Melbourne’s Best Vegan Eats and Treats

It’s little wonder Melbourne is considered Australia’s vegan capital, with more than a hundred specialty vegan and vegetarian cafes and restaurants. Here are six of the best vegan-friendly restaurants in Melbourne.

Cake Collective 
Located in picturesque Queens Park [Mount Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds], to the rear of its older sibling cafe, Curator’s Collective, this 100 per cent vegan cafe is not what you’d think. Expect generous serves, with vegan versions of classics like fish ’n’ chips, schnitzel burgers and BLTs. As the name suggests, the jewel in the crown of this vegan cafe is cake — delightful, soft, fluffy, creamy, gorgeously decorated cake. Importantly, the coffee is consistently good.
Web: thecakecollective.com.au

The Cruelty Free Shop
Welcome to the largest vegan grocery store in the world [124 Johnston Street, Fitzroy]. Owner Jessica Bailey has made it even more special, with a vegan in-store cafe featuring baked goods from the highly popular, and very elusive, Von’s Vegan Bakehouse. Being able to grab one of Von’s chocolate pretzel slices, black sesame cakes or matcha cakes from the Cruelty Free Shop is akin to finding heaven. Pair it with a chai tea and check out the store while you’re there. Everything is vegan, even the staff.
Web: crueltyfreeshop.com.au

Matcha Mylkbar
This Melbourne vegan cafe [72A Acland Street, St Kilda] has secured its place as a southside institution and is particularly well known for two highly Instagrammable delights. First is the botanical green tinge matcha tea gives to many of its cakes and baked goods. Second is the vegan egg. Who knows what alchemy happens in the kitchen to turn coconut and other plants into what looks exactly like a poached egg, but it’s truly delicious. 
Web: matchamylkbar.com

HUNGRY FOR MORE?

These restaurants and cafes have got vegans and the culinarily curious covered, with separate vegan menus or vegan versions of most of their other offerings.

Ray’s
Add gingerbread tofu to your vegan French toast for a smoky hit.
332 Victoria Street, Brunswick
Web: facebook.com/rayscafebrunswick

Glass Den
Order a vegan burger and be sure to ask for the charcoal bun.
15 Urquhart Street, Coburg
Web: facebook.com/theglassdencoburg

I Dream of Sushi
For perfect pot stickers, ask for the separate vegan menu, and try the vegan gyoza.
6 Margaret Street, Moonee Ponds
Web: idreamofsushi.com.au