No garden salads here: the best vegan food in Brisbane

Breakfast burrito at Dicki’s, New Farm

A sweet little inner-city spot that offers a wholesome plant-based menu, street parking and wheelchair access. The breakfast burrito with its scrambled tofu and crunchy hash brown is one of the most popular dishes - and it’s a generous serving. 

Tiramisu waffles at Naim, Paddington

Naim is the kind of place where you walk in for a bite to eat and back out feeling like part of the family. There’s something special about the nature of the menu’s Middle Eastern roots that tastes soulful with every bite - and there's a dedicated plant-based menu packed with goodies like tiramisu waffles, crispy polenta benedict and brekkie boards.

Tacos at Putia Purefoods, Banyo

Putina: the old Sicilian word for local store. This quaint corner store restaurant and cooking school reflects its philosophy of warmth and sharing. Deeply satisfying, the long list of mouth-watering ingredients in these tacos include wild mushroom and quinoa mince, charred corn salsa, smashed avo and cashew and lime crema. Order it, or risk serious plate envy.

Brioche French Toast at Grown, West End

Grown’s plant-based menu is a local favourite haunt, with plenty to delight every food lifestyle – vegan or not. The brioche French toast has a dedicated following around these parts and tastes extra satisfying with their sustainable ethos in mind. Grown’s seasonal menu utilises produce from local farms and suppliers no more than 400 kilometres from Brisbane, and they commit to supporting fair food trade from family-run, organic farms. They're also open evenings Wed-Sat with a solid menu of share plates and vegan wine.

Other Brisbane vegan food brunch spots work checking out:

• Loaded croissant at Plant Vibes, Bowen Hills
• Big Breakfast at The Green Edge, Windsor
• Deluxe vegan pho at Café O’Mai, Annerley

Best vegan burgers in Brisbane 

The Phoenix at Netherworld Arcade, Fortitude Valley

It’s carnivores who have to make the menu adjustments for a change here. The default setting across Netherworld’s menu, from hotdogs to ‘mac n cheese’ is vegan food, with carnivores able to request meat substitutes. The Phoenix is a delicious plant-based take on Southern-style chicken, cheese, pickles, lettuce and chipotle-mayo.

The Tofu Burger at Yavanna, Paddington

Yavanna is indulgent space with a philosophy of inclusion for everyone, and a 100% plant-based menu. The tofu and pickled beet burger is a standout, horseradish cream and rocket on a toasted brioche bun.

The Aussie Burger at Grassfed, South Brisbane

Remember roadhouse burgers complete with fried egg, pineapple and beetroot? That quintessential Australian flavour, where your taste buds experience a wave of nostalgia. You can get it here, but vegan! The beefy-tasting patty on a slightly toasted bun comes with red onions, pineapple, a vegan egg, beetroot sauce, ‘cheese’ and pickles. Enjoy the familiar taste and delightful cross-body tingle that comes with it.

Other vegan burgers in Brisbane to enjoy:

• Moo-Free Burgers – Northlakes, Clayfield & their roving food truck
• Plant-based Brewski Burger at Brewski, Brisbane City
• Mushroom Cheeseburger at Greenhouse Canteen, South Brisbane

Best vegan pizzas in Brisbane 

Super Truffle Bros at Salt Meats Cheese, Newstead

Salt Meats Cheese might sound like a meat-eater’s dream venue, but they’re incredibly flexible for their plant-based pals. Pick any vegetarian pizza on the menu and transform it into vegan with a quick substitution of cheese for their ‘dairy-free mozzarella’. Dive into a truffle delicacy and try their Super Truffle Bros, topped with roasted porcini mushroom, dairy-free mozzarella and truffle paste.

Tim Curry II at The Burrow, West End

The Burrow is a homely little joint that’s got regulars every weekend. A humble Queenslander that’s lively wood floors and optimistic chatter keep you there longer than the food itself. For something left of field, try their vegan pizza topped with potato bahjee dumplings, onion, cherry tomato, greens, soy cheese and Napoli base, finished with curry sauce and fresh herbs.

Vegan Di Zucca at Pitstop Pizza, Coorparoo

Taking the pressure off subbing things in and out, Pitstop Pizza has a dedicated vegan pizza menu. Vegan Di Zucca is one of the most popular: a home-made pizza sauce topped with vegan cheese, pumpkin, eggplant and sundried tomato. 

A vegan night out in Brisbane 

You Came Again, West End

Tapas takes a vegan turn at You Came Again, a community-driven and creative space perfect for date nights and dinner with friends. Sip wine and devour inventive plant-based plates like mushroom and walnut pate, seasonal fruit carpaccio, miso eggplant and sliders. Get a group together and you can tackle the banquet menu. 

Za Za Ta, Fortitude Valley

This Middle-Eastern inspired restaurant at Ovolo The Valley made headlines when it pivoted to an entirely vegetarian offering - and there's a dedicated vegan menu too. Packed with meze plates and soulful sides, those looking for a night out should opt for the 'feast of the east' - Vegan Musharaka - to taste everything, with paired beverages.

Herbivore Menu at Detour, Woolloongabba

Set in a light-filled space overlooking the foodie cul-de-sac of Logan Road, Detour plays no favourites with the menu divided into omnivore and herbivore. All the menu items listed on the herbivore are vegan, but the beetroot tartare and the Hawaiian curry with sweet potatoes, coconut and lychees are favourites.

El Planta, South Brisbane

Mexican street food, but not as you know it. El Planta will stuff your tacos with a weekly-changing array of fillings, but expect the likes of braised mushrooms, eggplant "chorizo" and vegan "fish" alongside housemade guacamole, mixtos and spiced corn ribs. Linger over a few rounds of inventive Tommy's margaritas, flavoured with watermelon, jalapeno, grilled pineapple and more.

Other vegan hotspots to book your dinner:

• Greenhouse Canteen + Bar, South Brisbane
• Happy Boy, Fortitude Valley
• Nonna's Nightmare, West End
• It's Mirchi Healthy Indian, Paddington
• Otto, South Bank (limited vegan menu)

Brisbane’s best vegan desserts 

Berry Sinful Donut at OMG Donuts, Riverside Markets (Brisbane City) & Milton Markets + other locations around Brisbane

These gluten-free, nut free and vegan donuts were named for customers reactions on first tasting them. Unbelievably light, they come dusted in a selection of whole fruit, spices and vegetable-infused sugars. The ‘Berry Sinful’ with fresh raspberries, cacao, coconut milk, salt and chilli is a real winner. Keep an eye on the OMG website for their market calendar.

Salted Caramel Cupcakes at Veganyumm Bakehouse, Everton Park

Why should plant-based eaters miss out on the best baked goods? This vegan bakery does a roaring trade in gooey, rich salted caramel-topped cupcakes for good reason. However, there’s also a fine selection of brownies, doughnuts, cheesecakes and custard tarts as well as hard-to-believe-it’s-vegan celebration cakes.

Revel in a few more vegan treats:

• Vegan brownie hearts at Dello Mano, New Farm
• Vegan Caramel Cookie Dough Gelato at Ciao Gelato, Nundah
• Vegan chocolate cake at Jocelyn’s Provisions, Fortitude Valley, Albion & Camp Hill
• Donuts at Nodo - lots of locations across Brisbane (all their donuts are GF but there's usually a few vegan options on the ever-rotating lineup)