15 Best Vegan Restaurants In Melbourne

The wave of veganism has been hitting harder than ever; with over 500,000 people choosing this plant-based lifestyle, Australia has become the second largest place for vegan residents. With so many people converting their loyalty to veganism for ethical or health reasons, restauranters have recognised the need for inclusive vegan food on their tables; one such city that has been winning this race is Melbourne. Known as one of the most vegan-friendly cities in the world, this city hosts one of the finest vegan restaurants and best cafes in Melbourne. Aboard a vegan haven, as you will see each corner springing some of the best vegan restaurants in Australia. Here is a list of the best vegan restaurants in Melbourne.

Best Vegan Restaurants in Melbourne

Vegan food has a very big reach in Melbourne, so many businesses choosing to go vegan or include vegan food options in their menu brings out the inclusivity of the food scene in Melbourne. Here is a list of some of the best vegan restaurants in Melbourne that will satiate your plant-based appetite

1. Gong De Lin

Location:  3/264 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia.
Price Range: $-$$
Time: Sunday to Saturday: 11am-3pm, 5pm-10pm 

Sweet, Spicy, and Umami are all the undertones of delicious Chinese food, and vegan enthusiasts can enjoy every bit of it without having the guilt of eating an animal by enjoying Chinese vegan options at Gong De Lin. Known as one of the best vegan restaurants in Melbourne for Chinese food, this place will not disappoint your taste buds. By just exploring their huge menu, you will be engulfed into the aroma and taste of simple, authentic Chinese stir-fries, soups, faux meat dishes, and rice for all plant-based lovers, Some dishes like chilli dumplings, noodle soup with wontons, vegetable spring rolls, and teppanyaki hedgehog mushroom dish are a must try. Following its ambience, the minimal decor of Gong de Lin will make you only have eyes for the delicious food served. Gong De Lin is one of the ideal vegan restaurants in Melbourne for a quick and excellent vegan dinner. In short, say no to Chinese takeaways and yes to Gong De Lin.

Restaurant ratings: 3/5

2. Funghi E Tartufo 

Location: 60 Hardware Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia.
Price Range: $-$$
Time: Tuesday to Saturday: 12pm-3pm, 5pm-10pm 

Silician food on your mind? Funghi e Tartufo is Chef D'Angelo's third vegan restaurant in Melbourne, named after her previous venture's famous dish, a mushroom and truffle pappardelle (pasta). This dish and other plant-based recreations of classic Sicilian dishes are served in Funghi e Tartufo. The place has more old-school appeal than some of the other Italian establishments in the area, considering white tablecloths and decorative wine barrels. Enjoy the Saturday nightlife in the outside seating arrangement of the restaurant. 

Restaurant ratings: 3.4 /5

3. Tofu Licious 

Location: 78 Bridge Rd, Richmond, VIC 3121, Australia.
Price Range: $-$$
Time: Monday to Friday : 11am-4pm

Inspired by the king of vegan protein, Tofu is one of the most adored cooking ingredients for vegans. By bringing this adoration and love in the form of dishes, TofuLicious has been one the best vegan restaurants in Melbourne for putting some of the best tofu delicacies on the table. Unlike other restaurants, Tofu Licious does not have a fixed menu; they believe in evolving their dishes and their love for Tofu through a variety of options. One particular thing about the hidden gem is that it has a DIY bowl system, where based on the bowl size, pick whatever you want to add as toppings. Each bowl is nourishing and gut healthy, with heaps of Tofu on top. Lastly, try some homemade ice cream for a sugar rush. In a nutshell, it is an affordable place to get your proteins and outpour your love for Tofu.

Restaurant ratings: 3.7/5

4. Gopals

Location: 234 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065, Australia.
Price Range: $-$$
Time: Monday to Saturday: 11:30am- 8pm

Melbourne is one such city in Australia that is culinary diversified; with so many restaurants and cafes sprouting in every neighbourhood, many options to satisfy vegetarian and vegan appetites have significantly increased. One of the oldest and most reputed ones is Gopals. Known as one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Melbourne, Gopals was founded in the 1980s by an internationally known vegetarian master chef. It is the first vegan restaurant in Melbourne that serves authentic Indian food like samosa, vegetable kofta curries, etc., and fusion dishes like lasagna, spinach filos, and beetroot/ chickpea salad. They are jam-packed with nutrition; you will feel fresh in each bite. The quantity served at Gopals is very generous, just like its customer service! All the rave about this restaurant revolves around its affordability and generosity. So if you are looking for some good value vegetarian restaurants in Melbourne, Gopals should be your first pit-stop.  

Restaurant ratings: 4/5

5. Trippy Taco 

Location: 234 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065, Australia.
Price Range: $-$$
Time: Monday to Friday : 12:00-3:00 pm & 5:00pm -9:00pm/ Saturday to Sunday: 12pm-9pm 

Mexican cuisine and vegetarian/ vegan food are a perfect match made in heaven, till death do us part. Many vegan enthusiasts and vegetarian people have an undefined love for Mexican food, as it is one of the cuisines with many plant-based food options like beans, corn, vegetables, fruits, herbs, and spices. All the yummy Guacamole dips & goodness of bean burritos are derivatives of plant wholesomeness. Trippy Taco, is one of the small Mexican vegan restaurants in Melbourne with great flavours, is one of the best options to make your love grow fonder. You will find vegan & gluten-free options of tacos, burritos, and quesadillas with vegan soy cheese. Some dishes like classic Black bean tacos, Tofu, Asada Burritos & sangria will make you say “sabroso” at every bite. With a chill authentic vibe, this vegan restaurant in Melbourne is a replica & has a vibe of a taqueria, a shop or a stall that specialises in tacos. You have outdoor seating in the sun with live music on weekends. It is a vibe you wouldn’t want to miss.

Restaurant ratings: 3.8/5

6. Neko Neko

Location:  83A Smith St, Fitzroy, Yarra, Victoria 3065 Australia.
Price Range: $-$$
Time: Monday to Thursday: 12:00-3:00 pm & 5:00pm -9:00pm/ Friday to Monday: 12pm-10pm 

Sushi without salmon, Ramen without seaweed paper, & Katsu curry without Katsu isn't a Japanese nightmare; but an alternative to vegan Japanese food; to take the notch a bit higher, Neko Neko has been one of the Japanese favourite vegan restaurants in Melbourne. Known for its cosy little vegan restaurant ambience that serves homestyle vegan and pescatarian Japanese food, the restaurant has given Japanese food a new identity. Instead of traditionally using dairy and red meat, the chef's cram recipes with cooked or raw veggies and plenty of nuts and nutritious grains. The menu has a huge selection of dishes to try, Neko Neko Shoyu Ramen, Bento Boxes, Katsu Burgers, Tofu Salad, Quinoa Gyoza, Croquettes, stealing the show. For drinks, you should try sipping on a cool Matcha latte. This place's overall zen and peacefulness will add more to your experience. Lastly, if you are likely to become a big fan of the Croquettes and Gyozas, you can also ask for some frozen packets back home. 

Restaurant ratings: 4.0/5

7. Red Sparrow Pizza

Location: 406 Smith St, Collingwood VIC 3066, Australia
Price Range: $-$$
Time: Monday to Thursday: 5:00-10:00 pm/ Friday to Monday: 12pm-10pm 

After the French Revolution, the Pizza revolution has been making huge waves worldwide; the only difference is that the honourable mention isn’t a “cake” but “vegan pizza”. Yes! You heard it right, the demand for plant-based pizzas has skyrocketed, and to supply this need, food chains like Red Sparrow Pizza are taking the baton to the vegan race. Red Sparrow Pizza is a vegan pizzeria in Melbourne that is independently owned and run. This vegan restaurant in Melbourne is regarded not only for the greatest vegan pizzas but also for the best pizzas in the city. With its charm of 48 hours of fermented soft dough, wood fire smokiness, & wacky flavours like Bah-Mi Pizza, Bianca, and Mushroom Bacon Pizza, prepare your taste buds for the best vegan food in Melbourne. You should try their sensational Italian tiramisu cheesecake. The restaurant is also noted for its award-winning excellent service & chaotic pizza parlour ambience that will make you feel transported straight to Italy. Visiting here will convince you, you don’t always need pepperoni on your pizza!

Restaurant ratings: 4/5

8. Kevabs

Location: 89 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056, Australia
Price Range: $-$$
Time: Everyday 12pm-8pm

Debunking the food misconception of “All kebab is not meat, and all meat is not kebab”, Kevab is one of the only kebab vegan restaurants in Melbourne. By paying homage to its Turkish roots, Kevabs has successfully revolutionised the kebab scene in Melbourne. Mostly free from gluten, soy, wheat, sugar, lactose, & nuts, the menu at Kevabs is a good Mediterranean spread like Pita wraps, Dukkah dusted chips, Boreks, Gozelme, Dolma, and much more. By keeping the regular meat substitutes like tofu, soy protein, and tempeh at bay, Kevabs uses a plant-based pea protein which is a high-quality protein and a healthy source of iron, which aids in building a healthy heart, speeds up weight loss, & best for muscle growth. Even though pea proteins have a neutral & mellow taste, at Kevabs, the spin of Middle Eastern spices does all the magic for you to order a second serving. Lastly, don’t forget to wash this spicy taste with a strong yet bittersweet Turkish Coffee! Kebabs will be your only place for the best Mediterranean vegan food in Melbourne.

‍Restaurant ratings: 4.3/5

9.  Madame K Vegan 

Location: 273 King St, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3000
Price Range: $-$$
Time: Everyday 11:30am -3:30pm

Traditionally, Thai and South Asian food is not a vegan affair because of its highly influenced seafood culture. This is reflected in its cuisine and ingredients like oyster sauce, shrimp paste, and fish sauce as their staple pantries. But Madame K’s Vegan menu will tell you otherwise! Without compromising the authentic flavours, this self-serving restaurant has become the “Mecca of SouthEast Asian Vegan food”. You will find traditional options on the menu, such as Pad Thai, Mock Chicken Satay, Laksa soup, spring rolls, green curry and other spicy, colourful, delicious food. Madame K Vegan has been recognised as one of the best vegan restaurants in Melbourne that will guarantee you a filled stomach, a hearty meal, a new perspective on South Asian food, & authenticity in an affordable range. The decadent smell of Lemongrass, the spiciness of the bird eye chillies, creaminess of coconut curry does enough to tantalise your taste buds for craving a comfort bowl of Asian food. 

Restaurant ratings: 3/5

10. Sister of Soul 

Location: 73 Acland Street St Kilda 3182
Price Range: $-$$
Time: Everyday 7:30am -10:30pm

“If being vegan is fire, then Sister of soul is a fire spark”; this is the best-described motto of Sister of Soul. With an ambience so embracing & a message so strong, Sister of Soul is a must-try vegan food place in Melbourne, especially for breakfast. We would like to disclaim that if you suffer from Indecisiveness, you might have difficulty choosing between Blueberry acai bowl, Halloumi burgers, Apple Crumble Pancake, & Corn and Chickpea Fritters. Even the dinner and lunch menu is a good relief to your empty stomach or hangry mood. By being recognised as one of the best vegan cafes in Melbourne, Sister of Soul is stirring up more than its delicious plant-based meals; it is stirring up a big change by advocating for veganism. The restaurant is strong on its morals of veganism & leaves no stone unturned in encouraging people to try vegan food.  

‍Restaurant ratings: 4.2/5

11. Huong Viet Vegan 

Location: 36A Leeds St, Footscray VIC 3011, AustraliA
Price Range: $$-$$$
Time: Monday to Sunday: 10am-9pm

Do you love to indulge in the deliciousness of a hot bowl of Pho, Summer rolls, or Vietnamese cuisine? Then, Huong Viet Vegan, an authentic Vietnamese vegan restaurant in Melbourne, should be on your food radar. With an entirely vegan place dedicated to the subtle flavours of Vietnam, this place has an incredible variety of dishes to choose from. Let it be Lemongrass Noodle Soup, Deep fried tofu, Noodle Salad with Spring Rolls, or Congee, the assurance of leaving with a filled & heavy stomach is very high. All the food here is freshly made, has some good portions, and is filled with tasty nutrients. Direct teleportation to Halong Bay, indeed! 

Restaurant ratings: 4/5

12. Crossways Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurant 

Location: 147 Swanston St, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3000
Price Range: $$-$$$
Time: Wednesday to Saturday 11:30am-8pm 

Crossways restaurant is run by the Hare Krishna Devotees, and they serve healthy, clean, vegan/vegetarian lunch and dinner prepared with love and devotion. A new menu is available each day of the week to offer variation to your meal. The daily menu includes two courses and a drink, with no additional fee for seconds! It's an all-you-can-eat buffet! On floor 2, there is a lounge space where you can ease off, read a book, and unwind after a long day of classes! As for the food, there are good vegan curries that don't have an onion or garlic.

Restaurant ratings: 3/5

13. Smith & Daughter

Location: 107 Cambridge St, Collingwood VIC 3066, Australia.
Price Range: $$-$$$
Time: Wednesday to Saturday 5:30-11pm 

Evolved from the love for Spanish and Medditerainan flavours & cuisine, Smith & Daughter is one of Melbourne's most iconic, chic & trendy vegan restaurants. Shannon Martinez has squeezed her 20 years of kitchen experience & advocacy for veganism into a good spread of vegan food that includes homemade mock meat & non-dairy cheese. One can choose dishes from the a la carte menu, which showcases some of the best prepared contemporary Mediterranean food, the showstoppers being eggplant parmigiana, mezza platters, vegan moussaka, etc., or you can enjoy the set menu that comes with a flavour packed 3-4 course meal. Talking about the ambience, the restaurant was formerly a pub; this observation can still be drawn because of its punk aesthetic. Lastly, the restaurant is also known for its good service & overall hospitality

Restaurant ratings: 3.4/5

14. Veggie Tribe Healthy Restaurant

Location:  34-36 Little La Trobe St, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3000
Price Range: $-$$
Time: Monday to Sunday: 11:00am-9:00pm

Start your 'let's never eat meat" journey at Vegie Tribe. This vegan restaurant has a changing buffet menu, takeaway boxes, gluten-free, daily specials, and an A la carte menu, stating 'let's never eat meat again' will feel normal. It has a pay-by-weight vegan eatery featuring Australia's most comprehensive selection of plant-based, exotic treats rotating daily, making it the unique vegan restaurant in Melbourne. Vegie Tribe will relieve your hunger very soon if you are a foodie trying out the vegan menu for the first time. This place has a very unique approach to veganism by having a vegan buffet which also includes different range of cuisines, pizzas, and pastas.

Restaurant ratings: 2/5

15.  HOME Vegan Bar

Location:  3/264 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia.
Price Range: $-$$
Time: Monday to Friday: 7:30am to 3:30pm

The popularity for vegan cafes in Melbourne has been reaching some great heights; the city has embraced the vegan lifestyle & culture with open arms because of its variety & healthy nutritory effects. Even though vegan food does not contain any sort of animal derived ingredients; it is still possible to get all your protein, iron, calcium, vitamins, omega fats, zinc through a well balanced diet, and HOME Vegan Bar has pushed that bar. By serving wholesome and delicious home-style vegan meals in the heart of Melbourne's central business district, Home Vegan Bar is a nutritious one stop for plant-based meals, including on-the-go sandwiches, wraps, muffins, salads, and hot cuisines such as curries and soups. It's one of the most significant vegan restaurants in Melbourne to enjoy fresh salads, raw sweets, cold-pressed juices, and a healthy alternative to fast food.

Restaurant ratings: 4/5

Does Melbourne seem like your next home? Melbourne is a great city for vegan food, thanks to its diverse food and culture and you can find more about it in Melbourne student city guide. We hope you found this blog helpful and gave you an idea about the best vegan restaurants in Melbourne. Head on over to the best vegan restaurants in Melbourne and lead a healthy plant-based life!