Once upon a time, tracking down decent vegan eats in Brisbane was a royal pain in the butt. Thankfully, the dark days are behind us, with cafes all over the city opening their arms (and their menus) to plant-based eats. Any vegan or vegetarian worth their tofu has no doubt ticked these bad boys off their list, but if you’re new to ethical eating, we’re here to make the journey just a little bit easier, one meal at a time. So whether you’re vegan for life or just trialling a meatless Monday, we’ve rounded up the best vegan and vegetarian cafes in Brisbane for your next brunch date.
Vega Cafe
Spring Hill
Nestled in a leafy courtyard in Spring Hill is Vega Cafe, a place where all your vegan brunch and dinner fantasies come true. The fully vegan cafe, adorned in colourful flowery murals, boasts dishes like croffle stacks with grilled halloumi, pesto tempeh, and carrot bacon, as well as garlic bagels with scrambled tofu, mushroom duxelles, and beetroot hummus. Other options include aubergine shakshuka, sago pudding on french toast, and tempeh salad. Sounds like a spread to us.
Cinnamon & Co
West End
What started as a food truck called Wild Spice Kitchen has blossomed into the vibey vegan cafe we know and love as Cinnamon and Co. Regulars will know that this spot has been through some tough times, with a fire ripping through the beloved eatery in 2022—but after a lengthy refurbishment they are back and better than ever. The charming two story joint includes street level indoor and outdoor dining, as well as a basement level of retro booths and couches. Their menu includes classics from Wild Spice, like their cheesy tofu scramble with a croissant and hash browns and newer options like their chickpea schnitzel and chilli aioli burger. But don’t overlook Mama Mac ’n’ Cheese, because the creamy cashew and potato sauce is not to be missed.
Plant Vibes
Bowen Hills
If you’re all about eating green, prepare to drool over the plant-based concoctions of this inner city cafe. Plant Vibes' minimalist, Scandi aesthetic (and tasteful greenery) will whisk you away to the streets of Denmark, providing the perfect escape from the scorching summer heat. Tuck in to their delectable creme brulee pancakes, vanilla hotcakes served up with vanilla creme brulee, strawberries, coconut ice cream and maple syrup. Prefer a savoury brunch? Try the breakfast gnocchi, loaded with roast mushrooms and 'bacon,' the zucchini fritters or any one of the scrumptions dishes on their all vegan menu.
Little Black Pug
Mt Gravatt
Being one of the southside’s few dog-friendly cafes, Little Black Pug holds a special place in hearts, made all the larger by their vegan-friendly menu. Start the day off with sweet coconut polenta porridge or the panko mushrooms atop miso carrot lentil hummus and crumpet loaf with spicy aioli. Little Pug has vego and gluten-free options too, making it the perfect place to host your next group brunch (doggos included, of course).
Pancha
Hamilton
When it comes to farm to plate dining, Pancha is on another level. The vegan cafe sources almost all their produce from their own farm—yep, they own a farm just to supply you with your daily brunch fix. And this plant-based fix is worth it—from truffle miso pasta to pink kimchi burritos to pina colada panna cotta, they’ve taken plant-based dining to a whole new level. Grab the pals—vego, vegan, and meat-eater alike—and head on over to Pancha for some food that won’t break the bank…or the planet.
Grown Cafe
West End
Spruiking sustainability and locally sourced ingredients, West End's Grown Café is no longer only for vegos, but they've made sure to keep a section of their menu dedicated to plant-based eats. Tuck into slow roasted forest mushrooms on toast with rosemary baked potatoes and a truffle and almond dressing or stop in for lunch for a seared house tofu burger.
Dicki’s
New Farm And Ascot
With a menu designed to make even the most devoted carnivore drool, Dicki’s is our go-to for vegan eats on the fly—especially now that they're in two locations. Their all-day breakfast menu features all your faves, with an animal-friendly, plant-based twist. Think weekly waffle specials, green 'eggs' on Turkish bread and corn fritters stacked with avocado and pico de gallo relish. Dicki’s also has some fab lunch options, and an epic range of freshly squeezed juices and smoothies. Our pick? The peanut butter and banana smoothie, made with coconut milk and vegan ice cream. De-lish.
Papermoon Coffee House
Annerley
Get your caffeine fix with your choice of plant-based milk at this eclectic southside coffee house. Papermoon’s curated beverage selection is 100% vegan, so you can work your way down the menu without selling your soul. Even better, from Wednesday to Sunday, vegan food truck Wild Spice Kitchen (yep, the one we mentioned above) sets up shop alongside so you can munch on eats like vegan French toast with grilled banana and coconut butterscotch or baked beans with herbed polenta chips and hariss aioli.
Mylk + Ko
New Farm
Set amongst the leafy streets of New Farm (is it just us or is New Farm the place to be for vegan-friendly eats?) Mylk + Ko has you covered with plenty of vegan options from their breakfast gnocchi to their house smoked beans. Best of all though, every single one of their many acai bowls is vegan, with the option to switch out the granola if you’re rockin’ the GF life. Personally, we can never go past the Snickers bowl, which is loaded up with cacao, peanut butter, chocolate granola, caramel sauce and all sorts of good things. Chocolate for breakfast? Yes please.
The Green Edge
Windsor
Everyone knows you’re not supposed to go grocery shopping on an empty stomach, which is why The Green Edge offers a two-in-one eating experience. Fill up on bacon and egg muffins, brekkie burritos or pancakes with Nutterscotch sauce, before shopping their range of raw, fresh, pre-packed and frozen goods. Everything they stock (and cook) is 100% vegan, so there’s no need to stand around analysing ingredients lists for sneaky animal add-ins.
St Coco Cafe
Daisy Hill
Take your brunch game to the next level with a trip to St Coco Cafe, who've made sure to include vegan options on their epic menu. Treat yourself to a lychee chia pudding, or their loaded smashed avo on toast. St Coco even boasts a few vegan lunch options, so hit us up with the verdict on their roasted mushroom burger. Spoiler alert: we’ve heard it’s pretty damn good.
Looking for more inspired eats to brighten up your vegan dining adventures? Find the best vegan restaurants in town right here.
Image credit: Vega Cafe, Plantvibes, Pancha, Mylk + Ko, Dicki's