6 Restaurants for Vegan and Vegetarian Fare with Flair

Vegetarian and vegan eating trends within Australia show no signs of abating with more than 2.5 million of us now following a plant-based diet of some description.

Whether it is a conscious choice, a health decision or purely for taste, vegetarian fare with flair takes centre stage for many diners when eating out at a favourite restaurant or café; here are six venues where you can count on vegetarian or vegan options on the menu:

Taking plant-based Italian food to a new level, head to Funghi e Tartufo on Hardware Lane in Melbourne’s CBD to expand your vegan food horizons along with organic and natural wine options. Nestled in a converted 19th-century warehouse, this hidden gem boasts white tablecloths, wine barrels and a vinyl-wrapped bar, along with plenty of alfresco seating for balmy days when people-watching takes centre stage.

 

Whoever said to eat plant-based and earth-friendly food you need to renounce the delicacies of traditional Italian cuisine has never been to this joint; start with lemon pepper calamari on a bed or rocket and capsicum, followed by fresh pappardelle with truffle and mushroom sauce. Finish sweetly with panna cotta and mixed berry coulis.

Expect a lush atmosphere, swingin’ tunes and housemade, homegrown plant-based fare at Folk Byron Bay on Ewingsdale Road. Dine alfresco in a green-filled space where trailing vines and palms add an oasis-like vibe; or cosy up indoors where wooden bench seating and colourful cushions set a bright and breezy tone for inspired brunch dining. 

 

Committed to vegetarian eating to take care of your health and the environment, delve into plates such as smashed avo on organic sourdough with house dukkah, garden greens, grilled citrus and toasted seeds; or a brown rice nourish bowl with quinoa, housemade kraut, cumin-roasted pumpkin, tahini slaw, hummus, raisins, baby greens and a poached egg, washed down with a forest green smoothie.

Those looking for the best vegetarian street food in Sydney make their way along Lexington Drive to find Honest Indian Bella Vista. This vibrant restaurant welcomes guests with colourful red chairs, blue banquette seating and aqua walls, covered with graffiti-style artwork; setting the scene for a memorable dining experience, best shared with family and friends.

 

Expect vegetarian dishes to send the senses into overload, perhaps starting with chloe bhature – a mouth-wateringly exotic dish with crispy puffed bhatura and hot and spicy chickpea curry – before mains such as deep-fried cauliflower, simmered in an Indo-Chinese gravy. Perhaps a Punjabi curry of paneer tikka masala entices, with sides of steamed rice, butter naan and papadums.

Let the evening be-gin at Bob’s Boutique Bar on Cathedral Avenue in Geraldton. Located at The Gerald Apartment Hotel, this bar and eatery is a must-visit for any avid foodie, or self-proclaimed gin, wine or spirit connoisseur – whether for afternoon drinks, mouth-watering Chef’s choice tapas or a night out to remember.

 

Geraldton’s go-to hot spot will whisk you away with a bespoke cocktail collection along with small plates like focaccia with blue cheese crème, green tomato relish and rosemary salt, then devour sweet potato gnocchi and cheese sauce; drop in on vegetarian Wednesdays and choose from three fresh and distinctive weekly changing dishes. 

With its fresh and internationally-inspired menu, organic specialty coffee and cosy vibe, Mr H Café and Bar on Darling Street is the ideal spot in Balmain to relax and enjoy a delicious meal with family and friends. An industrial-style fit-out of wood and metal makes for a modern and stylish ambience with plenty of natural light from large windows; while the alfresco area is where to head on balmy days for a Paradox Coffee Roasters brew and bite to eat.

 

Find healthy, vegetarian and gluten-free menu items such as a morning scramble burger with soft scrambled eggs, cheese, caramelised onion and chilli mayo with a hash brown on the side; the lunch crowd chows down on plates like a grilled broccolini bowl with cherry tomato, toasted walnuts and cashews, sourdough toast, poached egg and house dips.

Named after the azure colour of the Turkish seas, Newtown restaurant Turkuaz on Enmore Road brings the taste of Turkish cuisine to Sydneysiders. This stylish Enmore dining destination presents the colour of flavour in stunning surrounds of exposed brick, colourful Turkish pendent lights, vibrant images of the home country on the walls and delicious aromas wafting from the kitchen.

 

On balmy evenings sit alfresco and watch the world pass by while sipping a chilled glass of wine and graze on entrées such as vine leaves stuffed with rice, currants, spices and pine nuts; for the main, think vegetarian-stuffed capsicum, filled with white rice, tomato and pepper paste, served with garlic yoghurt and housemade Turkish bread.