It’s no secret that Melbourne is a vegan friendly city with its myriad of vegan cafes, vegan restaurants and vegan snack houses. The annual Big Vegan Market kicking off on May 12 is no exception. So whether you’re a full-time vegan, a sometimes vegetarian, or a regular carnivore just looking to cut down on your meat consumption, then Melbourne and its Big Vegan Market is the place to be.
If you’re not in Melbourne when it’s going ahead, we’ve put together this list of our top 5 mouth-watering vegan eateries in Melbourne to, you know, help you narrow it down. Good luck though, it’s going to be tough.
Vegilicious
118 Carlisle St, St Kilda
Not only is Vegilicious a 100% vegan café, but the menu is also 100% gluten-free and 90% onion-free. But don’t let all of the ‘frees’ put you off, this eatery is full of good vibes, good staff and even better food. Crowd favourites include the tofu satay stir-fry and the kombucha vodka cocktail.
Smith and Daughters
175 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
Open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday and for brunch on the weekends, this special spot is vegan-eating incognito. The ambiance has managed a rock ‘n’ roll vibe with the very ‘north-side’ fit out. A South American influence is carried through all dishes, including faux meat that tastes like the real deal. Legit.
Transformer
99 Rose St, Fitzroy
The team behind Transformer are also responsible for Vegie Bar, Rice Queen and Panama Dining, and while the others aren’t all vegan, they are all famous for the same thing. And that thing is the high quality of their food. The menu is Middle Eastern X Mediterranean X Asian and can be enjoyed for dinner Monday-Friday and brunch on the weekends! An insider tip: Transformer makes for the perfect date spot!
Lord of the Fries
If you live in Melbourne then you’ve probably seen this fast-food franchise around the city. The menu replicates that of a regular fast-food restaurant, so much so that most people are unaware of its vegan-ness! It’s got burgers, fries, shakes, onion rings – it’s even got nuggets, and they are all 100% vegan. If you are lurking inner city on a night out on any given weekend, it’s a great post-party feed option; open till 3am!
Green Cup
Chapel St, Sth Yarra & High St, Armadale
Green Cup is a 100% vegan snack bar that offers smoothies, acai bowls and vegan toasts. While the foods mentioned may seem like breakfast items, the post-feed satisfaction lends itself to a lunch time meal! It’s a great way to ensure you reach your superfood target or as a high protein/post-gym snack.
