The city:
Where to find great vegetarian food

18 JANUARY 2023

Vegetarian, flexitarian or curious carnivore – no matter your dietary preferences, Brisbane City’s vegetarian-friendly restaurants are sure to tempt your taste buds and fill your bellies. The City’s plant-based menu offerings punch above their weight, from leafy lunches on the go to protein-packed meals at fine dining restaurants. Explore these inventive and enticing veg-friendly feasts in The City.

IN THIS ARTICLE
IN THIS ARTICLE

100% vegetarian menu

Govinda’s Pure Vegetarian, George St

A staple of The City’s dining scene for more than 20 years, Govinda’s draws hungry hordes with its cheap and authentic fare that is 100 per cent vegetarian and made with heart. The not-for-profit restaurant provides vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meals including an all-you-can-eat vegetarian buffet where you can fill up on as much curry, koftas, salad, pappadams and dessert as you like.

VegeRama, Adelaide St 

Bring a big appetite to your next lunch date at VegeRama. The popular Post Office Square eatery serves vegetarian and vegan Indian-inspired curries and masala dosa as well as a rotating menu of meat-free meal options. The display counters overflow with delicious-looking salads and raw sweet treats.

Vegetarian menu options  

Brisbane City Markets, Reddacliff Place and Cathedral Square 

Follow your nose through the weekly Brisbane City Markets to discover a smorgasbord of stallholders selling veg-friendly food every Wednesday and Thursday. Grab a tasty, vegetable-packed lunch to eat in a nearby park or stock up on organic produce, vegetarian and vegan treats and artisan baked goods to prepare a restaurant-quality meal at home. 

Donna Chang, George St 

From smoky vegetables cooked over a flame grill to handcrafted dumplings and yum cha, Donna Chang’s talented chefs use creative flavour combinations and the best quality ingredients to craft vegetarian food that will have you coming back for more. The restaurant also serves a vegan-friendly banquet option with eight courses drawing inspiration from Sichuan and Cantonese cuisine. 

Felix for Goodness, Burnett Lane 

A haven for organic produce and in-season goodness, you’ll find a generous vegetarian menu on your next trip to Burnett Lane. Most of the menu is vegetarian and gluten-free with options to add meat, should you wish. Felix for Goodness is a conscious business that tries to minimise waste, reuse what it can and source all wine, beer and produce as ethically as possible.  

Greenstreat, Adelaide St  

Greenstreat is a salad-lovers delight. Started by two brothers who had been selling salad dressings at farmers markets, this café promises delicious and wholesome fare. With seasonal salads, warm bowls and the ability to create your custom bowl and burrito, Greenstreat caters to all appetites and tastes.  

PappaRich, Wintergarden 

Brunch, lunch and dinner, PappaRich caters for all dietary needs and will sate your appetite with menus filled with vegetarian-friendly fare. Nobody will get food FOMO with its Vegetarian menu serving the same Malaysian dishes and flavours from the main menu, made instead with soy-based products that are free from preservatives, trans-fats and genetically-modified produce. 

Phat Elephant, Adelaide St 

This Thai restaurant in Post Office Square not only whips up tantalising vegetarian hawker-style food but has also crafted a completely vegan menu. No one is going home hungry with Phat Elephant’s veg-packed plates including stir-fry, rice, noodle and roti dishes as well as entrée and dessert options. 

Cheeky Poke, Ulster Lane  

Known for making some of the biggest and best bowls in The City, the veg-curious can tailor meals to suit their tastes at Cheeky Poke. Keep it light with mushrooms and beetroot hummus or pack your bowls with protein and add tofu marinated in its house soy and sesame dressing. As well as customisable bowls, Cheeky Poke also serves its signature nori tacos where you can pick and choose the fillings. Drop in at lunch and order one of its special meal deals for an added treat. 

Vapiano, Albert Lane  

Veg out at Vapiano, a slice of Little Italy in Albert Lane. The menu offers a suite of vegetarian options across its pizza, pasta, salad, entrée and dessert ranges with seasonal specials also spicing up the selection. Vegans can also swap out cheese for a plant-based alternative across the entire menu range. 

Corbett and Claude, Elizabeth St  

The former Corbett Chambers on Elizabeth St has morphed into an Italian-inspired hangout serving fun food and cocktails to The City’s discerning diners. Corbett and Claude’s menu is vegetarian-friendly with a multitude of meat-free pizzas and pasta and fresh produce-packed salads. All of which pair perfectly with one of Corbett and Claude’s signature cocktails or spritzes.

Raw Energy, Edward St  

Raw Energy is a café offering artisan coffee, friendly service, nutritious and delicious food and relaxed coastal vibes in the heart of The City. Mix and match wraps and sandwiches or opt for a hearty meal like zucchini and corn fritters, a vegetarian poke bowl or a sweet energy bowl made with acai. All the food here is made using fresh health foods and raw ingredients and the majority of the menu is vegetarian. 

Friends enjoying a drink at Riverbar.