Thanks for showing us an incredibly delicious time last weekend, Melbourne! ♥
We discovered so many new veg places and loved every morsel. But in the end there can be only five:
1. Radio Mexico, St Kilda
Oh how I lurrrve Mexican food (GIVE IT TO ME!!) and after seeing rave reviews and delicious pics from Vegie Head and Appetite Affliction, I was beyond excited to check out Radio Mexico.
It certainly didn’t disappoint!
Get there early to nab a table – it was already jumping by 6pm on a Friday.
Luckily there was only a short wait between us and a cozy table by the fire, filled with the best Mexican food I’ve ever had.
Did you know they make their own tortillas on site? Insanely good! RUN, don’t walk.
Must try:
Guacamole with Hand Cut Tortilla Chips and Pico de Gallo:
Frijoles Taco (Blackbean, Pickled Jalapeno, Avocado and Pico de Gallo):
Calabaza Picante Taco (Spicy Roast Pumpkin and Corn with Pepitas):
Bastioncillos de Jicama – Raw Jicama with Chili & Lime:
Pineapple & Rosemary Margarita:
2. Las Chicas, Balaclava
Another super popular café and after a short wait for a table, we discovered why. Gorgeous ambience, attentive staff, and delicious food.
We were a little discouraged at first at the small number of vegan and gluten-free options on the menu but soon had smiles on our dials again when we spotted the specials board.
After we munched our way through this incredible Grilled Tofu in Tamari & Plum Marinade with home-made Satay and Crispy Beanshoot Salad, the lovely Manager asked if we thought they should add it to their regular menu. Do it, Las Chicas, DO IT!
Big snaps for the delicious fresh Carrot, Celery & Ginger Juice too.
3. Vegie Bar, Fitzroy
Vegie Bar. Does it live up to the hype? It’s jam-packed at 5pm on a Saturday for a reason, baby!
Enough vegan, raw and gluten-free options to make your head spin and your tummy flutter.
Great atmosphere and it made me so proud and happy to see a Veg café so incredibly popular.
We loved the Curry Special of the Day (Eggplant and Pumpkin), and the Raw Tacos were divine!
4. Monk Bodhi Dharma, Balaclava
Oh so hard to find, but oh so worth it when you do! Be sure to check their website for the map – for there within, incredible Avignon Apple Pancakes (buckwheat apple pancakes with cinnamon ice cream, maple syrup and vanilla bean whipped cream) await your arrival!
Next time we’ll be sure to try the Umami Mushrooms (slow roasted mixed mushrooms on home-made pumpkin, spinach & sun-dried tomato polenta bread with ‘goat cheese’, thyme & red chile oil) and the San Benito Burrito (two raw burritos stuffed with spiced nuts and baby spinach served with guacamole, heirloom tomato salsa & cashew sour cream).
So many choices! Heavenly!
5. Veg Out Time, Chapel St (also in St Kilda)
The perfect spot for a little vegan lunch pick-me-up between boutiques!
Delicious food, a ton of vegan and gluten-free options, and very generous portions for around $10 per plate.
The Thai Red Pumpkin Curry and Yellow Mushroom & Tofu Curry were scrumptious and the Pad Thai was hot, fresh, and bursting with crunchy vegetables. Perfect food to keep your shopping energy levels up!
Honourable shout-outs also go to Merry Cupcakes, The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant and Lentil as Anything for providing more great vegan options.
Thank you for keeping our bellies and hearts happy. ♥ We applaud you all! xx
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Mel
May 24, 2013 at 7:15 am (11 years ago)Wow, it looks like you sampled some great food around Melbourne Bex! The food at Radio Mexico looks delicious. I’m ashamed to say that out of these 5 places, I’ve only been to the Vegie Bar.
Monk Bodhi Dharma has been on my list for ages but my dining partner is rather impatient when it comes to eating out and I’ve heard that there can be lengthy wait times for tables. Did you have to wait long for a table?
* Vegan Sparkles *
May 26, 2013 at 8:04 pm (11 years ago)Ohhh you HAVE to get to Radio Mexico, Mel! SO crazy good! 🙂
We finally found Monk Bodhi Dharma on a Monday morning so we got in straight away but it was still busy! Luckily Las Chicas is just across the road and down a little so there’s a good back-up plan nearby if you need it.
Appetite Affliction
May 24, 2013 at 7:48 am (11 years ago)Great round up, the food looks fab! Your meal at Las Chicas is especially drool-worthy 😀 I’ve never heard of Veg Out Time – I must pop in next time I’m in the area, I love cheap buffets… though with that amount of food at lunch time I think a nap is more likely than more shopping 😉
* Vegan Sparkles *
May 26, 2013 at 8:07 pm (11 years ago)hehe, it might pay to share. 😉
Sarah Plunkett
May 27, 2013 at 1:37 pm (11 years ago)I love your blog so much! Your joy is infectious – thanks for sharing your recipes and passion for all things vegan 🙂
Not sure if you have tried TRIPPY TACO on Gertrude Street in Fitzroy, but if you haven’t (and you LOVE Mexican) you will die for their Vegan Tofu Asada Burrito!!!
I am also a massive fan of Yong Green Food – a raw vegan restaurant on Brunswick Street (almost opposite Veggie Bar!) – they don’t put a foot wrong.
Keep up the good work!
I can’t wait to get home from work and make that fudge!
x Sarah
* Vegan Sparkles *
May 28, 2013 at 2:23 pm (11 years ago)Nawww, thanks so much, Sarah! It’s so lovely to have you here, bella. 🙂
Ohhhh I had both Trippy and Yongs on my list but sadly we ran out of time this trip! They will both be getting a visit from me very soon, though! Trippy/Yongs – if you’re reading this, STOCK UP, baby! x
Autumn
June 18, 2013 at 2:14 pm (11 years ago)I also want to second what Sarah said about Yong’s!
But also wanted to add a fairly new but incredible cafe called
Shoku Iku in Northcote. Organic, raw, vegan, macrobiotic, this delicious food is full of integrity and love. Definately worth the effort to get out and try next time youre in melbourne!!
Autumn xx
* Vegan Sparkles *
June 20, 2013 at 12:26 pm (11 years ago)Oh FAB, thanks so much, Autumn! I have a feeling I went to their sister store in Glebe (Sydney) when I was there last and it was delish! xx