We all have different food and dietary requirements that have us seeking out different restaurants and cafes around the country to find healthy and delicious offerings.
A burgeoning green trend to vegetarian and vegan diets has seen the number of venues offering plant-based fare increase rapidly in the last few years. Here are six of our favourites to get your green on:
Tucked down Adelaide Arcade in the iconic Rundle Mall shopping precinct sits Two-Bit Villains, a botanical soda bar and restaurant with a trendy vintage vibe. Housed between the grand pillared archways of the arcade’s upstairs ballroom, this funky eatery creates a cool and tropical retro look with palm frond prints and bamboo edging, while visitors seeking a refreshing drink can kick back with friends and soak up a laidback ambience.
This joint is known for its vegan burgers such as fried ‘chicken’, sweet potato mash and gravy or El Bandido – black bean and quinoa patty, lettuce, tomato, cheese and housemade chipotle mayo.
Offering tranquil indoor and outdoor seating within a short distance of Sydney’s sparkling harbour, Perons on the corner of Short and Bay Streets has long been a favourite destination for locals and visitors from overseas. Chill out streetside under market umbrellas with an ice-cold glass of wine, or indoors in a monochromatic vibe along with softly glowing cane pendent lighting.
Opt to graze from the salad bar, featuring both vegetarian and vegan options with more than 10 different salads to make your own combination, or devour a poké bowl with Asian slaw, avocado, tomato, fried shallots and pickled ginger.
Located in an historic homestead with picturesque views, head to social enterprise café Stepping Stone in Strathnairn Arts Centre for vegetarian fare with flair. Access to this diner is from Gullifer Street to find an outdoor garden ideal for enjoying a cup of locally roasted coffee and housemade sweets while indoors projects an inviting vibe for lingering over brunch and lunch with friends.
Expect to devour toasties like green Reuben on rye, with broccolini, sauerkraut, pickles, aged cheddar and mustard, gobble up seven-spice vegan mushrooms on toast or chow down on beetroot, carrot and cabbage rosti, poached egg, pickled radish, seaweed and coriander salad.
Perth sweet tooths seeking the home of healthy desserts made from plant-based, refined sugar, gluten and dairy-free ingredients head down Mulgul Road in Malaga to find Crunchbox. As well as an onsite café, this family-owned and operated plant-based dessert company supplies cafes, grocery stores and other businesses around WA with delicious sweet treats to tempt all tastes - you can also order online.
Stop by the café to devour a wild mushroom toastie, with cashew ‘gouda’ and truffle aioli before indulging yourself with a salted caramel slice and chocolate and peanut butter smoothie with peanut protein, cacao and berry sauce.
By road, water or air, Cottage Point Inn on Anderson Place offers a magical Sydney dining experience not quickly forgotten. Set on the water in the Kur-in-gai Chase National Park, by day or night, this stylish restaurant is framed by a stunning bushland waterfront making it the ideal location for a uniquely romantic destination.
Choose from five and eight-course tasting menus with vegetarian and pescatarian options such as Meredith’s goat curd, pomegranate, pickled grapes and wattleseed lavash, or charred sweetcorn, soubise, lime and sea chicory.
No Bones about it! This Byron Bay plant-powered tapas and cocktail bar is on a mission to save the Earth one Brussels sprout at a time. Nestled on Fletcher Street not far from the salty sea air of Main Beach, take to the alfresco area at night where fairy lights twinkle, setting a chilled-out vibe in keeping with the Byron lifestyle.
No Bones prides itself on making whatever is possible in-house, using as much local produce and as many local suppliers as possible; perhaps opt for roasted cauliflower, harissa and no bees honey glaze, drizzled with lemon, tahini and pomegranate.
