Vegan restaurants and cafes on the Sunshine Coast have evolved; no longer when seeking a wholesome meat-free meal are you left tossing up between hot chips, garden salad or a combo of the two.
There's a plethora of inventive, nourishing and downright delicious vegan options that will nourish both your body and the planet. Whether you are vegan, vegetarian or you’re an omnivore looking for a plant-based feed, here are nine of the best vegan restaurants and cafes on the Sunshine Coast.
Nurcha
Kawana & Maroochydore
The gorgeous Nurcha is your one-stop shop for all things holistic and wholesome, including nourishing plant-based meals that are always spot-on. The whole cast is here, including an all-day breakfast menu, lunch, pizza and if you want our tip; whatever meal wins your vote, side it with Nurcha’s famous loaded wedges.
You can never go wrong with garlic and thyme potato chunks topped with smoky jackfruit, rainbow slaw, aioli and chilli jam. Stock up on all your vegan essentials with their extensive retail and grocery sections.
Cafe Vie
Buderim
If you ever needed convincing that the vegan revolution on the Sunshine Coast has well and truly arrived, Cafe Vie is your hard proof. Perched at the very top of Buderim, Cafe Vie has the perfect outdoor setting to lounge back and take your time at this vegan foodie haven.
Expect the likes of miso mushrooms—sauteed mushrooms in garlic butter with sesame miso hummus—alongside crispy malai koftas filled with delicious sweet potato in a creamy Indian curry and the Sunshine Coast’s best vegan cauliflower wings. Do yourself a favour and take a peek at their range of raw and vegan desserts.
Elixiba
Maroochydore
Elixiba is where you take your mates if you’re trying to convince them there’s more to a vegetarian diet than eating lettuce. Cosy on into their unique wood-crafted booths set amongst an array of hanging greenery for the best plant-based eats on Ocean Street.
Serving inventive tapas-style dishes such as tea-smoked mushrooms, raw kimchi dumplings and noble nachos. Even the most carnivorous of eaters will be swayed by this delicious vegan spread. They also serve cocktails, non-alcoholic elixirs and beers on tap, infused with rare active botanicals.
Herbert
Noosa Heads
A more recent addition to the Sunshine Coast’s plant-based foodie scene, Herbert is not to be missed. This sophisticated, plant-centric restaurant is loaded up with all the good stuff, from foraged ingredients to next-level cocktails. With a sleek stone interior and gorgeous green finishings you can expect the menu to be as equally impressive as the venue.
Try the Kaffir lime BBQ courgette with puffed wild rice and marinated feta or the charred roast carrots in Harissa, rye and pistachio granola. Wash it all down with their 'Pot Plant' cocktail which comes complete with edible soil and we promise you’ll never look at another vegetable the same again. Herbert takes top spot as the Sunshine Coast’s best fine dining vegan restaurant.
New Earth
Coolum Beach
Tucked out of sight in Coolum Beach, New Earth is our favourite hidden gem in this list of the Sunshine Coast’s best vegan cafes. You know these guys practice what they preach with owners Sarah and Ben also hosting yoga and healthy cooking classes at their home in Ninderry.
But back to the cafe. With a menu boasting raw, organic, gluten-free and dairy-free dishes and smoothies, New Earth makes eating out good for you. Open Monday to Saturday from 7am to 1:30pm, do not leave without trying the protein pancake stack with apple, pecans, caramel sauce and vanilla bean ‘nice cream’. It tastes so divine, you’ll find it hard to believe it’s actually good for you.
Greenhouse Cafe
Caloundra
Greenhouse Cafe is your go-to if you’re looking for the best vegetarian or vegan breakfast in Caloundra. With so many finger-lickingly delicious options on their all-day menu, we recommend narrowing it down to the waffles served with coconut nutmeg ice cream or the loaded nasi goreng.
You can thank us later. Best of all? They’re open seven days a week so you never need to miss out a top-notch vegan feed.
Roots Cafe and Bakery
Mooloolaba
Our search for the best vegan and vegetarian pies and pastries begins and ends with Roots Cafe and Bakery. Nestled in a cute corner cafe across from Mooloolaba Wharf you’ll want to take a minute—or ten—to soak up all the cabinet deliciousness before deciding which drool-worthy vegan treat takes your fancy first.
Expect to be mildly overwhelmed trying to decide which cookies, pastries and croissants—not to mention an assortment of freshly baked pies—might be joining you on your beach walks from now on.
RoRo Pizza
Various Locations
Vegan pizza lovers, Roro Pizza is for you. We’ve found the best plant-based wood-fired pizza van right from Italy and into our hot little hands. Madison and Gianmarco, the husband and wife team behind RoRo Pizza, have come to the table with their homemade nut cheese and authentic Sicilian pizza expertise.
You’ll be drooling over their cauliflower purée and florets with roasted artichokes, pine nuts, currents and parsley sauce (not to mention their new vegan tiramisu). Check their Facebook page to see where you can hunt these guys down on the Sunshine Coast.
Kunara Cafe
Forest Glen
When you grace the bustling hub of Kunara Cafe with your presence, you’ll be rewarded with high-quality, vegan-friendly food created in a certified organic kitchen and served within the grounds of their Forest Glen nursery and store.
The meals aren’t only delicious, they’re abundantly nutritious and cater to all the dietary conscious folk among us, including those who enjoy vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free and paleo friendly meals. Do yourself a favour and complete your meal with a Cocowhip dessert.
If you prefer cooking up a feast in the comfort of your own home, round up your fresh produce at the best markets on the Sunshine Coast.
Image credit: Herbert, Cafe Vie, RoRo Pizza & Lumea Photo for Urban List