavily and local produce and is tasty, filling and well-priced for what you get. At Penny’s Hill, the wines are the star of the show, although the friendly service and fresh produce in the kitchen do well in their supporting roles. And the ‘tin shed’ itself, with wonderful pastoral views from the dining room, makes a leisurely lunch an enticing idea.
89
SA Great Nature
Chinese
3/48 Beach Rd, Christies Beach 08 8186 0228 Mon - Fri 10am - 6pm, Sat 10am - 5pm
Joy Discovery
Cafe
13 Bent Street, Adelaide 08 8223 5994 | www.joydiscoverycafe.com.au Mon & Tues, Thu & Fri 8am - 5pm, Wed & Sat 8am - 3pm
Sarah’s Sister’s & Future Cafe
Modern Australian
117 Semaphore Rd, Semaphore 08 8449 5817 Mon - Sun 9.30am - 3pm & 5.30pm - late
Tea House & Coffee for Others 255 Waymouth St, Adelaide 08 8231 6233 Mon - Wed 10am - 5pm, Thu & Fri 10am - 9pm
90
Asian
SA Vegetarian Delight
Asian
462 Port Rd, Hindmarsh 08 8340 8488 Mon 11am - 10pm, Tue 5pm - 10pm, Wed - Sun 11am - 10pm
Vegetarian Garden
Asian
Shop 12, Renaissance Arcade, Adelaide 08 8223 2357 | www.chunpaint.com Mon - Thu 10am - 4pm, Fri 10am - 8pm, Sat 10am - 3pm
Bamboo Talk
Indian
10/69 Gawler Street, Mt Barker 08 8391 6384 Mon - Wed & Fri 9am - 5pm, Thu 9am - 9pm, Sat 11am - 2pm
The Green Room On High Street
Cafe
2 High St, Willunga 08 8556 4994 Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm, Sat 8am - 4pm
91
Tasmania
Cafe
TAS | Launceston
Fresh on Charles
Food 4 Service 3 Ambience 5 Value 3
178 Charles St, Launceston 03 6331 4299 Snacks $6 - 12 Meals $12 - 18 Sweets $6 - 12
Mon - Thu & Sat Fri Sun
9am - 4pm 9am - 11pm 10am - 3pm
Fresh is a quirky little cafe, with colourful, comfortable and retro furnishings occupying two rooms. This veg restaurant is an all-day breakfast and lunch cafe, with dinner and events on Friday nights only. Not much on the menu is marked vegan, however staff are happy to let you know what ingredients are in each dish, many of the items can be veganised. The cafe also caters to gluten free and raw dietary requirements. Fresh might offer one of Tasmania’s best value breakfasts, the creamy and satisfying couscous porridge ($10), served with coconut cream, banana, toasted almonds and coconut. The raw vegan salad is another standout dish, packing a punch with super fresh veggies and nuts. There are a range of muffins and cookies, a small number of which are dairy-free. The food is a little on the expensive side for a cafe, but the large portions are generous. Some takeaway is available. Unfortunately, the coffee isn’t fantastic, but it does come in huge sizes.
94
Modern Australian
Hobart | TAS
Sirens
Food 5 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 5
6 Victoria St, Hobart 03 6234 2634 Entrees $8 - 14 Mains $17 - 22 Desserts $8 - 12
Mon - Sat
5.30 - 10pm
Sirens is one of Australia’s best vegetarian restaurants, putting a fine dining spin on vego food. The dining room is cosy if a little florid, the service is wonderful, but it’s the food that steals the show. The cuisine is billed as ‘modern Australian’ but takes its inspiration from around the globe, particularly Europe and the Middle East. Vegan options are plentiful. Dishes are a little out of the ordinary - creative and presented with flair. There’s no mock meat in sight here, as the chefs work with fresh produce and natural proteins like lentils, tempeh and tofu to create well-balanced, delicious gourmet vegetarian meals. Dessert is a must, as there are many decadent treats to choose from. The wine list is also worth a look, as there are some great bottles and Sirens is the kind of place where one is encouraged to linger and enjoy the meal. Although it is not cheap, Sirens does offer extremely good value for money given the high quality of the food. Worth a trip to Hobart for? We think so.
95
Cafe
TAS | Battery Point
Tricycle Cafe & Bar
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 3
77 Salamanca Pl, Battery Point 03 6223 7228 Snacks $8 - 14 Meals $17 - 22 Sweets $8 - 12
Mon - Fri Sat
8.30am - 4pm 8.30am - 3pm
Tricycle Cafe is one of Hobart’s few worthwhile breakfast spots and is not a bad option for lunch either. Leave the hustle of the Salamanca Market behind and settle into the quirky, comfortable cafe with - yes, you guessed it tricycles everywhere. The Fairtrade coffee is no doubt the best in Hobart, and perfectly brewed every time. Soy milk is available though it costs extra. There is plenty on the menu for vegetarians, with typical cafe fare like scrambled and baked eggs. There is also an intriguing and popular breakfast trifle. There are less options for vegans, though the odd special pops up and there is toast or salads that can be adapted. The service is very friendly but can be slow and a bit haphazard but there are worse things than whiling away a lazy morning with a great coffee and a paper in Tricycle Cafe. And if the morning turns to day, there is always lunch and the small wine list to turn to.
96
Bakery
Battery point | TAS
Summer Kitchen Organic Bakery
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 4
Salamanca Market, Battery point 03 6264 3388 Snacks $3 - 10 Sweets $3 - 6
Sat
7am - 3pm
Walking around Hobart’s popular tourist destination, the crowded Salamanca Market, can be tiring work, but it’s worth the effort needed to find the Summer Kitchen Organic Bakery food van. The local, handcrafted, organic, woodfired sourdough bread is amazing and comes in a range of mouthwatering varieties. The fruit buns are sensational. In addition, the bakery sells crusty, delicious vegan and vegetarian pies, served hot with a dollop of homemade chutney, perfect to guzzle down on a cold morning at the market! The Madras with wholemeal pastry and big chunks of lightly spiced root vegetables, is a standout, and the lentil shepherd’s pie is also very good. The pies are available cold to take home for later. Also on offer are slices, including a wholesome vegan muesli bar. The service is friendly, the food is outstanding and the prices are great.
97
Thai
TAS | Hobart
Shu Yuan
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 3
Shop 7, Bank Arcade, Liverpool St, Hobart 03 6231 1270 | www.shuyuancafe.com Snacks $2 - 5 Meals $6 - 14
Mon - Sat
10.30am - 3.30pm
Shu Yuan is a friendly Thai-influenced cafe serving up pure vegetarian lunches. Bain marie meals are great value at $8.80 for small or $10.80 for large, a buck less for takeaway, meals change daily. There is also a small menu of cook-to-order meals that come in at around $12 a pop and are the fresher though not necessarily tastier option. The mock ‘meat’ here is great, roast ‘duck’ is a speciality, and the ‘ham’ is also worth seeking out. There are also tofu and veggie only dishes available. There is hardly any seating in the cafe which makes Saturday yum cha interesting (don’t linger!), but the space is bright, clean and cheery. Shu Yuan have a more upmarket sister restaurant, Thai Veggie Hutt (344 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart) that is bigger and open for dinner (Mon-Sat 5-9pm) as well as lunch (Mon-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm).
98
Asian
Hobart | TAS
Chai Vegetarian Cuisine
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 4
16 - 18 Mathers Lane, Hobart 03 6231 5556 Snacks $2 - 5 Meals $6 - 14
Mon - Fri Sat
10am - 4pm 10.30am - 2.30pm
This little vegetarian cafeteria is hard to find but worth the hunt - look in the arcades off Liverpool Street, between Murray and Elizabeth Streets. Serving up Asian style mock meats there are cheap bain marie options or have something made fresh from the menu, which includes the oddly named Duo dishes (for two people sharing) and other cook to order meals for one. Snacks range from sushi to rice paper rolls. Do not leave without trying the spicy rolls - sweet and spicy marinated gluten pieces wrapped in iceberg lettuce, an unsophisticated but delicious savoury treat ($4.50). All of the food is tasty, and the mock ‘meat’ is of a very high quality, serving sizes are generous and it’s not hard to fill up for around ten bucks. The immaculately clean cafe is tiny and most people order to go, however, the ambience is not unpleasant and there is usually a free table if you do decide to eat in, including limited outdoor seating.
99
Cafe
TAS | Hobart
Nourish Cafe
Food 2 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 3
129 Elizabeth Street, Hobart 03 6234 5674 Snacks $4 - 10 Meals $8 - 15 Sweets $3 - 6
Mon - Wed Thu & Fri Sat
8am - 4pm 8am - 8pm 11am - 3pm
Nourish Cafe is spacious, welcoming and comfy, decked out with retro furnishings - including couches that beg to be lounged on - and local artworks. There is also a small outdoor area which is a great spot in summer. The vegfriendly menu offers more for vegetarians than vegans, but some meals can be adapted. Dishes lean towards wholesome, organic cafÊ food, with brown rice curries, marinated tofu meals, soup of the day and warm salads. There are also burgers and fantastic veggie wedges served with a sauce of your choice. There are sweet snacks and cakes but, again, little that is dairy-free. Service is chilled out and friendly, though can be a little slow. There is sometimes music or events on Thursday or Friday nights, when guests can BYO and settle in for a meal or snacks. The coffee is decent, though not the best in town, but it’s a great space to sip a hot drink and kill a few hours with friends.
100
Asian
North Hobart | TAS
We Like Tofu Noodle
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 4
12 Laetitia Street, North Hobart 03 6234 5005 Snacks $2 - 5 Meals $6 - 14
Mon - Fri
5 - 9pm
We Like Tofu Noodle is tucked away in an old milk bar on a residential street in North Hobart. The cafe mostly does takeaway, however there are one or two tables to perch at if you really have to eat in. What it lacks in ambience it makes up for with friendly service and surprisingly good food. The menu is Asian, with lots of stir fries and fried rice dishes. Everything is cooked to order: fresh, veggie-heavy, steaming hot and tasty meals. There are mock ‘meat’ or tofu options and vegan or gluten free diets aren’t a problem. Specify if you have a preference for hot or mild food, or let the cooks spoil you with their authentic, well-spiced specialities. The tom yum and hot and sour soups are particularly great. Prices are very reasonable. The only downside is that opening hours can sometimes be erratic, no problem if you live in the area but a bit of a pain if you aren’t. Call ahead to check if they’ll be open when you’re in the neighbourhood.
101
TAS Eumarrah Cafe
Cafe
39 Barrack St, Hobart 03 6234 3229 Mon - Sat lunch
Citrus Moon
Modern Australian
23 Beach Road, Kingston Beach 03 6229 2388 | www.citrusmoon.com.au Tue - Sun 9am - 5pm
The Red Velvet Lounge
Modern Australian
24 Mary Street, Cygnet 03 6295 0466 | www.theredvelvetlounge.com.au Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm
Thai Veggie Hutt 344 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart 03 6231 9996 | www.thaiveggiehutt.com Mon - Fri 11.30am - 2.30pm, Mon - Sat 5pm - 9pm
102
Thai
Victoria
103
Vietnamese
St Albans | VIC
Tinh Tam Chay
Food 3 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 4
13 Alfrieda Street, St Albans 03 9366 3952 Entrées $3 - 8.50 Mains $8 - $10
Mon - Sun
7am - 9pm
This Vietnamese restaurant started life as a vegetarian eatery but now serves meat as well. However, there are still lots of vegan options. Egg dishes are clearly marked but most dishes can be easily adjusted to be made vegan if you ask the friendly staff. Meals here are cheap and filling and it is hard to beat them on value for money, as most mains are only $8.50. Try the popular co’m ga chien don - a dish of fried crispy ginger ‘chicken’ with a slightly sweet ginger soy sauce, with either steamed or fried rice, and green vegetables - or the Bun Bi Suon Chay, a large overflowing bowl of rice vermicelli noodles with shredded grilled ‘pork’, an abundance of vegetables, peanuts, coriander, mint and a light sauce. If mock meat is not your thing there are other tasty options like the fabulous lemongrass tofu or the smokey fried flat rice noodles with mushrooms, tofu and vegetables. If you are feeling adventurous, try a sweet creamy avocado smoothie or an icy jackfruit smoothie which can be made dairy free upon request.
105
Milkshakes
VIC | Maribyrnong
Shakeaway
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 2 Value 3
Highpoint Shopping Centre, Maribyrnong 03 9317 9082 | www.shakeaway.com Sweets $5.95 - 13
Mon - Wed Thu & Fri Sat & Sun
10am - 6pm 10am - 9.30pm 10am - 5.30pm
Though the atmosphere in Highpoint Shopping Centre is less than exciting, the milkshakes at Shakeaway make up for it. Unlike a regular milkshake place, Shakeaway’s standout feature is the wide range of diverse and delicious flavours, from jam lamington, to Skittles and Coco Pops. Mix and match flavours to your heart’s content, but it will cost extra. More than 30 of the flavours are vegan, just ask and the accommodating staff will whip out a menu listing them all. They can also help out if you want a gluten free shake or if you have a nut allergy. The chocolate peanut butter combo is thick, creamy and delicious, apple and cinnamon is more subtle, but still pretty tasty. You can order suggested combos straight off the menu, but choosing your own crazy combination of flavours is all part of the fun. A little pricy, especially if you’re choosing vegan, but a great alternative to a soft drink if you’re heading to the nearby cinema. Prices start at $5.95 for a small shake and grow according to how many modifications or extras you desire.
106
Pizza
Maribyrnong | VIC
EAT Pizza
Food 5 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 4
44 Raleigh Road, Maribyrnong 03 9317 7977 | www.eatpizza.com.au Snacks $5 - 11 Meals $9 - 25
Sun - Thurs Fri - Sat
4 - 10pm 4 - 11pm
EAT Pizza is just your typical suburban pizza joint, except that they happen to stock a range of tasty vegan toppings. Try traditional pizzas like Margherita (tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and oregano) or American (tomato sauce, cheese and hot salami), except with Cheezly and vegan salami. Classic vegetarian is also a winner, with tomato sauce, cheese, mushroom, capsicum, Spanish onion and Kalamata olives. There are also gourmet pizzas, with toppings such as onion jam, roast Japanese pumpkin, grilled veggies on fresh chili on offer. Wholemeal and gluten free bases are also available. With the extra cost of vegan toppings, the pizza is not cheap, but it’s good quality food, the sizes are reasonable and the toppings plentiful. There is very limited space to eat in the shop. There is a second EAT Pizza branch at 1/749 Pascoe Vale Road, Glenroy (03 9304 4040, open same hours). Home delivery costs $4 if you live in the area.
107
Indian
VIC | Yarraville
Tandoori Times
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 4
45 Anderson Street, Yarraville 03 9689 0666 | www.tandooritimes.com.au Entrées $4 - 11 Mains $7 - 17
Mon - Sun
5 - 11pm
Tandoori Times is a busy Indian restaurant serving up tasty meals to Yarraville locals. The starter menu is light on vegetarian options, but there is plenty on offer when it comes to mains. Standouts include the aloo gohbi (cauliflower and potatoes cooked with ginger, tomato, green chillies and turmeric, $11.50) and pumpkin lakhnawi (butternut pumpkin wok tossed with yellow fennel seeds, brown mustard sees, coriander and tamarind, $10.50). Food at Tandoori Times is fresh and light, a modern take on Indian classics, so you won’t leave feeling too heavy. There is a big menu of delicious naans, but don’t go past the chilli paratha if you have a palate for all things spicy. Vegans might struggle with the cheese heavy menu (and of course, beware of ghee), but the friendly staff appear happy to adapt their dishes where they can. Tandoori Times has two other outlets with the same menu: St Kilda (194-196 Barkly Street, 03 9593 8166) and Fitzroy (199 Gertrude Street, 9419 5930).
108
Asian
Yarraville | VIC
Jasmine Inn
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 3 Value 3
16 Anderson St, Yarraville 03 9689 8899 Entrees $3.80 - 7.30 Mains $10.90 - 17.80
Mon - Sun Wed - Sun
5 - 10pm 12 - 3pm
Jasmine Inn is a cafe-bar in Yarraville, though its mood lighting and low couches feel more inner city than Western suburbs. The menu is fairly standard Asian cuisine. There are a few vegetarian choices on the menu, but there aren’t a great deal of vegan options, although the staff are quite accommodating to menu changes. The Hor Fun - flat rice noodles in a soy sauce - is delicious, full of fresh vegetables and plenty of tasty noodles. The restaurant is fully licensed and there are plenty of beer and wine options to choose from. Bookings are usually not required, though it does get busy, especially on the weekends. If there is a wait for a table, comfy lounges are provided and of course the bar is in operation. If you live in the area, Jasmine Inn is a nice enough place to grab a bite. Locals also enjoy the good value lunch menu.
109
Ethiopian
VIC | Kensington
The Abysinnian
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 3
277 Racecourse Rd, Kensington 03 9376 8754 | www.theabyssinian.com.au Entrées $5 Mains $10 - 18 Platter $25 for 2 people
Mon - Sat
5.30 - 10pm
This small Ethiopian restaurant has plenty of vegan options to choose from as all of the dishes are dairy free and vegetarian options are plentiful. For value for money and variety don’t go past the chef’s vegetarian platter ($20 for one person, $25 for two), which includes a base of injera bread, which has a spongy pancake like texture and a slightly sour flavour, topped with a variety of curries and salad. The fun thing about eating here is that you can eat with your hands, using the injera bread to mop up the toppings. The vegetarian curries all vary in taste from the shiro which tastes a lot like gravy but is made from ground up chickpeas and dubba, which consists of chunks of pumpkin in a spicy sauce. The decor is quaint with African art on the walls and the service is friendly. Whilst the dessert options are limited there is a variety of different drinks to choose from including rare African beers, Ethiopian coffee and African style chai. Be sure to book ahead.
110
Pizza
Altona | VIC
Stefans Pizza
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 4
47 Civic Parade, Altona 03 9315 0258 Snacks $5.50 - 11 Meals $8 - 22
Thu - Sun
4.30pm - late
Located near the increasingly hip foreshore in Altona, Stefans Pizza is the perfect place to round off a day at the beach. Pizzas are organic and gourmet, with plenty of options for vegetarians, vegans and those with gluten intolerances. Bases come in a dazzling array of varieties, including standard, wholemeal, sourdough and an excellent gluten free base made on the premises with organic brown rice flour. There are loads of toppings to choose from, like fantastically fresh vegetables (including beetroot!), a limited range of mock meats and soy cheese. The pumpkin pizza is still a standout, with tomato, soy cheese, thinly sliced roast pumpkin, spinach and pine nuts. There is even a veganisable garlic bread, which is highly recommended. Service is friendly and chatty, and staff are happy to cater to your tastes and dietary requirements. Seating is limited in the small shop so grab your meal to go and hit the beach across the road to enjoy your pizza al fresco.
111
Indian
VIC | West Footscray
Salaam Namaste
Food 3 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 3
359 Barkly Street, West Footscray 03 9687 0255 Entrées $5 - 9.95 Mains $7.95 - 12.50 Desserts $3.50
Tue - Sun
5.30pm - late
There are loads of vegan options available at this veg friendly Indo-Chinese restaurant, however, some of the dishes are bit hit and miss. Although the menu isn’t clearly marked, the staff are very helpful, happy to accommodate and adapt menu items as required. Gluten free options are similarly available but unmarked. Highlights on the menu include the spicy mock chilli ‘chicken’, and the naan bread, which can be done without butter on request. Although there is plenty of mock ‘meat’, the lentil and vegetable based curries and Indian soups are the best bet when it comes to mains. While you’re in the neighbourhood, check out Vincent Vegetarian Food, arguably Melbourne’s best mock meat grocery store, and grab yourself a mock ‘pork’ roll from Tan Truc Giang, right near Footscray station.
112
Ethiopian
Footscray | VIC
Café Lalibela
Food 5 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 5
91 Irving Street, Footscray 03 9388 2777 | www.cafelalibela.com.au Mains
$12
Mon - Wed Thu - Sun
10am - 10pm 10am - late
Melbourne’s west is home to many great Ethiopian restaurants and Lalibela is deservedly popular among them. The friendly staff will make you feel welcome and have you seated in the tiny dining room in no time. You could look in the menu, but it’s all about the enormous shared plate of injera here, so tell the waiter your dietary requirements then sit back and wait until your meal is delivered. The shared platter consists of a selection of tasty curries, stews and salads, to be scooped up with the crepe-like injera it sits upon - don’t be shy to use your hands. Still priced at $12 a head, this vegetarian banquet is one of the best value meals in town. Wash it all down with one of a range Ethiopian beers. In addition to fantastic food, Lalibela take their coffee very seriously and it’s a recommended way to end the meal, groups can book in advance to take part in a roasting ceremony.
113
Chinese
VIC | Footscray
Bo De Trai
Food 4 Service 3 Ambience 2 Value 5
94 Hopkins Street, Footscray 03 9689 9909 Entrées $5 - 8 Mains $7.50 - 12
Mon - Sun
10am - 8pm
Bo De Trai is a pure vegetarian restaurant that looks a little down at heel - the cafeteria-style shop front has definitely seen better days. However, it’s well worth popping in for a meal, particularly in winter when a big bowl of hot soup will warm you up from the inside out. The humbly named tomato soup with rice noodles comes in an enormous bowl filled with gluten pieces, and bean shoots, mint and chillies on the side to spice it up to your liking. Although large in size, it is no hardship making it to the bottom of the bowl, and the hearty broth would surely fix any ailment from a hangover to the common cold. The wonton soup is similarly large and delicious! In fact, the soups are where it’s at on this menu, so skip over the mock ‘meat’ and veggie dishes and take your pick of noodley, soupy goodness. At $7-8 for a filling meal, you’ll soon forget your surroundings and, indeed, probably find yourself becoming a regular in no time.
114
Italian
Southbank | VIC
La Camera
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 2
Shop MR2 Mid Level East End, Southgate, Southbank 03 9699 3600 | www.lacamerasouthgate.com EntrĂŠes $5.90 - $16.90 Mains $7.50 - $22.50
Mon - Fri Sat & Sun
7.30am - 10.30pm 8.30am - late
Diners can enjoy a few vegan options seated outside overlooking the Yarra River and the city skyline at this upmarket Italian restaurant. There is even a clearly marked vegan pizza option called The Emo which is a Roman-style, gigantic pizza with fresh herbs, olives, roasted capsicum, mushrooms, zucchini and eggplant on a tomato base. There are a few pasta dishes that can be made vegan upon request including risotto primavera with roasted pumpkin, zucchini and leek, rigattoni melanzane with chargrilled eggplant, chili, fresh basil and Napoli sauce and rigatoni carciofi with artichoke hearts, green vegetables and pesto. For a healthier option order the Insalata Vegitalian salad which isn’t as plain as it sounds, as it also includes fruit, chickpeas, nuts, and toasted sunflower seeds with a delicious sweet apple dressing. Book ahead to ensure a table outside with a view and be sure to advise the waiter if you are vegan. On Sundays 25% of meal costs are donated to various charities.
115
Fast food
VIC | Melbourne
Walker’s Doughnuts
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 2 Value 4
Cnr Flinders & Elizabeth Streets, Melbourne 03 9662 2254 Mains
$5
Mon - Thu Fri - Sat Sun
6am - 11pm 6am - late 8am - 11pm
Sure it’s good to be healthy, but sometimes one just wants pure junk, white bread, tomato sauce and a frankfurter. If that’s what you’re craving, head to Walker’s Doughnuts, right next to Lord of the Fries on the corner of Elizabeth and Flinders Streets. An American-style takeaway joint, the fast food place is an unlikely spot for a vegan treat, but they do offer one thing and one thing only, a veg-o-rama hotdog. Sate your craving with two vegetarian franks crammed into a toasted hot dog bun and topped with ketchup and mustard. Hot diggety dog! Worried about its credentials? The ‘Vegan Friendly’ sign should allay your fears. The condiments, however, are another story, so check the credentials of the optional extras (BBQ sauce, chilli sauce, relish) before loading up. At about $5 this is a tasty treat and Walker’s is luckily open late into the night for when you need it most. Wash it down with filter coffee or a Dr Pepper for that authentic US experience.
116
Chinese
Southbank | VIC
Enlightened Cuisine
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 5 Value 4
113 Queensbridge St, Southbank 03 9686 9188 | www.ecuisine.com.au Entrées $4 - 5.50 Mains $12 - 22.90 Desserts $5 - 6
Mon - Sat Mon - Thu & Sun Fri & Sat
11.30am - 2.30pm 5.30pm - 10pm 5.30pm - 11pm
Enlightened cuisine sells vegetarian versions of Chinese dishes, like sweet and sour ‘pork’. Highlights include roasted crispy ‘duck’ which is served in a sweet and tangy plum syrup, and the kung po ‘chicken’ which includes cashews and vegetables inside a nest made out of potatoes with chilies and a spicy sauce. While this Chinese vegetarian restaurant is one of many in Melbourne, Enlightened Cuisine stands out in terms of decor and style. The tables tend to have linen tablecloths as opposed to paper and the walls feature pretty Chinese artwork. It also tends to offer more traditional Chinese desserts along with the standard offer of fritters. Try the very sweet sago pudding with coconut milk topping or the Shanghai style pancake with red bean paste filling. For variety you can’t go past one of the six banquet options for either $28 or $32. It is best to book ahead and also advise staff when ordering that you require vegan and/or gluten free.
117
Malaysian
VIC | Melbourne
Chatterbox
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 3 Value 4
Shop 18 Tivoli Arcade, Bourke Street, Melbourne 03 9663 2588 Entrées $3 - 6 Mains $8 - 12 Desserts $5.50
Mon - Sat
11am - 6pm
Chatterbox is a city institution, serving up hot and tasty fast food to the masses every day. Order at the counter, take your number then grab a seat and wait for your meal to be speedily delivered. Vegetarian options are marked with a ‘V’ on the menu and you will need to confirm with the staff if you don’t want egg. Most vegetarian dishes are cooked to order, meaning they will be fresh even if they are not totally healthy! The Tom Yum soup is an excellent option. Brimming with tofu, vegetables, rice noodles and a delicious, somewhat oily, broth, it’s good for what ails you! Another great choice is the Pad Kee Mou ($8.50), flat noodles with fried tofu, basil, bean shoots and chili to add a nice kick. Other vegetarian options run to noodle stirfries and mi goreng dishes, some meat dishes can be served with tofu instead. All the meals are huge and will fill even the hungriest diner up. Unfortunately from what we hear the Curry Laksa is not vegan. Takeaway is available.
118
Cafe
Melbourne | VIC
Habib Wholefoods
Food 3 Service 4 Ambience 2 Value 3
260 Flinders Street, Melbourne 03 9639 5515 Snacks $2.50 - 4.50 Meals $2.50 - 8.00 Sweets $2.50 - 5.00
Mon - Fri Sat Sun
7am - 9pm 8am - 7pm 9am - 7pm
Primarily an organic grocery store, Habib Wholefoods have recently added more to their selection of ready-to-eat food. There is a wide range of choices, the majority of which are vegetarian or vegan. The food is fresh, cafe style food - burgers, vegetable lasagna, frittata, wraps and salads. All salads are gluten free and vegan and the selection is broad, including Moroccan chickpea, rice noodle, Cajun tofu and marinated vegetable. In winter they do a soup and roll option at lunchtime. While a small seating area is provided, it’s not one of Melbourne’s prettiest spots, so diners are best to grab something to go and find a more atmospheric place to eat. Drinks can be chosen from the wide selection of imported and local organic beverages (mostly juice or soda, but a mini chocolate soy milk is a nice option!) Service is friendly and helpful and there is a tasty selection of muffins, biscuits and cakes (some vegan) available for dessert.
119
Indian
VIC | Melbourne
Gopal’s Vegetarian Restaurant
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 3 Value 4
139 Swanston Street, Melbourne 03 9650 1578 | www.iskcon.net.au/food/gopals Entrées $2.50 - 4.20 Mains $4.20 - 6.90 Desserts $2.50 - 4.35 Banquets $11.90
Mon - Sat
10.30am - 8.30pm
Heading upstairs from busy Swanston street there’s a noticeable calm that descends when entering Gopal’s Hare Krishna eatery. What the canteen-style establishment lacks in atmosphere it definitely makes up for in satisfying food, with tempting dishes including sauce smothered slabs of tofu and tempeh, kofta balls and rotating dhals and curries. Fresh salads are also on offer, with a three salad combo for $9.50. For the extra hungry there’s the economical chef’s special for $11.90 including rice or soup, a vegetable dish, fresh garden salad and a drink. Probably the best thing about Gopal’s is the range of vegan desserts available, with five to six types on offer any day. Choose from chocolate, apricot, or raspberry coconut slices, carob balls or the fruit crumble. Fancy your dessert drenched in sweetness? Soy custard is available and makes the perfect addition to balance a dessert’s richness, however there is some conjecture about whether Gopal’s carob fudge and slice are vegan.
120
Asian
Melbourne | VIC
Camy Shanghai dumpling house
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 3 Value 4
23-25 Tattersalls Lane, Melbourne 03 9663 8555 Entrées $3 - 4 Mains $7 - 9 Desserts $3 - 5
Mon - Sun
11am - 10pm
Camy’s is huge but it’s always packed, luckily their front-ofhouse run a tight ship and can usually get diners seated fairly quickly. Dumplings are the main draw card here and they come in plates of 10 or 20 for $3.50 or $7, the mushroom and vegetable dumplings are the best vego option. There are also mock meats on the menu but they can be fairly hit or miss. Order a side of Asian greens sautéed in garlic or soy sauce to help healthify your meal, or call for the spring onion pancakes or pumpkin cakes if you’re not shy of the deep-fryer - they’re both delicious. The steamed vegetarian buns are also quite good. The beers are cheap and they have a rock-bottom corkage for BYO, making this place popular with students and people on either end of a night out. Don’t expect to linger as the staff will have you back on the street once your meal is finished. Takeaway is available so consider grabbing your dumplings to go and enjoying them next door at the trendy Section 8 bar.
121
Indian
VIC | Melbourne
Crossways Food For Life
Food 3 Service 2 Ambience 2 Value 5
1st floor, 123 Swanston Street, Melbourne 03 9650 2939 | www.iskcon.net.au/food/crossways Meals
$5 - 6.50
Mon - Sat
11.30am - 2.30pm
If you’re starving, short of cash, or both, head to Crossways, a student institution in the CBD. Serving up food at lunchtimes only, Crossways offers hearty all-you-can-eat meals for $6.50 ($5 concession). The food is traditional Indian, meaning there are no heavy spices and is satisfying if a little on the bland side. The menu is limited and changes daily, but usually follows the format of curry and rice, pappadums, and halva for dessert. For example, Mondays sees satay vegetables, jasmine rice and raisin halva on the menu, while Saturday is chickpea subji and special rice with banana halva. The food isn’t cooked on the premises and because it’s not, the staff don’t always know what’s in each dish, the food isn’t always vegan. Water, cordial and (non-vegan) lassis are also included in the price. Crossways is usually quite busy but most people eat and run so finding a spot to sit isn’t hard, and there’s a less-frantic upstairs area as well. Takeaway is available for an extra 50c.
122
Cafe
Melbourne | VIC
Invita CafĂŠ
Food 3 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 3
76 Therry Street, Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne 03 9329 1267 | www.invita.com.au Snacks $3 - 8 Meals $9 - 14 Sweets $3.50 - 8
Tue - Thu Fri Sat Sun
7am - 3pm 7am - 6pm 6.30am - 6pm 8am - 4pm
Invita is tucked away in the bustling Queen Vic Markets and a welcoming space to escape the hubbub or just take a break from shopping. The cafe has a strong philosophy of healthy, wholesome food and offers a wide variety of vegetarian dishes. As well as the usual toast, eggs and pancakes for breakfast, there is a vegan scrambled tofu that’s filling and delicious. For lunch, try a soup, salad, bean wrap or pie. Interesting corn and tofu burgers are also on offer. There is a large range of cakes, including some vegan options, and they can also be ordered whole in advance for an office do or special occasion. The yummy chocolate chip cookie is vegan and gluten free. There is coffee, tea and also a small selection of beer and wines. Takeaway is available and they also do catering. The cafe opens on Wednesday evenings during summer for the gas light night market.
123
Modern Australian
VIC | Melbourne
ezard
Food 5 Service 5 Ambience 5 Value 4
187 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 03 9639 6811 | www.ezard.com.au Entrees $22.50 Mains $39.50 Banquets $65 - 115
Mon - Fri Mon - Sat
12 - 2.30pm 6pm - 10.30pm
It is a joy to eat at ezard. With a stellar reputation for modern Australian ‘freestyle’ cuisine, ezard pays careful attention to veg dining. Famous for its degustation, a vegetarian tasting course is a standing menu, and the ezard website proudly notes that vegan degustation is available on request. A la carte is also available. ezard’s surrounds are smooth and soothing and the service is of the highest order. The kitchen’s focus on veg dining is apparent, the veg dishes are their own, rather than a pared-down version of the omnivore menu. The vegan meals served at ezard are superlative, finely-balanced flavours, inventive and exciting combinations, perfectly plated and a pleasure to eat. The menu highlights local, seasonal produce and changes regularly. Favourites include the Asian gazpacho with fennel, mint and tempura avocado and the homemade sorbet trio. Prices are commensurate with the quality of meal and service, and very reasonable in consideration of the entire experience, visit at lunchtime for the same great food at lower cost. ezard proves that veg fine dining can be inventive and outstanding. 124
Asian
Melbourne | VIC
Fo Guang Yuan Tea House
Food 3 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 4
141 Queen Street, Melbourne 03 9642 2388 | www.bliav.org.au Snacks $7 - 8 Meals $9.50 - 12 Sweets $3+
Mon - Sat Mon - Sat
12.30pm - 2.30pm 3pm - 5.30pm
FGY Tea House offers a small piece of calm in the middle of the bustling banking district, providing an all vegetarian menu for city lunchers. Over the past year FGY has undergone a transformation from busy restaurant to small tea house, with a corresponding change in menu. Mains options have been drastically reduced and there are pages of creamy French desserts (sadly not vegan). The extensive tea menu happily features FGY’s legendary kumquat tea. There is a ‘droplets’ set menu of various kinds of buns and dumplings, and a snacks menu of fried finger food. The mains menu consists of three flavoursome noodle-and-mock-meat dishes and one curry laksa, which is coconut milk-based and quite mild. The mock-pork buns are lip-smackingly good. Staff are happy to answer questions about ingredients and service is swift in the newly scaled down dining room. FGY still offers a tasty, filling city lunch in a calm and soothing atmosphere, it is just not the extensive offerings of old. You won’t go away hungry and hopefully you’ll be full of kumquat tea too.
125
Japanese
VIC | Melbourne
Chocolate Buddha
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 2
Federation Square, Melbourne 03 9454 5688 | www.chocolatebuddha.com.au Snacks $6 - 11 Meals $12.50 - 23 Sweets $10 - 13.50
Mon - Sun
11am - 10pm
Chocolate Buddha is a modern Japanese-inspired restaurant in Federation Square, prices are elevated accordingly, but the menu features a decent range of vegetarian options. From the light meals menu, the pan fried tofu steak is tasty and the Sunomono salad is particularly good, bring them together for a fantastic, filling meal. There are also veg sushi options. For a main, the satisfying if not particularly innovative yasai soba features deep-fried silken tofu with veggies, a lightly spicy sauce and soba noodles. There is also a tofu ankake don (silken tofu and veggies on rice) and somewhat oddly, bibimup (pickled veggies and kimchi on rice with a fried egg). Desserts run to ice cream and cakes, but the tempura banana is an interesting addition. The dining room is bright and airy, with big communal tables and an outlook onto Federation Square. With efficient service, this is a good and popular lunchtime restaurant, or come at night to linger longer over your meal.
126
Mexican
Melbourne | VIC
Mamasita
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 5 Value 4
Level 1, 11 Collins Street, Melbourne 03 9650 3821 | www.mamasita.com.au Meals $6.50 - 14 Sweets $5-9
Mon - Wed Thu Fri Sat
12pm - 12am 12pm - 12.30am 12pm - 2am 6pm - 2am
The best way to approach the menu at Mamasita is to pick and mix whatever looks good - don’t worry, it’s all tasty, and share the dishes around the table. Try the tacos frijoles con nopales - delicious baked black beans, cactus & pico de gallo - or quesadillas de Huitlacoche - Mexican truffle, mushrooms, roasted corn, epazote and hold the cheese for vegans. Don’t miss the chili rellenos (bullhorn chiles stuffed with wild mushrooms, pepitas, epazote and pumpkin sauce) for a taste sensation. Both salad options are fantastic - the quinoa salad is substantial and the green salad has an appealingly tangy lime and dill dressing - there are sides and starters of tortilla chips, guacamole, ejotes (grilled green beans), baked black beans, steamed rice and more. Mamasita is bright, airy and has lots of seating arrangements for its small space. The restaurant is the place to go for late night dining, with a kitchen that stays open late and a snacks menu available until close six days a weeks. With the food, atmosphere and excellent drinks menu, Mamasita is a place that’s hard to beat. 127
Cafe
VIC | Melbourne
Soulfood CafĂŠ
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 4
Shop 10, Equitable Place, Melbourne 03 9642 5660 | www.soulfoodcafe.com.au Meals $4.80 - 8.50 Sweets $0.70 - 4
Mon - Fri
7am - 4pm
Soulfood Cafe, sister to its popular Fitzroy counterpart, offers healthy fast food to lunchtime crowds. The menu incorporates a good range of salads, wraps, patties and sandwiches. Standout salads include Moroccan chickpea and a roasted veg option, both of which are a little on the oily side but hearty and delicious. The toasted Turkish pide includes a lentil patty with hummus, sun-dried tomatoes, olives and a sweet chilli sauce, it is large and it is amazing. During winter, the soup and toast option is good value, with daily changing soups, the lentil tomato is deservedly popular. There are limited breakfast options, but there are worse ways to start the day than with a toastie and Fairtrade coffee! The tiny cafe has very limited seating but with people coming and going all the time there’s usually space to squeeze in somewhere, or everything can be wrapped up to go. Staff are friendly and can point out vegan options. Huge muffins are available to satisfy a sugar craving, and sometimes cupcakes too.
128
Modern Australian
Melbourne | VIC
Nudel Bar
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 3
76 Bourke Street, Melbourne 03 9662 9100 EntrĂŠes $10 - 13 Mains $15.80 - 23.00 Desserts $9.50 - 12
Mon - Sat
12pm - 11pm
Nudel Bar is a great place to take groups or fussy eaters, as the large noodle-based menu has something to offer all diners. There is a separate vegan/gluten free menu, which indicates what dishes can be altered for special diets. The noodles come from around the world, resulting in an eclectic mix of stir fries, curries and even Italian-style pasta. The flat rice noodles with mushrooms, lotus rootter chestnuts and greens is outstanding and the potato curry with rice noodles is an enjoyable, mildly-spicy dish that goes well with a side of roti bread. Servings are filling if not enormous. Vegans will be pleased to discover that the pandan pancakes are dairy-free. The restaurant has casual dining downstairs and a slightly more upmarket vibe in the upstairs dining room, book ahead if you have a preference. Service can be a little erratic, but staff are generally friendly and helpful. It’s a comfy restaurant that is suited to anything from a meal on the run, or make a night of it and order something off the beer and wine list.
129
Chinese
VIC | West Melbourne
White Lotus
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 4
185 Victoria Street, West Melbourne 03 9326 6040 Entrée $5 - 10 Mains $11 - 20 Desserts $4 - 7 Banquets $30
Tue - Sat
6pm - 10pm
White Lotus is one of Melbourne’s best mock meat restaurants, offering delicious food and a large range of vegan options. As well as meat, the food is free of garlic, leeks, spring onions and shallots, as well as wine and dairy. Popular menu items include the tangy tamarind ‘fish’ and vegan satay ‘chicken’, with a realistic texture and sauce of green beans, cabbage, capsicum, peas and carrot. There are many interesting menu items, like sweet and sour taro cutlets and mini seaweed rolls. For non-mock meat, the Ma po tofu is yum, and the white lotus dish with mushrooms, tofu, lotus root and veggies is also worth trying. Dishes tend to be ‘meat’ heavy so you will need to order sides of veggies and rice to accompany. It is advisable to make a booking ahead of time (the rush period is around 7pm, but it varies). The restaurant is typical of many suburban Chinese restaurants (think sparse) but has a relaxing atmosphere. The service is polite and welcoming, and takeaway is available.
130
Fast food
Melbourne | VIC
Lord Of The Fries
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 4
Shop 9A, 26 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne www.lordofthefries.com.au Snacks $3 - 9
Mon - Thu Fri Sat Sun
7am - 10pm 7am - 4am 10.30am - 4am 11am - 10pm
Lord of the Fries is taking over Melbourne’s fast food scene, with three stores in the city and a further two opened up in the suburbs (Northland and Chadstone). The menu is expanding as well, with onion rings, chicken burgers, hot dogs and pies added to their standard burgers and fries range in the past year or so. The chips are still a mainstay and continue to be served with interesting ‘classic’ and ‘deluxe’ sauces, some of which are vegan. The gravy remains a favourite. Despite the growing menu, the original and mini burgers remain good choices, with a white bun (gluten free sometimes available), lettuce, pickle, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, onion and cheese making an unhealthy but delicious meal, request vegan for dairy-free replacements (50c extra). ‘Chicken’ nuggets are also a tasty option, deep fried to crispy, juicy perfection and served with the sauce of your choice - satay is a good pick. To round off your junk food fix, grab a huge vegan cookie, handmade in Melbourne and packed full of choc-chips and other good things ($3).
131
Chinese
VIC | Southbank
Red Emperor
Food 5 Service 5 Ambience 4 Value 3
UR3, Upper Level, Southgate Avenue, Southbank 03 9699 4170 | www.redemperor.com.au Entrées $9 - 10 Mains $24 - 32 Desserts $7.50 - 28 Banquest $42 - $52
Mon - Sat Sun Mon - Sun
12pm - 3pm 11am - 4pm 6pm - late
Regarded as one of Melbourne’s finest Chinese restaurants, Red Emperor is at the pricier end of the scale, but you get what you pay for. Dishes are invariably well presented, sumptuously flavoured and cooked to perfection. Staff are hospitable, attentive and happy to accommodate your dietary requirements, offering plenty of flexibility in terms of modifications and omissions. For example, dishes with egg can be prepared without and vegetarian oyster sauce is also available. The vegetarian menu is extensive, and there are two veg banquets available, both of which can be veganised. Entrée wise, the vegetarian san choy bow and fried beancurd with spicy salt and pepper are probably the best of their kind in Melbourne. In terms of mains, the Sichuan bean curd is an old favourite and highly recommended. How could you go past the Peking shredded shiitake mushrooms, lightly battered and bathed in a plum, vinegar and tomato sauce? (Vegans should ask for the honey to be removed.) Bookings are essential, as Red Emperor is very popular and hosts functions fairly regularly. 132
Indonesian
West Melbourne | VIC
Warung Agus
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 2
305 Victoria Street, West Melbourne 03 9329 1737 | www.warungagus.com.au EntrĂŠes $7 - 17 Mains $18 - 28 Desserts $7 - 9 Banquets $45
Thu - Sun
6pm - late
Warung Agus is dedicated to serving excellent and traditional Indonesian cuisine in the Balinese style. An oasis of calm on busy Victoria Street, the restaurant is stylish, welcoming and ambient. Balinese food is generally very vegan-friendly and Warung Agus is no exception, rarely using dairy in its meals. Be sure to let your waiter know that you’re dining veg, as the menu is not marked. To start, try the avocado with coconut cream sauce, a subtle, creamy dish or get veg crackers with satay sauce to share. For mains, standouts are again anything with satay sauce, or try the amazing tofu with shiitake mushrooms in gravy. Ordering a tempeh dish is a must, as its an Indonesian food and no one will do it better! Another dish not to miss is the unusual coconut rice, which makes a great accompaniment to any dish. Although a little pricy, the portions are satisfying and the quality of food, plus friendly service and great atmosphere, justifies the price.
133
Japanese
VIC | Collingwood
Wood Spoon Kitchen
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 4
88 Smith St, Collingwood 03 9416 0588 | www.woodspoonkitchen.com EntrĂŠes $4 - 9.50 Mains $11.90 - 16.90 Dessert $5.90 - 6.90
Tue - Sun
5pm - late
This good-value, stylish modern Japanese restaurant has plenty of clearly marked vegetarian and vegan dishes and a few gluten free options. Highlights include tender pumpkin gnocchi in creamy coconut tomato soup, or dengaku don which is eggplant with a salty spicy miso based sauce with tofu, vegetables and rice. The agedashi tofu - deep fried tofu - is out off this world, and be sure to try the adorable onigiri which are freshly made triangle shaped rice balls with a variety of fillings available including sweet potato, seaweed or vegetables. There is even vegan miso soup. Wood Spoon also has an extensive drinks list which includes wine, beer and cold sake and plum wine. There are range of vegetarian friendly desserts to choose from and even a vegan option, pumpkin dango in coconut milk which consists of soft pumpkin dumplings in a coconut milk with sweet red bean paste. Service is quick and some seating is communal, there is sometimes a wait for tables as this restaurant is deservedly popular.
134
Bakery
Fitzroy | VIC
Fatto a Mano
Food 5 Service 3 Ambience 3 Value 5
228 Gertrude St, Fitzroy 03 9417 5998 Snacks $3
Tue - Fri Sat
8.30am - 6pm 8.30am - 3pm
This tiny organic bakery sells truly amazing traditional Italian style pizza slices that will change the way you view pizza. It only has a couple of small tables, so is best to opt for takeaway. The pizza slices ($3) are served cold and consist of crisp focaccia-like bases without typical tomato based sauces, they mostly don’t include meat or cheese and are happily ‘accidentally vegan’. Standout options include the incredible vegetable pizza, which consists of roasted potato, caramelised onion, eggplant, sundried tomatoes and dried herbs and the eggplant and capsicum pizza with just a hint of chili which melts in your mouth. While the toppings may sound plain the pizza slices are bursting with flavour. There are also a few vegan sweet snacks including giant chocolate chip hazelnut cookies which are crunchy and super sweet or the cherry bliss balls with a cherry and coconut centre covered in dark chocolate. The bakery also sells a few different varieties of gluten free bread and hot chocolate from Coco Loco.
135
Cafe
VIC | Collingwood
Las Vegan Nirvana Café
Food 4 Service 3 Ambience 5 Value 5
22 Smith Street, Collingwood 03 9415 9001 Snacks $2 - 5 Meals $5 - 12 Sweets $4.50
Tue - Wed Thu - Fri
11am - 3.30pm 11am - 9pm
Las Vegan is a much-loved Melbourne cafe and rightly so. Small, cute and cosy, the cafe serves up great meals, snacks and tea to an appreciative vegan following - more than ever now they are open some nights. Snacks include calzones and sweeter muffin and cookie options, which are all amazing and their bottomless chai ($3.50, honey optional) is legendary. For something more substantial, don’t go past the TVP sloppy joe, an excellent veggie burger with a huge patty, homemade salsa, mayo, lettuce, tomato and cucumber on a home-made bun. Also good is the Nirvana lentil burger and chilli ‘non’ carne. Most meals come with homemade chips and salad. For the quality of food and filling servings, Las Vegan represent fantastic value for money. The cafe is tiny and there are limited opening hours, so getting a seat can take a while, but is well worth the wait. The proprietors of Las Vegan have written an excellent cookbook, A Soup For All Seasons (published by aduki), so if you’re inspired by your meal you can try to recreate the magic for yourself at home.
136
Modern Australian
Collingwood | VIC
Soulfood CafĂŠ
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 4
273 Smith Street, Collingwood 03 9419 2949 | www.soulfoodcafe.com.au Snacks $5 - 9 Meals $9.50 - 15 Sweets $4 - 8
Mon - Sat
8am - 11pm
Soulfood CafĂŠ is a favourite Smith Street haunt, the kind of place you can relax in for hours on end, reading the paper over an excellent Bonsoy latte or catching up with friends. It also does a brisk weekday trade in quick and satisfying lunches, takeaway is available. Well known for its burgers, combo salads and breakfast menu, the food is healthy, organic and bursting with flavour. A range of cafe style foods are available, from the satay tofu burger to a lentil roti wrap, decadent vegan chocolate cake and raved about oversized muffins. The monster vegan breakfast platter will cure the most intense of hangovers. The friendly staff are very knowledgeable about the food and happy to answer any questions or suggest something to suit your dietary needs. The cafe is licensed and serves organic wine and beer. The vibe is laid back but lively, somewhat trendy and always welcoming.
137
Modern Australian
VIC | Collingwood
Gluttony it’s a sin
Food 3 Service 2 Ambience 3 Value 4
278 Smith Street, Collingwood 03 9416 0336 Meals
$17
Mon - Fri Sat & Sun
7am - 11pm 8am - 9.30pm
A separate vegan menu bodes well for a visit to Gluttony. Slide into a booth, admire the op-shop chic decor, and pass your eye over the changing art displays on the wall. Gluttony offers a number of ready-made vegan items such as filo pie and desserts and also boasts a separate vegan menu of four main meals. All priced at $17, they are generous portions and freshly made in the open kitchen. The vegan jambalaya is a hot, spicy and colourful Cajun rice dish, and the coconut curry, while more spicy than creamy, is tasty and filling. Unfortunately, a degree of vegan vigilance is required at Gluttony, breakfast may come with buttery mushrooms, or curry with buttered toast and staff often require explicit explanations about why this is a problem. These frequent lapses detract from the confidence that a separate vegan menu inspires. Gluttony is a popular and bustling place for a weekend breakfast or lunch. You won’t be disappointed by the fare, but you will need to be very clear up front about what you require.
138
Modern Australian
Fitzroy | VIC
Grumpy’s Green
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 4
125 Smith St, Fitzroy 03 9416 1944 | www.grumpysgreen.com Snacks $7 - 11 Meals $12 - 15 Sweets $8
Tue - Fri Sat & Sun
12pm - late 10am - late
With many eco-saving initiatives in place, Grumpy’s Green’s focus on sustainability and vegetarian fare has attracted significant attention. Grumpy’s has an all veg menu, making it Australia’s first vegetarian pub and on-the-ball staff can run you through the many vegan and gluten free options. The entree of Turkish bread comes with fantastically chunky olive dip. A hearty, creamy laksa is a standout, while the tofu burger comes with fresh salad and a generous portion of chips. Meals range from pub grub to curries and risottos, so there should be something for everyone. Prices are very reasonable and the serving sizes more than enough. The booze is local, organic and interesting enough to keep you entertained for more than one visit. Grumpy’s hosts a number of events, including clothes swaps, gigs and Grumpy Bastard Trivia on Tuesdays and can run functions too. Grumpy’s is a great place for a relaxed weekend breakfast or a mid-week meal and if you’re lucky the pub puppy will be around for a quick pat too.
139
Mexican
VIC | Collingwood
Trippy Taco
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 4
48 Smith Street, Collingwood 03 9415 7711 Meals $6.50 - 14 Sweets $5 - 9
Mon - Tue Wed - Fri Sat & Sun
11.30am - 4pm 11.30am - 9pm 10am - 9pm
Trippy Taco has something of a Mexican cantina feel and is tiny, chaotic and bright. There are only a few tables inside and out, and it gets pretty crowded so there can sometimes be a wait. Food-wise, it’s all tacos, burritos, taquitos, quesadillas and tamales. The taquitos are crispy and tasty and worth trying as a starter. The huevos rancheros is one of Melbourne’s best brunch dishes and a standout on the Trippy menu. Many of the dishes are variations on the same theme, but it’s a good one. For example, for the tacos and burritos diners choose from a black bean or grilled tofu filling and the toppings are identical - cheese (Cheezly costs extra), avocado, lime, salsa, tomato and lettuce. The food is filling and good value, if not the most authentic Mexican food around. Gluten free and vegan options are abundant. The fries are outstanding and the sweetcorn tamales make a great dessert. Drinks run to beer and tequila if you feel like getting rowdy!
140
Modern Australian
Fitzroy | VIC
Vegie Bar
Food 3 Service 2 Ambience 3 Value 4
378 Brunswick St, Fitzroy 03 9417 6935 | www.vegiebar.com.au Snacks $4.50 - 8.50 Meals $7.90 - 13.90 Sweets $2 - 9
Mon - Fri Sat & Sun
11am - 10pm 9am - 10pm
A Melbourne dining institution, Vegie Bar is popular with vegos and non-vegetarians alike. A favourite with families, it offers everything from burgers and pizzas to Asian stirfries and Middle-Eastern inspired dishes. The atmosphere at night tends to be loud and hectic, so stopping by in the afternoon is recommended for a more peaceful meal. Bookings can only be made for parties of 8 or more get in early for dinner or face a wait of up to 30 minutes for a table. At night the enormous dining area feels too crowded and staff are often rushed and impatient. Portion sizes are extremely generous and prices are very affordable, guaranteeing people will keep coming back. The menu is clearly coded, with vegan, vegan on request and gluten free options. However, the vegan options tend to lack flavour and vegan cheese substitution is not an option on most dishes. The stirfries are definitely the most flavoursome dishes available. Vegans and people with allergies may also want to check whether anything contains honey, as this is included in some vegan-labelled items.
141
Japanese
VIC | Collingwood
Wabi Sabi Salon
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 2
94 Smith Street, Collingwood 03 9417 6119 | www.wabisabisalon.com.au EntrĂŠes $6 - 10 Mains $17 - 25 Desserts $5 - 10
Mon - Sat Mon - Sat
12pm - 3pm 6pm - 11pm
Although there is no vegetarian menu, there are enough vegan choices at this Smith St restaurant to be satisfying, though vegans should check with their server about what they can order. The chilled zucchini and pumpkin basted in red miso sauce is an excellent starter and the tofu steak a more-ish main. The tofu and seaweed salad with sesame dressing is not to be missed. The food is tasty and traditional, so lovers of Japanese food won’t be disappointed. Little dishes like salted edamame and natto are fantastic for those missing Japan! Sadly there are no vegan desserts, but try the plum wine for a touch of sweetness to end the meal. The prices are a little upmarket, but Wabi Sabi Salon is a gorgeous restaurant where Japanese styling meets a bohemian vibe and an enjoyable space to dine in. The tiny courtyard out the back is particularly welcoming and a romantic option if you’re on a date. The restaurant is small so bookings are appreciated. Prices are cheaper at lunch and take away is also available.
142
Pizza
Fitzroy | VIC
Mr Natural Vegetarian Pizza
Food 3 Service 5 Ambience 2 Value 3
469 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy 03 9481 7775 | www.mr-natural-pizza.com Mains $6.50 - 12 Meal deals available
Sun - Thu Fri - Sat
5.30pm - 10pm 5.30pm - 11pm
Mr Natural Vegetarian Pizza prides itself on being able to cater to almost any dietary requirement (not raw however!), with gluten free bases and vegan toppings available. There is a good range of pizzas or you can mix and match up something to suit your tastes. The Hawaiian offers an interesting take on the classic, with sultanas, corn, pineapple and capsicum topped with shredded coconut and cheese! The Margharita is more traditional, though includes olives and onions for a tasty twist. Gourmet pizzas are king and there are plenty of veggies on offer including pumpkin, potato, spinach and mushrooms. For the extra hungry there are ‘massive’ pizzas, including The Vegan, with bean shoots, pineapple, beans, corn, capsicum, onion, tofu, traditional sauce, fresh parsley and garlic. Service is friendly and the pizzas are cooked up super-quick, prices are also reasonable given the quality of the toppings. There are often special deals (like two large pizzas plus a bottle of soft drink for $25.00) and for a small fee food can be delivered.
143
Various
VIC | Collingwood
Friends of the Earth Café
Food 2 Service 3 Ambience 2 Value 5
312 Smith Street, Collingwood 03 9417 4382 | www.melbourne.foe.org.au Meals
$6+
Mon - Fri Sat Sun
10am - 6pm 10am - 4pm 11am - 4pm
Friends of the Earth Cafe offers a calm spot in the middle of chaotic Smith Street and is a great place to escape the bustle outside. Popular with people who work in the area, Friends of the Earth offer low-priced vegetarian food made from fresh, local and organic ingredients - all veggie, of course. There are only a few dishes on offer at any given time and the menu changes daily but is usually always vegan (your server will know). Servings are ample and dishes include simple, filling and wholesome items like curries, soups and risottos. Friends of the Earth is a not-for-profit, so the staff are friendly volunteers and any money made goes back into supporting the work of this fantastic organisation, if you’re new to ‘FoE’, ask one of the volunteers about the work it does. There is a small store in the same space as the cafe, so when you’ve finished eating, browse the bookshop, buy some organic groceries or peruse the huge listings wall which promotes all kinds of eco and veg-friendly products and events.
144
Korean
Fitzroy | VIC
Yong Green Food
Food 4 Service 5 Ambience 5 Value 4
421 Brunswick St, Fitzroy 03 9417 3338 Entrées $4 - 8 Mains $11 - 15 Dessert $3 - 9
Tue - Sat
12pm - 10pm
Yong Green Food is a newcomer to the Melbourne veg dining scene and was instantly embraced due to its excellent food and unusual menu that features many raw and Korean options. The ‘Rawsagna’ (raw lasagna) is excellent, with layers of filling cashew cream, as is the raw sushi plate. There are also raw sandwiches and even raw nachos, with flax crackers, cashew cream, guacamole and red pepper dip. On the cooked side of the menu there is a lot of mock meat but the meals are balanced with rice and veggies so they are wholesome. The Kimchi pancake is worth trying and the teriyaki ‘chicken’ and ‘kingfish’ meal are both excellent, as is the Japanese curry. There is a hearty dessert menu to choose from, including decadent raw cheesecakes. Love it or not, the almond milk and agave drink is certainly distinctive. The dining room is small and cute, the service incredibly friendly, and the price good for the quality of the food, making Yong’s a fantastic spot for lunch or dinner.
145
Middle Eastern
VIC | Fitzroy North
Moroccan Soup Bar
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 4
183 St Georges Road, Fitzroy North 03 9482 4240 Entrées $10 Mains $10 Desserts $2 Banquets $18
Tue - Sat
6pm - 10pm
Moroccan Soup Bar is an institution and a busy one at that. Show up early to secure a table or prepare to be sent away until there is space to seat you, bookings for groups is essential. There is no written menu, instead you will be told what is available as you’re being sat. The popular option is the banquet ($18), though there are also a la carte dishes on offer. Your server will inquire about any dietary requirements and vegan and gluten free food is freely available. The banquet is great value, beginning with a range of dips and bread. Then out comes a selection of mains, usually including the famous and much-loved chickpea bake. Dessert is a simple sweet served with rich, strong coffee. The food is filling and the veggie dishes delicious - definitely a place to take omnivore friends. The restaurant is cute and chaotic, though it’s not a place to linger, as food is served quickly and there are always more diners waiting for tables.
146
Cafe
Fitzroy North | VIC
Munster Haus
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 4
371 St Georges Road, Fitzroy North 03 9489 4420 EntrĂŠes $8 Mains $14 Dessert $6
Mon - Fri Sat
9am - 6pm 9am - 2pm
Munster Haus is a slick cafe in North Fitzroy, with art deco style counters and benches, plus plenty of diner-style booths and seating which makes it an appealing place to hang. Also appealing is the tasty vegetarian food on offer. There is no menu, rather, diners choose from a selection of salads, curries, veggies and bakes that changes daily. The options also stray from the usual with tofu in broth, rice balls and pickled salads in the mix. Choose your plate size according to hunger ($8-14) and the servers will pile it up with whatever catches your fancy from the upmarket bain marie. The food is seasonal and delicious, with plenty of fresh veggies, tempeh and tofu, grains and legumes, and salads - the flavours are interesting and wholesome. The servers will know what is vegan and gluten free, usually at least half of the dishes are vegan and most GF. A range of coffee and juices are available to go with lunch, takeaway is also available, though with such a nice dining room and speedy service, eating in is king.
147
Cafe
VIC | Fitzroy North
Natural Tucker
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 2 Value 4
809 Nicholson St, Fitzroy North 03 9380 4293 | www.naturaltuckerbakery.com.au Entrées $2.50 - $7.50 Mains $5 - $12 Desserts $2.50 - $5
Mon Tue - Fri Sat
12pm - 7pm 9.30am - 7pm 9am - 2.30pm
Natural Tucker’s breads are the business. Purportedly ‘Melbourne’s oldest traditional sourdough bakery’, it offers a large range of speciality breads that vary throughout the week (there’s a board on the wall showing day-by-day availability for these). All breads are vegan. If you like dark rye bread, the ‘Baltic Latvian’ loaf is highly recommended. For lunch it’s hard to go past the vegan pies with lentils and wholemeal pastry (a choice of curry, chilli, tofu-topped or plain vegetable). Other options include noodle and fried rice dishes, soup, sandwiches, focaccias and vegie burgers. On Saturdays the emphasis is more on the breakfast menu, which operates all day. If you’re just after a wholesome snack, look no further than the vegan cookie (ginger and orange flavoured with walnuts and currants) or the vegan slice (oatbased with sunflower and sesame seeds, coconut, apricot, sultanas and currants). Natural Tucker offers good coffee too, so you can sit at one of the indoor or outdoor tables and marvel at the number of happy customers who walk out with a loaf under their arm. 148
Cafe
Abbotsford | VIC
Bomb CafĂŠ
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 3 Value 4
229 Johnston St, Abbotsford 03 9486 0699 Meals
$6.50 - 9.50
Mon - Fri Sat
7am - 4.30pm 9.30am - 4.30pm
Don’t be fooled by the small space at the front of Bomb Cafe - keep walking through to a cozy indoor atrium to a large outside space perfect for sunny mornings. Bomb is veg-friendly and is well known for its coffee, which keeps the takeaway trade flowing. The standout vegan meal is the scrambled tofu on lovely chewy ciabatta, which is sweet, sticky and fantastic value at $7.50. The vegan fry-up, also good value at $9.50, is served on ciabatta and is a solid, although not outstanding, option. Most vegetarian items are cheese-heavy, but the friendly staff will be able to advise on what can be modified for vegans. Gluten-free bread is also available. The service can be very slow due to the limited kitchen facilities - you may need to order a second soy latte while you wait. Bomb is a great cafe for a slow Saturday with the papers and a plate of scrambled tofu.
149
Various
VIC | Abbotsford
Lentil As Anything
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 3 Value 5
Abbotsford Convent, 1 St Heliers St, Abbotsford 03 9419 6444 | www.lentilasanything.com Pay what you feel
Mon - Sun
9am - 9pm
With a friendly, vibrant atmosphere reflecting the multicultural background of its volunteers, Lentil at the Convent feels like dining in the kitchen of an old friend. Mish-mashed furniture, live music and candlelight give Lentil a laid-back vibe. The food is simple yet satisfying and the pay-as-you-feel system means Lentil is perfect for a cheap relaxing meal out. Quality may vary depending on who’s in the kitchen and what ingredients are available, but the food is fresh and flavours authentic. Influences range from South East Asian, South American, African, Indian and Sri Lankan. A bain marie buffet is available most nights, but there’s also a small a la carte menu, as well as cakes and coffee. All dishes are vegetarian, but signage isn’t very clear so be sure to ask staff which dishes are vegan. Stopping by for breakfast and lunch ensures you can enjoy the Convent’s gorgeous sprawling lawns and with the Collingwood Children’s Farm next door it’s a great place to go with kids. Bookings aren’t necessary.
150
Desserts
Northcote | VIC
Coco Loco
Food 5 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 3
219 High St, Northcote 03 9482 7033 | www.cocoloco.net.au Drinks $5 - 10 Desserts $15 Fondue $25
Tue - Fri Fri Sat Sun
7pm - 11pm 11am - 3pm 10am - late 11am - 11pm
Coco Loco is a vegan and gluten free chocoholic’s wonderland. Enjoy iced or hot chocolates with the speciality ‘kashew mylk’. The drinks are more expensive than your regular hot/iced chocolate drinks but the dark chocolate options are organic, Fairtrade, vegan and on a completely new level of deliciousness. There is a wide variety of chocolate drink flavours such as ginger, cardamom or lemon myrtle. Dessert options include incredible rich vegan chocolate mousse, which is cashew-based and creates a nice sugar high, or gluten free vegan crepes. The combination of soft sweet crepe, rich melted dark chocolate and grilled fruit is amazing. They also sell savoury ‘kashew mylk’ fondue with gluten free bread and vegetables or dark chocolate fondue with fruit. To order either fondue, you need to book at least two days ahead. The store owner is quite energetic and passionate about his shop and serves customers himself. However, it does mean that patience is required for big groups.
151
Japanese
VIC | Northcote
Disco Bean
Food 4 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 3
238 High Street, Northcote 03 9077 4772 | gallery.discobeans.com Meals $6 - 20 Dessert $4 - 6
Wed - Sun Wed - Sun
12pm - 3pm 5.30pm - 9.30pm
Melbourne is well-catered to for good vegan Japanese food and Disco Bean adds to that greatness. Located in a small gallery and performance space, the cafe is plastered with pictures cut out from magazines and is a fun space to eat in. The food is home-style Japanese, mostly vegan and gluten free is available on request. Servings are small but filling. The menu changes often, but if it’s included don’t go past the okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake) topped with sweet sauce and mayo. Another great option is the daily belly plate, which includes something like tofu steak, salads and mixed grains. There are also noodle soups like ramen or udon and of course miso soup is on the menu. The food is delicious, healthy, well-balanced and home cooked. Desserts are a little more decadent and include the rapidly-becomingfamous Strawberry Fields Forever, a raw frozen strawberry cheesecake. There are also a great range of teas. The quirky cafe is sure to charm with its informal dining style.
152
Middle Eastern
Northcote | VIC
Café Najla
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 4
102 High Street, Northcote 03 9482 1168 Entrees $3.80 - 10.80 Mains $14.80 - 19 Desserts $3.80 - 4.80 Banquet $24
Mon - Sat
5.30pm - 10.30pm
Though it’s not on the menu (you need to ask the waiter), the best thing a vegetarian can do at Café Najla is order the banquet. Easily veganisable, it’s great value for money, filling and delicious. It starts with dips and bread - home made hummusty smoky baba ganoush and a mixture of soft and crispy bread, accompanied by a chickpea salad. For mains, the vegetarians will be treated to a chickpea ragout, but vegans aren’t left out, with a cous cous and roasted veggie option offered. The ful m’dammes broad bean and tomato salad has a tasty dressing, but the highlight is the salatit fattoush. This Syrian salad combines lettuce, sumac and crisp pita with strawberries, grapes and pomegranate. The result is incredible. The food is light and fresh but surprisingly filling. Dessert - mint tea and Turkish delight - provides the perfect palate cleanser. Take-away is available, but it’s also a pleasant place to sit in, with art on the walls and music playing.
153
Modern Australian
VIC | Northcote
Pearl Oyster
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 4
238 High Street, Northcote 03 9077 4772 Snacks $4 - 8 Meals $6 - 10 Dessert $3 - 5
Wed - Sun Wed - Sun
12pm - 3pm 5.30 - 9.30pm
Pearl Oyster will charm you with its quirky, fifties-style décor: handcrafted laminex tables, mismatching chairs, adorable crockery, eccentric decorations and menus sewn into old geography books all create a warm and cosy atmosphere. The staff are warm and friendly, though service can be a bit slow, especially when it’s busy, which is practically always on the weekends. The menu is vegetarian friendly and vegan options are available, though not marked. It’s the small details like having dairy-free margarine and cream cheese on the menu that makes vegans feel very welcome! The field mushrooms are amazing, served on toast with avocado, lemon, rocket and dukkah. Sometimes a scrambled tofu appears on the specials menu, and it’s always fabulous when it’s there. Even simple orders like hummus on toasted rye, or raison toast with cream cheese, are done superbly well. For something a little out of the ordinary, go directly to the Tokyo rainbow salad. There is garden seating out the back which is great in summer. There’s no better place in the area to enjoy a lazy breakfast or lunch. 154
Various
Carlton | VIC
Shakahari
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 5
201-203 Faraday Street, Carlton 03 9347 3848 | www.shakahari.com.au Entrees $11.50 - 14.50 Mains $18.50 - 19.50 Desserts $9.50 - 13.50
Mon - Sat Sun - Thu Fri - Sat
12pm - 3pm 6pm - 9.30pm 6pm - 10.30pm
Shakahari is the oldest vegetarian restaurant in Melbourne and also one of the nicest. The beautiful interiors lend a fine-dining feel to this well priced restaurant. The menu changes every few months, but many of the classics remain. The Tale of Avocado Rolls is one of these, lightly-fried fresh avocado, capsicum and eggplant tempura. The Double Happiness entree is wok-tossed Chinese-style gnocchi with a tasty ponzu sauce, demonstrating perfectly the East-West fusion that Shakahari does so well. The Bandit Queen is a delicious Indian style mixed vegetable curry with fluffy turmeric rice and the rustichella linguini is a tasty basil pesto and mushroom pasta dish. Vegans are well catered for with a number of dessert choices and the wine list is excellent. Service is friendly and helpful and the wait staff are always willing to tell you more about the food and offer their recommendations. It is worthwhile booking at Shakahari, as it often fills up quickly.
155
Cafe
VIC | Parkville
Melbourne Uni Food Co-op
Food 4 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 4
1st Floor Union House, Melbourne University, Parkville 03 9347 8716 | www.foodcoop.org.au Snacks $3.50 - 5 Meals $5 - 6 Sweets $2.50 - 5
Mon - Fri
10am - 4.30pm
The Co-op has been serving wholesome veggie food to cashstrapped students for years and is deservedly popular with vegetarians and omnivores alike. Most options are vegan and there is a limited range of gluten free menu items as well. The curry of the day represents great value and comes in a generous serving. There is a big range of mostly-vegan pies, which are thick, rustic and wholesomely delicious. Tasty cakes and sweet treats available by the slice, as is chai and a large variety of freshly brewed teas. Customers are asked to bring their own containers and takeaway food is presented on paper rather than in plastic containers or bags. The Co-op is also home to an organic wholefoods market, with bulk dry goods, including flours and lentils and refrigerated goodies like tofu. Limited seating is available but the wait for a spot usually isn’t too long, so browse the shop before settling in for a tasty, healthy lunch.
156
Bakery
East Brunswick | VIC
Sugardough
Food 4 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 4
163 Lygon St, East Brunswick 03 9380 4060 Meals $3 - 10 Sweets $1 - 6
Tue - Fri Sat
7.30am - 5pm 7.30am - 4pm
Sugardough is adorable. Floral plates on the walls, glass cabinets full of delicious looking treats and quaint round tables all contribute to its charm. It’s teeny and at busy times it can be near impossible to get a table, but almost everything offered is just as easy to package up to take away. Open for breakfast and lunch, Sugardough has its share of savoury delights - pies, soups, goulash, salads and tarts, as well as freshly baked bread by the loaf. But it’s the sweet treats that are the real drawcard. The window is full of traditional Italian bakery items - croissants, pastries and bombolini doughnuts with a variety of fillings. Inside, the choices are even more varied - cupcakes, shortbreads, muffins, brownies and cakes. There are a few vegan options, including a delectable apple and raspberry slice, which is thick and moist and can also be bought whole, as can a number of the cakes here. The staff are friendly, and it’s a sweet place to sit outside with a chai on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
157
Lebanese
VIC | Brunswick
Tabet’s Bakery
Food 5 Service 4 Ambience 2 Value 5
607 Sydney Road, Brunswick 03 9387 3461 Mains
$2.50+
Mon - Sun
7pm - 10pm
Tabet’s continues to be a popular food stop for northside vegans - with food this good and rock-bottom prices, what’s not to love? Vegetarian choices are limited but it’s well worth a visit. For $2.50, grab a traditional Lebanese spinach pie, heated to order in an open gas oven. Or try the oregano pizza with fresh garden salad, always a winner at $2.50. The Lebanese-style pizza consists of unleavened mountain bread sprinkled with an oregano-za’atar spice mix that is heated through before being topped with a refreshingly healthy salad. It’s then rolled up and presented in a paper bag. The store is simple, with a few plastic tables inside and out and of course the food lends itself well to taking away to eat on the go. There are also some take-home dips available, and strong Middle Eastern coffee is also on the menu. Tabet’s is cheap, convenient and consistently good, definitely a local favourite. Also at: 355 High Street, Preston (03 9470 4387)
158
Pub
East Brunswick | VIC
East Brunswick Club
Food 4 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 4
280 Lygon Street, East Brunswick 03 9388 2794 | www.eastbrunswickclub.com Mains $6 - 20 Desserts $7.50 - 8 Specials $12
Mon - Fri Sat Sun
6pm - 9.30pm 2pm - 4pm 6pm - 9pm
The East is a happening hangout serving up beer, good times and traditional pub grub to the vegan masses. The vegan ‘chicken’ parma is much raved about, though the menu also extends to ‘fish’ and chips, nachos and pastas. Yes, the menu is an extravaganza of fat and mock ‘meat’, but totally delicious and perfect with an icy cold beer. If you are having trouble choosing from the menu, why not try something that has a bit of everything, such as the interesting nacho parmaparma, corn chips, chilli, sour cream, cheese and guacamole, all vegan, try it if you dare. More understated options are the delicious cheese and ‘bacon’ and ‘chicken’ burgers. Everything comes with a side of chips. There are good specials available early in the week - $12 burgers on Monday, $12 parmas on Tuesday and $12 pastas on Wednesday, along with $12 jugs. Desserts are quite indulgent for a pub and include great cakes and brownies, including delicious vegan cheesecakes.
159
Vietnamese
VIC | Brunswick
Greenfield
Food 4 Service 2 Ambience 2 Value 5
378 Sydney Rd, Brunswick 03 9380 8222 Entrees $3.50 - $5 Mains $7 - $11 Desserts $4 - $4.50
Mon - Sun Mon - Sun
11.30 - 3pm 5pm - 11pm
This busy Vietnamese restaurant is ideal for a weeknight dinner or weekend lunch. Staff are attentive if a little standoffish, but always happy to answer questions. At first the menu seems to be an overwhelming array of beef, chicken and seafood dishes, but there are enough vegetarian dishes to provide ample choice. Most are variations on tofu and vegetables, with a couple of eggplant dishes. One dish curiously includes fish sauce, but other dishes are made using vegetarian oyster sauce. For starters there’s the vegetable spring rolls or rice paper rolls. Light meals include noodle soup and vegetable and bean curd soup. The tofu steak with shiitake sauce is a must for mushroom lovers. The stand-out dish though is the satay stack - thin slabs of fried tofu layered with mixed stir fried veggies on a bed of shredded lettuce, all slathered in thick, rich, creamy satay sauce. Portion sizes are extremely generous, and prices very reasonable. Sadly there are no vegan dessert options, but vegetarians can enjoy classics like deep fried ice-cream. Try the fresh lemonade for a refreshing thirst quencher. 160
Italian
East Brunswick | VIC
Vege2Go
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 4
452 Lygon Street, East Brunswick 03 9384 6200 | www.vege2go.com.au Snacks $4.25 - 8.95 Meals $9.95 Sweets $2.80 - 6.50
Mon - Fri Sat
7.30am - 8pm 7.30am - 6pm
Vege2Go offers a range of homestyle Italian food well marked with V (vegan) and G (gluten free) symbols. The menu offers pick and mix options including mains, salads, snacks, soups and sweets. A range of triangles and focaccias make fillings snacks, as do the hearty soups, including a delicious chunky lentil and seasonal pumpkin. Mains are similarly substantial. The vegetable casserole with quinoa is incredibly filling, while the mushroom and baby spinach risotto is a taste sensation. The lasagna and parmas are deservedly popular and delicious. Sides are fresh and varied. The celery and bean salad, garlic-tossed broccoli and Italian potato salad are particularly good. Sweets range from the small - almond biscuits and banana bread - to the decadent, with vegan tiramisu and chocolate mousse among others. Breakfast is also available and includes toast ($5-6), vegan muffins ($3) and soy yoghurt muesli ($5.50). The juices and smoothies are fresh and delicious, as is the unusual kombucha fermented tea.
161
Middle Eastern
VIC | Coburg
Half Moon CafĂŠ
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 2 Value 4
13 Victoria Street, The Mall, Coburg 03 9350 2949 Mains
$5.50
Mon - Fri Sat
10am - 10pm 10am - 5pm
Although falafel stores are a dime a dozen on Sydney Road and can be tiring as a stand-by vegan option, Half Moon Cafe is worth checking out. The Egyptian-style falafel are cooked using fava beans which have, according to the proprietors, a better taste and superior texture to the usual chickpea-based offerings. Their many customers agree and Half Moon has a big (though arguable) reputation as Melbourne’s best falafel joint, catch the number 19 tram up Sydney Road to decide for yourself. There are a range of falafel wraps with various fillings on offer but the pick of the bunch is the traditional falafel, with lettuce, tomato, tahini and pickles. The simple toppings let the amazing flavour of the falafel really shine through. There are also a range of tasty homemade bean salads and dips available to takeaway and falafel can also be done to go. Although it gets busy, service is fast, friendly and helpful. Eat on the run or sit at one of the tables in the bustling mall out the front.
162
Asian
Brunswick | VIC
Tom Phat
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 5 Value 4
184 Sydney Road, Brunswick 03 9381 2374 | www.tomphat.com.au Entrées $5 - 14 Mains $16 - 20 Dessert $6 - 9
Wed - Fri Sat & Sun
8pm - 11pm 8am - 11pm
Tom Phat is a great local. The modern Asian restaurant is warm and welcoming with a hip interior of concrete and wood, the service is friendly and efficient and the prices are reasonable. Open all day, it serves up fantastic breakfast and coffees and the kitchen is open for lunch and meals in the evening. Best of all, the food is fantastic and the menu caters well to vegans. For brunch don’t go past the protein-heavy sticky soy wrap with marinated tofu and tempeh wrapped with salad in a roti ($10.90), the scrambled tofu is another one to look out for. Lunch options include freshly prepared stirfries. At dinner, good choices include nasi goring with tofu and tempeh skewers marinated in a sweet soy tamarind sauce is great (vegans hold the egg, $16), silken tofu and vegetables stirfried with red curry paste and lime leaves ($16) and the Buddha’s delight claypot with tofu, mushroom, blackbean and bean thread noodles ($17). The Fairtrade organic coffee is always good and they have a good booze list for the evening - or afternoon, if you’re after a boozy lunch.
163
Indian
VIC | Preston
Ganaeshaa Villas
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 2 Value 4
4 Cramer St, Preston 03 9471 9399 Entrees $2.40 - 6 Mains $6 - 7 Desserts $2 - 2.50 Deals $12 - 13
Tue - Thu Tue - Thu Fri - Sun
11am - 2pm 5pm - 9pm 11am - 9pm
This tiny family run vegetarian restaurant in the heart of Preston may not look like much, but what it lacks in atmosphere it makes up for in flavour and value. Serving up home style South Indian favourites, Ganaeshaa’s is perfect for picking up a quick snack, or sitting down to an affordable and impressive selection of traditional dishes for lunch or dinner. The Vada (savoury lentil donut) is particularly tasty and great value for money. Seating is very limited so phoning ahead is advisable. Set menus are available and for those who like a little taste of everything the Thali (traditional South Indian brunch) is popular on the weekend. There are plenty of vegan and gluten free options, though none are clearly marked. Many of the curries are made with ghee and some contain milk, so be sure to ask the friendly staff. If you’re feeling adventurous try one of the ayurvedic menu items such as the herbal sandwich or order the masala dosa served on a tin plate (sans cutlery) for a truly authentic South Indian dining experience.
164
Bakery
Preston | VIC
La Panella Bakery
Food 5 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 5
465 High Street, Preston 03 9478 4443 Snacks $1.50 - $3 Sweets 30c - $2.50
Mon - Fri Sat Sun
6am - 6pm 6am - 5pm 6am - 4pm
La Panella’s bakery goods are greatly appreciated by the vegans of Melbourne for being tasty and incredible cheap. The pie warmer offers a range of treats, though it is hard to choose between the pies (with TVP, gravy and mushroom) or large sausage rolls, though both are equally more-ish, there’s no shame in getting one of each. Under the counter are traditional bakery goods done vegan and include donuts (iced and jam), coffee scrolls, apple slices and Boston buns. Happily, vegan items are well marked. Even more happily, nothing costs more than a few bucks and quite a lot is significantly cheaper. Bread is available at under $2 a loaf. There is no seating in the store, but the food is all portable and lends itself well to tucking straight into on the street outside, or there are park benches across the road. Those with more self-restraint could take their meal home to eat instead! Pies and sausage rolls are also available cold to stock up your freezer.
165
Various
VIC | Bundoora
Lifeskills Cafe
Food 3 Service 2 Ambience 3 Value 3
Shop 15, Agora, La Trobe Universtiy, Bundoora 03 9479 1474 | www.lifeskillscafe.com.au Snacks $2.90 - 5.50 Meals $5.30 - 7.90 Sweets $2 - 4.20
Mon - Fri
8.30am - 4pm
Being the only vegetarian cafe at La Trobe’s Bundoora campus, Lifeskills offers a welcome alternative to the greasy curries and lacklustre sandwiches available elsewhere. There is limited seating inside, several tables outside and plenty of green spots and bench seating close by. Prices are quite high considering its student clientele, but it still manages to attract a faithful crowd every day. The menu features a variety of fresh salads, soup, hot dishes, burgers, vegan patties and Japanese pancakes. Portion sizes are a little disappointing and there are very few vegan options. One draw card, however, is that it’s also the only place on campus to serve Fairtrade coffee. It may not be the nicest coffee you’ve ever had, but you can sip your latte with a clear conscience and soy milk is available. Cakes and cookies are a popular sugar fix, but for vegans the choice is even more limited than the savoury menu, with the vegan slice and dairy-free chocolate bars being the only things available.
166
Indian
Richmond | VIC
Vegetarian Nirvana Cafe
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 5
486 Bridge Rd, Richmond 9428 1408 | www.nirvanacafe.com Entrées $2.50 - 7.50 Mains $8.50 - 14.50 Desserts $3.80 - 4.50 Banquets $25
Thu - Sat Mon - Sun
12pm - 3pm 5.30pm - 10.30pm
Arguably the best veg Indian restaurant in Melbourne, Vegetarian Nirvana Cafe offers excellent value for money in a cheery, welcoming atmosphere. There are few dishes that aren’t worth trying and many are gems. If you’re into mushrooms don’t go past the Shabnam curry, with its rich peppery sauce. The vegan koftas, containing a medley of vegies, are also delicious. Entrée favourites such as samosas, bhajis and pakoras are tasty but not outstanding, the samosas have a mushy filling wrapped in thin filo pastry. If you’ve resisted the temptation to order way too much and still have room for dessert, the halava is highly recommended, it’s a warm, semolina-like treat made from besan flour, and encrusted with pistachios. The chai is some of the best in Melbourne. There are many vegan and glutenfree options and for group bookings, the $25-a-head set menu can be modified to suit your dietary requirements, making Vegetarian Nirvana a great option for special occasions. Service is fast and friendly, and take away is also available. 167
Various
VIC | Richmond
Tofu Shop International
Food 5 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 4
78 Bridge Road, Richmond 03 9429 6204 Entrées $4 - 8 Mains $7 - 20 Desserts $4 - 8.50
Mon - Fri Sat
12 - 8pm 12 - 5pm
The Tofu Shop international serves Melbourne’s best tofu, hands-down. There is no menu, just an assortment of dishes that can be mixed and matched to order. Just pick a plate size and select from the range of curries and salads, then choose dips and toppings to accompany the meal. The options are mostly tofu, but there are some great vegetable-based dishes on rotation as well and the toppings are epic in choice - from satay sauce and chilli to olives, sourdough strips and more. Dairy-free options are marked. The food is of a very high standard and the chef’s attention to detail is apparent in the interesting and fresh flavours of the dishes. In addition to the mix plates, there’s a felafel wrap with pickled ginger that is worth trying. Another favourite is the tofu ice cream, a tasty soft-serve style dessert that comes in flavours on rotation. Seating is limited in the tiny shop. Takeaway is available and fresh tofu is also available to take home and cook yourself.
168
Fast food
Richmond | VIC
Urban Burger Richmond
Food 3 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 4
174 Swan Street, Richmond 03 9429 9822 | www.urbanburger.com.au Meals
$9.50 - 14
Mon - Sun
11am - 10pm
A gourmet burger joint with vegetarian and vegan options? Yes please! Urban Burger is a growing chain of trendy burger places that offer the same menu across the state. With a focus on ‘healthy’ burgers, or at least not artery-clogging unhealthy burgers, the bread is low-GI or gluten free ($1.20 extra), the chips are cooked in vegetable oil and the buns can be dropped altogether on request. Try the vegan vibe burger ($9.50) with a lentil and kidney patty, avocado, salad and relish - a tasty treat. The blissful Buddah is also good, with a tofu and vegetable patty, rocket, carrot, tangy relish and herb and chili aioli. For a little extra something, order a dipping sauce to go with the tasty fries. There are Urban Burger stores with the same menu across Melbourne, including: Balaclava, Docklands, Elwood Glen Waverly, Niddrie, North Melbourne and Port Melbourne, see website for address details. Most stores are eat in and takeaway.
169
Vietnamese
VIC | Richmond
Thanh Nga Nine
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 4
160 Victoria Street, Richmond 03 9427 7068 EntrĂŠes $3 - 12 Mains $12 - 25 Desserts $4 - 10
Mon - Sun
10am - 10pm
A relative newcomer to the Victoria Street strip, Thanh Nga Nine is a welcome oasis for vegetarians. Offering about 20 vegetarian and vegan options, the menu is chock-full of tasty Vietnamese dishes. Best of all, the restaurant has a great attitude towards vegetarians so you can be sure no stray oyster sauce will make its way into your meal! Most of the dishes feature excellent mock meat, which is well-cooked, interesting and realistic. At about $12 a main they are also well-priced. There are three kinds of vegetarian pho and each of them is delicious, a great lunch time option. For dessert, try the tofu balls. As unappealing as they sound, here the tofu takes on a creamy texture and is guaranteed to please. In fact, the food is consistently interesting and good at Thanh Nga Nine. It’s always freshly prepared and bursting with delicious flavours. Go see for yourself. And if you like it, maybe ask about their function room with karaoke for your next party.
170
Malaysian
Hawthorn | VIC
Penang Coffee House
Food 3 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 4
549 Burwood Road, Hawthorn 03 9819 2092 Entrées $3 - 6 Mains $8 - 11.20 Desserts $5.50
Tue - Fri & Sun Tue - Sun
11.30am - 2.30pm 5 - 9.30pm
Penang Coffee House does a roaring trade right across the day, though the menu is more limited at lunchtime. In the evening, there is a whole page dedicated to vegan dishes. The pick of the entrées is Tauhu Goring, tofu stuffed with cucumber and bean shoots topped with a tasty satay sauce. Mains are all about the noodles dishes, be they laksa, hokkien mee or kaoy teow. The sauce-heavy veggie and tofu curries are also good. Many dishes are quite fiery so choose carefully if your tastebuds don’t run to hot! Friendly staff are wellinformed about the menu and are happy to answer your questions about the food and also to suggest what to order. Be warned the roti is not vegan as it’s fried in ghee. Penang Coffee House has a plain décor and the service is efficient, turning around customers fast, so don’t expect to linger.
171
Indian
VIC | Hawthorn
Gujarati Rasoi
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 3 Value 5
628 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn 03 9818 3535 | www.gujaratirasoi.com.au EntrĂŠes $1.90 - 6.90 Mains $5.90 - 9.90 Desserts $3 - 4
Mon - Sun
10am - 10pm
Gujarati Rasoi is a new veg restaurant in Hawthorn, focussing on cuisine from the vegetarian state of Gujarat in India. The shop is small and usually jumping with hungry students, as the prices are very low and offer good bang for buck. The rice and two curries at $4.90 is amazing value and the rice and three curries at $6.90 is not far behind! For starters, the samosas are very tasty and for sweets don’t go past the carrot halva. The Gujarati thali ($9.90) is a good choice and comes with rice, bread, condiments and curries, so a great way to sample a range of the food. Drinks run to tea and lassis. The food is fresh, plentiful and tasty, with generous serves, check with your server about vegan options before you order. They also offer catering and a very cheap tiffin service, see website for more info. A new sister store will soon be open at 432 Bridge Road, Richmond.
172
Mexican
Hawthorn | VIC
High Tech Burrito
Food 3 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 3
838 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn 03 9818 1482 | www.hightechburrito.com.au Meals
$7 - 14
Sun - Thu Fri & Sat
11am - 9.30pm 11am - 10pm
High Tech Burrito is a US chain that has opened its first Aussie store in Hawthorn. Vegetarians and vegans are well catered for at this made-to-order burrito shop, with options marked V and V (different colours though!) and staff who know exactly what’s in what. Choose from the menu or customise a burrito from scratch, with a base of beans or grilled tofu. The braised tofu or California burritos are good options, or replace the meat in any burrito with tofu or beans (choice of black or pinto). Tacos and sides are also available, including tortilla chips and guacamole. High Tech Burrito is about healthy meals rather than authentic Mexican cuisine, but the food is nevertheless fresh and satisfying. For gluten free or those looking for low-carb options, drop the tortilla and have your toppings served in a bowl. The store is small and cute, a nice space to eat in. Takeaway is also available. Nutritional info is available on the website.
173
Pizza
VIC | Hawthorn
Plush Pizza
Food 5 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 4
85 Burwood Road, Hawthorn 03 9819 1188 | www.plushpizza.com.au Snacks $6 - 14 Meals $8 - 23
Mon - Sun
4.30pm - 10pm
Plush Pizza makes consistently delicious, well priced pizzas and serves them with a smile. With a nod to the traditional style pizzas (margherita, barbeque), Plush mostly specialises in more interesting and gourmet creations. The Leaf Eater is light and refreshing. Sublime’s fried tofu and satay sauce makes the perfect combo and Tom Yum combines Thai tom yum sauce, tofu, tomato and mushrooms, resulting in an amazing taste sensation. The pizzas are all veganisable, for a small fee and can also be made gluten free. Plush was originally take-away only but now has a few small tables it’s a little squished, but it saves you from wondering if your pizza will still be hot when you get it home. Soft drinks are available and in true pizza shop style, you get a free large drink if you spend over $30. Plush also sell a small range of vegan foods and lollies, so when you’re done with pizza, you can take home a little chocolate or fudge for dessert. Well worth a visit.
174
Various
South Yarra | VIC
Veg Out Time
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 2 Value 4
366 Chapel Street, South Yarra 03 9827 7570 EntrĂŠes $1.50 - 4 Mains $7.50 - 12
Mon - Sun
12pm - 10pm
Veg Out Time is a little takeaway shop that also has limited seating inside and out. There is a menu for dishes cooked to order which includes things like noodles, laksa, tom yum, salads and various stir-fries, other dishes are cooked in bulk and served from a bain marie. The pre-cooked food is cheaper, at $9-10 for a bowl of rice with two or three curry options. There are a range of takeaway sizes and prices. Dishes change daily but there are always plenty of marked vegan options and there is an indication of whether the food is mild or spicy. Popular dishes include the enjoyably sweet yellow tofu with mushrooms and the eggplant and sweet potato masala. Eat-in serving sizes are huge. For starters or a snack there are a range of rotismosas and spring rolls for just a few bucks a pop. The St Kilda and Chapel Street stores are practically identical in ambience and offerings.
175
Modern Australian
VIC | St Kilda
Soul Mama
Food 3 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 3
St Kilda Sea Baths, 10-18 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda 03 9525 3338 | www.soulmama.com.au Snacks $6.50 - 12 Meals $14.50 - 19.50 Sweets $10 Banquets $29 - 37
Mon - Sun
12pm - late
Soul Mama isn’t short on atmosphere, with a stunning view of Port Philip Bay through the enormous windows, aromas of incense and staff who are generally cool and bubbly. It’s a perfect spot for functions and can’t be faulted in terms of the range of offerings, including one of the most extensive selections of tea you’re ever likely to find in a restaurant. Its buffet style dining has its pros and cons: although you can try a number of dishes, mixing and matching, inevitably the food in some of the bain maries tends to look (and in some cases taste) a little tired. If you’re hungry opt for four or five dishes in a bowl or thali. If you actually want to differentiate between flavours, go with the thali, since everything tends to get mixed up in the bowl. Dishes available will vary from visit to visit, but there’s usually a dhal, several curries, stir fries and a pasta bake, along with salads. Highlights have included the moong dahl, miso eggplant and the yellow veg and tofu curry.
176
Various
South Yarra | VIC
Beangreen Vegetarian Café
Food 3 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 3
Shop 804, Prahran Market, 163 Commercial Rd, South Yarra 03 8504 2163 Snacks $3.50 - 7.50 Meals $8.50 - 10.50 Sweets $2.50 - 8.50
Mon - Tue Thu - Sat Sun
8am - 5pm 8am - 5pm 10am - 4pm
Beangreen offers veg cuisine with African and Asian influences. It’s situated ‘semi-outdoors’ in the Prahran market food court, a popular spot with families on the weekend, with lots of little ones running around. If you’ve never tried seitan (a wheat gluten-based meat substitute), the seitan burger with the lot is a good place to start. The seitan is beautifully marinated and though it’s characteristically a little chewy and difficult to cut, it’s very tasty all the same. This is definitely a ‘knife and fork’ burger, loaded with beetroot, tomato, carrot, rocket and a side of tangy beetroot dip, none of which can be faulted for freshness. The Singapore noodles are also worth a look they’re spiced up and reasonably authentic, with a few slices of mock-pork thrown in. Other mains include dumpling soup, tom yum, laksa and ‘designer fried rice’ (choice of Japanese, Malaysian, African or biryani style). There’s also a vegan breakfast with scrambled tofu, rocket, tomato and mushroom served on toast, plus a range of salads. Beangreen’s African chai is full-flavoured and deliciously spicy. 177
Chinese
VIC | St Kilda
Lau’s Family Kitchen
Food 5 Service 5 Ambience 4 Value 4
4 Acland St, St Kilda 03 8598 9880 | www.lauskitchen.com.au Entrees $8 - 18 Mains $18 - 30 Desserts $9 - 10
Sun - Fri Mon - Sun
12pm - 3pm 6pm - 10pm
Tasting authentic, quality Chinese cuisine can be the most breathtaking of surprises for those more familiar with the wilted bok choy and bottled sauce at the local takeaway. Lau’s is indeed a family affair, from the family of Gilbert Lau of Flower Drum fame and it offers superb Cantonese-style dishes. The attentive and professional staff are well-informed about veg cuisine and a number of menu items are vegan or can easily be made so, it is important to mention that you’re veg when booking. Serves are on the small side to allow you eat a multi-course meal in traditional style, so be prepared to order up to four courses. Try the fresh and spongey salt and pepper tofu, the hot and sour soup with its incredible three-stage release of flavour, or the spicy and well-textured ma po tofu. Lau’s prices are very reasonable for the quality of food, service and lovely dining room. Be sure to book ahead as Lau’s is rightly busy. Lau’s is a restaurant that champions quality Chinese cuisine, and it does its family proud.
178
Various
St Kilda | VIC
Lentil As Anything
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 5
41 Blessington Street, St Kilda 03 9534 5833 | www.lentilasanything.com Pay what you feel
Mon - Sun
10am - 9.30pm
The original Lentil As Anything is a slightly chaotic but mainly calming little place in the heart of St Kilda. The décor, music and staff are all laid-back, welcoming and down-to-earth. The small menu is vegetarian with plenty of vegan and wheat free options. It includes Lentil classics like okonomiyakirm Vietnamese salad and tasty lentil and tofu burgers. All the meals are filling and made with fresh, organic ingredients. The mixed curry platter is a good bet if you’re dining with a friend as you get a taste of several delicious meals in one. The India veg curry with dhal, served with red rice and a more-ish eggplant relish, is especially good. There’s soy hot chocolate and a range of teas on offer but don’t go past a steaming mug of house blend chai tea with soy milk (hold the honey), it’s delicious. The honesty box sits up on the kitchen counter.
179
Cafe
VIC | Brighton East
The Calmer Sutra Teahouse
Food 3 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 4
622 Hawthorn Road, Brighton East 03 9596 8460 | www.calmersutratea.com.au Snacks $3 - 6 Meals $7.50 - 9.50 Sweets $5
Tue - Fri Sat
8.30am - 4pm 8.30am - 3pm
In a small suburban shopping strip is a little oasis of fragrant calm. Enter the Calmer Sutra Teahouse and take in the rich smell of the tea and chai for which the cafe is known. The vegetarian-only menu has two vegan meals and two vegan-optional dishes, as well as a number of little sweets and treats. The vegan-optional burger is a great lunch - a crunchy, crispy chickpea patty with delicious satay on an excellent wholemeal bun, accompanied by a cut-above side salad of avocado and grated zucchini - is excellent value at $9.50 as well as being freshly made and extremely tasty. A range of desserts, vegan and vegetarian, are also available. The friendly staff are aware of vegan requirements. Sadly, however, the chai mix used at Calmer Sutra includes honey in its preparation, so vegans will miss out on sampling the signature product. Luckily there is a wide and interesting range of teas available which are served in lovely tea pots, staff can recommend a blend for you.
180
Pizza
Nostralis Pizza
North Caulfield | VIC Food 4 Service 5 Ambience 2 Value 4
55 Hawthorn Road, North Caulfield 03 9528 4961 | www.nostralis.com EntrĂŠes $4.50 Tue - Thu Mains $8.50 - 15 Fri - Sat Desserts $4 Sun Pick-up & delivery deals available
5.30pm - 10.30pm 5.30pm - 11pm 5.30pm - 10pm
Nostralis is a long established healthy pizza place that has been serving up quality food to Caulfield locals for simply ages. Its meals are all wholesome and as healthy as a pizza could possible be - bases are made with organic wholemeal flour and toppings utilise the freshest ingredients. There is no soy cheese available and vegans beware that the cheese they do serve has rennet. Staff are chatty and friendly and the happy vibe of the place is evidenced in the loopy humour of the menus. Pizzas tend to the gourmet side of things and the prices reflect that. If you’re not sure what to order, the Nostralis is a good bet, with an interesting combination of bean shoots, capsicum, onion, olives, soy beans, pineapple, chilli, garlic and fresh herbs. Other pizzas have slightly less orthodox toppings, including curry paste, bananas, sultanas and - well - all sorts of things really! As a result pretty much any tastes can be catered for, from the simple to the outthere. For sweets don’t go past the homemade apple crumble.
181
Cafe
VIC | Balaclava
Las Chicas Café
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 3
203 Carlisle St, Balaclava 03 9531 3699 Snacks $6 - 12 Meals $8 - 14 Sweets $5 - 10
Mon - Sun
7am - 5pm
Balaclava is a happening spot for vegetarians and Las Chicas is one of its hipper offerings. Bright and busy, it’s a fantastic spot to chill out and enjoy good coffee and great food. The helpful waiters run about all over the place and can not just help sorting out what’s veg, but will tell you confidently how long meals will take during busy periods as well. All meals are freshly made and the attention to detail is obvious in the great tasting and flavoursome meals. During quieter times the kitchen will adapt menu items but alterations usually aren’t accommodated when it’s busy, however, there is plenty to pick from the menu for vegans. For example, vegans could try the mushroom and avocado on pide, the richly-flavoured homemade baked beans or the incredible polenta loaf. There are plenty of eggy dishes for vegetarians also. The coffee here is fine and the latte soy dandelion is a popular choice with regulars.
182
Cafe
Balaclava | VIC
Feedmee
Food 3 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 4
215 Carlisle Street, Balaclava 03 9527 4511 | www.feedmee.com.au Meals
$10 - 12
Mon - Sun
11.30am - 11pm
At Feedmee diners can choose three things: a spud, a salad or soup. That said, the menu is more interesting than those options would indicate, offering a range of healthy and tasty meals on offer. There is a set menu available as well as the option to create your own spud, salad or soup from the ingredients available. Try the Raw Power spud, with broccoli, cabbage, chickpeas, tomato, carrot and spinach, or the Oh Dhal! with dhal, red onion, peas, carrot, cucumber and vegans hold the cheese and yoghurt. On the salad front, the Great Bowl of China packs a punch with spinach, corn, green beans, tomato, cucumber, capsicum and a zingy lime and ginger dressing. The soups are numerous and include a taste pumpkin and lentil and vegetarian minestrone, double check the vegan credentials of the soups. All the food is fresh and wholesome, with low GI carbs and low fat everything. Food is available to eat in or take away.
183
Cafe
VIC | Elsternwick
Glo Health
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 3
358 Glenhuntly Road, Elsternwick 03 9523 7824 | www.glohealth.com.au Snacks $4 Meals $5 - 9 Sweets $3 - 5
Mon - Thu Fri & Sat Sun
8am - 7pm 8am - 6pm 11am - 3pm
Less cafe and more grocery store that also serves food, Glo Health is nevertheless a worthwhile place to visit and eat at. A typical health food store, Glo has aisles of vitamins, organic produce and healthy-life products for sale. Past these is a small area for sitting in and a counter serving a varied selection of pre-prepared cafe-style snacks available to eat-in or takeaway. There are also some tables out the front of the store. There are loads of vegan options and the food runs towards the wholesome. Try the quinoa tabouli, beetroot curry or tofu and avocado-filled nori roll. There are also sweet treats, such as vegan muffins and a muesli slice. Chai, coffee and yummy hot chocolates are served with Bonsoy. Smoothies, juices and wheatgrass shots are also available. Glo Health is a one-stop holistic shop, as there are also natural medicine services (massage and naturopathy) upstairs.
184
Indian
East Malvern | VIC
Gujju’s Cafe & Chat House
Food 4 Service 5 Ambience 2 Value 5
1/141 Waverly Road, East Malvern 03 9571 1188 | www.gujjus.com.au Entrees $3.50 Mains $7.50 - 7.90 Buffet $16.90
Mon - Sun
11.30am - 10.30pm
Gujju’s serves up traditional South Indian chaat (small dishes meant for sharing) from Gujarat, a region renowned for it’s spicy vegetarian food. The menu is small and simple, but the food is authentic, rustic and wholesome. For a little bit of everything, try the thali - all-you-can-eat curries and dahl served on compartmentalised metal plates, great value at $16.90. Your host will come along to refill whichever dish you require until you’re too full to continue! Curries are fiery, so take full advantage of the rice and delicious hand-made flat breads. Accompanying dishes of pickled vegetables, tangy lentil soup, fried morsels and dessert make this a wellrounded meal. Some of the dishes contain yoghurt, but this can usually be left out. Just ask the polite, friendly staff and they’ll tailor a meal to suit your needs. A trip to Gujju’s is well worth the effort. Affordable and extremely good value, it’s a great place to go with groups. Seating is limited though so make sure to phone ahead. Takeaway is also available. There is a sister store in Hawthorn.
185
Asian
VIC | Ormond
Global Vegetarian
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 3 Value 5
499 North rd, Ormond 03 9578 9566 Entrees $3 - 8.80 Mains $9.80 Desserts $4.50
Wed - Sat Wed - Sat
11am - 3pm 5pm - 9pm
This is one of the best-value veg eateries in Melbourne. Service is minimal, grab a seat, place your order at the counter and help yourself to cutlery, napkins and water. But the staff are very friendly and food is served quickly even when the place is busy (so quickly that your main course may arrive before you’ve finished your entrée). Serving sizes are generous. Along with a host of dishes from across Asia, there’s a risotto and three pasta dishes, with the option of vegan tofu cream in place of dairy. There are several stir fries, including a tom yum with veggies, tofu and a mildly hot sauce, served on rice. The kitchen cooks up a mean laksa too. It’s not every day you see a deep fried tofu bar listed on the menu, but this entrée is unlikely to convert any of the antitofu brigade, it’s simply unmarinated tofu deep fried with a sweet and sour tomato sauce. Maybe try the rice paper rolls instead, or one of the soups. If you BYO, there’s a $1.10 charge per wine glass.
186
Modern Australian
Balaclava | VIC
Monk Bodhi Dharma
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 5 Value 4
Rear, 202 Carlisle Street, Balaclava 03 9534 7250 | www.monkbodhidharma.com.au Entrées $1.50 - 2.90 Mains $7.50 - 9.90
Mon - Fri Sat & Sun
6.30am - 4pm 8am - 4pm
Monk Bodhi Dharma is a hip and happening vego hangout with a focus on fresh and healing foods. Everything is made in the kitchen from scratch and is mostly vegan - the café serves no eggs, meat, onions or garlic, however, the food is well-spiced, tasty and delicious. There is an all-day vegetarian breakfast menu that features raved-about vegan French toast with pears, pistachios and a caramelised topping - as well as more savoury options like toast with toppings. Look out for the special breakfast degustation events, where for $30 you can enjoy a three-course breakfast served with your choice of coffee, chai or speciality tea. The lunch menu changes daily and is ayurvedic, usually it runs to healthy, hearty and oh-so-more-ish stews and curries. The drinks here are fantastic, with coffee roasted on-site and a selection of local, boutique coffee as well and excellent teas such as genmachai - Japanese green tea with roasted rice. Monk Bodhi Dharma is tiny and gorgeously decked out and deserves its newly-anointed position as one of Melbourne’s best veg restaurants. 187
Asian
VIC | Chelsea
Borneo Café and Noodle Bar
Food 4 Service 5 Ambience 3 Value 4
16/446 Nepean Hwy, Chelsea 03 9776 1034 Entrees $3.50 - 10.50 Mains $8.90 - 17.90 Desserts $5.50
Mon - Sat
10am - 10pm
At first glance, the menu for Borneo Café and Noodle reads like any other suburban Asian eatery - noodles, rice, curry, etc. Vegetarian options appear few and fairly standard. Then you read a little note on the menu - nearly everything can be made vegan with mock meat! The staff are incredibly helpful, pointing out what cannot be made vegan and explaining why, double checking your dietary requirements and giving recommendations based on what you like. The food is delicious - the lemon ‘chicken’ tastes just like that favourite dish from when you were a kid, the fried rice is flavoursome and the kung po ‘chicken’ is spicy without being overpowering. The restaurant itself is cute and quiet and Borneo doubles as a café during the day, serving coffee alongside toasted sandwiches and sweets. It’s the faux meat that draws you in though - soy-based and very light, it’s filling without that heavy feeling that so often comes from mock. If you live in the area, Borneo will deliver, otherwise it’s well worth a visit should you be passing through Chelsea.
188
Various
Mordialloc | VIC
Café Blah Blah
Food 2 Service 3 Ambience 3 Value 2
576 Main St, Mordialloc 03 9580 4576 | www.cafeblahblah.com.au Snacks $4 - 8.50 Meals $12.50 - 28.50 Sweets $5 - 8.50
Mon - Fri Sat & Sun
9am - 10pm 8am - 10pm
With its modern interior, large covered courtyard, extensive menu and child-friendly atmosphere, Café Blah Blah is a popular spot with Mordialloc locals. The busy beach town cafe serves up dinner seven days and breakfast and lunch from Thursday through the weekend. The eclectic menu offers everything from stirfries, pastas and risottos to Thai and Indian curries, burgers, wraps and tapas. Vegetarians have plenty to choose from and gluten-free and vegan options are coded on the menu. Only one dish appears to be labelled vegan - a rather bland, ‘low fat’ rice noodle stirfry. Some of the vegetarian dishes can be made vegan, though the pasta is made with egg. The roasted veggie risotto is one and while pleasant, at $18.50 it is one of the more expensive menu items. Service is prompt, though staff seem indifferent and unsure of the menu terminology. Large groups are easily accommodated, though be warned, a ‘cakeage’ fee of $1.50 per head will be charged to birthday revellers. Bookings are recommended. Take-away is available.
189
Middle Eastern
VIC | Wantirna South
Bar Bosh
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 3
509 Burwood Highway, Knox City Shopping Centre, Wantirna South 03 9887 5611 | www.barbosh.com Snacks $3.50 - 9.50 Meals $14 - 22.50 Sweets $6.50
Mon - Thu Fri Sat Sun
11am - 11pm 11am - 12am 9am - 12am 9am - 11pm
Located in the Ozone precinct at Knox City, Bar Bosh offers Middle Eastern-influenced cuisine in a warm, stylish atmosphere. Separate vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free menus are available upon request, which take a lot of the hassle out of ordering and help boost the veg-friendly vibe. The menu offers a range of tapas and mezze platters and if you’re in the mood for snacking and sharing, there are enough veg options to make these the feature of your meal. If you’d rather be fed in one hit, the barharrat tangine is hearty and chunky, with roasted seasonal vegies, chickpeas, sweet garlic and coriander kofta, the vegan version is served without labna. The mushroom and spinach Turkish pizza is simple but well-prepared, with a perfectly textured base and fresh, succulent mushrooms and spinach. A couple of years ago Bar Bosh was gathering a reputation for below-par service, however since new management took over in 2008 this seems to have been put to rights. It’s a popular place, but the noise level never gets out of hand.
190
Various
Clayton | VIC
Wholefoods
Food 2 Service 3 Ambience 3 Value 5
Monash University Clayton Campus, 1st Floor, Union Building, Clayton 03 9905 4156 | www.wholefoods.org.au Snacks Meals Sweets Specials
$1 - 1.50 $2.30 - 3.30 $2.80 $5.90
Mon - Fri 8.45am - 4pm (Semester time only)
Wholefoods is something of a Monash Uni institution. Full of politically and environmentally minded arts students, Wholefoods is a co-op run and operated by volunteers, providing a little vegetarian haven away from the food court atmosphere downstairs. The food is not always particularly exciting, for example, the laksa noodles are tasty, but the chickpea curry is a little bland. The menu does change daily and is consistently cheap and filling. Wholefoods also gives customers a few salad options (the carrot and beetroot salad is a favourite) and often a dessert, such as apple crumble or golden syrup dumplings. The restaurant only opens for lunch during semester, but the café is open in the mornings for your chai and muffin fix. A credit to the café, they don’t charge extra for soy milk and still have the cheapest coffee on campus. It can be hard to get a seat among all the people, books and computers, but the communal tables lend to the hippy vibe of the place.
191
Indian
VIC | Doncaster East
Haveli Indian Restaurant
Food 5 Service 5 Ambience 4 Value 4
32 Tunstall Square, Doncaster East 03 9842 9375 | www.haveli.com.au Snacks $3 - 12 Meals $12 - 14 Sweets $5 - 7.50
Wed - Fri Sun Mon - Sun
12pm - 2.30pm 11.30am - 2.30pm 6pm - 10.30pm
Tucked away in a shopping centre in Doncaster, Haveli Indian Restaurant offers a warm welcome and outstanding food. There is an extensive vegetarian menu (and a vegetarian South Indian brunch every Sunday) with a number of vegan options that are not specified on the menu. The service is friendly and quick and staff are familiar with vegan requirements and will happily recommend which dishes can be modified to suit. Try the Bagare Baingan ($12), an eggplant and coconut milk curry, minus the cream, for a smooth mild taste, or the Shabnam ($13), a pea and mushroom classic. Best of all, order the seasonal Bhindi masala ($14) - okra with onion, tomato, ginger and spices - for an exquisite and unusual dish. The serves seem on the small side but are filling and very well-priced for what you get. Haveli offers excellent quality, extensive variety and good value for money - it is well worth a trip to Tunstall Square for their food and lucky for you if you live in the area.
192
Indian
Dandenong | VIC
Lakshmi Vilas
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 2 Value 5
Shop 5, 31 Pulteney St, Dandenong 03 9793 7726 | www.lakshmivilas.com.au EntrĂŠes $1.50 - 5 Mains $5 - 8 Specials $7 - 10
Tue - Thu Fri - Sun
11am - 8pm 9am - 8pm
Lakshmi Vilas offers a range of south and north Indian vegetarian dishes. The special combo meal offers and thalis that combine rice with several curries are best value, however, all the food is priced low. The masala dosas are fantastic and amazing value at $7. These traditional Indian pancakes are made from rice and lentils, or semolina and are wrapped around a mildly spicy curry - designed to be eaten with your hands. Order the coconut chutney for the side. Another standout is the lime rice, a tangy rice dish cooked with split peas, fenugreek and lemon juice and topped with crunchy cashews. The plain vegetable pulau is also worth checking out. For a snack, don’t go past the Vadas, chewy and delicious deep-fried lentil doughnuts. The sweets are also enticing and the Kesari made is particularly good, made from semolina with added cashews and raisins. Although most dishes are vegan-friendly or veganisable, be sure to clearly specify no dairy when you order.
193
Asian
VIC | Doncaster
Vegie Mum
Food 3 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 3
27 Village Avenue, Doncaster 03 9816 3222 Entrées $3 - 5 Mains $8.80 - 17 Desserts $6 - 8
Tue - Sun Tue - Sun
12pm - 2.30pm 5pm - 10pm
Mock meat is the reason to go to Vegie Mum and the menu runs an interesting course from typical ‘chicken’ and ‘beef’ offerings to ‘squid’, ‘pork’ and ‘lamb’. Try the lemon ‘chicken’ or curry ‘beef’ or branch out into kung po ‘squid’ or Mongolian ‘lamb’ if you’re feeling adventurous. There is also a good selection of tofu and veggie-based dishes if the mock is not your cup of tea. The combination entrée plate remains good value, with spring rolls, curry puffs and satay skewers to share. Mains can be a bit hit and miss so choose carefully. The ‘chicken’ mushroom hotpot, filled with tender chunks of gluten, an assortment of perfectly steamed vegies and delicately flavoured with ginger, is a good pick. Popular with locals, Vegie Mum gets busy but there usually isn’t too long of a wait, as the plain interior means diners usually eat and run. Takeaway is also available.
194
Cafe
Belgrave | VIC
Belgrave Manor
Food 3 Service 4 Ambience 5 Value 3
1627 Burwood Highway, Belgrave 03 9754 7899 Meals
$7.50 - 18.50
Wed & Sun Thu - Sat
9am - 5pm 9am - 11pm
Nestled in the bohemian townships of outer eastern Melbourne and suddenly much more easily accessible from the city via EastLink, Belgrave Manor is a lovely option for a traditional Sunday drive and lunch and is even a short walk from Belgrave train station and Puffing Billy. Set in a bluestone manor house with a patio for sunny afternoons and a fireplace for chilly mornings, Earthly Pleasures focuses on organic, local produce where possible and has many vegan options. The lentil burger, with a handmade if disintegrating patty, comes with a standout chutney and chewy, fresh bread, the baba ganoush served with the dip platter is a smoky delight. The vegetable curry, slightly bland and atop a mountain of rice, is less successful and a bit of a sting at $18. Prices generally are on the high side but service is friendly and knowledgeable and the beautiful surrounds make this a cafe with a difference.
195
Various
VIC | Hepburn Springs
Continental House
Food 5 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 4
9 Lone Pine Avenue, Hepburn Springs 03 5348 2005 | www.continentalhouse.com.au EntrĂŠes $6 Mains $11 - 20 Desserts $6 Banquets $25
Sat
7pm - 9.30pm
Continental House’s Saturday night vegan buffet is justifiably famous and well worth making a trip to Hepburn Springs for. The buffet uses mostly locally-grown and organic ingredients to create a wholesome and delicious three-course meal. The ever-changing menu is seasonal and might include fennel, grapefruit and walnut salad (raw), runner beans, chestnut & Brussels sprout salad, cauliflower tempura, pad Thai (raw), tofu salad, baked tempeh with tamari-citrus sauce and superfresh roasted veggies. Dessert often features the very popular and delicious banana ice-cream, or perhaps stewed seasonal fruits. The food is always fresh and delicious, with interesting flavour combinations. The banquet is $25 for three courses or $12 for soup and dessert. Raw food and gluten free options will be available on request when you book. Local sparkling non-alcoholic drinks and teas are available in a range of flavours. Bookings are essential. Conti Banquet offers a pleasant dining experience in rustic yet revitalising surrounds. Book into the accommodation or sign up for a retreat to make a weekend of it. 196
Cafe
Daylesford | VIC
Himalaya Bakery
Food 4 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 3
73 Vincent Street, Daylesford 03 5348 1267 Snacks $5 - 10 Meals $11 - 15 Sweets $4 - 5
Mon - Wed Thu & Fri Sat & Sun
9.30am - 5pm 9am - 5pm 8am - 5pm
No trip to Daylesford would be complete without popping in to the Himalaya Bakery for breakfast, lunch or simply to pick up some old-fashioned vegan baked goods. The scrambled tofus are good in the morning, with spinach or mushroom varieties and the option to have potatoes on the side. At lunchtime the menu features plenty, from a white bean, spinach and onion open sandwich to a more substantial but equally delicious mushroom risotto. Pies and pasties are also available, to eat in or take away, including a few vegan options. Round off your meal by indulging in some vegan sweets, such as chocolate cake, danishes or date and coconut cake. The cafe caters well to gluten free and the food is cooked using local, organic and biodynamic ingredients where possible. The cafe often gets very busy, particularly at weekends, so get in early to beat the rush or be prepared to wait for a table. No bookings are taken. If you just can’t wait, grab some food to takeaway instead.
197
Cafe
VIC | Geelong
Geelong Wholefoods Café
Food 2 Service 4 Ambience 3 Value 3
2 Baylie Place, Geelong 03 5221 5421 Meals $6.50 - 9.50 Sweets $3 - 5
Mon - Fri
10am - 3pm
Drop into Geelong Wholefoods to pick up some organic groceries and stay for lunch once you’re done. Being situated in a wholefoods store means the cafe uses fresh and tasty ingredients and is a GM-free zone. There are plenty of sandwiches, wraps and salads on offer, though some customisation might be needed as nothing is marked vegan on the menu. There should also be at least one or two gluten free options. Luckily, the staff are friendly and happy to explain what’s in each dish. The food is wholesome and filling and will leave you feeling great. Accompany your meal with a fresh-squeezed organic juice. If you’re busy, take away is available - and of course, there is a store full of vegetarian and health food goods to grab as well.
198
Japanese
Ballarat | VIC
Chat For Tea
Food 4 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 4
25 Armstrong Street North, Ballarat 03 5331 3898 Entrées $3.30 - 9.50 Mains $10.50 - 18.50 Desserts $6.50
Tue Wed - Sat
10am - 2pm 6pm - 9pm
Chat for Tea is a Japanese-inspired vegetarian restaurant in central Ballarat. The restaurant is warm and atmospheric and the friendly staff offer warm if occasionally somewhat slow service. The good-sized menu is a little eclectic, with dishes from Japan and beyond and the food generally delicious and serving sizes satisfying. There are plenty of vegan options to choose from, including the specials. The food is generally delicious, with a good sized menu to choose from, including vegan options. There are a range of noodle soups like laksa and udon and many stirfry-plus-rice dishes as well. The gyoza and ‘chicken’ drumsticks are both outstanding. There is a large range of teas served in cute pots and cups, including a variety of bubble teas that will keep you cool in the summer months. Booking is not necessary but there might be a wait on the weekends, when the restaurant fills up early.
199
Cafe
VIC | Frankston
Aum Shanti
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 4
439 Nepean Hwy, Frankston 03 9783 2899 Meals $7 - 9 Sweets $1.75 - 4
Mon - Fri Sat
7.30am - 5pm 10am - 4pm
De-stress at lunch in the soothing surrounds of this cafe/ shop, among crystals, local paintings and other new age items. There are a couple of vegan mains and desserts to choose from and plenty of gluten free options. Enjoy the filling and lightly spiced chickpea and vegetable curry with a creamy coconut based sauce and brown rice, or a nutritious but tasty chickpea and lentil burger with soy mayonnaise and sweet chili sauce. Desserts are the highlight with pieces of sweet, moist vegan chocolate cake ($4). Or try the gluten free and vegan butterscotch chocolate heart cookies ($1.75) which are melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Enjoy Aum Shanti’s speciality creamy soy chai or its unique green tea flower tea which starts as a tea ball and slowly opens up to a reveal a pretty flower. The meals are well priced and service is friendly and quick. It makes a great, healthy food or coffee stop if you’re out on a Beach Road weekend bike ride. The cafe also hosts monthly movies and regular poetry and dinner evenings.
200
Asian
Frankston | VIC
Noodle Jone
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 2 Value 4
9a Thompson St, Frankston 03 9769 6388 Snacks $7 Meals $8
Mon - Sun
11am - 9pm
This unassuming noodle place is surprisingly vegan friendly. One of the vegetarian dishes makes the common mistake of having oyster sauce listed but the owner seems to have a good understanding of which options are suitable if you want to avoid animal products and the service is really quick. Make up your own noodle combination by selecting a sauce, vegetables, fried tofu and type of noodles or choose one of the vegetarian selections. All of the vegetarian noodle options are $8 and so make a cheap quick delicious meal. The satay sauce is full of flavour with just the right amount of spiciness. The ginger soy sauce option might sound like something you could make at home but is far tastier than you would expect. The Vietnamese style vegetable spring rolls are crisp and flavoursome, they contain seaweed and are served with mint, lettuce and sweet chilli dipping sauce. The decor is a little dated but take away is a great option as it is close to the beach.
201
VIC Lord of the Fries
Fast food
Flinders Street Station, Melbourne www.lordofthefries.com.au Mon - Thu 10.30am - 11pm,Fri & Sat 10.30am - 3am, Sun 11am - 9pm
Lord of the Fries
Fast food
Melbourne Central, Melbourne www.lordofthefries.com.au Sun - Thu 10.30am - 10pm, Fri - Sat 10.30am - 11pm, Sun 11am - 10pm
Lord of the Fries
Fast food
Northland, Preston East www.lordofthefries.com.au Sun - Wed 8.30am - 9pm, Thu - Sat 8.30am - 9.30pm
Lord of the Fries Chadstone, Chadstone www.lordofthefries.com.au Sat - Wed 11am - 9pm, Thu - Fri 11am - 10pm
202
Fast food
VIC Lentil as anything
Various
233 Barkly Street, Footscray 04 2408 1652 | www.lentilasanything.com
Mr Natural Vegetarian Pizza
Pizza
223 Barkly Street, St Kilda 03 9534 2542 | www.mr-natural-pizza.com Sun - Thu 5.30pm - 10pm, Fri - Sat 5.30 - 11pm
Veg Out Time
Various
63 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda 03 9534 0077 Mon - Sun 12pm - 10pm
Gujju’s Cafe & Chat House
Indian
424 Burwood Road, Hawthorn East 03 9818 4880 | www.gujjus.com.au Mon - Sun 11am - 10.30pm
203
Western Australia
Indian
WA | Fremantle
Bengal Indian Restaurant
Food 3 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 3
Old Firestation, 18 Philimore Street, Fremantle 08 9335 2400 | www.bengalindianrestaurant.com EntrĂŠes $8.90 - 22.50 Mains $14.90 - 23.90 Desserts $3.90 - 6.50 Banquets $30 - 38
Mon - Thu Fri - Sat Sun
6pm - 9.30pm 6pm - 10pm 6pm - 9.30pm
Housed in a lovely converted firehouse, the Bengal makes quite the impression on entry. A large colourful room is host to plenty of tables, each with their own small candle. The atmosphere is light, bright and fun, whilst still allowing intimacy for those who seek it. At first glance the menu is heavy on non-vegan dishes, but don’t be disheartened. Several menu items are marked vegan, including the wonderfully subtle yet entirely flavoursome dhal. A brief chat with cheerful and knowledgeable staff reveals further vegan delights, including the delicious spinach pakora, onion bajii and tandoori roti (hold the butter please). The few other vegan dishes are decent but the above are outstanding. Gluten free diners need steer clear only of the breads. The Bengal also serves several vegan beers including varieties from local brewer Little Creatures. Vegan wine-drinkers are advised to BYO. Bookings are recommended towards the end of the week. Service on the whole is excellent and staff are very happy to accommodate if you make your needs known.
206
Various
Fremantle | WA
Juicy Beetroot Cafe
Food 4 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 5
Tum Tum Tree Lane, 132 High Street, Fremantle 08 9433 4488 Meals $6.50 - 13 Sweets $2.50 - 4.50
Mon - Fri
10am - 4pm
Echoing Fremantle’s hippie subculture of yesteryear, Juicy Beetroot Cafe provides tasty & healthy home-style wholefood meals and does it very well indeed. Tucked down the delightfully named Tum Tum Tree Lane, the cafe provides cheap vegetarian food - almost entirely vegan and gluten free - to a steady stream of in-the-know locals. Offerings centre around an alternating mix of creative salads and hearty curries. Choosing a bowl size determines the price. Pick the curries and/or salad that appeal and the bowl is filled accordingly. Alternatives include excellent tofu burgers and tempeh rolls. The food is fresh and the servings are generous, meaning appetites are regularly satisfied. Arriving sometime between noon and one will guarantee you the best selection of that day’s dishes. Beware that it can get very busy during lunch, with seating sometimes hard to come by, but takeaway is available if needed. Staff understand veganism well, as expected and are friendly enough but usually not inclined to chat. Don’t take it personally - they’re probably looking at the queue stretching out the door behind you! 207
Fast food
WA | North Fremantle
Flipside
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 4
239 Queen Victoria St, North Fremantle 08 9433 2188 | www.flipsideburgerbar.com.au Snacks $3 - 4.50 Meals $6.80 - 13.50
Tue - Wed Thu - Fri Thu - Fri Sat & Sun
5.30pm - 9pm 12pm - 2.30pm 5.30pm - 9pm 12pm - 9pm
Flipside is one of several burger cafe/restaurants recently opened in Perth. Whilst clearly focusing on beef and chicken burgers, Flipside also offers two vegetarian burgers, featuring its own vegan chickpea and sweet potato patties. Choose one, request no cheese or mayonnaise and you have yourself a vegan burger ($11). The crispy thick-cut chips ($3/$4.50) are also veg and highly recommended. Flipside make burgers to order, so don’t expect rapid service. The North Fremantle store is located next to a pub featuring live music seven nights a week (and some vegan beers). As such, late week evenings see Flipside become exceptionally busy and waiting times increase. Decor is minimal and unfussy, giving Flipside a casual vibe which is reflected in the relaxed mood of dine-in patrons. Flipside offers a reasonablypriced and filling feed, well-suited for those looking to grab something satisfying and easy. Gluten free burgers available ($1.50 extra). There is a second store in Wembley (294 Cambridge Street, Wembley).
208
Cafe
Swanbourne | WA
The Naked Fig Cafe
Food 3 Service 4 Ambience 5 Value 3
278 Marine Parade, Swanbourne 08 9384 1222 | www.nakedfig.com.au Snacks $5.50 - 19.50 Meals $12 - 38 Sweets $14 - 20
Mon Tue - Sun
7am - 5pm 7am - late
The Naked Fig is a beach-side cafe with spectacular ocean views. Its scarcity of vegan choices is compensated for by a great ambience, including occasional live music and excellent service. Free wifi also helps! The menu indicates vegetarian, vegan and GF items. Breakfasters can enjoy the ‘nudie vegan’, a big plate of toast, beans and vegetables. Vegan smoothies are also a good choice. Lunch appears to offer little aside from a repeat of the ‘nudie vegan’. Asking staff for assistance usually reveals more options, but be aware that busy periods may restrict this. Dinner menu options are few, again with only one vegan main. The exception is ‘Vego Night’ (Tuesdays) when a vegetarian menu is offered, the majority of which is vegan or has a vegan option. The staff are efficient, cheerful and helpful. This attitude lends itself to a relaxed, fun atmosphere. Evenings and weekends can get very busy so bookings are advised. There is a sister store sharing a common menu and ethos with similarly great views: The Wild Fig Cafe (33 West Coast Drive, Marmion. Vego Night Wednesdays). 209
Various
WA | Tuart Hill
One World Cuisine
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 3 Value 3
249 North Beach Drive, Tuart Hill Shopping Village, Tuart Hill 08 9207 1668 | www.oneworldcuisine.com.au Pay what you feel
Wed - Sun
5pm - 8pm
Run by those eco-forward cooks Supreme Master, One World Cuisine is a vegan buffet that runs on the ‘pay what you feel’ honesty box model. The hot buffet includes salads, fruits, soups, desserts and teas and is totally self-service. The food is wholesome and of course you’ll get full as it’s all-you-caneat! Although not outstanding food and the atmosphere can be a little lacking, this isn’t a bad place to eat and the price is definitely right. Bookings are required - please phone ahead and request a seating at 5-6.15pm or 6.30-8pm. There is also a range of vegan soy goods and fresh-baked bakery treats available to eat-in or takeaway. There is a second store in Kardinya (Shop 7, 23 South Street, 08 9331 6677) that is also open for lunch Wed-Fri (11.30am-2pm) and dinner WedSun (5.45-9pm). No reservations are required for lunch but please call ahead for dinner and request a seating at 5.457pm or 7.15-9pm.
210
Malaysian
Northbridge | WA
Sri Melaka Vegetarian Nyonya
Food 4 Service 4 Ambience 4 Value 4
Unit 1, 220 James Street, Northbridge 08 9228 2882 | www.yongcorp.com.au Entrees Mains Dessert Buffet
$3.30 - 6.80 $10.50 - 16.80 $3.80 - 4.80 $13.50 - 16.80
Tue - Sun Tue - Sun
11.30am - 2.30pm 6pm - 9.30pm
Sri Melaka Vegetarian Restaurant is committed to cooking up authentic Nyonya dishes. They are also committed to mock meat, which is soy-based and delicious. A speciality not to be missed is the ‘chicken’ kapitan (Nyonya curry ‘chicken’) served with roti, it is incredibly spicy and delicious. In fact, all the flavours at Sri Melaka are spot on, whether you are in the mood for satay, sizzling beancurd, ‘lamb’ rendang or Nyona eggplant. The laksas are also worthwhile. Serving sizes are generous. There is not a lot that is gluten free - call ahead to let them know you are coming or take your chances on the a la carte menu. Vegans should also let their server know their dietary requirements. On Friday to Sunday there is an all-you-can-eat buffet for lunch and dinner, the a la cart menu is still available, however the buffet is quite comprehensive with at least 20 dishes available and offers great value, with drinks and dessert included. There is also a vegetarian supermarket next door and sometimes also a vegetarian cooking class. All up, a fantastic place to dine in Perth. 211
Chinese
WA | Northbridge
Utopia
Food 3 Service 3 Ambience 4 Value 3
Shop 14/ 109 James St, Northbridge 08 9227 8588 Entrees Mains Dessert Buffet
$3.30 - 6.80 $10.50 - 16.80 $3.80 - 4.80 $13.50 - 16.80
Mon - Fri Sat & Sun
11.30am - 9.30pm 11.30am - 10.30pm
Utopia is a quirky restaurant serving up loads of bubble teas and karaoke. They also have a vegetarian Chinese tea menu with mock meats galore. When you arrive at the restaurant, grab some hot tea and chopsticks, then find a table and peruse the menu, marking what takes you fancy down on the provided paper. Then take your order up to the counter to pay. Highlights on the menu include salty fried ‘chicken’ - tasty and deliciously unhealthy - and the sesame seaweed rolls. There are some decent tofu dishes and veggie meals as well. Utopia do mushrooms particularly well - try the crispy fried mushrooms, battered and tender, or the super-spicy mushrooms with cashews. Vegans will need to check what is dairy-free before ordering. This quick-service restaurant is a little odd but the food is good and it’s a comfy place to lounge in.
212
WA Genesis in the Hills
Middle Eastern
124 Croyden Road, Roleystone 08 9397 7799 | www.genesisinthehills.com.au Fri - Sun 8.30am - 5pm, Thu 10.30am - 5pm
Thai Vegan
Thai
Fremantle Markets, South Terrace & Henderson St, Fremantle Fri 8am - 8pmt & Sun 8am - 6pm
Eden Delicacy
Various
60 Adelaide St, Fremantle 08 9335 3524 Mon - Sat 8.30am - 4.30pm
The raw kitchen
Raw
The Yard, Fremantle markets, Fremantle 0409 323 441 | www.therawkitchen.com.au Fri 8am - 8pmt & Sun 8am - 6pm
213
WA The Wild Fig Cafe
Cafe
33 West Coast Drive, Marmion 08 9246 9222 | www.wildfig.com.au Mon 6.30am - 5pm, Tue - Sun 6.30am - late
One World Cuisine
Various
Shop 7, 23 South Street, Kardinya 08 93316677 | www.oneworldcuisine.com.au Wed - Fri 11.30am - 2pm, Wed - Sun 5.45pm - 9pm
Samudra
Various
226 Naturaliste Tce, Dunsborough 08 9779 9977 | www.samudra.com.au Mon - Sun 7am - 4pm, Fri 6pm - late
Tempting Thyme Cafe 3/885 Beaufort St, Inglewood 0413 753 290 Mon - Fri 9am - 5.45pmt 9am - 3pm
214
Cafe
WA Annalakshmi
Indian
Jetty No 4, Barrack Street, Perth 08 9221 3003 | www.annalakshmi.com.au Tue - Sun 12pm - 2pm, Tue - Sun 6.30pm - 9pm
Lohas Green Kitchen
Various
Stall 51, 37-39 Prindiville Drive, Perth 04 3458 0208 Sat & Sun 10am - 4pm
215
Index 20,000 Cows Vegetarian House A Bite to Eat, a Drink as Well Annalakshmi As Nature Intended Cafe Âu Lac Gourmet Vegetarian Aum Shanti Badde Manors Bamboo Talk Bar Bosh Basil Pizza Beangreen Vegetarian Café Belgrave Manor Earthly Pleasures Bengal Indian Restaurant Bliss Organic Garden Cafe Bo De Trai Vegetarian Restaurant Bodhi Garden Bodhi in the Park Bomb Café Borneo Café and Noodle Bar BURP Burritos Café Blah Blah Cafe Giulia Café Lalibela Café Najla Camy Shanghai dumpling house Cardamom Pod Chai Vegetarian Cuisine Chat For Tea Chatterbox Chocolate Buddha Citrus Moon Coco Loco Continental House Crossways Food For Life Curry Kitchen Disco Bean East Brunswick Club Eat at Martins EAT Pizza Eden Delicacy Eggless Dessert Cafe Emelia’s Vegetarian Restaurant
53 21 215 24 14 200 41 91 190 31 177 195 206 82 114 59 28 149 188 86 189 40 113 153 121 52 99 199 118 126 102 151 196 122 24 152 159 61 107 213 88 54
Enlightened Cuisine Ethiopia Down Under Eumarrah Cafe ezard Fatto a Mano Feedmee Flipside Fo Guang Yuan Tea House Fresh on Charles Friends of the Earth Café Fundies Whole Foods Cafe Funky Pies Ganaeshaa Villas Geelong Wholefoods Café Genesis in the Hills Global Vegetarian Glo Health Gluttony it’s a sin Gopal’s Vegetarian Restaurant Govindas (Darlinghurst) Govindas (Burleigh Heads) Govindas (Maroochydore) Govindas Veg-o-Rama Great Nature Greenfield Green Gourmet Green Palace Thai Grumpy’s Green Gujarati Rasoi Gujju’s Cafe & Chat House (East Malvern) Gujju’s Cafe & Chat House (Hawthorn East) Guzman Y Gomez Habib Wholefoods Half Moon Café Harvest Vegetarian Restaurant Haveli Indian Restaurant Heart and Halo High Tech Burrito Himalaya Bakery Iku Whole Food Invita Café Jasmine Inn
117 20 102 124 135 183 208 125 94 144 72 44 164 198 213 186 184 138 120 47 78 79 79 90 160 32 33 139 172 185 203 34 119 162 36 192 59 173 197 29 123 109
Joy Discovery Juicy Beetroot Cafe Keep it Like a Secret Kingsland Vegetarian Kitchen Door at Penny’s Hill Krishnas Krishna’s Cafe Kuan-Yin Teahouse La Camera Lakshmi Vilas Lama Yeshe’s Big Love Cafe La Panella Bakery Las Chicas Café Las Vegan Nirvana Café Laurie’s Vegetarian Takeaway Lau’s Family Kitchen Lentil as anything (Footscray) Lentil as anything (Abbotsford) Lentil as anything (St Kilda) Lifeskills Cafe Lohas Green Kitchen Lord of the Fries (Flinders st) Lord of the Fries (Melbourne Central) Lord of the Fries (Northlands) Lord of the Fries (Chadstone) Lord of the Fries (Elizabeth st) Loving Hut (Cabramatta) Loving Hut (Mt Gravatt) Lucky Cow Magic Apple Mamasita Maya Indian Sweets Melbourne University Food Co-op Mondo Organics Monk Bodhi Dharma Moroccan Soup Bar Mother Chu’s Mr Natural Vegetarian Pizza (Fitzroy North) Mr Natural Vegetarian Pizza (St Kilda) Munster Haus My Heart Garden My Rainbow Dreams
90 207 57 15 89 79 56 70 115 193 79 165 182 136 43 178 203 150 179 166 215 202 202 202 202 131 59 69 61 76 127 42 156 65 187 146 38 143 203 147 75 16
Naked Espresso Nan Tien Temple Natural Tucker (Newcastle) Natural Tucker (Fitzroy North) New Leaf Cafe Noodle Jone Nostralis Pizza Nourish Cafe Nudel Bar One World Cuisine (Kardinya) One World cuisine (Tuart Hill) O-Organic Produce Otto Ristorante Peace Harmony Pearl Oyster Penang Coffee House Perfect Break Plush Pizza Punjabi Palace Pure Vegetarian Pure Whole Foods Raw Ecstasy Red Emperor Ruchi Salaam Namaste Samudra Sanitarium Kitchen Santos Cafe Sarah’s Sister’s & Future Cafe Satis Shakahari Shakeaway Shu Yuan Sirens Snoogies Sol Breads Soulfood Café (Melbourne CBD) Soulfood Café (Fitzroy) Soul Mama Spring of Life Sri Melaka Vegetarian Nyonya Stefans Pizza
30 57 51 148 58 201 181 100 129 214 210 27 45 48 154 171 57 174 68 87 46 56 132 23 112 214 73 58 90 17 155 106 98 95 78 67 128 137 176 56 211 111
Sugardough Panificio & Patisserie Summer Kitchen Organic Bakery Sunny’s Cafe Sushi Place Sweetpea Cafe Tabet’s Bakery Tandoori Times Tea House & Coffee for Others Tea Shrine (Muswellbrook) Tea Shrine (Alice Springs) Tempting Thyme Cafe Tetsuya’s Restaurant Thai Vegan Thanh Nga Nine The Abysinnian Thea Tea Shop The Calmer Sutra Teahouse The Counter The Forest The Green Room On High Street The Naked Fig Cafe The Peasant’s Feast Restaurant The raw kitchen The Red Velvet Lounge The Ridge The Wild Fig Cafe Thien Truc Three Mothers Thai Threeworlds Organic Cafe Tian Ran Tinh Tam Chay Tofu Shop International Tom Phat Tricycle Cafe & Bar Trippy Taco Urban Burger Richmond Urban Burger Salisbury Urbanfood Store and Cafe Utopia Vege2Go Vege Rama Vegetarian Delight
157 97 56 57 58 158 108 90 58 61 214 49 213 170 110 83 180 37 64 91 209 35 213 102 19 214 59 22 77 78 105 168 163 96 140 169 74 18 212 161 71 91
Vegetarian Delights Vegetarian Garden Vegetarian House Vegetarian Nirvana Cafe Vegie Bar Vegie Mum Vego & Love’n It Veg Out Time (South Yarra) Veg Out Time (St Kilda) Wabi Sabi Salon Wafu Wagamama Walker’s Doughnuts Warung Agus We Like Tofu Noodle White Lotus Wholefoods Wood Spoon Kitchen Ykillamoocow Yong Green Food Yulli’s Zenhouse Tea Corner Zen Oasis Vegetarian Garden
78 91 24 167 141 194 84 175 203 142 39 50 116 133 101 130 191 134 66 145 26 85 55
aduki titles out now aduki currently has the following titles available from our website or all good book stores. Neon Pilgrim $27.50 Lisa Dempster’s journey from overweight dole bludger to intrepid explorer is a witty and fascinating insight into Japan’s famed 88 Temple Pilgrimage.
Oh you beautiful doll $14 The four essays contained in this collection examine altruism from very different angles. Soup for all Seasons $11.95 From the cooks at Melbourne’s renowned vegan eatery, Las Vegan Nirvana Bakery, comes twenty delicious and easy to prepare soup dishes. Each recipe has an introduction providing a short explanation about the key ingredients and is accompanied by a full colour photo. Vegan Indulgence $11.95 Sydney-based Leigh Drew draws on her years of experience as a passionate vegan home cook and cooking teacher to deliver decadent desserts that are sure to impress. Each recipe is accompanied by a full colour photo and detailed instructions on creating these twenty divine sweet treats.
aduki titles coming soon The Veg BBQ Just in time for summer, this title contains mountains of recipes and advice to make the perfect BBQ for you or your veg friends, without a store bought veggie burger in sight! aduki also has several other titles and projects in the pipeline from the traditional and future publishing worlds, so whether your interested in print publishing, digital publishing, applications, design, photography, editing or writing we’re keen to hear from you!