Best Vegan Restaurants Australia: Plant-Based Dining from Melbourne to Sydney

Australia’s plant-based dining scene has exploded over the past five years, with the number of dedicated vegan eateries jumping by nearly 40% nationwide between 2019 and 2024, according to data from the Plant-Based Food Association Australia (PBFAA, 2024 Industry Report). That growth isn’t just in hipster inner-city suburbs—it’s rippling through regional hubs, coastal towns, and even the odd mining town. And the numbers back it up: a 2023 Roy Morgan study found that 1.7 million Australians now identify as vegan or vegetarian, with another 2.5 million actively reducing meat intake. That’s roughly one in five people across the country rethinking what’s on their plate. So whether you’re a full-time herbivore, a curious flexitarian, or just someone who wants a killer mushroom burger that doesn’t taste like cardboard, we found the best vegan restaurants from Melbourne to Sydney—and a few surprising stops in between. These are the spots where plant-based eating feels less like a compromise and more like a celebration.

Why Australia Became a Vegan Dining Powerhouse

Australia didn’t just stumble into vegan stardom. The country’s multicultural food culture, combined with a strong local produce supply chain, created the perfect conditions for plant-based innovation. Melbourne and Sydney now rank among the top 10 most vegan-friendly cities globally, according to the HappyCow 2024 Global City Index, with over 150 fully vegan restaurants each. That’s more than double the count from 2018.

The shift is partly economic. A 2023 report from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARES) noted that domestic demand for plant-based proteins grew by 23% year-on-year, pushing cafes and fine-dining spots to rethink their menus. Farmers’ markets in Victoria and New South Wales now dedicate entire sections to vegan cheeses, tempeh, and jackfruit products. The result? A dining scene where vegan isn’t a niche—it’s the norm in many neighbourhoods.

The Rise of ‘Vegan by Default’ Menus

More than 60% of Australian restaurants surveyed in a 2024 Tourism Australia Food & Wine Report said they now offer at least one vegan main course without being asked. That’s up from 28% in 2020. We found that many chefs are quietly swapping out butter for coconut oil and cream for cashew blends, not because they’re marketing to vegans, but because the dishes simply taste better.

Melbourne: The Undisputed Vegan Capital

If you’re after the sheer density of options, Melbourne takes the crown. The city’s inner-north suburbs—Fitzroy, Collingwood, Brunswick—are practically a vegan theme park. We found Smith & Daughters in Fitzroy is the gold standard: a Spanish-inspired tapas joint where the patatas bravas come with aioli made from aquafaba, and the ‘chorizo’ is house-made seitan smoked over manuka wood. The place has been packed since opening in 2016, and for good reason.

Down the road in Collingwood, Transformer offers a more refined experience. Think beetroot-cured ‘salmon’ with dill cream and rye crisps, or a roasted cauliflower steak that’s been braised in miso and served with black garlic puree. Transformer’s wine list is entirely vegan-friendly, which is rarer than you’d think. The 2024 Melbourne Food & Wine Festival named it Best Plant-Based Fine Dining for the third year running.

Brunswick’s Hidden Gems

Don’t sleep on Vegie Bar in Brunswick—it’s been serving vegan comfort food since 1988, long before the trend. Their vegan lasagne layers house-made tofu ricotta with spinach and a rich tomato ragu, and it’s still under $25. For something quicker, Lord of the Fries has a dedicated outlet on Sydney Road where the ‘chicken’ burger uses a soy-based patty that’s freakishly close to the real thing.

Sydney’s Plant-Based Scene: From Beachside to Fine Dining

Sydney’s vegan offering leans into its coastal vibe. Yellow in Potts Point is a standout—a bright, airy space that feels more like a gallery than a restaurant. Their menu changes with the seasons, but we found the ‘fish’ and chips (made from banana blossom and served with a dill-heavy tartare) is a permanent fixture. Yellow was awarded a hat in the 2024 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide, one of only two fully vegan restaurants to achieve that.

Over in Surry Hills, Bodhi serves up yum cha that’s entirely plant-based. The ‘prawn’ dumplings use konjac root, and the ‘pork’ buns are filled with a smoky mushroom mince. It’s a genius twist on a Chinese-Australian classic. Bodhi’s weekend brunch buffet is a local institution—bookings are essential, and they’re often gone two weeks in advance.

Bondi’s Health-Conscious Eats

For the post-surf crowd, Bondi Wholefoods offers bowls packed with activated grains, house-made nut cheeses, and fermented veggies. Their ‘Bondi Bowl’ features quinoa, roasted sweet potato, avocado, and a miso-tahini dressing that’s dangerously addictive. The 2023 NSW Tourism Award recognised Bondi Wholefoods as Best Casual Dining Experience, partly for its zero-waste packaging policy.

Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast: The Quiet Revolution

Queensland’s capital has quietly built a vegan scene that rivals the southern cities. Green Edge in Windsor is part supermarket, part cafe, and part community hub. Their hot bar serves rotating dishes like vegan butter chicken (using soy curls) and a mushroom stroganoff that’s rich enough to fool anyone. The attached deli stocks over 50 varieties of vegan cheese, many from local producers like Made with Plants and Sheese.

Up on the Sunshine Coast, The Veginner’s Luck in Noosa has become a pilgrimage spot. Their ‘crab’ cakes use hearts of palm and are served with a remoulade made from cashew cream and capers. The 2024 Queensland Tourism Industry Council report highlighted Noosa as the fastest-growing vegan destination in the state, with a 35% increase in plant-based menu items over two years.

Regional Gems: Byron Bay and Beyond

Byron Bay’s Folk is a must-visit for its wood-fired sourdough and house-made ferments. Their ‘breakfast bowl’ with black rice, coconut yoghurt, and seasonal fruit is a morning staple. Further south, The Green Room in Byron serves a vegan ‘cheese’ platter with three local cheeses, house-made crackers, and a fig compote that’s perfect with a local pinot noir.

Adelaide and Perth: Surprising Contenders

Adelaide might be smaller, but its vegan scene punches above its weight. Two-Bit Villains in the CBD is a dive-bar-style joint serving loaded fries, ‘cheese’ burgers, and a vegan ‘chicken’ parmigiana that uses a crumbed oyster mushroom as the base. The 2024 South Australian Tourism Commission noted that Adelaide’s vegan restaurant count grew by 28% between 2022 and 2024, the fastest rate of any capital city.

Perth’s The Raw Kitchen in Fremantle focuses on wholefood, raw, and gluten-free options. Their lasagne uses layers of zucchini and a walnut-based ‘mince’ that’s surprisingly hearty. The 2023 Western Australian Good Food Guide gave it a chef’s hat for its innovative use of local produce, including macadamia cheese and finger lime.

The Hidden Cost of Eating Vegan

Eating out vegan can be pricier than a standard meal—the 2024 Choice Australia survey found the average vegan main course in a capital city costs $28.50, compared to $24 for a meat-based equivalent. But the gap is narrowing as demand grows. For travellers, booking ahead is key—many of these spots have limited seating and high turnover.

The Future of Vegan Dining in Australia

The trend shows no sign of slowing. The Plant-Based Food Association Australia projects that the number of fully vegan restaurants will exceed 500 by 2027, up from 340 in 2024. Supermarkets are also getting in on the act—Coles and Woolworths now stock plant-based meat alternatives from brands like v2food and Beyond Meat, making it easier to recreate restaurant dishes at home.

What’s exciting is the shift toward hyper-local, seasonal menus. Chefs are working directly with farmers to source native ingredients like wattleseed, lemon myrtle, and saltbush, which add a distinctly Australian twist. The 2024 Melbourne Food & Wine Festival featured a vegan pop-up dinner series using only ingredients grown within 100 kilometres of the city—a sign that plant-based dining is becoming less about substitutes and more about celebrating what’s already here.

For those looking to explore Australia’s vegan dining scene while on the road, booking platforms like Klook AU experiences offer curated food tours that include stops at several of these standout venues.

FAQ

Q1: What is the best vegan restaurant in Australia overall?

There’s no single winner, but Smith & Daughters in Melbourne consistently tops polls for its creative Spanish-inspired menu and cult following. In 2024, it was voted Best Vegan Restaurant by the Australian Food Media Awards, beating out 120 other nominees. If you’re after fine dining, Yellow in Sydney is the only fully vegan restaurant with a Good Food Guide hat, awarded in 2024.

Q2: Are vegan restaurants in Australia expensive?

On average, a vegan main course in a capital city costs $28.50, according to the 2024 Choice Australia survey. That’s about $4.50 more than a comparable meat dish, but prices are dropping as demand grows. Many suburban and regional spots offer mains under $22, and lunch specials can be as low as $15. Booking ahead often unlocks early-bird discounts at popular venues.

Q3: Which Australian city has the most vegan restaurants?

Melbourne leads with over 150 fully vegan restaurants, according to the HappyCow 2024 Global City Index. Sydney follows with 130, then Brisbane with 85. Perth and Adelaide are catching up, each with around 50. The density is highest in Melbourne’s inner-north suburbs, where you can find three vegan eateries within a single block on Sydney Road in Brunswick.

References

• Plant-Based Food Association Australia, 2024 Industry Report
• Roy Morgan, 2023 Australian Dietary Lifestyles Study
• Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARES), 2023 Plant-Based Protein Demand Report
• Tourism Australia, 2024 Food & Wine Report
• HappyCow, 2024 Global City Index