If you're a hungry herbivore, look no further than our guide to Melbourne's best spots for vegan eats, from burgs to fine dining, it's all here.
We're blessed that the vegan dining scene in Melbourne has really taken off, there's now options on every pub and restaurant menu and (thank goodness) long gone are the days of soggy mushroom burgers and sad-looking salads.
Best Vegan Restaurants In Melbourne At A Glance
- Best Vegan Restaurants In Melbourne For Fine Dining
- Best Vegan Restaurants In Melbourne For Casual Dining
- Best Cheap & Cheerful Vegan Restaurants In Melbourne
- Best Restaurants With Vegan Options Melbourne
We want you to be the first in the know. Join Urban List Insiders, we’ll shoot you all Melbourne’s best things to eat, drink and do every week.
We're now looking at top-notch culinary innovation, whether it's at 100% plant-based restaurants or vegan menus at at some of the city's best restaurants.
To get a read on where to find the best vegan restaurants Melbourne has to offer for 2025, keep on scrolling:
Best Vegan Restaurants In Melbourne For Fine Dining
Smith & Daughters
107 Cambridge Street, Collingwood
Image: Smith & Daughters | Supplied
A reigning vegan dining institution in Melbourne, Smith & Daughters hardly needs an introduction. For vegans and meat eaters alike, there’s no denying the food is damn good. The menu is seasonal but you can expect things like smoked BBQ brisket with pickled mustard seeds, rice and red beans with fried plantains, and southern fried lion's mane with white gravy and kimchi. For dessert, the rhubarb cobbler with strawberry gum custard tart or skillet brownie with warm chocolate fudge. It’s easy to forget this place is 100% vegan.
INSIDER INTEL
- The three course chef’s menu comes in at $75 per person.
- Get a Breakfast Mai Tai at any time of the day, you won’t regret it.
- Closed Sunday and Monday.
Lona Misa
234 Toorak Road, South Yarra
Image: Lona Misa | Supplied
It wouldn’t be a best vegan in Melbourne write-up without multiple inclusions from Melbourne’s plant-based chef icon, Shannon Martinez, also behind Smith & Daughters and Smith & Deli. Lona Misa has a completely plant-based Latin-style approach, mixing traditional flavours into modern vegan interpretations like the Tijuana caesar salad or the josper roasted chicken with chimichurri.
INSIDER INTEL
- Awarded a Good Food hat in 2025, they’re nailing the vegan food.
- Think casual cafe during the day and lively Latin bar in the evening. Why not try both?
- On the first Friday of the month is Havana Nights with $10 Patrón cocktails and a curated snacks menu followed by live music.
SHU
147 Johnston Street, Collingwood
If you’re in search of an entirely plant-based Sichuan restaurant, you’ve definitely hit the mark by heading to SHU. This vegan Melbourne restaurant is the brainchild of Sichuan province native Shu Liu, who learned to cook from his mother and family. Opening up SHU in 2012, there is a distinct community vibe around the restaurant, which centres around inclusivity. It’s somewhere in between fine dining and casual, and we reckon it’s a solid contender for the best vegan restaurant in Melbourne.
INSIDER INTEL
- Unlimited Yum Cha on Sundays for $55 per person.
- The 10 course (yes, 10) degustation menu comes in at $95 per person.
- Their wines are divine.
Best Vegan Restaurants In Melbourne For Casual Dining
Ballard’s
915 High Street, Thornbury
Image: Ballard's | Supplied
Right from the horses’ mouth, Ballard’s states that the menu changes due to the seasons, alignment of the stars, or mood. That seems fair to us, especially since they’re dedicated to bringing some of the best vegan food Melbourne has to offer.
The restaurant itself is dark, moody, cosy and eclectic. The menu is truly impressive. You won’t find any faux meats, just vegetables cooked in incredibly skillful and unique ways. Like the buckwheat battered eggplant fillet with nduja sauce or the layered celeriac braised in orange juice and set with chilli butter. No matter where you’re located, get on over to Thornbury because this is a vegan restaurant that you don’t want to miss.
INSIDER INTEL
- The chargrilled lions mane steak sells out on the reg. Get in fast.
- Choose between a 60 minute or 90 minute booking depending on how hungry you are.
- Follow their Insta for menu updates and unhinged memes.
Smith & Deli
107 Cambridge Street, Collingwood
From old-school-style corner deli to sleek Collingwood eatery, Smith & Deli saw a serious revamp a few years ago and they haven’t looked back. Just a few buildings down from Smith & Daughters, these two are an iconic pair. The menu is home to creatively named sandwiches like The Wiggum 2.0, which has tortilla chip crumbed tofu, slaw, salsa, pickled red onion and chipotle crema. Or the Brisky Business with housemade brisket, crispy potato straw, rich mushroom sauce and chimichurri. Frankly, the names alone warrant a visit.
INSIDER INTEL
- They recently released a brand new sandwich menu, so even if you’ve already been it’s time for another visit.
- Try the peanut butter latte, and add an espresso shot for some extra pizzazz.
- You can also get pastries, cakes, vanilla slice (only on Saturday and Sunday though), and a whole bunch of vegan deli goods.
Funghi e Tartufo
60 Hardware Lane, Melbourne CBD
Image: Funghi e Tartufo | Supplied
A completely plant-based Italian restaurant? Say no more. Nestled in the bustling Hardware Lane in the CBD, Funghi e Tartufo is a combination of European-styled outdoor dining and a cosy interior for colder nights. Traditional Sicilian cuisine has been reimagined to an earth-friendly take, with the menu including lemon pepper calamari, spaghetti carbonara, Sicilian meatloaf, and a breadcrumb grilled swordfish dish.
INSIDER INTEL
- One of the world's most famous vegans, Billie Eilish, recommends this joint.
- Interested in learning the art? They run Italian vegan cooking workshops.
- The dessert menu doesn’t disappoint either, with the tiramisu rising to hero status.
Red Sparrow
406 Smith St, Collingwood
Red Sparrow has surely reached icon level by now, opening as Melbourne’s first dedicated vegan pizzeria nine years ago. With a completely plant-based menu involving vegan cheeses (you won’t miss the dairy) and mock meats including beer-infused bratwurst, even the meat eaters will be happy here. Gluten, soy and nut-sensitive foodies are catered for as well.
INSIDER INTEL
- Their Smith Street joint is sadly set to close its door in the next few months, with plans to open a new restaurant and rooftop bar on Rose Street, Fitzroy.
- Want to earn free pizza? Order through their app.
- Their pizzas are cooked inside Italian wood fired ovens in just 60-90 seconds.
Green Man's Arms
418 Lygon Street, Carlton
Image: Green Man's Arms | Supplied
Green Man's Arms is a great Melbourne pub, made even greater by the fact that it’s 100% plant-based. With a fresh, ever-changing menu, this joint truly embodies comfort food goals—so grab a pint and a vegan mushroom ‘short rib’ steak or tuck into their nice, juicy Greenman’s cheese burger. A strong contender for the best vegan restaurant in Melbourne.
INSIDER INTEL
- Get at least one sticky date pudding for dessert.
- Check their weekly deals: $20 parma on Tuesday, $20 pasta on Wednesday, and $29 roast on Sunday.
- Don’t feel like deciding? Get the chef’s menu for $60 per person.
Best Cheap & Cheerful Vegan Restaurants In Melbourne
Gong De Lin
3/264 Swanston Street, Melbourne CBD
Hidden away above Swanston Street is this absolute gem, serving up great plant-based Chinese food for affordable prices. To get to Gong De Lin, take the sticker-filled elevator up to level three and you’ll be abruptly hit with the glorious aromas. The absolute standout is their Peking duck, which is right up there with the best vegan food in Melbourne. Also on offer is their Mapo tofu, sweet and sour pork and Sichuan-style stir-fried green beans, all 100% vegan.
INSIDER INTEL
- Vegans in Preston are in for a treat, because they just opened a new store there.
- Their all-you-can-eat vegan hot pot is $33 per person.
- The menu is extensive, you’re spoilt for choice here.
Huong Viet Vegan
36A Leeds Street, Footscray
If you’re missing authentic Vietnamese food, definitely head to Huong Viet Vegan. This entirely vegan, family-run restaurant in Footscray has an incredibly lengthy menu, with everything from Bún Bò Huế, a traditional spicy lemongrass noodle soup with a variety of mock meats in it, to Bò Lúc Lắc, a saucy Vietnamese shaking beef.
INSIDER INTEL
- The portion sizes are decent, you definitely get bang for your buck.
- The avocado and pistachio smoothie is the refreshing drink you’re craving.
- Open every day from 10am to 9pm, this could be your new local.
Kevabs
89 Sydney Road, Brunswick
Image: Kevabs | Supplied
Traditionally a pretty tough one to replicate, kebabs have been off the menu for most plant-based diners. Kevabs in Brunswick is a true wonder, offering top-notch kebabs, boreks, HSP's and more—utilising all non-animal ingredients. Hands down, one of the best vegan restaurants in the northern suburbs of Melbourne.
INSIDER INTEL
- The food is free from soy, gluten, and nuts making it an absolute mecca for dietary restricted Melburnians.
- Get a kebab, chips and a drink for $20. Bargain.
- Vegan desserts are also on the agenda. Try the baklava.
Tofulicious
78 Bridge Road, Richmond
Image: Tofulicious | Supplied
If you happen to be having lunch around Richmond, you’re in for a treat because Tofulicious may just be your next destination for a vegan feed. With a menu that changes fortnightly, and is highly based on seasonal produce, you’re all but guaranteed a hearty feed to nourish the soul. Everything feels homemade and like it’s gotten an extra sprinkle of love, so this vegan restaurant definitely is one of the best.
INSIDER INTEL
- Don’t miss their famous soy chai.
- Fancy a scoop of the soy ice cream for dessert? We sure do.
- They’ve been serving up vegan goodness since 1982.
Best Restaurants With Vegan Options Melbourne
Maha Restaurant
21 Bond Street, Melbourne CBD
Image: Maha | Supplied
Shane Delia had the foresight to consider the rising demand for non-meat-based dining, and that’s why you’ll find incredible plant-based menus at three of his restaurants: Maha, Maha Bar and Maha East. Fusing the European and Middle-Eastern flavours that he’s famous for, Shane’s vegan menus feature spice-filled and incredibly in-depth flavoured dishes. Not only is this one of the best vegan menus, it’s also one of the best restaurants in Melbourne.
INSIDER INTEL
- $15 lunch bowls are on the menu for dine in and takeaway until 31 August.
- Maha has earned a Good Food hat annually since 2009.
- The baklava ice cream sandwich is almost unfathomably good.
Patsy’s
213 Franklin Street, Melbourne CBD
Patsy’s is a meat-free restaurant and wine bar with a focus on Mediterranean cuisine. Everything on the menu is vegan, unless specified that eggs or dairy is present. All ingredients come fresh from their huge vegetable garden outside Melbourne, small scale growers and the iconic Queen Victoria Market. The cappelletti, meaning “little hats” in Italian, is traditional stuffed pasta you’re going to want to try. Another favourite is the confit sugarloaf cabbage with hazelnut.
INSIDER INTEL
- Prix fixe lunch menu includes two courses and a glass of wine for $60.
- Apéro hour means half price cocktails from 5pm to 6pm every evening.
- Follow your meal with liquid dessert, trust us.
Primo
104 High Street, Northcote
A top choice for any plant-based pizza enthusiast, Primo in Northcote has some of the best vegan pizza in Melbourne. The casual diner on High street has crafted several tasty options including our all-time fave, the Vegan Westgarth, with roasted pepper, confit tomato, zucchini, eggplant, vegan Fior di latte, and vegan feta.
INSIDER INTEL
- They’re coeliac accredited so there are plenty of gluten-free options.
- The mushroom and walnut gnocchi is also vegan. Drool.
- Plenty of beers on tap and some tasty, tasty wines.
Trippy Taco
Various Locations
Image: Trippy Taco | Supplied
Trippy Taco is your go-to vegetarian and vegan taqueria. Serving an all-vegetarian menu, every dish is either also vegan or comes with a vegan-friendly option. Think crispy taquitos filled with black beans and vegan sour cream or fluffy, cheesy vegan quesadillas. The tofu Asada Burrito with chargrilled tofu, vegan goat's cheese, vegan mozzarella, salsa and Guacamole will definitely satisfy any and all burrito cravings.
INSIDER INTEL
- Get your hands on the breakfast tacos.
- With stores in Fitzroy and St Kilda, you’re covered north and south.
- Wash it down with a glass (of jug) of margarita.
Main Image Credit: Red Sparrow
Urban List Best Of: has our highest stamp of approval—curated lists of the very best recommendations for you to eat, do, see, buy or book, carefully chosen by our Editors.
What’s On In Melbourne This Week, This Month And Beyond
It's 2025, and Melbourne's cultural grounds are firing on all burners with plenty of things to do. Festivals, Theatre, food and more are all ripe for the filling of that social calendar, and your stomach. The real question is how many of these can you fit into one week? Here's what's on.
The Best Rooftop Bars In Melbourne (2025 Edition)
From moody rooftops where you'll drink by candlelight to iconic venues serving up the city's best views, we've sussed out the Melbourne rooftop bars that are on another level. These are the best rooftop bars calling Melbourne home in 2025.
The Best Melbourne Markets For A Wholesome Weekend Stroll & Shop
Fresh local produce, goods crafted by local creatives, and vintage bargains — Melbourne markets are some of the best, and well worth a Sunday morning peruse with coffee in hand.