Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Melbourne
It’s no secret that vegetables, tofu and meat alternatives are having their moment. And it’s a welcome change. Just a few years ago, vegetarians were an afterthought at many restaurants, forced into the neglected corners of meat-heavy menus to choose from unsurprising vego options. Mushroom risotto? I guess so. Vegetable fried rice? Sure. Roasted veggie focaccia? Please, don’t make me do it again.
Luckily, those crumb-eating days are fading. Plenty of places – from fine diners to more casual joints – are doing exciting things with vegetables and have dedicated meat-free sections on their menus. This is a growing list of our favourite vegetarian-friendly restaurants. They’re not all strictly vego, but all offer a substantial meat-free selection that rises well above the token pumpkin and feta salad. Here’s to them – for making it ever-easier for vegetarians and omnivores to maintain their friendships.
Restaurant
Smith & Daughters
Fire-based cooking reigns supreme at the second iteration of Shannon Martinez’ pioneering vegan diner, suitably housed inside an old red-brick fire station. Choose from Mediterranean-inspired dishes and booze à la carte, or grab a seat at the intimate chef’s table and let the experts choose for you.
Restaurant
Patsy’s
Right opposite the Queen Vic Market, this vegetarian restaurant has its roots in Mediterranean wine culture. Enjoy the Burgundian-style beetroot sausage or empanada gallega (fino pastry filled with potato and tomato) with something from the mostly-vegan wine list.
Restaurant
Onda
South and Central American flavours dominate the menu here. But you don’t need to dabble in meat to try them. Vegetables like corn, hearts of palm, cauliflower, capsicum and eggplant are treated with as much love as the meaty mains. And they might be brightened up with chimichurri, smoky chipotle or vegan tiger’s milk.
Restaurant
Attica
Ben Shewry’s world-recognised fine diner offers a separate degustation menu for vegetarians. The long, multi-course meal makes use of local flora and fauna – and might offer up a delicate artichoke toast or rich mushroom Wellington.
Restaurant
Maha Restaurant
Middle Eastern food has always been vegetarian-friendly, and Shane Delia’s buzzy restaurant is no exception. There are plenty of veg-forward options here – including roasted Jerusalem artichokes, nutty moghrabieh, and smoked hummus with pine mushrooms.
Bar
Ballard’s
This all-vegan cosy local is committed to serving up affordable, plant-based dishes and wines. Go for its meat-free takes on pub classics, house-made gnocchi and small bites. Enjoy your meal and vegan vino at the bar, in a booth, or in the beer garden out the back.
Bar
The Green Man’s Arms
The green heritage-style facade and mid-century decor give all the impressions of another classic pub. Yet the plant-based menu says otherwise. The eggplant “schnitzel” and fried cauliflower stand out; the diverse beers are a bonus.
Restaurant
Shop225 Pizzeria
There’s a seat for almost every diner and their dietaries here. Each of the classic pizzas can be made vegetarian or vegan. Go for the mushroom-heavy 2807 (sans sausage) or the Verde, topped with ribbons of baked eggplant. Plus, vegan pastas and desserts.
Restaurant
Mukka
Two brothers are behind this casual yet vibrant Indian spot, which has ample vegetarian options. Start with street snacks like panipuri, along with charred paneer tikka and mushroom skewers. Then go for curry pots packed with pumpkin masala, dal makhani or palak paneer. It also has a south-side spot in St Kilda.
Restaurant
Evie’s Disco Diner
This queer-friendly, vegan-leaning American diner is true to its name with a nightclub sound system and mezzanine DJ booth. Its menu is just as fun with jalapeno poppers, vegan hot dogs and fried “chicken” burgers. Double down with fried apple pie (or on the dance floor).
Restaurant
Horn Please
This Fitzroy North institution is famous for its Indian street food, vibrant cocktails and thalis stacked with regional curries. And much of the menu is meat-free. Fan favourites include the gol gappa (also known as panipuri), papdi chaat, Colonel Tso’s Cauliflower and Lychee Martini.
Restaurant
Vegie Bar
Around since 1988, this is one of Melbourne’s most recognised (and longstanding) vegetarian restaurants. You’ll find everything from “chicken” bao to hearty vegetarian burgers and fragrant laksas.
.jpg)
Cafe
Sister of Soul
Plenty of cuisines get a look-in at this all-vego restaurant, which has you covered from breakfast right through to dinner. Tofu and mushroom stand in for chicken in the Balinese-style nasi goreng (and does just as fine a job). While the Italian-style lasagne is bolstered with veggie protein, mushroom and other veg.
Restaurant
Tahina Northcote
This vegetarian Israeli street food spot is a local’s favourite. It’s slinging loaded pita pockets, refreshing salads, two flavours of falafel, shakshuka and smoky roasted vegetables. Plus, smoothies souped up with peanut butter, dragonfruit, miso and more.
Restaurant
Teta Mona
This relaxed Lebanese spot blends Teta’s (“grandma’s”) traditional village recipes with the best wholefood ingredients. Its vego dishes include falafel platters, hearty baked vegetables and bright, herby salads.
Restaurant
Citrus
This Sri Lankan restaurant is a Fitzroy North favourite. It has one of the best (and cheapest) buffets in Melbourne – regardless of cuisine.
Restaurant
Very Good Falafel
Shuki Rosenboim and Louisa Allan opened this spot in 2016 on a strip packed with other options. Its secret to standing out? The chickpeas: Allan’s dad grows them in the Mallee. Here, they’re ground daily and fried to make crispy golden falafel for pitas and platters.
Restaurant
Trippy Taco
This colourful cantina-style space is full of Mexican classics, each with a meat-free twist. Go for loaded tacos – like the tofu asada with cheese, chargrilled tofu, salad, salsa and lime. Or find hefty meat-free burritos, cheesy quesadillas and crispy taquitos. Pair it all with a Margarita or Sangria jug.
Restaurant
Mirchi Indian Restaurant
This smart diner is dedicated to its owner’s northern Indian heritage and family. Enjoy plenty of standout vegetarian options like mushroom tikka and dal makhani, alongside playful twists, like gol gappa (or panipuri) served in a shot glass.
Restaurant
Green Acre
From the eco-conscious team behind Small Print Pizza comes this vegan-friendly pizza bar. The menu turns humble mushrooms, potatoes and pumpkins into heroes, and offers plenty of plant-based swaps (including for pepperoni and feta).
Bar
The Cornish Arms
This warm and inviting pub is renowned for two reasons. First, it's got one of the most vegan-friendly menus in Melbourne. And second, its sunny and expansive rooftop bar ranks among the best in Brunswick.
Restaurant
Brother Bon
Making plant-based food accessible (and enjoyable) to all. Brother Bon’s pan-Asian brunch and dinner menus hit all the right notes with fragrant noodle soups, dumplings, stir-fries and gua bao. Also on the menu are Vietnamese-style cocktails, as well as Australian beers and wines.
Restaurant
Red Sparrow
This plant-based pizza joint will please everyone (even your most avid carnivore friends). Pass the neon-red sparrow to find perfectly blistered woodfired pie that’s loaded with toppings.
Restaurant
Masti
At least half of the dishes are vego at this vibrant North Indian diner. Go for crispy honey-chilli cauliflower, fig and pomegranate kofta, and aloo ghobi (potato and cauliflower curry). Plus, find cocktails levelled-up with ingredients like turmeric, mango and cardamom.
Restaurant
La Pinta
There’s always vego options at this Spanish-style bar and eatery, and many dishes can be tweaked to become vegetarian or vegan. The chalked-up, tapas-style menu might list house-made pumpkin agnolotti or a slice of tortilla de patatas (Spanish-style omelette with potatoes).
Bar
Vex Dining
The clever veg-forward wine bar created by two former Neighbourhood Wine and Bar Romantica head chefs. In the sunlight-filled dining room, or under the fairy light-studded lemon tree out back, order the vegetarian set menu or share plates of vegetable tartare; herbed spätzle; buckwheat crepes and more.
Restaurant
Mr Ramen San Midcity Centre
A bastion of exemplary Hakata-style ramen in the city centre. Visit for house-made noodles, some cracking vegetarian ramen options, and a creation known simply as the “cocktail draft beer”. If you drink too many, do as the shop prescribes: keep calm, eat ramen.
Restaurant
Rice Paper Scissors CBD
Pack into this compact laneway diner for fun, shareable Southeast Asian food and cocktails mixed with the likes of lemongrass and lychee. Its vego stand-outs might include pineapple ceviche, pumpkin curry and smoked broccoli salad.
Restaurant
Village Cantina
This bright, buttercup-yellow restaurant elevates its tacos with guest appearances from pumpkin, cauliflower, frijoles (black bean) and tofu. The burritos, quesadillas, nachos and ensalada also have meat-free options.
Restaurant
Funghi e Tartufo
Antipasti, pasta and good times. It has all the trimmings of a classic Italian joint, just sans the meat. The “meatballs”, lasagne and “calamari” fritti ingeniously use plant-based ingredients. And the namesake pappardelle with truffle and mushroom is a go-to.
Restaurant
Just Falafs
Its falafels are crisp, fresh and 100 per cent vego. They’re packed into pitas with a staple combo of Israeli salad, house-made hummus and tahini. The sabich and haloumi are crowd-pleasers. Go for the pita or order your meal piled high on a plate.
Restaurant
Rumi
Most of the veg-forward options at this warm and comforting Middle Eastern diner are worth your time. Go for three-cheese cigars, almond tarator (a dip made with tahini), flavourful freekeh and fried cauliflower with caramelised onions, currants and pine nuts.
Restaurant
The Abyssinian
Order platters of slow-cooked stew and injera that beckon to be eaten with your hands. There’s a full range of vegetarian options here, including tumtummo lentils and shiro (finely-ground spiced chickpeas).
Bar
Leonard’s House of Love
If you’re really into burgers, hit up Leonard’s. This ’70s log cabin-themed burger bar serves some of Melbourne’s best, including solid vegetarian and vegan options. Order one lined with mushroom or Beyond patties; plus sides like vegan chilli fries, eggplant “tenders” and jalapeno poppers.
Restaurant
Laksa King
Melbourne’s finest laksa joint has been serving the aromatic noodle soup and other Malaysian favourites for more than 20 years. And there’s a dedicated vego section here – with meat-free takes on mee goreng, char kway teow and of course, laksa.
Restaurant
Il Caminetto
This corner eatery serves umami-heavy pizza, vegan “notella” calzones and Aperol Spritz on tap. Pizza flavours span the classics like margherita to the more inventive pumpkin puree, mozzarella, caramelised onion and sage. Plus, most of the meatier pies have a vegan option.
Restaurant
Hunters Harvest
At this healthy all-day spot by a former boxing world champion, choose from loaded poke bowls, hearty salads, fragrant noodle soups and bright smoothies. The Middle Eastern Bowl – packed with roasted veg, quinoa tabouli salads, nuts and seeds – is a crowd favourite.
Restaurant
A25 Pizzeria
If you usually discard the pizza crust, Remo Nicolini’s blistery pizza bases will convert you. Skip over the meatier options and go for the eggplant parmigiana, or one with a porcini mushroom cream base.
Restaurant
Wazzup Falafel
Everything is made in-house at this vegan diner. Stop by for some of the best falafels and fatteh in town and watch owner Ahmad Al Alaea – donning his signature cowboy hat – work in the open kitchen.
Bar
Molly Rose
In an old furniture warehouse, you’ll find sour-coffee ales and beer that mimics wine. Plus, a schmick Southeast Asian restaurant (and beer garden) next door with a dedicated plant-based menu.
Restaurant
Kahaani
Kahaani, which means “story” in Hindi, showcases deep cuts from India’s diverse regional cuisines. Try the refined reshmi kebab, or the family-recipe goat curry that predates Partition.
More Options
Gong De Lin, Melbourne CBD
It’s easy to miss this meat-free Chinese joint, which is hidden upstairs in a nondescript building on Swanston Street. Head up the lift and order sizzling dishes backed by tofu, vegetables and mock meats. Popular dishes include the pot of braised tofu and fungi with bean paste, sweet and sour “pork”, Szechuan-style eggplant, and kung bao vegetarian “chicken”.
Huong Viet Vegan, Footscray
This cosy, no-fuss Vietnamese diner serves up many of the classics by substituting in mock meat, tofu, mushrooms and other veg. The expansive menu covers most bases, from bright rice paper rolls to spicy bun bo hue and steaming chao ga (also known as congee or rice porridge).
Moroccan Soup Bar, North Melbourne
When Fitzroy North institution Moroccan Soup Bar closed in June 2022, that was supposed to be the end of the line. Until owner Hana Assafiri opened the new pop-up-turned-dine-in spot in North Melbourne. Here, you’ll find many of the classics inspired by Assafiri’s Moroccan, Lebanese and Turkish heritage. That includes the abundant share banquet of dips and bread; generous bowls of tabouleh; eggplant tagine; aromatic stews and soups; or hearty seven-vegetable couscous-and-lentil dal. And of course, the cult chickpea bake – a heavenly, buttery medley of crisp pita shards, chickpeas, caramelised nuts, and dollops of yoghurt.
