OTP’s 10 Favorite Vegetarian + Vegan Joints in Australia
Photo by: haraldwalker
Australia is the land of endless pig roasts, so what’s a veggie-loving vagabond to do? No need to cave and toss a kabob on the barbi or grease your face with meat pies. Keep it veggie with OTP’s Top 10 Vegetarian Joints Down Under (We even have dessert covered)
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Offering pizza, veggie burgers, hummus, pasta, burritos, curries, and a hell of a lot more, Vegie Bar is a one-stop shop for all your vegetarian needs—and most of the dishes either are, or can be made, vegan. Celebrate this find with a bottle of organic wine from their massive selection and share it with one of the dreadlocked characters known to frequent this joint. They know how to please their broke-ass artistic-type clientele, serving up enormous portions for only $10 to $15. Bring your favorite meat-bashing book and plan to wait, this place is popular amongst grass-eaters.
Most cheese in Australia has rennet. To stay vegan true, check the labels or go dairy-free. If you’re hankering for a pizza, Mr Natural Vegetarian Pizza (in both St Kilda & Brunswick), has rennet-free cheese and a few unusual toppings, like dahl pizza.
Nothing like competition to keep food fantastically fresh. Just a few doors down from Vegie Bar, Yong Green is another top-tier veg palace. Charismatic owners and stellar service maintain an easygoing atmosphere in this mostly-vegan eatery. They’ve got the raw food craze on lockdown, with delicious non-cooked options such as veggie sushi, sandwiches, burgers, and lasagna—all made without eggs or milk. The only thing this place is missing is booze, but with the comfortable, relaxed and warm-fuzzy vibe, we’re willing to let that slide.
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Peace Harmony works magic with soy and satay to create their completely vegan Thai cuisine. The service is fast and friendly, the décor modern and clean and there’s a quaint patio for slaughterhouse-free sunny days. They don’t serve alcohol, but you can bring your own. The best deal is the lunch special (BYO Bloody Mary?), which includes two appetizers, an entrée and a soft drink for only $14.
Who needs a menu? Let the wait-staff do the talking at the Moroccan Soup Bar, where tasty North African dishes change daily and are only orally described. Menu mainstays include their chickpea bake and sweet mint tea, both of which have a cult following among regulars. But even with this nontraditional ordering procedure, the Soup Bar is as unpretentious as it gets; no soup-Nazi’s here. Get the most veggies for your buck and go for the “banquet” option—a three-course meal for $17.
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Mostly veg but don’t mind a bit of meat? Get A Little on the Side at this backstreet gem in Farlington which caters to vegetarians but doesn’t hate on carnivores. They’re only open for breakfast and dinner, and if you’re not a meat-eater, the breakfast is not to be missed. We recommend the coconut hot cakes, chorizo open omelet and maple toasted muesli, each of which are going to run you about $12. A tad steep, but hey—the way Aussies party, that’s a small price to pay to restart your organs after a long night out.
Burgers, Mexican, and Thai—all made with unique variations of chickpea, tofu, and tempeh—are the specialties of this legendary luncheon. Only open in the afternoon,, Vego & Lovin’ It is known for its huge portions and great value. An Earthy and folky feel have kept it packed with students and vegans for more than 17 years, despite its hidden location. Look for a simple yellow door next to a record shop with a mosaic sign. Head upstairs to veg-heaven, and go for lovin’ broke.
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My Heart Garden’s 80% vegan menu features food from all over the planet, made from healthy and super-fresh ingredients. Serving African, Thai, and Sri Lankan dishes, you have a ton of worldly options. Get the “Bliss Burger,” vegan lasagna or Korean tofu and when it’s warm enough, snag a seat outside and bask in a breeze that’s as sweet as the menu.
Australia’s proud ethos of multiculturalism comes through in the huge variety of ethnic cuisine. When going veggie, if there’s nothing in sight, pick an Indian restaurant, usually plentiful in most cities and towns.
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Meat pie madness got you down? No worries, Funky Pies‘ got your back. For the ultimate Aussie experience, the mushy peas and gravy is a must. All-vegan and all-plant, Funky Pies invites you to settle upon a recycled burlap sack stool and enjoy one of their many $6 pies. Choose a “sausage” roll, coconut curry, Thai spinach and mushroom, pumpkin and potato, veg-sausage herb or shittake in creamy mash with gravy pie. They also offer organic juices, fair-trade coffee and herbal teas, so you can wash it all down with an equal amount of goodness.
Overlooking the calming waves of famous St Kilda Beach, Soulmama is a global vegetarian café that feeds both body and soul. Choose your plate size and dig in at the buffet, with an array of ever-changing veggie options, or order a la carte snacks like thin-sliced fried potato chips or a bowl of steaming dahl. For your veggie sweet tooth, Soulmama’s also features vegan desserts and a huge drink list. Sip away your hangover on cushions indoors or head outside with a coconut-lime martini and watch the waves below. Veggie or not, this is a summer weekend in Melbourne must-do.
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Not your average vegetarian café, ‘Lentil’ is run by refugee support groups, providing employment opportunities and standing by a “pay-what-you-feel” policy for delicious curries, roti and vegetarian selections. Aside from locations in hip beachside St Kilda and edgy Brunswick, a third café is buried in the grounds of Abbotsford convent (a haven for artists) and turns into great market venue on weekends.
Still fighting the good animal-free fight and craving dessert? Perfect.
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Continue to keep it egg-free at Eggless Dessert Cafe. Slouch down in a retro armchair and bask in candlelight while indulging your lactose and gluten-free sweet tooth. Open late, Eggless keeps the menu on a monthly rotation and uses local and seasonal ingredients, so it’s worth at least 12 visits.
An intersection of traditional and modern Asian design, Thea rocks your sensibilities with lots of cool artwork and a wide variety of tea leaves. A great place to lounge with a cup, Thea also serves interesting food should the munchies make a comeback. Try mystery dishes like The Crispy Hainan or The Sweet and Sour Thing. You won’t be disappointed if you don’t know what it is ‘til it’s in your mouth.
Just because you can’t go to a beach party without the scent of pig-on-a-stick wafting your way, doesn’t mean you have to throw in the veggie towel in Australia. Use this list, and veg out with your bad self. Thank us for how healthy you feel by buying us a big bloody steak next time we’re in the outback together.
In search of the miraculous
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As a mostly-vegetarian who just moved to Australia, I’m excited to check these places out! Thanks for sharing–they all look delicious!
The food looks amazing! Even if you’re not vegetarian, but looking for the healthier options, these are definitely worth a try.