Trendy bars, healthy cafes, hidden gems: Every fully vegan establishment in Queensland
More than two million Aussies are vegan and it’s a trend that’s not stopping anytime soon – Take a look at our exclusive list of every 100 per cent plant-based establishment in Queensland, from healthy brunch spots to KFC vegan knock-offs. FULL LIST
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Veganism is a growing trend, with more and more Australians choosing to adopt the plant-based lifestyle.
A recent Statista report from May 2024, found that the consumption of meat and cow’s milk per-capita has been dropping, with meat and milk alternatives gradually rising in popularity.
The report found that six per cent of Australians follow a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle diet, and 22 per cent of Australians are trying to eat less meat.
And with plant-based alternatives including tastier options such as vegan burgers, cheeses and fake meat products, more restaurants have introduced vegan options, with some choosing to only offer 100 per cent plant based menus.
And while there is a growing vegan population in Queensland, it’s still difficult for fully vegan restaurants to stay afloat.
Grown Cafe in Brisbane’s West End, a customer-favourite vegan dining destination was forced to add meat to its fully plant-based menu in January this year after struggling to attract patrons.
In fact, a number of vegan eateries were forced to close their doors late last year due to current cost of living pressures, including Brisbane’s Cinnamon and Co, Enoki Coffee & Co, Grass Fed and Cardamom Pod in Broadbeach.
Another Brisbane vegan restaurant, Plant Vibes in Bowen Hills closed in January of this year.
But while many people have had to say goodbye to their favourite vegan eats, there are still a number of tasty and 100 per cent plant based eateries around the state.
Take a look at our list of every fully vegan eatery in Queensland, and our picks of the fan favourites, the best of the best, the hidden gems and the cheap eats.
FAN FAVOURITES
West End Vegan Restaurant, West End
A fully vegan Chinese restaurant, this West End favourite is known for its massive portions, delicious fake meat options and reasonable price points.
Top sellers: Vegan Honey Chicken, Combination Fried Rice, Stuffed BBQ Buns
U-TONG Thai Vegan Restaurant, Clayfield
With some reviewers dubbing it ‘the best vegan Thai in Brisbane’, U-TONG Thai Vegan Restaurant is highly commended for its great variety of dishes, delicious curries, friendly staff and yummy meat alternatives.
Top Sellers: Massaman Curry with Potatoes and Cashew Nuts, Vegan Pad See Ew, Crispy Mock Honey Chicken
Plant Vibes Cafe, Bowen Hills
An Insta-famous cafe known for its 100 per cent vegan options, Plant Vibes Cafe is recently under new ownership but is still known for serving up delicious plant-based sweet treats and brekkie options.
Adopting a pretty pastel pink design, the new owners say that one of the biggest changes they’ve introduced is seasonal menus, with their winter menu less than one week away.
“Not only are all our dishes 100 per cent plant based, we are a strong female-run cafe and we are very proud of that,” the owners said.
“The hardest part of being [a] fully vegan [cafe] is simply the stigma of the word “vegan”,
“By creating both great tasting and looking food, we are able to show not only can you eat meat free, but our food can taste just as good, if not better, to dishes containing animal products.”The beloved vegan cafe offers a 10 per cent discount for all students from Monday to Thursday and also showcases local artists at its Bowen Hills location on Brookes St.
Owner Recommendations: Big Breakfast, Pancakes, Vegan Lasagne Burger (Winter Menu exclusive)
You Came Again, West End
The only fully vegan tapas joint in the West End, You Came Again (YCA) boasts a fabulous fully gluten free menu, offering banquet style dining with vegan meatballs, seasonal vegetables and vegan cheese platters, all at a fair price that will make you want to come again.
Top Sellers: Lemon Popcorn Cauliflower Bites, YCA Cheese Board, Vegan Pesto Stuffed Mushrooms
Doko Demo V, Burleigh Waters
Offering a ‘diverse vegan menu’, Burleigh Waters’ Doko Demo V showcases a number of different cuisines on its fully vegan menu, from Balinese curries and Korean salads, to Italian classics such as spaghetti bolognese and cannelloni.
Top Sellers: Vegan Lamb Souvlaki Gyros, Vegan Butter Chicken Curry, Vegan Bang Bang Popcorn Chicken
Nurcha Kawana Cafe, Birtinya
Conveniently situated next to their own eco-friendly homewares store, Nurcha Kawana’s plant-based cafe has been dubbed ‘the best vegan cafe on the Sunshine Coast’ among visitors, with guests commending the Birtinya cafe’s location, warm atmosphere, variety of food options and selection of vegan sweets and slices.
Top Sellers: Four Cheese Toastie, Nurcha Dahl & Roti, Acai Bowl
The Green Edge Cafe, Windsor
The most reviewed vegan eatery in all of Queensland, The Green Edge is Brisbane’s largest vegan cafe and grocery store, offering delicious eats seven days a week from breakfast ‘Mocmuffins’ to sweeter treats like their Nutterscotch pancake.
Established in 2008, The Green Edge is Brisbane’s longest-running vegan dining cafe, with owner Glen saying they only serve 100 per cent plant based menu selections and organic, ethically sourced speciality coffee on 100 per cent plant based milks only.
“We have an extensive, possibly the largest and most varied, vegan cafe menu to choose from … and we have a fully vegan grocery store attached, stocked with around four-to-five thousand items,” said Glenn.
“We love helping friends and families celebrate and showcasing that vegan food and adopting a plant based lifestyle doesn’t mean missing out on anything.
“We aim to provide a range of meals and drinks that are satisfying in their serving size, no matter how hungry you are.”
Glenn and Sue purchased the business in 2016 after being customers of the cafe themselves and are now the longest owners of The Green Edge.
While they face difficulties as a fully vegan establishment with rising costs, economic pressure and availability of Australian sourced ingredients, Glenn says they still have a loyal customer base and continue to uphold their mission of making a positive difference to the planet.
“All our products are derived from plants and we favour health-oriented, organically grown, locally produced and Fair Trade products.” said Glenn.
“We strive to create a warm inviting and family friendly (fur babies welcome too!) atmosphere where anyone who is already on their plant based journey, or just starting out, cam experience how easy it is to make sustainable food and lifestyle choices that will enhance rather than harm the wellbeing of humans, animals and the environment.”
Glenn’s recommendations: Vegan Eggs Benni for breakfast, VFC Four Piece Meal for lunch, Bacon & Egg Mocmuffin for on-the-go
CHEAP EATS
Blossoming Lotus, Surfers Paradise
Offering traditional Thai cuisine with a vegan spin, the Blossoming Lotus in Surfers Paradise is known for its delicious vegan curries, stir fries and salads at an incredible price point with $12 lunch and $14 dinner specials.
Top sellers: Pad See Ew, Tofu Satay Chicken, Thai Style Fried Rice
Vege Rama, Brisbane City
A convenient over-the-counter eatery on Adelaide St, Vege Rama offers quick, healthy and cheap vegan options ranging from burgers and pies to curries and lentil crepes.
Top sellers: Vegan Soy Mince Lasagna, Vegan Pumpkin and Leek Frittata, Salad of the Day
BEST OF THE BEST
Dicki’s Cafe, Ascot & New Farm
Family owned and operated and named after the owners’ late father, Dicki’s in New Farm and Ascot is bound to impress vegans and non-vegans alike with their delicious all-day breakfast menu and charming indoor and alfresco dining.
Top sellers: Breaky Burrito, Caesar Salad Wrap, Dicki’s Classic Burger
Yavanna, Paddington
A vegan twist on your favourite comfort foods, Yavanna is known for their delicious takes on classic dishes, including their famed KFC knock-off, their ‘Signature Fried CFC’.
Recently changing ownership in 2022, one of the current owners Urvashi says that the previous owners started Yavanna with a well presented menu that would even make meat lovers feel like they are not eating a vegan meal.
Urvashi says one of the biggest difficulties they face as a fully vegan establishment is the loss of customers who do not understand vegan food.
“Some people think if it’s vegan, it’s just vegetables, so they never enter,” Urvashi said.
“Sometimes [if there’s] a group of people and someone really wants to have a meat option, they can’t come to us,
“And sometimes we cannot get [the] product in market [and it’s] so hard to source the product – and without the specific product we can’t maintain quality.”
Urvashi says Yavanna has continue to run successfully since its change of ownership in 2022 and the locals have been supportive as more nearby venues have also begun to sell vegan options.
Top sellers: Signature Fried CFC, CFC Burger, Sweet & Sour Buffalo Cauli Wings
El Planta, South Brisbane
What began as a pop-up space in 2019 is now one of the best vegan restaurants in Brisbane, offering a traditional Mexican and Californian Mexican inspired seasonal menu, with hand-pressed tortillas made from scratch from their all-female team.
Izakaya Midori, Reedy Creek
Established in 2019, this no meat, no fish, no egg, no dairy Japanese restaurant offers “original, flavourful and visually appealing” vegan food, with a focus on family-friendly food that’s environmentally conscious.
Top Sellers: Karaage Don, Chiki-Avo Nigiri, Agedashi Tofu
Greenhouse Canteen & Bar, Tallebudgera Valley
Attached to the contemporary boutique day spa Greenhouse Bathhouse in Tallebudgera Valley, the Greenhouse Canteen & Bar is an Insta-famous dining experience, offering a completely plant-based menu of delicious eats including Korean rice cakes, eggplant parmigiana and stuffed zucchini flowers.
Top Sellers: Cauliflower Florets, Pumpkin Alfredo Gnocchi, Kale Caesar Salad
Elixiba, Maroochydore
Situated in the heart of Maroochydore, Elixiba Restaurant and Alchemy Bar is a coeliac friendly and plant-based establishment that has been selling house-made meals, botanical elixirs and delicious cocktails for the past eight years.
Top Sellers: Humble Burger, Noble Nachos, Mango & Wattleseed Cheesecake
HIDDEN GEMS
Neon Ramen, Everton Park
Opened in April, 2023, Neon Ramen is Queensland’s only entirely plant-based ramen spot, made using high quality coeliac-friendly local ingredients and decorated with neon signs, anime murals and adorable cat-shaped bowls to serve fully vegan ramen.
Archie AM PM, Carseldine
Situated in Carseldine Central Shopping Centre, Archie AM PM opened in May of this year and offers vegan food and drinks all day and all night long, with an on-tap coffee bar, vegan sweet treats, classic avo on toast, vegan steak subs and free puppacinos.
Top Sellers: Archie’s Steak Sub, Baklava Donut, Cherry Ripe Mocha
Bam Pow, Port Douglas
A Southeast Asian inspired bar and kitchen, Bam Pow in Port Douglas offers the best in cocktails, beers and Asian-inspired street food with a plant-based twist in their dog friendly venue, offering tasty vegan takes on banh mis, bao buns and noodles.
“We’re a unique, low-key and somewhat unassuming little restaurant and bar in Port Douglas with a welcoming vibe, a passionate team and good tunes,” the owners said.
“Couple that with exceptional Southeast Asian-inspired dishes and handcrafted cocktails using only fresh, local ingredients.
“It’s fair to say that we all get a kick out of being a tad unexpected.”
With a background in music influencing the quirky and contemporary aesthetic of Bam Pow, the owners say there are still difficulties in being a vegan establishment, although the stigma around a plant-based diet is decreasing.
“The perception and stigma surrounding veganism – it’s becoming less common, but the word might deter people from trying your food, which can be a little disheartening,” the owners said.
“The perception that vegan food is synonymous with health food can be challenging to overcome,
“Our team have become well-versed in managing the curious and the sceptical.”
Owner’s recommendations: Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Rice Crepe), Yellow Curry, Goi Ga (Chick’n Salad)
READ MORE: PORT DOUGLAS’ FIRST VEGAN ASIAN FUSION RESTAURANT
Jing Si Books & Cafe, Salisbury
A relaxing and calm cafe nestled by Griffith University’s Nathan Campus, Jing Si Books & Cafe offers the perfect study spot with a wide selection of vegan goodies, organic Taiwanese teas, plant-based pastries, rice bowls, dumpling soups and alternative milk coffees.
Owner Alice Ong describes Jing Si Books & Cafe as a not for profit-driven cafe that offers a ‘spiritual respite amidst the hustle and bustle of modern city life’.
“[We provide] a quiet and cozy space where visitors can settle their minds and quench their spiritual thirst through Jing Si’s publications, humanistic culture, and coffee and tea.” said Alice.
As a fully vegan cafe, Alice says that they face challenges such as limited vegan suppliers, higher ingredient costs, and shorter shelf lives.
“Additionally, vegan food is often associated with being gluten free, which limits our dessert options” said Alice.
Named after the founder Master Cheng Yen who was ordained as a Buddhist nun, ‘Jing Si’ serves a reminder to cultivate the purity of the heart and protect the environment, with proceeds from the sales of the cafe supporting the Jing Si Abode in Hualien, Taiwan where Master Cheng Yen and her nuns reside.
Most of the products at the cafe are made by the nuns and volunteers with a message of spreading love, helping those in need and protecting Mother Earth.
Alice’s recommendations: Turmeric Latte, Jing Si Speciality Tea Set, Jing Si Rice Bowl
Do you have a vegan establishment not on the list? Get in touch via natalie.patterson@news.com.au
More Coverage
Originally published as Trendy bars, healthy cafes, hidden gems: Every fully vegan establishment in Queensland
Messy legal battle threatens music festivals across the east coast
A major concert promoter selling tickets to a festivals in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne later this month is facing the prospect of winding up by a creditor if a court gives the green light.
Man dives into Broadwater after alleged shopping centre assault
After allegedly stealing a trolley full of groceries and assaulting a security guard, police say a Gold Coast man dove into the Broadwater. Here’s what happened next.