Skip to content
Overhead image of a vegan table spread at Melbourne-based restaurant, Lona Misa.

Opinion Plant-based food is everywhere now – here’s the proof

Lifestyle
Maggie's author bio image

Author: Maggie Published: July 31, 2024

Vegan eating has officially gone mainstream! Check out these 9 places where you can now reliably find plant-based food and meal inspiration.

With as many as 42% of Aussies now choosing to eat less meat or none at all, it’s safe to say that plant-based food is more in demand than ever. And as a result, it’s more accessible than ever, too.

Here are all the places you can find plant-based food these days: 

1. Your local supermarket

A woman stands in the middle of a supermarket aisle, looking at camera and smiling. She is holding a carrot.

Most major supermarkets here in Australia (and around the world) offer impressive ranges of specialty vegan products these days – everything from staples like plant-based milks, mock meats, condiments, and ready meals, to snacks, ice creams, and other more indulgent treats.

In fact, it’s safe to say that there are delicious plant-based foods to be found in every single supermarket aisle these days. Yes, even the meat section!

Need help putting together a well-rounded vegan grocery list? Check out our beginner’s guide here

2. Health stores & Asian grocers

A woman in an Asian Grocery Store sorts through stock.

Whenever you come across a health store or Asian grocer, it’s always worth having a poke around for hidden gems. Sometimes, you’ll find artisanal plant-based products that aren’t stocked by bigger-name stores – vegan jerky, fancy chocolates, and soft cheeses, for example. 

The fridge and freezer sections, in particular, are often packed with secret treasures. Keep an eye out for bags of meat-free gyoza, seafood, and nuggets!

3. Vegan-friendly online stores

A woman sits on her couch excitedly opening a package that has just been delivered.

Like the sound of stocking up your pantry from the comfort of your couch? There are a number of plant-forward online retailers around Australia that can deliver an amazing selection of vegan products right to your door. 

Find one that services your area in our directory of vegan-friendly online stores.

4. Restaurant menus

A handwritten menu board out on the street, showing three vegan menu options.

Thanks to surging demand, Australia’s vegan dining scene is quickly becoming one of the most vibrant – and abundant – in the world. 

Need proof? Just take a look at some of the plant-based restaurants, cafés, and food stalls making a flavour-packed impression on foodies (of all dietary preferences!) in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and on the Gold Coast

With so many fully vegan establishments now serving up mouth-watering meals around the country – and countless ‘omnivore’ restaurants making their menus more vegan-friendly – you’re never far from a satisfying plant-based option.

We’d even venture to say that, at least in the cities now, you’d be hard-pressed to find a menu that doesn’t include a few vegan dishes, or at least vegetarian options that can be easily adapted. 

For help finding restaurants and navigating menus, check out these plant-based dining tips

5. Fast food chains & food delivery apps

Three friends sit outside sharing a vegan pizza.

Even fast food chains like Hungry Jack’s, Domino’s Pizza, and Grill’d cater to vegetarians and vegans these days! Browse our list of vegan fast-food options here – they range all the way from satisfyingly trashy to nutritious and fresh.

There are loads to choose from on all the popular food delivery apps like UberEats and DoorDash, too. Use the ‘vegan’ filter in the search function to see what’s being cooked up near you.

6. Your social media feed

A woman scrolls through the phone she is holding.

It’s called a feed for a reason 😉 When you follow accounts strategically, social media can be an infinite well of plant-based meal inspiration.

If the algorithm isn’t already serving you incredible-looking dishes, cooking tutorials, product recommendations, and snack ideas, opt in by following some of our favourite plant-based creators across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube

7. On mainstream TV

Simon Toohey and his mum, Therese, stand behind the bench on the set of 'Freshly Picked with Simon Toohey'.

Freshly Picked, Australia’s first ever 100% plant-based cooking show, has already aired three whole seasons on Channel 10! 

Hosted by Masterchef grand-finalist Simon Toohey, every episode is packed to the brim with vegan cooking tips, easy meal ideas, and special guest chefs – as well as interviews with the hardworking Aussie farmers who grow all the fresh produce used on the show.

Hit vegan docu-series, Eating Plants, also returned this year for season 2, with six new upbeat episodes exploring plant-based cuisine around the world. Stream all episodes online here.

8. In the news

A woman lays back on the couch, reading a magazine.

It feels like just about every other week, plant-based eating makes headlines for some reason or another. 

Whether it’s a scientific study finding that a vegan diet can help protect the planet, manage diabetes, improve your quality of sleep, or reduce your grocery bill – or statistics showing booming demand for plant-based meats and dairy-free products across Australia – every new article helps paint a fuller picture of the many benefits (and growing popularity) of plant-based food. 

Personally, we get extra excited whenever a delicious product announcement hits the news… Vegan Krispy Kreme doughnuts and Nutella, anyone?

9. On your plate

Overhead view of two mushroom shawarmas on a plate, surrounded with extra mushroom, tomato, cucumber, and tzatziki.

We’re here to help with this one 🧡 If you’re keen to eat more veg, but aren’t sure how to start, check out these practical everyday tips. They’re all little things that are super easy to implement, yet have a huge payoff in terms of helping you get more plant-based foods into your meals.

For cooking inspiration, check out our recipe hub for hundreds of tasty ideas – or browse these lists of classic comfort meals and the many satisfying salads you can pair them with. 

Like every other place on this list, your plate will be bursting with vibrant, nourishing veggie goodness in no time!

One more place you can find heaps of plant-based meal ideas? Our free Veg Starter Kit! Grab yours here

Header image: © Lona Misa

 

Maggie's author bio image

Meet Maggie!

Maggie’s passion for fresh, local produce began in the 90s when she first harvested the oranges in her backyard for a glass of fresh-squeezed Florida orange juice — though her Dad may remember the details of labour a little differently. Now she adds berries to her chocolate and sneaks pumpkin into brownies so she can confidently and incorrectly refer to them as health foods.