It’s party thyme for vegans around the globe on Wednesday, November 1 – lettuce get together to celebrate World Vegan Day.
What is veganism? It’s a way of living that seeks to abstain, as much as possible, from the use of animal products – vegans don’t eat animal-derived foods such as meat, milk and dairy. Many vegans also boycott clothing and other products that involve animal exploitation, like leather and fur.
The top three reasons why people make this choice are improving their health, saving animal lives and helping the planet.
Here are five venues to green and bear it on Wednesday:
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 and have decadence arrive on your doorstep.
Stop by the café on Wednesday to devour kimchi and cashew cheese toastie, washed down with a greens hemp smoothie with banana, spinach, spirulina, hemp seeds and mesquite; or signature waffles such as honeycomb with caramel ice cream and sauce, whipped cream, maple syrup and honeycomb pieces.
A passion for creativity, community, great tea and cheeky mocktails comes together at vintage bar and café, The Secret Jungle on Lake Street in Cairns North. Retro aesthetics, original artwork and accessories blend seamlessly with mixed refreshments and a curated selection of vegan sweet treats and desserts in chilled-out surrounds of comfy couches and chairs, moodily-lit corners and China tea sets.
Grab a coffee and cake deal and pair a signature Blue Butterfly colour-changing floral ice tea with choices such as a heavenly Biscoff cupcake, or slice of hummingbird cake; or sip a Froggy Went A Courtin’ original Jungle cocktail of green apple sour and canided syrup, dry gin, absinthe, wonderfoam and botanical gin.
All-day brunch expert, Gather and Feast on James Street in Caboolture is the place to go for tasty fare with flair. Step into an oasis of trailing greenery, blond wood, cane pendent lighting and a vibrant wall mural to chill out with family and friends over an aromatic coffee and clever brunch plates.
Perhaps opt for the Forest Floor, with a vegan mushroom garden, charred baby onions, lentil pesto soil, cashew cheese, kale, sprouts and micro greens, or vegan porridge – slow-cooked vanilla bean oats, pear and rhubarb compote, strawberry, rose, berries, buckwheat bukkinis and toasted coconut.
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 eating to take care of your health and the environment, delve into plates such as a nourishing bowl of spiced biodynamic brown rice, quinoa, raisins, cumin-roasted pumpkin, tahini slaw, hummus, kraut and baby greens, or activated chia and oat porridge, spiced pear compote, seasonal fruit, caramelised cinnamon banana and berry jam.
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 start with caramelised onion hummus, topped with crispy chickpeas, harissa oil and sage, followed by tandoori cauliflower, cucumber yoghurt, coriander salsa, herb oil and pickled shallots.
