Why Melbourne Might Be the Best City in the World for Vegans

I’m just gonna say it: the best vegan food I’ve ever eaten was in Melbourne, Australia. This city is a haven for plant-based eaters, where even the neighborhood bar has a tofu dish that could rival fine dining.

So naturally, I had to round up my favorite spots from my two trips in 2024 and 2025. This isn’t a comprehensive list—Melbourne has too much good food for that and I’m (sadly) not a resident—but it’s a greatest-hits tour of the meals that made me want to move there.

I’ve also included a handful of things to do in Melbourne based on our recent stays. 

Where to eat 

Ballard’s 915 High St (Northcote neighborhood)

If I could teleport myself to one restaurant right now, it would be Ballard’s. This cozy, unpretentious spot in Northcote has quietly earned the title of best restaurant in Melbourne in my book. We went twice during our first trip, and made a beeline back on our second.

The menu changes often, but if the New Zealand-style French onion dip is on there, do not skip it. The first time we had it (on Valentine’s day), it was served with a tomato caramel and beetroot cracker that I still dream about. The house-made focaccia and burnt eggplant dip are also must-order dishes. 

This entirely vegan restaurant is the brilliant creation of Chef Tamlyn Martinovich Faulkner, a creative, quick-witted chef who also runs a very funny (read: not child appropriate) instagram account. 

And despite the fine dining-level execution and generous portions, this place has great neighborhood restaurant vibes (and prices). 

On Valentine’s Day last year, we did the four-course tasting menu, which somehow was eight courses (2 dishes per course), and it was criminally affordable for the quality.

Smith + Daughters (Collingwood neighborhood)  

Created by chef Shannon Martinez, Smith + Daughters is what happens when vegan punk rock meets culinary genius. You can order a la carte, but both times, we opted for the chef’s tasting menu—basically a no-holds-barred parade of 8 to 10 dishes that the kitchen is excited about that season. Come hungry. The portions are generous. I had to be wheelbarrowed out of there on my first (the second time, I knew to pace myself).

If you can, reserve a seat at the bar counter. You’ll get front-row views of the kitchen action, plus an opportunity to chat with the chefs (if it’s not a super busy night). On our most recent visit, we talked to chef Sean, who’s been working with Martinez for seven years. When we asked why the food in Melbourne is so good, his answer surprised me. 

“Melbourne’s not a beautiful city, but we’re a nightlife city, so the restaurants and bars are excellent. We work hard at that.” 

The other benefit of sitting at the bar is that the chefs can steer you in the right direction based on your tastes. For instance, our chef told us that the original dessert I had planned on ordering (chocolate cake because I am a chocolate girl, even though cake is usually underwhelming) was good but that the banana pudding was ahmazing. And he was right. The fluffy, creamy, perfectly sweet and salty banana pudding was an ethereal dream. 

Vegie Bar (Fitzroy neighborhood)

A Fitzroy legend, Vegie Bar is the kind of place where vegans and omnivores alike can all find something fun and flavorful in a casual ambiance. 

The menu is massive and globe-trotting—think pad Thai, tacos, pizza, burgers, salads, you name it. And while I am generally skeptical of places that try to do too much, everything we tried on the menu was good even if not mind blowing. 

The real star was the lemon meringue tart. It blew my mind. Like, cue dramatic music and a single tear rolling down my cheek levels of good. I still think about it and it is easily one of my top five desserts of all time. 

Patsy’s Melbourne (CBD neighborhood)

Inspired by Mediterranean wine culture and farm-to-table dining, Patsy’s is the kind of upscale but not fussy place that makes you want to stay for hours.

If you happen to go on a sunny afternoon, the dreamy garden is the perfect place to enjoy a vegetable-forward lunch, a glass or two of wine, and good conversation. While we sipped our wines (mine non-alcoholic) and the sun flecked our shoulders, we watched the staff unpack fresh summer produce from the farm and pour samples of wine. It truly felt like a Mediterranean postcard.  

The produce is grown on their farm and they have an extensive wine menu from winemakers using regenerative techniques. The entire menu is vegetarian and unless a dish has cheese in it, it’s vegan. 

Favorite dishes: the roasted carrots with pine nut and currant agrodolce, and the golden beetroot tortellini with poppy seeds and almond salsa. 

Yuni’s Kitchen (Northcote neighborhood)

A casual Indonesian gem run by the lovely Yuni and featuring her family recipes from Indonesia, Yuni’s Kitchen serves up big flavor at tiny prices. While the restaurant is not vegan or vegetarian, like almost every restaurant in Melbourne, there were several high-quality options on the menu. I loved the vegan laksa and bakwan (crispy fried corn fritters). 

And if the weather is nice, the outdoor seating is fun and whimsical. 

Lona Misa (South Yarra neighborhood) 

Another brainchild of Chef Shannon Martinez, Lona Misa is a Latin-inspired restaurant that happens to live inside a very trendy hotel. Many of the menu items are imitations of meat (not using pre-made alternatives like beyond meat but made in-house using items like seitan and mushrooms) where the chefs are really pushing the envelope. One of the dishes reminded me so much of chicken that I had to triple check with the chef that it was not in fact chicken. 

Definitely a fun spot to try if you enjoy (or miss) meat. 

Red Sparrow Pizza (Collingwood neighborhood)  

Craving pizza? Red Sparrow is your spot. It’s an all-vegan pizzeria with seriously good crust, melty vegan cheese, and an impressive lineup of pies. They also serve “not wings” that are very convincingly meaty if you’re into that sort of thing.

It’s super casual, so perfect for lunch or a laid-back night when you want to eat something indulgent in stretchy pants.

Smith + Deli (Collingwood neighborhood)  

Next door to its grownup sister Smith + Daughters, Smith + Deli is your go-to cafe for over-the-top vegan sandwiches, pastries, and donuts. Picture an almond croissant bigger than my head (delicious, but I couldn’t finish it, not even with the help of Max), plus breakfast sammies oozing with vegan cheese and seitan bacon.

It gets busy on weekends around brunch, so plan accordingly if you don’t want to wait in line. 

Molly Rose Brewing (Collingwood neighborhood)

Molly Rose Brewing is Exhibit A in the case for why Melbourne’s food scene is elite. During our first visit, we happened to be in the neighborhood so we popped into this bar for a drink and left raving about the quality of the food (and number of vegan options).

The highlight was the char kway teow, a Malaysian street food dish made with flat stir-fried rice noodles and a deeply savory sauce. The version on their menu is vegetarian and they easily made it vegan for us.

I had never heard of this dish, but what I’ve learned is that Australia has really good (and often authentic) Malaysian food that you’d be hard-pressed to find in the U.S. 

Other standouts on the menu: a watermelon tartare and a cucumber salad with whipped tofu and chili oil that was so good, I recreated it for one of the summer meal plans in Meal Plans by Rainbow Plant Life.

Cafe Jabelle (Carlton North neighborhood) 

We stumbled on Cafe Jabelle, a cozy family-run Lebanese cafe after a long day of walking, and had a lovely chat with the owner. The fattoush—topped with crispy homemade pita chips—was maybe the best I’ve ever had. The baba ganoush? Smoky, creamy, dreamy (even eggplant-hating Max approved). 

Things to do in Melbourne 

Melbourne is one of those cities where you can hop from gallery to garden to bookshop to street art tour—and find world-class vegan eats every step of the way. While the food was obviously the star of the show for me, these experiences added so much color, charm, and inspiration to our trip.

Soak Up Art at the National Gallery of Victoria

Did you know that many museums in Australia are free? I did not, and I was fully prepared to fork over cash to visit the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Australia’s oldest art museum. But nope—the permanent collections are free to explore, and they’re spectacular.

The NGV is home to everything from classical European art to contemporary Indigenous Australian works, plus decorative arts, fashion, and sculpture. 

We did end up paying for tickets for the special Yayoi Kusama exhibit, and it was so worth it. I went in knowing almost nothing about this Japanese artist, and came out fully obsessed. This woman is in her 90s and still creating mesmerizing, avant-garde art. Her story is wild and deeply moving—she’s been pushing artistic boundaries since the 1950s with a style that’s bold, whimsical, and deeply personal. 

Stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens

Another shocker? The Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria are also free. I don’t know who decided that art and beauty should be this accessible in Australia, but I fully support them.

The gardens are massive and feature beautifully landscaped grounds with everything from tropical rainforest gullies and eucalyptus groves to lakes, open lawns, and exotic plant collections. One minute you’re in a fern-filled forest, the next you’re standing under a blooming arbour of roses. 

We went on a weekday and the vibe was pure serenity: people reading novels under the shade of giant trees, friends catching up over lunch, and solo walkers just soaking it all in. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel instantly more relaxed and grounded.

Admire street art in Fitzroy 

During our first trip, we stayed near the Fitzroy neighborhood, which I would describe as significantly more hip and more artsy than I am. The thing we do have in common is a love for vegan food. I am not exaggerating when I say that every single block had at least one vegan or vegetarian restaurant. 

And the street art scene here is next level. Think building-sized murals and alleyways transformed into open-air galleries or street markets. You can join a guided street art tour or just wander aimlessly—you’ll find something Instagram-worthy on nearly every block.

Bonus tip: Grab a coffee while strolling because the coffee in Melbourne, like the food, is outrageously good. 

Fitzroy Gardens 

Not to be confused with the neighborhood of Fitzroy, Fitzroy Gardens is a historic green space that’s just a short walk from the CBD—and well worth a visit. If the Royal Botanic Gardens are grand and sprawling, Fitzroy Gardens are more intimate and storybook-like.

You’ll find stately elms, a gentle waterfall or two, and quirky charms like a model Tudor Village and Cooks’ Cottage (shipped from England and rebuilt here, it was originally the home of Captain James Cook’s parents). There’s also a flower-filled conservatory that smells like heaven and looks like a postcard.

It’s a peaceful little escape from the city bustle—a perfect place to slow down and let your feet (and brain) rest.

Books for Cooks 

Books for Cooks, a hidden gem in Queen Victoria Market, is a culinary nerd’s dream: a cozy, independently owned bookshop packed with 40,000 books on food, cooking, and wine. If I had been traveling solo, I would’ve spent half the day here, jotting down recipe inspiration.

But I was with Max (who is lovely, but not a cookbook hoarder), so I limited myself to a 30-minute sprint. We got to meet Tim, the wonderful owner, and I even signed the last copy of Big Vegan Flavor they had in stock. 

If you love cookbooks as much as I do (or just want a unique foodie souvenir), this spot is a must.

Your Turn—Spill the Melbourne Tea!

As mentioned, this list barely scratches the surface—Melbourne is stacked with amazing eats, cool neighborhoods, and unique places to stay. I’m always looking for new spots to check out, so if you’ve been to Melbourne (or you’re a local!), I’d love to hear your favorites in the comments. 

Whether it’s a hole-in-the-wall cafe, a must-do activity, or a dreamy hotel, send those recs my way! 

And if you haven’t been, definitely bookmark it for your next foodie vacation!