Brunch is a way of life! And that life is simply better when plant-based. Here are our some of our fave places for healthy, wholesome eats that’ll put the delish into your day.
Conscious Cravings Co
Mordialloc, VIC
@consciouscravingsco
Conscious Cravings Co is a plant-based cafe in the bayside suburb of Mordialloc, south of Melbourne. Founded in 2015, the cafe began as a small home business which quickly gained a strong following for their raw, vegan, gluten-free desserts and treats. Today, the more extensive cafe menu is designed with health and wellbeing in mind – everything is plant based, FODMAP friendly, and predominantly gluten-free. You won’t find any egg, dairy, garlic, or onion on the premises, and if you have an allergy, they are more than happy to cater.
Soak up the sea breeze and escape the everyday hustle in their uniquely designed space, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Better yet, if you can grab one of their popular swing chairs to enjoy your meal on, then absolutely do this! Their famous NOM-lette (a plant-based version of an omelette) is a must-try. And, for the sweet lovers, I recommend the generously loaded house-made banana bread topped with lashings of creamy almond butter and sweet pistachio dukkah. If you’re still hungry, there’s a huge range of healthy smoothies to enjoy.
Since tragically losing her daughter to suicide, the owner has been on a mission to create food that supports gut health and mental wellbeing, without causing harm to animals. The team is warm and inviting, inspiring the community to eat better and feel great. If you can’t make it to this feel-good, bustling little cafe, keep an eye out for their raw treats which are stocked all over Melbourne.
BAREFOOT EATERY
Christchurch, NZ
@barefoot_eatery
Situated in the heart of Christchurch, Barefoot Eatery is the go-to destination for all things nutritious and delicious. Founded by the team behind the organic juice cleanse company, Greenroots Juicery, this cafe is all about providing wholesome eats made with real ingredients. You’ll find plant-based, gluten-free, and raw dishes on their inspiring and colourful menu, made with a whole lot of love.
Everything here is naked or raw, in the best kind of way. While you’ll find many raw goodies, the menu doesn’t shy away from toasted sandwiches, waffles, nourish bowls, and salads. It’s not all that often you come across a cafe that makes everything in-house, including the nut mylks, dressings, dips, traditional teas, and veggie burgers – but these guys do. They also source organic produce wherever possible. The menu is free from additives and refined sugars, so you should definitely get that cake and eat it too! In the fridges, you’ll find grab-and-go options such as their own cold-pressed Greenroots Juices, mylks, tonics, and shots, with new flavours featured daily.
BUDDHA BOWL CAFE
Newtown, NSW
@buddhabowlcafe
Buddha Bowl Cafe is a plant-based, wholefood cafe located on the bustling streets of Sydney’s vegan capital, Newtown. This cafe is built on putting the planet and your health first, providing a unique offering to the vegan scene in the inner west and an ethos that sets them apart. The owner has spent years travelling around the world, tasting food from different cultures, and this is reflected in the diversity of dishes on the menu.
When you want to ‘eat the rainbow’, this is the place to do it. The nutritionally dense menu offers incredible bowl foods, like the Bedouin Bowl with falafel waffles or the Epic Vegan Brekky Bowl with all the trimmings, but there is more than bowls to enjoy here. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not try a superfood beetroot latte or the blue algae smoothie? For the sweet tooths, I recommend the Banana and Coconut French Toast topped with fruit and house-made chocolate hazelnut.
Not only is Buddha Bowl Cafe completely plant-based, but they also focus on sourcing organic and fair-trade ingredients where possible, while offering generous portions at affordable prices. They are ocean-friendly certified, meaning you won’t find any plastic water bottles, straws, bags, or cutlery on site.
MOMO WHOLEFOOD
Newcastle, NSW
@momowholefood
There’s some irony in that where Momo Wholefood stands today used to house a fast-food chain. Transformed into the most welcoming space, Momo’s is one of Newcastle’s best places to find a plant-based meal. The beautiful heritage building, boasting high ceilings and natural light, is the perfect, dreamy place to find a peaceful spot, soak up the sunshine, read a book or while the day away, and enjoy a nourishing meal.
Momo’s recently did away with the few remaining non-vegan menu items and now everything is 100 percent plant-based, with much of the produce sourced from local growers and producers, which influences the weekly specials. Their thoughtful menu changes season-to-season, bringing a taste of the world to your plate. It’s influenced by Tibetan and Indian flavours, reflecting the passion and lived experiences of the owners. They are well known (and loved) for their Indian tofu scramble with crispy masala potatoes, and, of course, their Tibetan handmade steamed momos (dumplings). But save room for a snack to take with you; the cabinet display is bound to tempt with its beautiful cakes, pastries, and plant-based treats, all made in-house.
WOMBAT CAFE & STORE
Dromana, VIC
@wombat_cafe
A cafe with a cause, Wombat Cafe & Store was founded out of a desire to bring kindness and compassion to all. Located in Dromana on the Mornington Peninsula, this hidden gem operates on the motto ‘vegan by stealth’, serving delicious and nourishing food that just happens to be plant-based. There’s so much to love about this cafe, including that is feels like you are at a friend’s place enjoying a home-cooked meal. Good luck picking just one item from the menu – I suggest going with a friend and trying a few!
Here, you’ll eat well from a tasty menu that offers an array of sweet and savoury options, including home-made salads, pancakes, loaded nachos topped with local cheese from The Vegan Dairy, and seasonal smoothie bowls, too. I love that each smoothie is named after the bike trails across the road, a heart-warming nod to the local community. You can also pick up food products to go or order a platter to enjoy in your own space. While you’re there, you might as well check out their ethical range of cookbooks, sustainable products, and clothing. Wombat Cafe & Store even have their own animal sanctuary, Plumfield Farm, where they care for more than 90 rescued farm animals.
GREENHOUSE CANTEEN
Gold Coast and Brisbane, QLD
@greenhouse_canteen
One of the first plant-based establishments in the region, Greenhouse Canteen opened in 2014 and now boasts two stunning venues in Queensland. In 2020, they expanded into the US, launching a third venue in Ohio. This family owned and run business has been gluten-free and plant-based from day one, celebrating the deliciousness of whole plant foods.
Although primarily a dinner destination, they have launched a bottomless brunch that offers a three-course set menu with the option to upgrade and include bottomless mimosas or bellinis. This is entirely in line with their messaging – sometimes naughty but mostly nice. Looks like we’ve found our next birthday brunch spot! The à la carte dinner menu provides a glimpse of their food style: vegan cheese boards, raw tacos, cauliflower wings, mushroom cheeseburgers, and, my personal favourite, a kale Caesar salad with polenta croutons. So go with a crowd and enjoy it all. Oh, and what’s a meal without dessert? Finish it off with pecan pie or rocky road brownie.
