IF THERE'S ONE THING WE LOVE ABOUT THE FESTIVE SEASON IT'S THE ADDED EXCUSE TO EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY. AND THIS YEAR MORE THAN EVER WE CAN'T WAIT TO GO OUT + SUPPORT OUR HOSPITALITY FRIENDS WHO HAVE TAKEN AN EXTREME HIT AS A RESULT OF THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC.
We're extremely fortunate that in Australia, we are re-blooming + can enjoy the company of our friends + family at our local again. But where to go? We've taken the hard work out of it for you + compiled our list of our fave vegan eats all around the country.
MELBOURNE
Green Burger
Located in the heart of Collingwood, Green Burger is a little bit of Cali whilst also staying true to its Melbourne roots. Green Burger has serious vibes, a reliable regular menu + limited exclusives peppered throughout.
Come for:Decadent meat + cheese free burgers like The Big Mock + The Colonel that will truly have you fooled + filled with delicious goodness.
Stay for: Dairy free shakes to boot- our fave is the Strawberry Balsamic.
Future Sushi
By the same team as Green Burger, Future Sushi is Melbourne’s first vegan sushi restaurant. Future Sushi creates delicious options such as Peking Duck + Future Salmon using sustainable, non animal alternatives. They aim to raise awareness about the sustainability + ethical issues around over-fishing so the menu was created with the health of our marine environment in mind.
Come for: The chance to try vegan, raw fish that I promise will not have you missing the "real" thing.
Stay for: The Sesame Salted Caramel Sundae - the perfect post sushi sweet treat.
Image via future sushi instagram
Image via matcha milkbar instagram
Matcha Mylkbar
An institution in the Melbourne community, Matcha Mylkbar is one of Melbourne’s top cafe destinations - it’s just an added bonus that the menu is plant based. On the menu you’ll find vegan versions of all your brekkie favourites. Our current obsession: the plant based pancake parlour.
Come for: Instagram worthy food + bev options full of colour.
Stay for: Nourishing, healthy meals that just so happen to be vegan.
Girls & Boys
Everything about Girls & Boys screams fun. From the name, to the decor, this vegan ice creamery is a nostalgic nod to the Mr. Whippy vans of our childhood. Girls & Boys specialise in vegan ice creams, sorbets + gelatos. Plus they do take home tubs for when one scoop just isn’t enough (when is it ever).
Come for: Delicious plant based ice cream options that also don’t use refined sugar + also cater to gluten + other intolerances
Stay for: The LED screen that responds to movement to keep your entertained while you queue. Flail your arms + legs about wildly + feel like a kid again.
Sister of Soul
The name says it all, Sister of Soul make nourishing food that will make you feel good from the inside out. Key to Sister of Soul’s ethos is lowering the planet’s carbon footprint whilst also not harming any sentient beings. They divert tonnes of food waste + coffee grinds away from landfill each year by donating it to St. Kilda Veg Out Community Gardens.
Come for: Asian inspired vegan goodness.
Stay for: Vegan cocktails. From the classics like Tommy’s Margarita or Whisky Sour to their own takes such as an Apple Crumble + Mocha Martini.
SYDNEY
Bodhi Restaurant
A Studio SB favourite, Bodhi is always at the top of our list when we visit Sydney. Having been open since 1988, Bodhi are pioneers in the vegan food space + have paved the way for many others. Bodhi recently won Nourish Vegan Awards Restaurant of 2020 + once you visit it’s not hard to see why.
Come for: The delicious Yum Cha menu including Green Tea + Choy Sum Dumplings + Cream Corn + Chicken Dumplings.
Stay for: The surrounds. Nestled under Moreton Bay Fig Trees, Bodhi feels like a tranquil parkland oasis.
Peppe’s Osteria
What I like is Peppe’s gets straight to the most important part - Pasta, vino + something sweet. A triple threat.
Come for: Their recently launched (+ much recommended) degustation menu.
Stay for: Classic, Italian charm both from the menu + the venue itself.
Image via Bohdi Restaurant instagram
PERTH
Roho Bure
We couldn’t let our Melbourne friends be the only ones able to indulge in vegan ice cream. Roho Bure specialise in small batch dairy free, gluten free, sugar free + of course vegan ice cream. You can pick them up all over Fremantle or head to their store in Leederville.
Come for: All organic ingredients so you can feel as good as the ice cream tastes.
Stay for: Scoops for Society - their giving back initiative. One day a week you can receive 50% off your scoop in exchange for a gold coin donation that will go towards giving back to a cause as voted for by their customers.
Mother
Formerly, The Green Kitchen, Mother create delicious natural food + wine. They are equally as passionate about sustainability as they are about their delicious menu. They have extensive waste prevention measures within their kitchen + even offer excess jars to their customers to take home + repurpose.
Come for: If the handmade, sustainable, ethical menu doesn’t get you over the line (which it should by the way), your patronage helps Mother support their many environmental efforts.
Stay for: Zero Store - attached to Mother it’s Australia’s largest zero waste + plastic free store.
Image via Crux instagram
ADELAIDE
Crux
Crux’s mission is to show people what vegan + gluten free food really is. They have a drive to change the game in both these areas which is evident in their menu - this cafe is a must visit if you’re in Adelaide.
Come for: Vegan egg, cheese + bacon that will have even your animal product eating friends wanting seconds.
Stay for: The outspoken + bold attitude that stems all the way from the menu to the venue itself.
Metta Sol
Inspired by owners Cindy + David’s Vietnamese roots with a little bit of Aussie fusion, Metta means Universal Loving Kindness + Sol translates to Sun.
Come for: Asian food with a twist that not only is free from animal products but also from preservatives, MSG + chemical additives.
Stay for: Love the food? Why not indulge in a take home pack including Pho Broth, Garlic Spread + Chilli Oil.
Enjoy + Bon Appetit beauties!
With love, Studio Sans Beast.