Melbourne has fast become the vegan capital of Australia and is a great destination if you are a vegan foodie.
The number of restaurants here offering great vegan options here is incredible, but it could also be overwhelming if it’s your first time here.
In this guide, I’ve narrowed down the best vegan Melbourne cafes and restaurants that you need to visit. Mark them down in your foodie bucket list:
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Brother Bon
Vegan | Northcote
It’s well worth making your way up Northcote to visit Brother Bon. This high-quality pan-Asian restaurant has an impressive menu covering multiple cuisines. Usually, when a restaurant tries to do everything, they end up mastering nothing, but Brother Bon completely defies that rule.
I ordered a spread to sample their range: Meaty pork and Napa cabbage dumplings, lemon chicken, wagyu beef nigiri, and special egg fried rice made with tofu scramble. This meal was an absolute perfection from start to finish with so many highlights: The meaty-ness of the pork dumplings, the crispy chicken pieces with bright lemon sauce, and that nostalgic feeling from having egg fried rice again. These dishes were on par with the best non-vegan versions I grew up eating in Hong Kong.
Drinks and desserts are equally amazing. The pistachio praline cold foam matcha was as amazing as it sounded. I finished the meal by sampling their ube and black sesame gelatos, both creamy and flavourful.
Honestly, this is one of the highest-quality Asian restaurants in Australia, and it will easily wow vegans and impress any non-vegan you bring along.
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Mensho Tokyo
Vegan-option | Melbourne CBD
Whenever a non-vegan restaurant only has one plant-based option on their dinner menu, I usually brace myself for it to be an afterthought.
Mensho Tokyo proved me completely wrong. Coming all the way from Tokyo, this acclaimed ramen specialist serves up one of the best bowls of vegan ramen I have had in a long time.
I ordered the Vegan tantanmen, and the broth is the star of the show. It is incredibly creamy, boasts an intense depth of flavour. It is so good I drank every last drop at the end. The noodles were cooked well with a satisfying bite, and they are generous with toppings, loading the bowl with soy mince, crispy enoki mushrooms, fresh veggies and more.
Just keep in mind that the tantanmen is only available during dinner service. If you visit for lunch, they have a vegan shio (salt) and a vegan shoyu (soy) ramen. Because it's so popular and seating is limited, be prepared to wait in line or make sure you go early, but trust me, it is absolutely worth it.
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Red Sparrow Pizza
Vegan | Fitzroy
Red Sparrow has long been one of my absolute favourite spots in Melbourne. They make high quality Neapolitan wood-fired pizza, and they’ve recently moved into a new two-story location in Fitzroy, complete with indoor seating and a rooftop bar. If you go on a weekend, there’s even a handmade market right next door.
I ordered the verde pizza, featuring a pesto base loaded with artichoke, broccolini, roasted pepitas, and mozzarella. The pizza base is top-tier, and they are generous with their toppings.
But as good as the pizza is, the ultimate highlight for me is their "not wings". The garlic parmesan wings are, without a doubt, a vegan meat-lover’s dream. The drumstick has a satisfyingly meaty texture, a slightly crispy crust, and is coated in a garlicky, cheesy sauce. I was so blown away that I ordered a BBQ batch to take away, which was just as amazing. Even their dessert was high quality, I finished the meal with a tiramisu lamington that has robust coffee flavour and great texture.
[.tips][.icon-ticket][.icon-ticket][.div]Tip: Book the SkyBus ticket that goes from the airport directly to Melbourne CBD.[.div][.tips]
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Green Man's Arms
Vegan | Carlton
If you’re craving a classic Aussie pub experience but want it entirely vegan, look no further than Green Man’s Arms in Carlton. It has all the charm of a traditional Aussie pub, but with a fully vegan menu.
I had to try their eggplant parma. It came in a great portion, featuring perfectly soft eggplant encased in a crispy shell, generously topped with Napoli sauce and vegan cheese. The side salad was a little on the oily side, but overall an amazing dish. I also tried the calamari, which was made from king oyster mushrooms. It was super flavourful, and paired with a creamy tofu aioli.
However, the absolute highlight of this meal was their basque cheesecake. I cannot recommend this dessert highly enough. The texture and flavour were both phenomenal. It had a substantial, creamy cheesecake body with a brulee'd crispy top. Paired with the biscuity base and bright lemon curd, this dessert is the perfect end of a pub feast.
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Shu
Vegan | Collingwood
For a unique and elevated vegan dining experience, SHU in Collingwood is an amazing option. While they offer a 10-course vegan tasting menu on weekdays, I visited on the weekend specifically for their unlimited plant-based yum cha, and I was very impressed.
The concept is great: They bring you one of all 10 yum cha dishes first, giving you a chance to sample the wide variety of flavours and textures. The menu ranges from perfectly executed classics like pan-fried dumplings to highly creative twists, like a chewy steamed bun made with chickpeas, and beetroot-filled spring rolls. There are no "filler" dishes here. After you finish the initial dishes, you simply order more of whatever you loved most. You can also add on extras, like bottomless drinks or their delicious vegan cannoli dessert.
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Trippy Taco
Vegetarian | Fitzroy
Trippy Taco serves up some comforting, cheap, and flavourful Mexican street food. It’s a vegetarian joint, but almost everything on the menu can be made vegan. Just be sure to specifically ask for it when ordering.
I ordered the tofu asada taco (asking for vegan gets you scrambled tofu and vegan cheese) and the Sabrocito breakfast burrito. The burrito was the winner for me: Perfectly saucy, satisfying, and bursting with flavours. The taco was also packed to the brim with fillings, though I personally felt it could have benefited from a dollop of vegan sour cream or mayo to tie it all together. It's a fantastic, no-frills spot for an affordable vegan meal that doesn't compromise on quality.
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Gingersnap Patisserie
Vegan | Popup
Gingersnap is an all-vegan patisserie that is worth the hunting down. Not only do they create some of the most beautiful vegan pastries, but the business also operates as a social enterprise supporting and employing people with disabilities, which is just incredible.
The mango & passionfruit opera cake was beautifully constructed with distinct layers of tangy fresh jam, light sponge, delicate cream, and a crisp shell. The grand peach tart was equally exceptional. As I'm writing this guide, they are planning to move to another location, so keep an eye on their socials for any updates. They also partner with local vegan restaurants (like Red Sparrow Pizza) to sell their patisserie.
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Funghi e Tartufo
Vegan | Melbourne CBD
Located on Hardware Lane right in the CBD, Funghi e Tartufo is a 100% vegan traditional Italian restaurant. While the location is atmospheric, it does feel a bit touristy, and unfortunately, my experience here was a bit disappointing.
While the food quality and the service were ok, my main issue was their portion and value for money. The portions were quite small considering the premium prices, and the food didn't feel particularly special. The dish I liked the most was the creamy mushroom pappardelle, which featured perfectly cooked pasta in a creamy sauce and came in a decent portion size.
However, the Pesce Spada alla Siciliana (a breadcrumb-crusted grilled swordfish with a zucchini and fennel salad) was a letdown. For $36, you receive just three small pieces of "swordfish" that seemed like the pre-packaged vegan seafood you can buy at a vegan grocery store, just crumbed and fried. The small portion continued to their dessert as well. I ordered the pistachio gelato, which was $20 for three small, plain scoops drizzled with pistachio liquor. The gelato tasted decent, but it was visually underwhelming with no toppings and simply too expensive for what it was.
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Nuttea
Vegan | Melbourne CBD & Fitzroy
Conveniently located at the Melbourne Central Shopping Centre, Nuttea is a 100% vegan bubble tea shop that makes for the perfect mid-day or post-dinner treat. Their claim to fame is their nut based vegan milk and thick cream topping.
If you visit, you must get a drink with their signature "nut cream" topping. It is thick and decadent. I recommend using the little shovel-spoon they give you to try a bit of the cream by itself first before mixing it into your drink for a creamy vegan bubble tea. I loved the earl grey tea with chocolate nut cream and would recommend that.
[.tips][.icon-hotel][.icon-hotel][.div]Tip: I'd recommend staying in or near Melbourne CBD for easy access to different restaurants and take advantage of the free tram zone. Check out the best Melbourne CBD hotels here.[.div][.tips]
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Smith & Deli
Vegan | Collingwood
Smith & Deli in Melbourne offers a modern and sophisticated vegan deli experience, specialising in sandwiches and baked goods.
You’ll find a selection of toasties and sandwiches here like the reubenstein toastie which has pastrami and sauerkraut, or the foghorn legless which is a sourdough sandwich with schnitzel and bacon. For me, the highlight here is the selection of pastries. You’ll find a cabinet full of delectable options, like the berry yoghurt danish and the chocolate stick that I tried, both of which are fantastic.
They also have a grocery section selling pantry staples and frozen ready-to-eat meals, as well as their upscale chic restaurant - Smith & Daughters.
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Union Kiosk
Vegan | Melbourne CBD
Tucked away in a tiny CBD laneway, Union Kiosk is a 100% vegan hole-in-the-wall that specialises exclusively in jaffles. It’s the perfect grab-and-go spot, with an impressive menu of over 14 freshly made varieties with creative, delicious fillings like tofu scramble with ham, or Korean beef with kimchi and gochujang mayo.
I went for the buffalo chicken with pickles ranch, and cheese, which was fresh, highly flavourful, and perfectly toasted. Unfortunately, the danish from their cabinet was quite dry.
Also, I’m also not sure if I just caught them on a bad day, but the service was a bit cold. The staff members I interacted with seemed rather annoyed and didn't offer so much as a smile. Still, for a quick and tasty vegan lunch, the jaffles themselves are fantastic.
[.tips][.icon-camera][.icon-camera][.div]Tip: Join a guided walking tour to see all the Melbourne attractions in the city.[.div][.tips]
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Sister Of Soul
Vegetarian | St Kilda
If you're planning a beach day down in St Kilda, Sister of Soul is perfectly located right near the water and Luna Park. They serve an international menu with a focus on Southeast Asian dishes.
The highlight of the meal for me was the black bean noodle stir-fry. It was a surprisingly great dish that has 'wok air' flavour (a slightly charred taste that only comes from high-heat wok cooking). It was packed with fresh veggies and soy marinated tempeh. I also loved the Thai chive cake, which felt super authentic with a crispy exterior, a chewy centre, and a punchy dipping sauce that was the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy. I also tried their Mexican burrito. While it was fine, the flavours were a bit too mild for my taste and could have used a standout ingredient to elevate it. Overall, Sister of Soul is a fantastic, relaxing spot in St Kilda.
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Wabi Sabi Salon
Vegan-options | Collingwood
Decorated with colourful traditional Japanese signs, Wabi Sabi Salon is a vegan-option restaurant located in Collingwood. They have 3 vegan teishoku sets and I chose the ‘pumpkin stuffed mushroom tempura’. Teishoku, meaning ‘set meal’ in Japanese, usually comes with a main dish, several side dishes, soup and rice.
The price for the teishoku sets are pretty high at around $32, but the quality and variety of food make it worthwhile. Each component, from the main dish to the small sides, is delicious and offers a great range of textures and flavours. The crispy mushroom tempura, in particular, stood out as my favourite. I also added a mini curry to the set, though it didn’t quite justify the additional $6.
Beyond teishoku, Wabi Sabi Salon also offers vegan tantan ramen, gyoza, and tofu curry rice.
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Jumi’s Cafe
Vegan | South Yarra
Located in South Yarra, Jumi’s Cafe is a healthy vegan cafe with a good selection of wraps, salads and desserts. Although they focus on takeaway, they still have a few seats in the cafe.
I tried one of their superfood smoothies which is well-made and delicious.
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279
Vegan-option | West Melbourne
If you're planning a trip to the famous Queen Victoria Market, stopping by 279 first for lunch is a good idea. Located just a short walk away from the market, this minimalist Japanese cafe specialises in musubi (very similar to onigiri).
I chose the lunch set, which comes with musubi, four sides, and a miso soup. Staff can accommodate vegans by giving you 4 vegan sides. During my visit, they had a delicious selection of vegan sides including sweet pumpkin, simmered soy mushrooms, and soy-glazed potatoes. For musubi, I chose the wakame and shiso miso, both of which were great. The iced coffee and matcha I tried were both great as well. Overall, it was an authentic Japanese cafe with good vegan options.
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Piccolina Gelateria
Vegan-options | Multiple locations
This gelato specialty shop has several locations in Melbourne. Their dairy-free options are vegan, featuring flavors such as dark chocolate and passionfruit. The texture and flavours are good, making it a great option as dessert after dinner.
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Daniels Donuts
Vegan-options | Multiple locations
This doughnut chain has some tasty vegan options, including vegan custard, jam, cream & jam and original glazed. With multiple locations in Melbourne, this is a convenient option if you want to have something sweet during the day.
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Vegie Bar
Vegetarian | Fitzroy
A staple in the Fitzroy vegan scene, Vegie Bar has been serving plant-based food for decades. The space is vibrant and always packed with locals and tourists. The menu is varied and portions are big.
During my visit, I tried a few dishes to test their range. The laksa while came with a great amount of toppings, the soup itself was a little too starchy for my liking and lacked that deep flavour profile I look for in laksa. However, the seasonal special - Veef Bourguignon was an absolute standout. It’s a high-quality, well-prepared dish featuring slow-braised beef pieces in a rich red wine reduction. Even the sides were thoughtfully prepared each adding interesting textures and complementary flavours to the plate.
To finish, I had the tiramisu. The mascarpone cream part was perfectly smooth and creamy, though the ladyfinger layer was unfortunately a bit tough and dry. Overall, Vegie Bar is still a reasonably priced spot with massive portions and a few truly amazing menu items.
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Lord Of The Fries
Vegan | Multiple locations
This vegan fast food chain has a few branches in Melbourne. You’ll find the classic items like burgers and loaded fries here. The taste is generally pretty decent, but because it’s a franchise business, sometimes the service can be inconsistent from shop to shop.
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Some Other Vegan-Friendly Melbourne Places
