Best Vegan Restaurants Melbourne (2026): 30 Plant-Based Spots

By the Melbourne Tourism Editorial Team · Last updated 30 May 2026

The best vegan restaurants in Melbourne are some of the world’s best plant-based restaurants — full stop. Melbourne has been a vegan food capital since the early 2010s, when chefs like Shannon Martinez (Smith & Daughters) showed that plant-based cooking could rival traditional restaurant fine dining. Today the city has 200+ dedicated vegan and vegetarian restaurants, plus thousands of regular cafes and restaurants with extensive plant-based menus. This 2026 guide covers 30 of the best vegan restaurants in Melbourne by neighbourhood, dish style, and use-case — from Smith & Daughters’ Spanish heritage menu to Smith & Deli’s New York-style pastrami sandwiches and Combi’s California smoothie bowls. Includes vegetarian options, gluten-free vegan, and where to take a die-hard sceptic to convert them.

Top 10 best vegan restaurants in Melbourne

1. Smith & Daughters (Fitzroy) — Spanish-Mexican plant-based fine dining; Shannon Martinez’s flagship.
2. Smith & Deli (Fitzroy) — sister deli with vegan reuben sandwiches and pastrami.
3. Transformer (Fitzroy) — Vietnamese-fusion vegan, modern.
4. Yong Green Food (Fitzroy) — Korean-vegan brunch and dinner.
5. Vegie Bar (Fitzroy) — Brunswick Street vegan stalwart since 1990.
6. Combi (Elwood) — California-style plant-based smoothie bowls and salads.
7. Monk Bodhi Dharma (Balaclava) — vegetarian-led, plant-forward, in a converted warehouse.
8. Lentil As Anything (Abbotsford) — pay-what-you-can vegetarian.
9. Serotonin Eatery (Burnley) — chocolate-shop and brunch with mood-boosting menu.
10. Soul Burger (Carlton) — Australian vegan burger chain.

Best vegan restaurants in Fitzroy and Collingwood

• Smith & Daughters (175 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy) — Shannon Martinez’s flagship. Mexican-Spanish menu, dinner only. Order the chorizo & black bean tacos. Bookings essential.
• Smith & Deli (111 Moor Street, Fitzroy) — sister deli, lunch only. Order the vegan reuben or the pastrami sandwich.
• Transformer (99 Rose Street, Fitzroy) — Vietnamese-fusion fine dining.
• Yong Green Food (421 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy) — Korean-vegan, all-day cafe.
• Vegie Bar (380 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy) — vegan stalwart since 1990. Affordable, casual.
• Hash Specialty Coffee & Bakery (Fitzroy) — vegan baked goods and coffee.
• Yong Green Food’s sister Yim Yam (Brunswick) — Thai-Korean vegan.
• Soul Burger (Brunswick Street, Fitzroy) — vegan burger chain.
• Mount Zero Olives Bar (Fitzroy) — vegan-friendly olives and small plates.

Best vegan restaurants in the CBD

• Smith & Daughters Provedore (Carlisle Street) — Smith & Daughters’ deli outpost.
• Soul Burger (CBD) — quick, casual vegan burgers.
• Lord of the Fries (multiple) — vegan fast-food chain (Australian).
• Shakahari (Carlton, technically just outside CBD) — long-running vegetarian.
• Bao Bar (CBD) — kid-sized vegan steamed buns.
• Higher Ground (CBD) — not vegan, but extensive plant-based options.
• Chin Chin (Flinders Lane) — pan-Asian sharing plates with strong vegan menu.
• Cumulus Inc. (Flinders Lane) — fine-dining cafe with vegan options on the menu.

Best vegan restaurants in St Kilda and bayside

• Combi (Elwood) — California-style plant-based, smoothie bowls and grain bowls.
• Monk Bodhi Dharma (Balaclava) — vegetarian-led, plant-forward.
• Lentil As Anything (St Kilda) — pay-what-you-can vegetarian.
• Galaxy Garden (Carlisle Street, Balaclava) — Asian-vegan eatery.
• Mart 130 (Middle Park) — extensive plant-based options on a regular brunch menu.

Best vegan restaurants in Carlton and the inner north

• Shakahari (Carlton) — long-running vegetarian since 1972.
• Trippy Taco (Fitzroy/Carlton) — Mexican vegan tacos.
• Loving Hut (multiple) — international vegan chain with a Carlton location.
• Mahalia (Carlton) — vegan-friendly with extensive plant-based menu.
• Abla’s (Carlton) — Lebanese with strong vegan options.

Best vegan brunch in Melbourne

• Combi (Elwood) — smoothie bowls, açaí, grain bowls.
• Smith & Deli (Fitzroy) — vegan reuben and pastrami breakfast sandwiches.
• Vegie Bar (Fitzroy) — affordable, all-day brunch.
• Yong Green Food (Fitzroy) — Korean-influenced vegan brunch.
• Monk Bodhi Dharma (Balaclava) — sit-down vegetarian brunch.
• Serotonin Eatery (Burnley) — mood-boosting menu, brunch focus.
• Hash Specialty Coffee (Fitzroy) — vegan baked goods and coffee.
• Industry Beans (Fitzroy) — extensive vegan options on a regular menu.

Best vegan burgers in Melbourne

• Soul Burger (multiple Melbourne locations) — Australian vegan burger chain.
• Lord of the Fries (multiple) — vegan fast-food.
• Smith & Daughters’ burger night (Fitzroy, when running) — special burger menu.
• Beatbox Kitchen (Thornbury) — burgers and shakes; not strictly vegan but extensive plant-based options.
• Royal Stacks (multiple) — burger chain with vegan-friendly options.
• Vegie Bar (Fitzroy) — vegan burger and chips.

Vegan dessert and bakery

• Hash Specialty Coffee & Bakery (Fitzroy) — vegan croissants, donuts, and pastries.
• Smith & Deli (Fitzroy) — vegan New York-style cheesecakes.
• Vegan Treats Australia (online) — delivers vegan cakes across Melbourne.
• Babka Bakery Cafe (Fitzroy) — has dedicated vegan baked goods.
• Glico Pinya Donuts (Brunswick) — vegan donuts.
• Pidapipo Lab (multiple) — has vegan gelato options.
• Zumbo Cafe (Brighton) — has vegan macarons.
• Serotonin Eatery (Burnley) — chocolate-shop with vegan focus.

Vegan-friendly restaurants in Melbourne

These restaurants aren’t dedicated vegan but have substantial plant-based menus suitable for vegans. Useful when dining with mixed groups.

• Chin Chin (Flinders Lane) — pan-Asian sharing plates with strong vegan menu.
• Industry Beans (Fitzroy) — coffee-flight cafe with extensive plant-based brunch.
• Cumulus Inc. (Flinders Lane) — fine-dining cafe with vegan tasting options.
• Higher Ground (CBD) — large all-day cafe with strong plant-based menu.
• Top Paddock (Richmond) — popular brunch with vegan dishes.
• Hardware Société (CBD) — French-leaning brunch with vegan options.
• Mamasita (Collins Street) — Mexican with vegan tacos and bowls.
• Lazerpig (Smith Street, Collingwood) — Italian-American with vegan pizzas.

Best vegan restaurants by cuisine

Asian-vegan

• Yong Green Food (Korean-influenced).
• Transformer (Vietnamese-fusion).
• Yim Yam (Thai-Korean).
• Galaxy Garden (Asian-fusion).
• Loving Hut (international vegan chain).

Mediterranean-vegan

• Smith & Daughters (Spanish-Mexican).
• Mount Zero Olives Bar (Mediterranean small plates).
• Abla’s (Lebanese with vegan focus).
• Trippy Taco (Mexican).

Plant-forward modern Australian

• Combi (California-style).
• Monk Bodhi Dharma (vegetarian-led).
• Serotonin Eatery (mood-boosting menu).
• Vegie Bar (long-running staple).

Vegan and gluten-free in Melbourne

• Combi (Elwood) — most menu items can be made GF.
• Wild Things (multiple) — fully GF kitchen with extensive vegan options.
• Friends of Mine (Richmond) — clearly marked GF and vegan options.
• Serotonin Eatery (Burnley) — GF and vegan focus.
• Hash Specialty Coffee (Fitzroy) — GF and vegan baked goods.
• Lentil As Anything (Abbotsford) — GF options on the daily menu.

Smith & Daughters and the Melbourne vegan scene

Shannon Martinez’s Smith & Daughters is widely credited with transforming Melbourne’s vegan scene from a hippie-influenced fringe to a fine-dining destination. Opened in 2014, the Brunswick Street restaurant brought Mexican and Spanish flavours to plant-based cooking and proved that vegan dining could rival the best traditional restaurants. Smith & Deli (lunch-only deli sister) followed in 2015. The two together helped establish Melbourne as a global vegan food destination.

Other influential figures: Damien Coulson and Carlie Barker (Yong Green Food, founded 2010s), founders of Combi, and the long-standing Lentil As Anything ethical model.

Booking, etiquette, and tips

• Smith & Daughters bookings essential — books out 1–2 weeks ahead, particularly weekends.
• Smith & Deli is walk-in — no bookings; quick service for lunch.
• Combi is walk-in for brunch; some pre-booking for dinner.
• Vegie Bar bookings recommended for groups of 6+.
• Lentil As Anything pay-what-you-can — pay what you think your meal is worth, including donating extra to support the program.
• Card surcharge common at most cafes (1.5%).
• Tipping not expected — round up.
• Vegan-specific holidays — World Vegan Day (November 1), Veganuary (January) often see special menus.

Vegan grocery and pantry shopping in Melbourne

• Aunt Maggie’s (multiple Melbourne locations) — vegan-focused supermarket.
• Terra Madre (Northcote) — health-food store with vegan focus.
• Melbourne Veggie Co-op (St Kilda) — community vegetable co-op.
• Coles and Woolworths supermarkets — both have extensive vegan ranges in 2026.
• Queen Vic Market — vegan-friendly Mediterranean stalls and bulk food vendors.

Vegan tour options in Melbourne

• Melbourne Vegan Food Tours — A$120, 3 hours, multiple cafe and restaurant stops with tastings.
• Self-guided Fitzroy vegan crawl — Smith & Daughters → Smith & Deli → Yong Green Food → Vegie Bar → Hash Bakery.
• Self-guided bayside vegan crawl — Combi → Monk Bodhi Dharma → Galaxy Garden → Lentil As Anything.
• Veganuary January events — many restaurants run special menus during the global Veganuary month.

Best vegan restaurants for special occasions

• Smith & Daughters (Fitzroy) — date night, anniversary.
• Transformer (Fitzroy) — fine-dining vegan.
• Combi (Elwood) — bayside brunch celebrations.
• Monk Bodhi Dharma (Balaclava) — group dinners.
• Lentil As Anything (Abbotsford) — large groups, pay-what-you-can.
• Mount Zero Olives Bar (Fitzroy) — pre-show drinks.

Cost of vegan dining in Melbourne

• Brunch at vegan cafe — A$22–A$32 per person.
• Lunch at Smith & Deli — A$15–A$22 per person.
• Dinner at Smith & Daughters — A$50–A$85 per person.
• Vegan burger meal — A$15–A$22.
• Smoothie bowl at Combi — A$18–A$24.
• Coffee + vegan pastry — A$10–A$14.
• Pay-what-you-can at Lentil As Anything — donations from A$5 to A$30.

Detailed profiles: Melbourne’s most-visited vegan restaurants

Smith & Daughters (Fitzroy)

Shannon Martinez’s flagship at 175 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. Opened 2014. Spanish-Mexican-influenced plant-based fine dining. Dinner only (Wednesday–Sunday). The signature chorizo & black bean tacos have been on the menu since opening. Wine list emphasises Australian natural wine. A$60–A$95 per person 3 courses. Bookings essential — 1–2 weeks ahead, particularly weekends.

Smith & Deli (Fitzroy)

Lunch-only sister to Smith & Daughters at 111 Moor Street. Vegan reuben sandwich (pastrami substitute, sauerkraut, gruyere substitute, Russian dressing). Vegan pastrami sandwiches. Cheesecake-style desserts. A$15–A$22 per meal. Walk-in only.

Combi (Elwood)

California-style plant-based at 31 Spray Street, Elwood. Smoothie bowls, grain bowls, salads. The signature açaí bowl is iconic. A$18–A$28. Beach-side location pairs with St Kilda walks.

Monk Bodhi Dharma (Balaclava)

Vegetarian-led brunch and dinner in a converted warehouse at 202 Carlisle Street, Balaclava. Plant-forward Asian and Mediterranean fusion. Kombucha bar. A$22–A$35.

Vegie Bar (Fitzroy)

Vegan stalwart since 1990 at 380 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. Affordable, casual, family-friendly. Vegan burgers, curries, salads. A$15–A$22. Walk-in only; group bookings recommended.

Yong Green Food (Fitzroy)

Korean-vegan fusion at 421 Brunswick Street. Bibimbap, kimchi, plant-based banchan. Brunch and dinner.

Transformer (Fitzroy)

Vietnamese-fusion vegan at 99 Rose Street, Fitzroy. Modern, refined plates. Wine pairings. A$50–A$80 per person.

Lentil As Anything (Abbotsford)

Pay-what-you-can vegetarian at multiple Melbourne locations. Original at the Abbotsford Convent. Donations from A$5 to A$30. Communal seating, ethical model. Meals are filling and homely.

Serotonin Eatery (Burnley)

Mood-boosting plant-based menu. Brunch focus. Chocolate-shop attached. Smoothies, açaí bowls, breakfast wraps. A$22–A$32.

Soul Burger (multiple)

Australian vegan burger chain. Beyond Burger and Impossible-style patties. A$15–A$22 per meal.

Vegan dining etiquette

• Smith & Daughters bookings essential — book 1–2 weeks ahead, particularly weekends.
• Smith & Deli is walk-in — no bookings; quick service for lunch.
• Combi is walk-in for brunch; some pre-booking for dinner.
• Vegie Bar bookings recommended for groups of 6+.
• Lentil As Anything pay-what-you-can — pay what you think your meal is worth, including donating extra to support the program.
• Card surcharge common at most cafes (1.5%).
• Tipping not expected — round up.
• Vegan-specific holidays — World Vegan Day (November 1), Veganuary (January) often see special menus.

Vegan dining for couples and date nights

• Smith & Daughters — refined fine dining, intimate atmosphere.
• Transformer — Vietnamese-fusion fine dining.
• Cibi (Collingwood) — Japanese-Australian, beautiful design.
• Mountain Goat Brewery (Collingwood) — vegan-friendly with strong food.
• Serotonin Eatery — chocolate-shop pairing.
• Bar Liberty (Fitzroy) — natural wine bar with vegan options.
• Marion (Collingwood) — natural wine bar with vegan menu.
• Lazerpig (Collingwood) — Italian-American with vegan pizzas.

Vegan dining for groups

• Vegie Bar (Fitzroy) — affordable, large groups welcome.
• Lentil As Anything (Abbotsford) — communal seating.
• Industry Beans (Fitzroy) — large indoor seating.
• Higher Ground (CBD) — large all-day cafe with strong vegan options.
• Three Bags Full (Abbotsford) — vegan-friendly, family-style.
• Auction Rooms (North Melbourne) — large tables, family-friendly.
• Soul Burger (multiple) — quick group dining.

Vegan grocery shopping in Melbourne

• Aunt Maggie’s vegan grocer — multiple Melbourne locations.
• Terra Madre (Northcote) — health-food store with vegan focus.
• Coles and Woolworths supermarkets — both have extensive vegan ranges.
• Queen Vic Market — Mediterranean stalls with vegan-friendly bulk goods.
• Mediterranean Wholesalers (Brunswick) — bulk vegan pantry items.
• Backpackers’ kitchen ingredients — IGA and 7-Eleven sell vegan basics.
• Farmers’ markets — Rose Street (Fitzroy), Carlton, Brunswick farmers’ markets.

Vegan-friendly hotels in Melbourne

• Quest serviced apartments — kitchens for self-catering. Multiple locations.
• Adina Apartment Hotels — apartment-style with full kitchens.
• Crown Towers — vegan-friendly room service menu.
• Park Hyatt Melbourne — vegan-friendly room service.
• The Langham Melbourne — vegan-friendly afternoon tea on request.
• Most major hotels have vegan options on room service menus.

Vegan tour options in Melbourne

• Melbourne Vegan Food Tours — A$120, 3 hours, multiple cafe and restaurant stops with tastings.
• Self-guided Fitzroy vegan crawl — Smith & Daughters → Smith & Deli → Yong Green Food → Vegie Bar → Hash Bakery.
• Self-guided bayside vegan crawl — Combi → Monk Bodhi Dharma → Galaxy Garden → Lentil As Anything.
• Veganuary January events — many restaurants run special menus during the global Veganuary month.

Vegan food experiences for visitors

• Smith & Daughters dinner — Spanish-Mexican vegan fine dining. Book 1–2 weeks ahead.
• Combi smoothie bowl breakfast — California-style, 30 min visit.
• Monk Bodhi Dharma weekend brunch — communal seating.
• Lentil As Anything dinner — pay-what-you-can community model.
• Vegan reuben at Smith & Deli for lunch — Melbourne icon.
• Hash Specialty Coffee vegan pastries — perfect with morning coffee.
• Serotonin Eatery for chocolate-shop dessert.
• Combined day tour — vegan food tour combined with St Kilda Beach and the Espy.

Vegan dining outside Melbourne CBD

• Healesville Sanctuary cafe (Yarra Valley) — vegan-friendly menu.
• Yarra Valley Chocolaterie — vegan chocolate options.
• Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs cafe — vegan-friendly meals.
• Sorrento and Portsea cafes — most have vegan options.
• Apollo Bay Hotel (Great Ocean Road) — vegan menu items.
• Bell Bay (Phillip Island) — relaxed pub with vegan options.
• Avalon Airport food court — limited vegan options; pre-pack snacks.

Vegan packing for Melbourne visitors

• Pre-research vegan cafes near your accommodation.
• Download HappyCow app for vegan restaurant search.
• Pack reusable shopping bags for vegan grocery shops.
• Bring vegan snack bars for travel days and day trips.
• Most Melbourne supermarkets have plant-milk options at the airport.
• Consider booking apartment-style accommodation with kitchen for longer stays.
• Vegan dietary preferences clearly noted on most cafe menus.

Vegan dining cost breakdown

• Brunch at vegan cafe — A$22–A$32 per person.
• Lunch at Smith & Deli — A$15–A$22 per person.
• Dinner at Smith & Daughters — A$50–A$85 per person.
• Vegan burger meal — A$15–A$22.
• Smoothie bowl at Combi — A$18–A$24.
• Coffee + vegan pastry — A$10–A$14.
• Pay-what-you-can at Lentil As Anything — donations from A$5 to A$30.
• Vegan grocery shopping — typical week of ingredients A$80–A$120 per person.
• Vegan day trip food — pack from Aunt Maggie’s vegan grocer for the day.

Famous vegan chefs in Melbourne

• Shannon Martinez — Smith & Daughters and Smith & Deli founder.
• Damien Coulson and Carlie Barker — Yong Green Food founders.
• Andre Bishop — Combi co-founder.
• Salvatore Boccaccio — Monk Bodhi Dharma owner.
• Carlos Sapochnik — Soul Burger founder.

Vegan accommodation in Melbourne

• Most Airbnb hosts list vegan-friendly amenities (plant milk in fridge, vegan-stocked pantry).
• Hotels with full kitchens (Quest, Adina) suit vegan self-catering.
• Crown Towers has dedicated vegan room-service menus.
• Many Fitzroy and Carlton Airbnbs are owned by vegan-friendly hosts.
• Search HappyCow listings for vegan-owned accommodation.

Frequently asked questions about the best vegan restaurants in Melbourne

What’s the best vegan restaurant in Melbourne?

Smith & Daughters in Fitzroy is widely considered the best vegan fine-dining restaurant in Melbourne and one of the world’s best plant-based restaurants.

Is Melbourne good for vegans?

Yes — one of the best vegan food cities in the world. 200+ dedicated vegan and vegetarian restaurants. Most regular cafes have substantial plant-based menus.

What’s the cheapest vegan food in Melbourne?

Lentil As Anything (pay-what-you-can vegetarian, multiple locations) and Vegie Bar (Brunswick Street, Fitzroy) are the most affordable. Soul Burger and Lord of the Fries are vegan fast-food options.

Are there vegan options in CBD Melbourne?

Yes — Soul Burger, Lord of the Fries, Smith & Daughters Provedore (deli), Bao Bar, and most regular cafes have plant-based options. Chin Chin and Cumulus Inc. on Flinders Lane both have strong vegan menus.

Where can I get vegan brunch in Melbourne?

Combi (Elwood) for smoothie bowls; Smith & Deli for vegan reuben sandwiches; Vegie Bar for affordable all-day vegan brunch; Yong Green Food for Korean-influenced; Monk Bodhi Dharma for vegetarian-led.

Are most Melbourne restaurants vegan-friendly?

Yes — even non-vegan restaurants typically have multiple plant-based options. Most cafes mark vegan items clearly. Mexican, Vietnamese, and Indian restaurants are particularly vegan-friendly.

How much do vegan restaurants cost in Melbourne?

Brunch A$22–A$32 per person; dinner A$50–A$85 at Smith & Daughters; pay-what-you-can at Lentil As Anything; vegan fast-food A$15–A$22.

What’s the difference between Smith & Daughters and Smith & Deli?

Smith & Daughters is the dinner-only Spanish-Mexican fine-dining restaurant on Brunswick Street. Smith & Deli is the lunch-only deli on Moor Street with vegan reuben sandwiches and pastrami. Both run by Shannon Martinez.

Final word: Melbourne is a vegan food destination

Melbourne’s vegan restaurants are world-class — for visitors with plant-based diets, the city is one of the most rewarding food destinations on earth. Plan a Fitzroy vegan crawl day, build in Smith & Daughters bookings ahead, and try Combi or Monk Bodhi Dharma as a brunch alternative. For broader food context, see our best restaurants in Melbourne pillar.