All-day dining spot Sister of Soul dishes up wholesome plant-based food with a side of sustainability. Its versatile kitchen is the ultimate crowdpleaser, catering to gluten-free, raw, and FODMAP diets—all while shipping its food waste and coffee grinds to a local community garden. Cafe faithfuls include garlic and turmeric scrambled tofu on toast and nourishing bowls of satay tempeh and bibimbap.

The strictly plant-based kitchen at Shu Restaurant is all about innovative Sichuan dishes inspired by head chef Shu Liu’s southwestern Chinese heritage. There’s an elegant vegan ten-course degustation featuring charcoal dumplings with kohlrabi mince, double-cooked eggplant with house-pickled chile jam, and almond pudding studded with fruit and bubble pearls.

Rich green walls and sustainably sourced furnishings are paired with mellow tunes at eco-conscious Green Acre Pizza Bar. Local farmers, breweries, and wineries supply the majority of the menu at the adored pizzeria. Expect vegan toppings such as vegan salami, dairy-free mozzarella, and vegan feta, among others. To drink, there’s bottle-free beer, wine, and classic cocktails from a rotating tap selection.

This thriving Fitzroy institution has catered to vegans and vegetarians since 1998. The down-to-earth vibes are palpable upon arrival, thanks to its leafy courtyard and lively interiors. Vegie Bar’s globally inspired menu includes laksa, a Malaysian-style noodle soup in coconut broth with fried tofu, and yaki udon topped with vegan roast duck, wood ear mushrooms, and seasonal greens.

Colonel Tan’s is the brainchild of chef Karen Batson (of gastrobars Cookie and The Toff in Town), who dishes up Thai food in a buzzy warehouse setting. Nostalgic accents abound, including a fleet of Nintendo 64s (yes, you can play with them). But you’re really here for some of Melbourne’s finest Southeast Asian street food. Inventive vegan options include betel leaf wraps, shiitake spring rolls, sweet potato curry, vegan pad thai and crispy silken tofu.

Find nonna-worthy Italian food at this rustic CBD restaurant. At Maccaroni Trattoria Italiana, mock meats turn Mediterranean classics into vegan stars. And there’s no need to hold the parmesan—it’s vegan, too. Dig into gnocchi with vegan duck ragu, risotto with plant-based chicken and mushrooms, and a bechamel and ragu vegan lasagne, plus plenty of meat-free pizza options.

This family-run gem (with two branches in Richmond and Hoppers Crossing churns out some of Melbourne’s most flavourful Indian food. Grab your mates—the dishes are best enjoyed family-style—and prepare for an immersive experience. Sit on a low-slung table and dig into vegan and vegetarian platters laden with lentil crisps, vegan money bags, and potato and pea samosas. Bonus points for unusual plant-based mains, which aren’t limited to dals and vegetable curries.