Opinion 8 vegan restaurants in Brisbane you need to check out

Looking for amazing vegan restaurants in Brisbane? Don’t miss these top-recommended vegan cafés and food spots!

Brisbane has blossomed into an absolute paradise for plant-based foodies! There’s so much choice these days – from a vibrant array of vegan restaurants, cafés, bakeries, and bars. 

As a result, the plant-based dining scene in Brisbane has never been easier or more delicious to explore 🤤

But to make your dining decisions even easier, we’ve compiled a shortlist of some of our top favourite vegan restaurants in Brisbane.

1. Vege Rama (CBD)

Introducing the winner of the 2024 award for best vegetarian restaurant in Brisbane CBD! 🏆

Conveniently located in the heart of the city, Vege Rama is 100% vegan and a brilliant option for a quick meal on your lunch break. Its extensive menu – which includes a massive range of traditional Indian food alongside some fan-favourite Western dishes – is super affordable and mouthwatering.

This delightfully haiku-like Happy Cow review perfectly sums Vege Rama up: 

I couldn’t have said it better myself 😂

Choose from a selection of delicious meals, such as veggie-packed curries, salads, and lasagna bakes, then follow up your main with a cheeky dessert. The Ferrero cups and Oreo cakes are not to be missed!

2. You Came Again (West End)

This all vegan restaurant in Brisbane’s coolest suburb is an absolute gem. If you’re looking for addictive plant-based food and fun cocktails in a stylish, laid-back setting on West End’s main strip – we think You Came Again might just become your new fave!

My top picks are their signature cheese platter, pesto-stuffed mushrooms, salt-and-pepper tofu, and lemon popcorn cauliflower bites. Just leave room for one of their decadent desserts, too!

3. The Green Edge (Windsor)

Are you looking for a cute vegan brunch spot but also need to stock up on pantry essentials? The Green Edge has you covered.

This delightful little café–supermarket hybrid is a mainstay of the Brisbane vegan scene and a popular pitstop for new and experienced plant-based eaters. 

The pantry section is a one-stop shop for everything on your vegan grocery list, from plant-based meat and cheese to butter, mock ‘eggs’, condiments, baking supplies, ice cream, cooking staples, sweet treats, and more. 

And the café menu is equally impressive – featuring classic comfort meals like nachos, curries, pasta, burgers, and toasties, as well as indulgent treats like breakfast muffins, frappes, cakes, slices, and pastries. No wonder The Green Edge is so beloved! 🥰

4. Neon Ramen (Everton Park)

True to its name, Neon Ramen is full of glowing neon signage and the most immense bowls of ramen you’ve ever seen – and completely vegan.

The hot pink, anime-inspired theme here is such a unique vibe. Between the cherry blossom-covered ceiling, cyberpunk art on the walls, and authentic Japanese cuisine, you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled into a bar in Tokyo.

The only downside is that most of the food is served in adorable cat-eared bowls, which makes everything (nearly) too cute to eat!

Aside from extremely generous portions of customisable ramen, Neon Ramen also does flavour-packed stir-fries, bao, vegan meats, sides, snacks, ice creams, and, of course, cocktails. Plus, Veganyumm (a 100% vegan bakery) is right downstairs! Time your dinner right, and you can pop in for dessert before they close 😋 

5. Veganyumm (Everton Park)

The name says it all: Everything at this adorable little bakery – from savoury goods like pies, scrolls, and pastries to sweet treats like cakes, cupcakes, slices, cookies, brownies, lamingtons, and cheesecake cups – is 100% vegan and 100% yum. 

Whatever you’re craving, Veganyumm probably has it in the oven right now. The seating area always smells divine due to the delicious aromas wafting from the back! 

One of their most popular treats is a genuinely beautiful galaxy brownie (seriously, it looks like it was dreamt up by a unicorn with a sweet tooth and a penchant for pastels), but I’m also a massive fan of their savoury scrolls and milkshakes. 

If you’ve got a birthday or special celebration coming up, Veganyumm does custom cakes, too!

6. Vega Cafe (Spring Hill)

This bright and beautiful plant-based café has a charming neighbourhood vibe. It’s decorated with whimsical botanical murals, the leafy courtyard is spacious and dog-friendly, and it hosts a monthly board game night. The night aims to unite the community to share delicious vegan food, drinks, and fun. 

Vega Cafe serves vibrant brunches and lunches by day, and all the bold, comforting flavours of Thai curries, soups, stir-fries and noodle dishes by night. 

I highly recommend the Vega omelette – which features marinated plant-based meat, vegan parmesan, tempeh, and an assortment of flavour-packed veggies – or the croffle stack, piled high with grilled vegan halloumi, pesto tempeh, avocado and crispy carrot bacon.

Their tofish (made from marinated smoky tofu, nori, and sushi rice) is also a must-try, especially if you’re a fan of plant-based seafood.

7. El Planta (South Brisbane)

What began as a humble Mexican street food pop-up has blossomed into one of Brisbane’s must-visit plant-based gems. As word spread about its flavour-packed dishes, El Planta quickly outgrew its communal dining space, prompting the team to move to a permanent location to keep up with demand.

Their new venue in South Brisbane is spacious yet homely. Framed photos and folk art dot the gallery walls, and a cactus garden basks in the sun by the window. 

The fully vegan menu, which changes monthly to feature local seasonal produce, is just as inviting. Everything is made from scratch – even the tortillas!

Past favourite dishes include Pescado (AKA a vegan fish taco), elote, and adobo oyster mushroom skewers with a creamy butter bean purée. 

El Planta also offers a thoughtfully curated drinks menu, including vegan-friendly wines, spicy margaritas, and authentic Mexican beers.

8. Yavanna (Paddington)

By the time you slip into one of the sleek wooden booths at Yavanna, you’ll probably already be drooling over how incredible everything smells.

This buzzing brunch and dinner spot specialises in making hearty vegan versions of classic comfort meals and soul food. On the menu, you’ll spot all your familiar ‘meaty’ and ‘cheesy’ favourites – like schnitzels, parms, pasta, and wings – just made with plant-based alternatives instead.

Try Yavanna’s crispy CFC burger with creamy slaw and vegan aioli, the ridiculously rich truffle mac and cheese, or the vegan meatball panini with melted mozzarella and caramelised onion. They’ve even got a house ‘steak’ made of seitan!

Fun fact: Yavanna is the baby of Cale Drouin – the same plant-based innovator who brought us Made with Plants and Get Plant’d. The lovely team behind It’s Mirchi took over in 2022, and they’ve honoured Yavanna’s ethos by continuing to smash out plant-based excellence ever since.

Looking for more vegan restaurants in Brisbane?

Whether you’re a Brissie local or just passing through with an appetite for epic vegan eats, this city’s plant-based scene is bursting with flavour and creativity! Keep an eye on Happy Cow for more great vegan restaurants in Brisbane and check out local vegan Facebook groups for the latest foodie finds.

There’s no doubt that Brisbane’s vegan game is only getting stronger, so watch this space (and save some room for dessert)!  

Header Image: © The Green Edge