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Brisbane’s vegan food scene is absolutely thriving, and we’re here for it! From plant-based poutine to Middle Eastern feasts fit for royalty, this city is serving up some seriously drool-worthy eats.
Whether you’re a long-time vegan, starting your plant-based journey, or just keen to try something new, these 13 vegan-friendly hotspots will have you coming back for more.
Ready to check out the best vegan-friendly restaurants in Brisbane? Grab your stretchy pants and your appetite, and let’s take a tasty tour of Brissie’s best vegan bites.
1. Netherworld (Fortitude Valley)
Whether you’re an arcade kid from way back, a board game geek, or just want to indulge in some incredible vegan-friendly food and soak up the atmosphere, Netherworld is a retro diner, drinking hole, and grungy-but-cool gaming spot all rolled into one.
For food, you’ll want to sidestep the cavern of vintage arcade machines and make your way into the Hellmouth Diner – a cosy (creepy?) seating area watched over by some Netherworld monsters who look pretty peeved not to have been invited to dinner.
While Netherworld does offer non-vegan options and alterations on request, they’re plant-based first and foremost. Plant-forward, one might say, which is what we like to see!
My go-to dishes are crispy karaage tofu, Hellmouth fries, a saucy ‘Beelzebun’ burger, and gravy-smothered Pegasus poutine.
2. ZA ZA TA (Fortitude Valley)
With a punchy name and eclectic, maximalist décor to match (get a load of the jungle mural on the wall, complete with lounging peacocks, swinging monkeys, and sunflowers!), ZA ZA TA is one of my all-time Brisbane faves.
The vegetarian menu, with mostly vegan dishes, is packed with enticing Middle Eastern and Mediterranean-inspired flavours.
I often dream about the BBQ cauliflower shawarma and the crispy, coal-roasted oyster mushrooms – and don’t even get me started on the desserts! Halva-infused chocolate mousse? Yes please 🤤
3. Antica Pizzeria (Wilston)
Antica Pizzeria is a must-try vegan-friendly restaurant in Brisbane if you’re looking for premium-tasting vegan Italian food in a rustic yet stylish location! Although it’s an omni restaurant, it has a separate vegan menu featuring plant-based antipasti, sides, pizzas, pasta, desserts, and fancy cocktails.
‘Antica’, which translates to ‘in the manner of the ancients’, is a nod to their traditionally made Neapolitan-style pizzas and handmade pasta – so you can count on every dish to taste fresh, comforting, and authentic Italian flair.
Whatever pizza you choose, I recommend grabbing a side of vegan arancini and some vegan tiramisu or cannoli for dessert.
4. Dicki’s (New Farm & Ascot)
Dicki’s serves a mostly vegan menu (a few options contain eggs and dairy) and is so popular with the plant-based crowd that it now has two convenient locations in New Farm and Ascot.
Both locations are bright and airy, with minimalist design touches but maximum flavour packed into their all-day breakfast menu. Choose from a wide array of hearty burritos, waffles, fritters, salad bowls, and protein-packed smoothies.
They also offer some truly mouthwatering dishes, such as green tofu ‘eggs’ on Turkish bread, sticky vegan duck toasties, and build-your-own baos with a couple of different vegan meat options for the filling.
Best of all, Dicki’s is dog-friendly, so bring your furry friends along!
5. Vege Me (South Brisbane)
For drool-worthy Asian fusion with a casual, order-at-the-counter vibe, Vege Me is an easy go-to vegan-friendly restaurant in Brisbane. Most dishes are vegan and clearly labelled as such, so the only tricky bit is deciding what to order – it’s all so delicious!
The lovely owners are Taiwanese, so the menu boasts many classic Taiwanese meals. However, you can also choose from iconic Asian dishes like Japanese inari and okonomiyaki or Korean bibimbap.
Their extremely generously portioned soup bowls are the most umami-rich food you’ll ever eat, and their suji (Taiwanese-style vegan fried chicken) is also absurdly moreish. You may find it hard to stop – consider yourself warned!
6. NAÏM (Paddington)
Perched on top of a steep hill in Paddington – in a charming little worker’s cottage – you’ll find NAÏM, a casual yet refined vegan restaurant in Brisbane serving up all the mouthwatering traditional flavours of the Middle East and Mediterranean.
NAÏM has an entirely plant-based menu and another for omnivores, making it a great option if you’re catering to a mixed group with different food preferences. Many of their gloriously colourful dishes are also gluten-free!
7. Tea Master Vegetarian Cafe (Fortitude Valley)
This relaxed vegetarian restaurant in the heart of the Valley offers a massive selection of vegan-friendly dishes. Their specialty is traditional Taiwanese food, so expect lots of tempting savoury options, such as dumplings, mock meats, noodles, stir-fries, hot pots, and more.
Tea Master is the perfect place for a casual lunch or early dinner with friends keen to share a bunch of plates so that you can try a bit of everything!
Pair your meal with a refreshing pot of authentic high-mountain or vegan bubble tea.
8. Rogue Bistro (Newstead)
There’s something decidedly space-age about Rogue Bistro’s sleek, jet-black design – a surprising contrast to the simple, wholesome food at the heart of their ethos.
This upscale Australian diner has a separate degustation menu to suit just about every dietary requirement you can think of, including vegan, and these menus shift monthly to feature only the freshest seasonal produce.
Some favourite dishes have included spinach and sage gnocchi, smoked mushrooms with truffle salsa verde, miso-torched baby fennel, tempura koji celeriac with wasabi hollandaise, and summer mango pavlova.
Rogue Bistro’s ever-evolving menus make even repeat visits new and exciting – you never know what you’ll get, but it’s guaranteed to make a delicious impression.
9. Pancha (Hamilton)
Are you looking for a cosy café with plant-based options that are delicious, sustainable, and nutritious?
Enter Pancha, a homey, health-conscious haven in Hamilton, where most of the fresh produce used in the kitchen is sourced directly from local Aussie farmers.
While the menu is omni, there’s an extensive range of vegan meals (as well as excellent coffee, which is a necessity).
Try Pancha’s brekky bruschetta, roast pumpkin, and quinoa salad for a filling, savoury option. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, on the other hand, it’s impossible to look past the luxurious flaxseed pancakes topped with berries, fruit, chocolate soil, and rosewater fairy floss.
10. Luckies Kitchen (Bullimba)
Under the warm glow of Luckies Kitchen’s paper lanterns, a neon maneki-neko waves cheerfully from the wall. Known for inviting good fortune, this iconic beckoning cat seems to have one mission: Ushering in the kind of prosperity you can taste – in the form of delicious plant-based food!
The whole menu says it’s served with “a side of good fortune”, and I can only assume this is doubly true for the vegan options 😉
Luckies Kitchen delivers a punchy take on traditional Chinese, Japanese, and South Korean cuisine, with dishes guaranteed to please every palate at the table. Think edamame, crunchy spring rolls, popcorn cauliflower, crispy tofu, eggplant bao, red curry, and more – all crafted with the kind of love and care that leaves you feeling like you lucked out!
11. La Bodega Taqueria (East Brisbane)
Located in a breezy eatery precinct in East Brisbane, La Bodega Taqueria offers several tasty-looking plant-based Mexican dishes on its main menu. However, you can also request a separate vegan menu with even more enticing options!
Their bright, veggie-laden burritos, nachos, tacos, and enchiladas are incredible. Many contain cleverly marinated jackfruit or shiitake mushrooms as the signature ‘meaty’ element.
12. The Boom Boom Room (CBD)
Hidden in the basement of a heritage-listed former bank, The Boom Boom Room is a high-end Japanese bar and restaurant that feels like stepping straight into a spy movie.
The private dining rooms (built into old bank vaults!) add an air of intrigue, while the open seating area, studded with rich, gemstone-coloured furniture and art deco accents, takes ‘Bougie’ to a whole other level.
And just to make The Boom Boom Room even more alluring, its menu is a goldmine of vegan options! You can choose from a la carte options or order the vegan banquet for a sample of everything.
Expect a modern twist on traditional Japanese flavours, like spicy edamame, roasted bell pepper nigiri, grilled tofu onigirazu (sushi sandwiches), or crispy potato with koji plant cream and kombu.
And just upstairs is the next restaurant on our list, Donna Chang!
13. Donna Chang (CBD)
Situated above The Boom Boom Room, one of the best vegan-friendly restaurants in Brisbane, Donna Chang offers a sophisticated dining experience that pays homage to Sichuan and Cantonese cuisines. The banquet menu features several classic yet elevated vegan dishes.
The restaurant’s interior blends modern elegance with heritage architecture. Between the spectacular vaulted ceilings and ornate details everywhere, it’s almost hard to focus on your plate when there’s so much to see!
Yet, the food is so flavoursome that it immediately grabs your attention. Past standouts have included shiitake mushroom bao, Impossible Beef dan dan noodles, and melt-in-your-mouth fried eggplant with ginger, black beans, and chilli dressing.
Looking for more vegan-friendly restaurants in Brisbane?
Whether you’re a local or just visiting with a hunger for top-notch plant-based bites, Brisbane’s vegan scene is thriving with delicious options! Stay tuned to Happy Cow and local vegan Facebook groups for the freshest foodie discoveries.
With more vegan-friendly venues popping up all the time, Brisbane’s plant-based game is only getting stronger – so keep exploring (and don’t forget to save room for dessert)! 
Delicious plant-based food is everywhere these days – there are options practically around every corner! Check out our bonus tips for dining out and how to order vegan at fast food chains near you.
Header image: © Za Za Ta
Meet Liv!
Having grown up in a “meat and 3 veg” kind of household, Liv’s embarrassed to admit that she was a bit of a one-note chef until she began exploring the world of plant-based food. Vegan cooking has given her a whole new appreciation for the symphonies of flavours that simple, nourishing wholefood ingredients can create. (Even eggplant, once her greatest nemesis, is now — in a delicious, miso-glazed redemption arc — her all-time favourite veg.)