What Is Melbourne’s Vegetarian Food?

As far as vegetarians are concerned, Melbourne is paradise. We offer interesting, all-inclusive, and delicious plant-centered meals seven days a week, from upscale sweets to cheap snacks.

Moroccan Soup Bar and other meatless restaurants have been mainstays in the area for decades. It's still not easy to find a restaurant that doesn't offer meat, but the situation has substantially improved, especially at larger chains, in recent years. If you're looking for vegan takeout or delivery, check out these top spots.

Time has passed since vegetarian options were only lip service. As more people become aware of the health benefits of vegetarian and vegan diets, more and more establishments are adopting these diets in their entirety. Fitzroy, Collingwood, Richmond, and St. Kilda, to name a few, have great new plant-based eateries debuting every year thanks to the city's pioneering vegetarian and vegan chefs.

Melbourne has some excellent vegetarian restaurants, and I've compiled a list of the ten best. Even your vegetarian pals will want to try it out.

The Best Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in Melbourne

If you're looking for meatless dining options in Australia, the city of Victoria, Melbourne, is no longer a distant second. Vegetarian eateries of all price levels are popping up all throughout Melbourne, so vegetarians and vegans won't have to go hungry.

Rising concerns about the long-term viability of our food systems have contributed to a growing demand for plant-based alternatives.

M. & C. Smith, Ltd., and Their Progeny

While the Smith & Daughters in Fitzroy, Australia, may look like an old-school rock n' roll pub, the cross-shaped neon sign on the wall will tell you exactly what you came for: vegan food.

Eating responsibly doesn't require you to spend all your time alone with salad, especially in these day of fake news, fake meat, and fake dairy. Silicon Valley startups are researching ways to grow our food in laboratories, which could make slaughterhouses obsolete in the near future. If you think that this is all a bit fantastical, you haven't heard what Shannon Martinez is doing in her tiny kitchen.

In 2014, Martinez and his business partner Mo Wyse launched Smith & Daughters. They began with a Latin-influenced menu but switched to Italian in May in an effort to debunk the stereotype that vegan food is boring. Brilliant plan; nobody can resist a plate of pasta, but what about the cured meats and buffalo mozzarella?

Curd aficionados, get ready to be floored.

Spread liberally over the pizza fritte is a homemade ricotta created in the same way as ricotta made with dairy milk, just using soy milk. The Greek product known as "sharp and fruity parmesan" stands in for dairy parmesan in various recipes; however, it is most noticeable in "cacio e Pepe," a dish with thick bucatini noodles that are made peppery with heaps of Kampot pepper and sticky from black fermented garlic.

To truly appreciate the "flesh," some lyrical confidence on your part is required. The pizza fritte's 'Nduja substitute of mushrooms, eggplant, dried tomatoes, and olives is tasty, but it lacks the fiery punch of the original pork salumi.

The carpaccio looks the part when it arrives (squinting and dim lighting help), with the soft, pink paper-thin'meat' (points for taste but not so much for texture) topped with lashings of parmesan, rivulets of bitey horseradish cream, fried capers adding mustardy tang, figs for sweetness, and a mountain of peppery rocket. This is not raw beef carpaccio, but the components are so well-balanced that the illusion persists.

Equally impressive is Martinez's ragu, which follows a conventional recipe but uses dried, shredded, and compressed mushrooms in place of oxtail. She manages to achieve a slow-cooked, broth-dense flavour and silky texture despite using vegan butter to provide a meat-like gloss and carrot and celery to deliver sweetness and depth. The underlying polenta, which is too sticky and lacks the proper consistency, detracts from the dish.

Extra food is possible to consume when adhering to a vegan diet (read: dessert). For the tiramisu, Martinez uses a sulfuric salt egg yolk substitute to make the sabayon, a type of custard, which the Italians will swear you can't make without eggs.

Infused with fortified wine Marsala, this light and airy soy-based whipped cream is topped with savoiardi cookies created in-house and soaked in espresso, with additional notes of Strega and amaretto. The Baked Vesuvius is their spin on a Bombe Alaska; it features aquafaba beaten into a meringue that is then torched at your table for added drama. Count us among the converted if veganism allows us to continue enjoying cheese and meat.

Salad and Fruit Bar

In 1988, the Veggie Bar opened and quickly became a hit on Brunswick Street. Everyone knows that this is the place to go if they want to eat at a restaurant where vegetables take centre stage (both on the menu and in the name).

Curries, noodle dishes, and dahls are just a few examples of the Asian influences on the menu, but there are also some fantastic pizzas that feature plenty of vegetables. It's best to beat the crowds and get there early.

Transformer

This is like the posh big sis of Vegie Bar. Vegetables have undergone a metamorphosis into the realm of fine dining in a casual Manhattan-style venue with exposed beams, brick walls, and vertical gardens.

The seven-step 'feed me' menu leads you straight to vegetable nirvana, and they also have a fantastic drink and wine menu to round out the experience.

Onda

This Melbourne eatery is beloved by both vegetarians and carnivores for its hearty, South American-inspired fare and friendly, familiar service. The Spanish word for "vibes" is "onda," and this place offers excellent ambience. Everything on the menu is a sophisticated mix of traditional and innovative flavours.

Polenta chips with lime aioli and pickled jalapenos make a great starter, while the maple chipotle glazed eggplant, slaw, and red pimento puree burger is a robust main dish option. A variety of traditional Spanish and Argentinean drinks, as well as some more out-of-the-ordinary selections like the spicy Cusco cocktail, may be found on the menu.

The Fitzroy area of Melbourne is ruled by Transformer, a vegetarian restaurant that defies stereotypes. Converted from an old transformer plant, the eatery features an international menu with dishes inspired by the cuisines of the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and Asia.

Beetroot tartare with cow seed cream, Davidson plums, and russet crisps goes well with any of Transformer's speciality cocktails.

Mankoushe

This Brunswick staple is owned and operated by a couple of guys who call themselves "hipsters" and serve Middle Eastern comfort food with a home-cooked flavour. First operating as a bakery, Mankoushe milled Victorian wheat on-site to make spinach and feta pastries, its cult-status halloumi pies, and vegetarian "pizzas." Later, the restaurant expanded into the next building and promoted sit-down dinners.

Even though vegetarianism isn't the default at dinner, impromptu plans can be made for an all vegan meal. This diner accepts only cash payments, so be sure to stop by an ATM before you visit. The Feast of Honor

Middle Eastern food, like the fare at Feast of Merit, has always been friendly to vegetarians. The vegan eatery in Melbourne was inspired by the spiritual practises of ancient Northeastern India. When a member of the society unexpectedly becomes wealthy, he or she may host a party in honour of their good fortune known as a "feast of merit."

The goal of the Y-Feast GAP's of Merit campaign is to ensure the organization's continued funding to combat poverty. Head chef Ravu Presser is known for his enormous salads flavoured with freekeh and harissa. Whether you're vegetarian or a carnivore, you'll love this trendy restaurant and its cool rooftop bar.

Pizza from Red Sparrow.

Vegan pizza with melty vegan cheese is a thing. OK, go ahead and do that. Red Sparrow Pizza is the greatest option for vegans in Melbourne who are craving pizza. Simply told, their pizza is the greatest in Melbourne. Those fantastic meat replacements are indistinguishable from the real thing.

They provide options that are safe for people with gluten, nut, and soy allergies. The modern, industrial setting of this pizza joint in Collingwood is great for takeout or dining in.

A cat's meow

As the cold of winter sets in, our thoughts gravitate to warming treats. While Melbourne landlords continue to refuse to instal double glazing, at least we can ignore summer's notions of healthy eating and tuck into some steaming stews and starches to keep us warm on the inside. What if, though, there were tummy-warming foods that were also healthful and healthy, gratifying without taste soporific? Just give it to the Japanese, please.

Neko Neko, located at the city end of Smith Street, is a popular tiny restaurant known for its home-style vegan and pescatarian Japanese cuisine. Dishes that would normally leave you feeling comatose are elevated into lighter but no less satiating evening dinners by excluding dairy and red meat and instead packing them with veggies cooked, raw, and pickled while working in plenty of seeds and good grains.

Vegan Japanese curry sails in on a wave of purple rice and deep, earthy sauce to satisfy rumbling tummies this winter. Japanese curry is mild in comparison to its South Asian equivalents. Instead, it's created with a curry powder roux that incorporates softly sweet and starchy root vegetables like onion and carrot.

On top of that, a pair of potato and bean croquettes drenched in a spicy coriander and pepper sauce are dropped in. Vegetables like pickled daikon ribbons and bright blanched cauliflower add a welcome crunch to the otherwise carb-heavy dish. There has never been a more delicious way to consume your recommended daily allowance of fibre.

Neko Neko's vegan ramens have a great depth of flavour, and we say that as much as we appreciate a gut-busting, rib-sticking tonkotsu as the next person. There's a mild broth made with soy and a dish made with tofu that's spiced up and topped with cashews.

However, the tantanmen stole our hearts with its deep, creamy, and I-can't-believe-it's-not-meaty miso broth that was bolstered with ground sesame, soy milk, and a slick of chilli garlic oil. A dish of these springy noodles, soy mince, bok choy, and mashed tofu is something we will remember for a long time.

Neko Nekos modest room is usually packed every night of the week, drawing in vegans from all over and hipsters from the neighbourhood alike. It's a great place for quiet first dates or for those dining alone and looking for a quiet place to enjoy a glass of natural wine at a window table.

Neko Neko hits all the marks, becoming a go-to even in this choice-overload area of town, thanks to its mastery of simple and homey cooking made with superior ingredients and a daintier touch.

Mukka

Indian cuisine and a cool vibe make Mukka the greatest venue in Melbourne to fill up on delicious vegetarian fare.

This Indian eatery caters to all diners, including vegetarians and vegans, with a large selection of both meat and meat substitutes. South Indian dosa chicken curry and other standards, as well as other dishes inspired by Indian street food, may be found on the retro menu.

We really enjoy tandoori mushrooms, paneer tikka, and other skewered Indian delicacies. A rose and cinnamon lassi would go perfectly with your lunch.

Arms of a Green Man

What I heard was that this was the greatest place in Melbourne to acquire some of the city's renowned crisp potatoes. You might be surprised by the quality of the food at Green Man's Arms, a tavern that serves only plant-based dishes. The Lebanese-influenced menu adapts to the changing of the seasons.

Extinct Hare

These days, day trips to nearby towns are the norm, but if you're ever stuck somewhere far from civilisation and you don't eat meat, you might as well prepare to starve. Despite the fact that Rare Hare is not a vegetarian establishment, vegetarian and vegan options are not neglected.

While gazing out over the vast and beautiful Willow Creek vineyard, dine on the freshest crudités served with a chunky macadamia skordalia; slice into fudgy lengths of charcoal eggplant smothered in sweet, red miso; or dive into a whole roasted sweet potato slathered in a wattleseed butter, offset by accents of fried, salty capers. The lunch will be well worth the trip outside of town.

Tacos with Crazy Drugs in Them

When you want to kick back and relax with some buddies, there's no better place than Trippy Taco. These tacos, as the name suggests, are so good that they will put you into a deep food coma.

Deliveries are made at all hours of the night, and there is always a queue of customers waiting to get in at the Gertrude Street site. Indulge in some of the greatest vegetarian cheap foods in Melbourne while mingling with friends over refreshing Mojitos and veggie tacos.

Cheng-Ho, Rear Admiral

For a laid-back atmosphere, visit the best coffee shop in Abbotsford for organic brunch fare. This trendy eatery serves an all-vegan, plant-based breakfast and is a must for vegetarians in Melbourne.

The toasties are delicious on their own, but if you're looking for something heartier, try the "Northside Jimbo," which is made with cornmeal, miso vegemite, avocado, roasted tomatoes, cheese, and chilli oil. They use beans from Disciple Roasters and roast them in-house. The vegetarian cuisine and the Australian brunch tradition are expertly combined at this restaurant.

Combi

Group hug for raw vegans! Combi is an embodiment of independence and exploration, with a varied menu centred on organic, locally sourced ingredients. This summer, Combi will be a popular destination for anybody seeking a healthy and delicious pick-me-up, thanks to its wide variety of raw cakes, smoothies, and acai bowls.

Combi has expanded to other cities across Australia and is quickly becoming an integral part of the traditional Australian summer. The peanut butter cup smoothie is the ideal sweet treat because it's both nutritious and delicious.

Healthy Young Food

Despite living in meat-centric South Korea, two vegetarian sisters established Yong Green Foods in late 2009. The restaurant's original menu incorporated raw and whole items from Korean, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, Mexican, and Italian cuisines, and it became a hit almost instantly.

Their vast and incredibly nutritious cuisine helped them win their first culinary award (Vegetarian Victoria's Restaurant of the Year, 2010) in less than a year.

This dynamic duo is on a roll and shows no signs of slowing down. The Lees have been working hard to complete a new macrobiotic menu to complement the current one, and it looks delicious. Some of the dishes include fried lotus root, pickled daikon, and fake tuna with sesame seeds.

The restaurant's hallmark dish, raw sage, is one of many organic, vegan, and gluten-free alternatives on the raw menu. The Lees have a wide variety of Asian teas, almond milk, and fresh fruit smoothies.

Housekeeper kimchi gyoza, chickpea kora with beetroot walnut dip, and Korean BBQ with imitation beef are a few of the most well-liked menu items. Vegans can enjoy these sweets because of the low-fat content. We arrived too late for the green tea ganache, but the vanilla soy ice cream with sweet, sticky red beans was a close second.

Moroccan Soup Shop

During the hospital's lockdown, these individuals may have been seen on the news delivering food to the hospital workers. This is typical of what people in this area do; they have generous spirits, and you can even detect that generosity in the dishes they prepare. The lunches at the Moroccan Soup Bar are delicious and well worth the wait. Then, experience the pinnacle of Moroccan cuisine at a dinner with your closest companions.

We've already made plans for evening, but this cafe is worth remembering because it's Melbourne's best vegan breakfast option.

Salad and Fruit Bar

There is no better place to experience the pulse of Melbourne's vegetarian cuisine scene than at Vegie Bar, which has become nearly an institution in and of itself. Located smack-dab in the midst of Brunswick Street, this restaurant is friendly and laid-back despite exclusively offering vegan fare.

This vegetarian eatery serves dishes influenced by Asian cooking styles, such as curries and fried noodles. It's not going to be too busy, but know that there is plenty of space. Your hunger will be satiated and you'll feel like part of the Melbourne vegetarian community when you visit Vegie Bar.

In the mood for a vegetarian lunch at Veggie Bar? So, get in line. Even after 20 years in business, the restaurant remains popular enough that reservations are required for groups of more than six individuals. Customers are immediately seated and then ushered out thanks to the staff's efficient collaboration.

After everyone checks in, we'll take names, hand out numbered cards, and lead the hungry crowds to a beautiful courtyard with plenty of shade, a cash-only bar, and a spacious, well-stocked seating area. When a seat becomes available at a dining room table, the next guests to take it are normally seated within minutes, and often have their drinks ready to go even before they take a seat.

There's a good chance you'll be forced to spend a lot of time in close quarters with a total stranger, and the room's high ceilings, concrete floors, and brick walls evoke the feel of a stable. There are some long seats and a mix of both individual and communal tables.

The noise and crowds of a busy restaurant at dinnertime might be too much for someone with agoraphobia to handle, but for the rest of us, it's all part of the experience, and we don't even notice it anymore until the food comes. It's the main attraction that keeps customers coming back to the Vegie Bar, whether they're vegetarian or not.

Tofu and feta packed deep-fried mushrooms are a regular menu staple and one of the restaurant's specialities, although the specials boards are refreshed frequently and always feature intriguing new items. The whole bean burrito and the vegetarian pizza are both fantastic bargains at about $10.

It is possible to order a drink from any country in the globe at the restaurant's courtyard bar. As a whole, the house's recommendations make perfect sense. The wait will be well worth it at Vegie Bar.

Attica

If you're looking for a fine dining experience, the renowned restaurant Attica has a vegetarian degustation menu. Australian designer dinnerware and chairs complement the restaurant's décor, which was designed by an Australian architect, to create Ben Shewry's inventive and enticing dishes. One of the most fascinating and captivating restaurants in Australia, the lengthy multi-course meal is an experience in and of itself. Those adhering to a vegetarian diet should not feel left out.

Maha

Among the many restaurants available to Melbourne's foodies, Maha has been hailed as "an experience for the senses." Maha is well-known for its beautiful and contemporary setting and its extensive menu of authentic Middle Eastern dishes.

The restaurant's predetermined menus are inspired by the changing of the seasons and the culinary imagination of the chef. Make reservations in advance if you want to eat at Shane Delia's delightful masterpiece.

Conclusion

Melbourne has some excellent vegetarian restaurants, and I've compiled a list of the ten best. Vegetarian eateries of all price levels are popping up all throughout Melbourne. Fitzroy, Collingwood, Richmond, and St. Kilda have great new plant-based eateries debuting every year. The Baked Vesuvius is their spin on a Bombe Alaska, with aquafaba beaten into a meringue then torched at the table for added drama. Extra food is possible to consume when adhering to a vegan diet (read: dessert).

The Fitzroy area of Melbourne is ruled by Transformer, a vegetarian restaurant that defies stereotypes. Onda serves hearty, South American-inspired fare and friendly, familiar service. Mankoushe milled Victorian wheat on-site to make spinach and feta pastries and its cult-status halloumi pies. Feast of Merit was inspired by the spiritual practises of ancient India. Red Sparrow Pizza is the greatest option for vegans craving pizza in Melbourne.

Neko Neko is a popular tiny restaurant known for its home-style vegan and pescatarian Japanese cuisine. Neko Neko's vegan ramens have a great depth of flavour. The tantanmen stole our hearts with its creamy, and I-can't-believe-it's-not-meaty miso broth. Mukka caters to all diners, including vegetarians and vegans. If you don't eat meat, you might as well prepare to starve in Melbourne.

Indulge in some of the greatest vegetarian cheap foods in Melbourne's foodie hotspots. Try the "Northside Jimbo," made with cornmeal, miso vegemite, avocado, tomatoes, cheese, and chilli oil. Yong Green Foods' menu incorporates raw and whole items from Korean, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, Mexican, and Italian cuisines. Vegie Bar serves dishes influenced by Asian cooking styles, such as curries and fried noodles. Moroccan Soup Bar's lunches are delicious and well worth the wait.

Reservations are required for groups of more than six individuals. Customers are seated and then ushered out thanks to the staff's efficient collaboration. The courtyard has plenty of shade, a cash-only bar, and a well-stocked seating area. The whole bean burrito and vegetarian pizza are both fantastic bargains at about $10 each. If you're looking for a fine dining experience, the renowned Attica has a vegetarian degustation menu.

Content Summary

1. As far as vegetarians are concerned, Melbourne is paradise.
2. Fitzroy, Collingwood, Richmond, and St. Kilda, to name a few, have great new plant-based eateries debuting every year thanks to the city's pioneering vegetarian and vegan chefs.
3. Melbourne has some excellent vegetarian restaurants, and I've compiled a list of the ten best.
4. The Best Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in MelbourneIf you're looking for meatless dining options in Australia, the city of Victoria, Melbourne, is no longer a distant second.
5. Vegetarian eateries of all price levels are popping up all throughout Melbourne, so vegetarians and vegans won't have to go hungry.
6. Rising concerns about the long-term viability of our food systems have contributed to a growing demand for plant-based alternatives.
7. Spread liberally over the pizza fritte is a homemade ricotta created in the same way as ricotta made with dairy milk, just using soy milk.
8. The Greek product known as "sharp and fruity parmesan" stands in for dairy parmesan in various recipes; however, it is most noticeable in "cacio e Pepe," a dish with thick bucatini noodles that are made peppery with heaps of Kampot pepper and sticky from black fermented garlic.
9. The pizza fritte's 'Nduja substitute of mushrooms, eggplant, dried tomatoes, and olives is tasty, but it lacks the fiery punch of the original pork salumi.
10. This is not raw beef carpaccio, but the components are so well-balanced that the illusion persists.
11. For the tiramisu, Martinez uses a sulfuric salt egg yolk substitute to make the sabayon, a type of custard, which the Italians will swear you can't make without eggs.
12. The Baked Vesuvius is their spin on a Bombe Alaska; it features aquafaba beaten into a meringue that is then torched at your table for added drama.
13. TransformerThis is like the posh big sis of Vegie Bar.
14. OndaThis Melbourne eatery is beloved by both vegetarians and carnivores for its hearty, South American-inspired fare and friendly, familiar service.
15. Everything on the menu is a sophisticated mix of traditional and innovative flavours.
16. The Fitzroy area of Melbourne is ruled by Transformer, a vegetarian restaurant that defies stereotypes.
17. Converted from an old transformer plant, the eatery features an international menu with dishes inspired by the cuisines of the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and Asia.
18. Middle Eastern food, like the fare at Feast of Merit, has always been friendly to vegetarians.
19. The vegan eatery in Melbourne was inspired by the spiritual practises of ancient Northeastern India.
20. Pizza from Red Sparrow.
21. Red Sparrow Pizza is the greatest option for vegans in Melbourne who are craving pizza.
22. Neko Neko, located at the city end of Smith Street, is a popular tiny restaurant known for its home-style vegan and pescatarian Japanese cuisine.
23. Neko Neko's vegan ramens have a great depth of flavour, and we say that as much as we appreciate a gut-busting, rib-sticking tonkotsu as the next person.
24. Neko Nekos modest room is usually packed every night of the week, drawing in vegans from all over and hipsters from the neighbourhood alike.
25. Neko Neko hits all the marks, becoming a go-to even in this choice-overload area of town, thanks to its mastery of simple and homey cooking made with superior ingredients and a daintier touch.
26. MukkaIndian cuisine and a cool vibe make Mukka the greatest venue in Melbourne to fill up on delicious vegetarian fare.
27. This Indian eatery caters to all diners, including vegetarians and vegans, with a large selection of both meat and meat substitutes.
28. South Indian dosa chicken curry and other standards, as well as other dishes inspired by Indian street food, may be found on the retro menu.
29. Despite the fact that Rare Hare is not a vegetarian establishment, vegetarian and vegan options are not neglected.
30. Tacos with Crazy Drugs in ThemWhen you want to kick back and relax with some buddies, there's no better place than Trippy Taco.
31. Indulge in some of the greatest vegetarian cheap foods in Melbourne while mingling with friends over refreshing Mojitos and veggie tacos.
32. Cheng-Ho, Rear AdmiralFor a laid-back atmosphere, visit the best coffee shop in Abbotsford for organic brunch fare.
33. This trendy eatery serves an all-vegan, plant-based breakfast and is a must for vegetarians in Melbourne.
34. The vegetarian cuisine and the Australian brunch tradition are expertly combined at this restaurant.
35. Despite living in meat-centric South Korea, two vegetarian sisters established Yong Green Foods in late 2009.
36. Their vast and incredibly nutritious cuisine helped them win their first culinary award (Vegetarian Victoria's Restaurant of the Year, 2010) in less than a year.
37. The lunches at the Moroccan Soup Bar are delicious and well worth the wait.
38. Then, experience the pinnacle of Moroccan cuisine at a dinner with your closest companions.
39. Salad and Fruit BarThere is no better place to experience the pulse of Melbourne's vegetarian cuisine scene than at Vegie Bar, which has become nearly an institution in and of itself.
40. In the mood for a vegetarian lunch at Veggie Bar?
41. So, get in line.
42. Even after 20 years in business, the restaurant remains popular enough that reservations are required for groups of more than six individuals.
43. Customers are immediately seated and then ushered out thanks to the staff's efficient collaboration.
44. When a seat becomes available at a dining room table, the next guests to take it are normally seated within minutes, and often have their drinks ready to go even before they take a seat.
45. There's a good chance you'll be forced to spend a lot of time in close quarters with a total stranger, and the room's high ceilings, concrete floors, and brick walls evoke the feel of a stable.
46. There are some long seats and a mix of both individual and communal tables.
47. It's the main attraction that keeps customers coming back to the Vegie Bar, whether they're vegetarian or not.
48. The whole bean burrito and the vegetarian pizza are both fantastic bargains at about $10.It is possible to order a drink from any country in the globe at the restaurant's courtyard bar.
49. The wait will be well worth it at Vegie Bar.
50. AtticaIf you're looking for a fine dining experience, the renowned restaurant Attica has a vegetarian degustation menu.
51. MahaAmong the many restaurants available to Melbourne's foodies, Maha has been hailed as "an experience for the senses."
52. Maha is well-known for its beautiful and contemporary setting and its extensive menu of authentic Middle Eastern dishes.
53. Make reservations in advance if you want to eat at Shane Delia's delightful masterpiece.