8 Reasons Melbourne Should Be on Your Bucket List This Summer

In Melbourne, the day begins with a culinary adventure, and for vegans, the options are as diverse as they are delicious. From invigorating lattes infused with wellness-boosting ingredients to artisan pizzas that redefine plant-based indulgence, the city offers a plethora of sips and bites worth waking up for. Join us as we explore the vibrant vegan scene of Melbourne, uncovering the hidden gems and must-try delicacies that await in every corner.

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Shoku Iku

1 The sips worth waking up for

No Melbourne morning is complete without an inventive latte. Get a wellness boost in the Magic in a Cup—with mulberry, medicinal mushroom powder, and butterfly pea flower from raw-food café Shoku Iku. For something indulgent, stop by the 32-year-old landmark restaurant The Vegie Bar, the Dandelion Latte—with detoxifying dandelion root, Japanese-crafted soy milk, and cacao—is a top pick.
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Smith and Deli

2 The can’t-miss deli

Following in the footsteps of its upscale sister restaurant Smith and Daughters, neighborhood hot spot Smith and Deli brings New York-style Jewish deli sandwiches, a retro-inspired aesthetic, and shelves lined with housemade pasta, meats, cakes, and other goods to Melbourne’s most in-the-know. Regulars come early for coffee and a toasty Egg Martinez (vegan egg, bacon, and cheddar on an English muffin), or grab an umami, chicken schnitzel-loaded Katsu Sandwich for lunch on the go.
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Red Sparrow Pizza

3 The artisan pizza

As Melbourne’s first and only vegan pizzeria, Red Sparrow Pizza opened its doors in 2017, specializing in Neapolitan crusts baked in Italian wood-fired ovens. The popular spot boasts more than 12 different options of cheesy, made-by-hand ‘zas (ranging from the pineapple-topped Hawaiian with bacon and herbs to the Patatas Bravas with potatoes, chorizo, and aioli) plus a killer selection of local vegan beer and wine.
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Instagram/Mister Nice Guy’s Bakeshop

4 The sweets worth waiting hours for

When husband-and-wife team Lucas Cook and Deb Kantor started the city’s first all-vegan bakery 14 years ago, they never would have envisioned the success they’d see a decade later. Today, customers form lines out the door for Mister Nice Guy’s Bakeshop’s fluffy doughnuts, colorful cupcakes, and eye-popping shakes. Go all out and grab one of everything, including the violet unicorn milkshake topped with confetti sprinkles, a sugar cone horn, and multicolor chocolate bark.
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Instagram/Shakahari

5 The elegant eats

Shakahari has catered to vegans since 1972, fusing traditional Indian cuisine with Chinese and Japanese influences so well that it’s garnered high praise from the likes of Kylie Minogue, Carlos Santana, and David Bowie. Elegant dishes such as the Koshihikari Zento (Japanese rice, edamame, shredded black wood mushrooms, and carrots with braised burdock, daikon, and ginger) and raw Yuzu, Lime, and Avocado Cheesecake highlight its expert execution of plants.
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Serotonin Eatery

6 The next-level wellness spots

Providing a peaceful escape from city life, Serotonin Eatery helps guests find their inner zen. Using nutrition as the cornerstone for health and happiness, the center is divided into three areas: a restorative eatery, an exercise space, and an educational center. If you’re expecting all wheatgrass and kale, Australian banana flour pancakes with blueberry and raspberry coulis, coconut yogurt, and banana ice cream will prove otherwise.
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Kevabs

7 The first, all-vegan kebab shop

As Melbourne’s first all-vegan kebab shop, Kevabs aims to bring the Turkish staple to the masses without any soy, dairy, eggs, gluten, nuts, or sugar. Grab a Turkish coffee and sit down to enjoy the eatery’s signature Kevab with lettuce, tomato, sumac onion, tursu (pickled vegetables), sauce, and a pea protein kebab wrapped with pita. 
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The Cornish Arms

8 The bites and brews

Vegans have chef Lloyd Kembrey to thank for The Cornish Arms’ plant-friendly makeover. The East Brunswick pub offers one of the most vegan-friendly menus for beer enthusiasts. Grab a pint and indulge in smoked mac and cheese bites, buttery garlic bread, and housemade vegan chicken ribs with buffalo, gochujang, or smoky barbecue sauce. Cheers!
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