Brisbane’s 10 Best Plant-Based Restaurants and Cafes
With plant-based eats becoming more popular so too is Brisbane’s growing food scene.
With more people exploring the wonders of vegan and vegetarian food, it’s become more than just boring salads and fake meats. Now, thanks to Brisbane’s eclectic food scene, eating plant-based has never been easier with an emergence of innovative plant-based restaurants and cafes around the city.
So whether you’re looking for healthy nourishing bowls, sweet dairy-free treats or juicy meat-free stacked burgers, Brisbane has got something for you – and we’ve found 10 of the best plant-based restaurants and cafes for you to try:
Inner City
Dicki's Classic Burger. Image supplied by Dicki's.
Dicki's
This cosy eatery tucked along Brunswick Street in New Farm is a staple in the Brisbane vegan scene. With an all-vegan menu for breakfast and lunch, Dicki’s transforms cafe classics like a B.L.T. sandwich into a delicious plant-based alternative that won’t have you missing the bacon at all. Plus, you can also purchase a range of plant-based goods to take home including Macadamia Feta ($12) and Coconut Bacon ($5) to name a few.
Arancini Balls. Image by GK1982 via Shutterstock.
Greenhouse Canteen
Back in 2018, Gold Coast favourite, Greenhouse Canteen, opened a store in South Brisbane with a mission that ‘it’s cool to be kind’. In saying that, Greenhouse Canteen never fails to explore the versatility of vegan food by representing a variety of world cuisines with their ever-changing seasonal menu. If you’re looking to be a little more adventurous with your plant-based journey or are gluten-free, this is the place to eat.
Eastern Suburbs
Pawpaw's Pad Thai. Image supplied by Pawpaw Cafe.
Pawpaw Cafe
Pawpaw Cafe is not entirely plant-based but their vegetarian and vegan options definitely deserve a mention; notably their popular Red Curry ($25) and the Signature Canai ($26). This Instagram favourite is open from morning to night, boasting an all-day breakfast and lunch with Thai-inspired dishes for dinner. With a little something for everyone, Pawpaw Cafe is a great go-to for plant-based and omnivores alike.
Detour's Nitro Meringue. Image supplied by Detour Restaurant.
Detour
Detour makes plant-based eating easy with its menu split between omnivore and herbivore dishes. Seeking to create a dining experience that’s both sustainable and inclusive, Detour produces innovative and gastronomic dishes that double as works of art. With dishes such as the Coal Roasted Broccoli ($24), Fossilized Carrots ($28) or Nitro Meringue ($16) that’s topped with cashews and fruit, this restaurant is for the curious and adventurous looking to experience plant-based foods in a new way.
Southside Suburbs
Chewy Walnut Brownie. Image supplied by You Came Again.
You Came Again
When it comes to You Came Again – a vegan tapas bar in Brisbane – there’s nothing quite like it. You Came Again is a cool little spot serving the most delicious plant-based bites with the best flavour combinations designed to truly enhance the taste of vegetables. Think Lemon Popcorn Cauliflower Bites ($11), Beetroot Carpaccio ($10) and Miso Glazed Eggplant ($13) that’s then washed down with a predominantly Australian-made drinks list and followed by a Chewy Walnut Brownie ($14) to finish you off. Excite your taste buds and grab your closest friends, this is a vegan dining experience meant to be shared.
Charlie's Raw Squeeze. Image supplied by Charlie's Group.
Charlie's Raw Squeeze
Charlie’s Raw Squeeze is a fruit and vegetable shop, juice bar and a cafe all in one. With nine locations across Brisbane, you’ll be pleased to know that all dishes are 100% plant-based and Charlie’s Raw Squeeze cater amazingly well for raw, gluten-free and refined sugar-free options too. If you have more of a sweet tooth, make sure to check out their range of fresh acai bowls, super healthy smoothies and Nice Creams.
Western Suburbs
Naim's Mezze Platter. Image supplied by Naïm.
Naïm
Tucked away in Paddington lies Naïm, a contemporary Middle Eastern restaurant. With the majority of their menu offering vegan dishes, Naïm treats you to a diversity of flavours. The Mezze platter ($24) is their popular vegan option with housemade hummus, muhammara, beetroot tahini, marinated olives, assorted garnishes and toasted zaatar flatbread.
Yavanna
Tucked away in Brisbane’s Paddington, Yavanna’s menu isn’t what you’d expect from your typical plant-based restaurant with a menu detailing everything from fried chicken, hoisin duck soba noodles and prawn marinara, Yavanna doesn’t seem like a vegan restaurant but rest assured it is. Designed to be inclusive and comforting, it’s menu transforms meat dishes into indulgent vegan eats so people can enjoy their favourites with a twist.
Northside Suburbs
MooFree Burgers. Image supplied by Charlie's Group.
MooFree Burgers
MooFree Burgers is Brisbane’s vegan guilty pleasure. As a dedicated vegan burger joint, MooFree take alternatives to a different level with beetroot and hash brown’s stacked in between a meatless patty; or serving up a range of BBQ jackfruit burgers reminiscent of pulled pork. For those craving a filling burger feast, MooFree Burgers does not disappoint.
Vegan Cake. Image supplied by Veganyumm.
Veganyumm
For those with a sweet tooth, you need to check out Veganyumm, Brisbane’s first vegan bakehouse. Boasting a range of brownies, cakes and their popular Cinnayumm Scrolls, these decadently sweet treats are the perfect way to indulge and treat yourself.
