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

The post Melbourne Vegan Eats – 5 of the Best! appeared first on Vegan Sparkles with Rebecca Weller.