The Hobart cafe smashing avo and stereotypes of vegan, gluten-free food

A Hobart cafe’s “root to tip” approach is what makes them popular with the environment-conscious and health nuts. They’re vying to be named Tassie’s Best Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurant. HOW TO VOTE >>

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PERFECTLY poached eggs sandwiched inside a homemade bun with sauteed greens and sweet chutney — meat- and gluten-free never tasted so good.

For Straight Up Coffee and Food, they’ve been smashing vegan and gluten-free stereotypes for more than five years in their Liverpool Street cafe.

Manager Ebony Lucas said their “root to tip” approach to cooking is what makes them popular among Hobartians wanting to do the right thing for the environment and follow a ‘zero waste’ approach.

“Jess and Chicko (Mackeen) opened the business because at that time there were no cafes that were completely gluten free,” Ms Lucas said.

“Jess thought ‘no one takes it seriously that people can get sick’ so they wanted to make a completely gluten-free space.”

Roisin Abberton barista at Straight Up Coffee and Food in Hobart. Picture: EDDIE SAFARIK

Ms Lucas said changing people’s minds about vegetarian food was something they saw happen every day.

“We get people in all the time who think gluten-free food just tastes like cardboard; we get customers you have to talk into trying it and they love it,” she said.

“It can be delicious while also being good for your body.”

Straight Up also bakes their own bread, cakes and treats via their ‘Baked Gluten Free’ bakery in Moonah seven days a week, as well as roasting their own coffee next door at Straight Up Roasters.

“We sell our bread, baked goods and coffees in a number of cafes around Hobart, along the coast and even up in Launceston,” Ms Lucas said.

The local business will vie for the title of Best Tassie Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurant — to be determined by Mercury readers.

Nominate your favourite vegetarian/vegan restaurant at the Mercury’s Facebook page. Voting closes 9am Wednesday, with the finalists and official poll revealed shortly after.

Check out the Mercury’s new Facebook group — Best of Tasmania — where all suggestions for themes, as well as results and winner stories will be posted.

Follow @casgarvey