Eat Like a Vegan Rockstar: Tropical F* Storm’s Fiona Kitschin Shares Her Melbourne Vegan Hit List
Vegan rockers Tropical F Storm are kicking off a national tour this November, and in honour of it ,we sat down with them to find out their top recs on where to eat before their show.
When Tropical F*** Storm’s Fiona Kitschin isn’t jamming out on the guitar, you can find her chomping down in some of Melbourne’s best vegan restaurants and cafes. Today, she’s been charitable enough to share her “must-eat, all-time favourites” with Urban List, and we’re feeling charitable enough to pass them on to you.
In 2016, when Tropical F*** Storm was just a twinkle in The Drones’ Gareth Liddiard and Fiona Kitschin’s eyes, the two brought together Lauren Hammel and Erica Dunn for an artistic reset. Settled in one of Australia’s most notorious music cities (...being Melbourne), Tropical F*** Storm took off in 2018 with their debut album ‘A Laughing Death in Meatspace’.
From playing in venues both local and international, to composing for movie soundtracks and scooping up Best Punk/Rock album titles, Tropical F*** Storm has trounced Melbourne’s music scene. Now their very own bass player, the one and only Fiona Kitschin, is ready to traverse and commend the vegan restaurants of Melbourne.
So grab a pen and paper, and get ready to add to your foodie bucket list with her “no frills, ultimate comfort foods”.
Ballard’s
915 High Street, Thornbury
If what you’re looking for is a casual beer garden, bar and restaurant serving up all things plant-based, then Ballard’s is for you. Lucky for Kitschin, Ballard’s is her vegan local, so she can find herself chowing down on their “must-eat” Surprise Pickle and Smoked Tomato oil any day of the week. But whether you’re looking for an everyday favourite or a night out with some mates, Ballard’s is one you’ve got to check out.
“The food is refined but generous, great value, unpretentious and fucking delicious. Take non-vegan friends and GFers,” says Kitschin.
La Panella
465 High Street, Preston
La Panella is a 100% vegan institution, well-loved by Kitschin for their dirty meat pie. Just a short walk from Preston station, it’s a no-frills Vietnamese bakery with cheap $6 pies that are perfect to smash down on the go.
“The last big birthday bush bash I had, I bought trays of their party pies out at midnight, and it was like being at an eight-year-old's party again- apart from everyone being wasted.”
Good Days
165 Sydney Road, Brunswick
Good Days Vietnamese restaurant, located on Brunswick’s Sydney Road, has a small but mighty menu of three items, including Pho, Bun and Broken Rice, all with vegan and meaty options to please the biggest of crowds.
“I recommend going early or afternoon to avoid lunch and dinner crowds, as the seating is limited and it’s popular.”
Good Days is open 11 am - 9 pm, seven days a week, primed to be your new everyday lunch spot fave.
Shandong Mama
Shop 7, 200 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Dishing out housemade, traditional dumplings, its not hard to see why Shandong Mama is a Kitschin favourite.
“The zucchini dumplings are legendary in the vegan world. So fresh and gingery, they are probably the best dumplings I’ve ever eaten.”
They also serve up all things salads, stir fries, and squid, but if Kitschin says to go for the zucchini dumplings, then take the expert's advice and check them out.
Union Kiosk
10 Howey Place, Melbourne CBD
A childhood throwback for the Tropical F*** Storm bassist, Union Kiosk is the jaffle-maker must-visit, perfect for those lunch times when you need something extra-filling. Packed to the brim, with 18 different choices to eat from, we can see why Kitschin is such a fan.
“I’m personally not really into fake meats, but I had the Korean Beef when I was last there- it is shiitake mushroom-based beef and next-level delicious,” says Kitschin.
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You can catch Tropical F*** Storm live at their shows in Melbourne here.
Main Image Credit: Tropical F*** Storm | Supplied