Taking a very literal leaf from Bart Simpson’s catchphrase book, stacks of humans have gone vegan over the past few years. With increasing (and freakishly similar) substitutes for animal-based flavours you’ve grown up with and don’t believe you could live without, giving it a crack at the very least would be a life-changing experience.
Veganuary is a time to give veganism a chance – replace bacon with facon, mozzarella with notzarella, and feel all the better for it. Here’s our round-up of Brisbane’s best plant-based eateries, and no, they don’t just do salad (but they do win friends with it).
Salt Meats Cheese | Gasworks
Eight words and I’m yours… all-you-can-eat vegan pizza and pasta! Salt Meats Cheese Gasworks is letting vegans live their best life on January 24, with all the plant-based pizza, pasta and lasagne you can physically handle for $20 with any drink purchase. No truffle mushroom pizza will be safe from hungry eyes, and no pants will remain un-buttoned. If you can’t make it in for the special, head in anytime for a glorious vegan menu that’s always up for grabs.
I Like Ramen | Fortitude Valley
This charmin’ ramen king is so much more than its signature dish. I Like Ramen will have you falling head over heels from the very first ‘duck’ bao, to the very last panko mushroom – but be warned, it’s pretty addictive. The Brissy team have also been hard at work with dessert creations, including a dark chocolate and ginger lava cake with raspberry coulis. #sendnoods
Grassfed | South Brisbane
The grass is greener and more carb-loaded than ever at Fish Lane’s newest dedicated vegan burger joint! Grassfed is pumping out sky-high burgers loaded with the likes of veg ‘beef’, ‘chicken’, ‘bacon’ and ‘pork’, with plenty of nuggets, beer, shakes and ice cream to really get ya going. We don’t want none unless you got vegan buns, hun.
Flora | West End
Miami’s own Flora has blossomed in West End as a boho-chic corner store café. Provided with the option to dine in or take away, you’ll need to make a very tricky decision between a waffle stack served with rice paper bacon, hash brown, seasonal fruit and ice cream or Mexican mince nachos with picked cabbage, cashew cheese, kraut and avo, before realising that the entire menu will need your time and attention. Guess we’ll just never leave?
The Stand | Fortitude Valley
Stand up, be humble. Finding a dessert/cocktail bar in the Valley was a pretty big win, and learning that they have an abundance of vegan options? Priceless. Put your sweet tooth to good use with a strawberries and cream pana cotta, sticky date pudding, black forest, ambrosia and lemon meringue. One dentist appointment, coming right up!
Yavanna | Paddington
Yavanna piece of this? Let’s just respond for you with a big yes, because you’ve just struck foodie gold. Keeping in mind that everything is in fact plant-based, you can indulge in house made BBQ ribs, chilli cheese fries, chicken schnitty and mac and cheese without feeling guilty at all… about the animals that is. Gooodbyeee diet!
Green Edge | Windsor
Have your vegan staples and eat them too with Windsor’s glorious café-supermarket hybrid. This pocket-sized venue packs a vego punch, meaning you can pop in for gnocchi with house made cheesy tomato sauce served with salad and garlic bread, and leave with enough cashew cheese and faux-meat to last the week. That’s what we call living life on the edge.
Netherworld | Fortitude Valley
Go for the games, stay for the food. In between crushing The Simpsons arcade game and screaming at the pinball machines, Netherworld’s in house vegan eatery, Hellmouth Diner, will serve heaven on a plate in the form of poutine, burgers, pizza and potato bake, making for an other-worldly experience in your own neighbourhood.
Dicki’s | New Farm
All-day brekkie for kids of all ages is a go at Dicki’s. If you’re a big kid, you’ll want to get your hands on the tofu scramble with garlic thyme mushrooms, spinach and tomato relish and sourdough toast, and the breakfast burrito with spiced rice, scrambled tofu, black beans, kale, salsa and a hashie. The little ones will love everything from pancakes to waffles and avo on toast, making for one happy family day out.
Grown | West End
Brunch and dinner is done best at Grown. Start your morning right with brioche French toast, then come back for a late bite of slow roasted pumpkin with pale ale mustard, grains and garlic oil. There are plenty of spirits to lift yours, alongside beer, wine, and juice and coffee for your morning pep up.
Get your veg on.
