Vegan eats have certainly had a glow-up in the last little while. Not particularly surprising when you consider the number of hard-working venues serving up epic plant-based dishes even the most intense meat lovers among us will adore. Because of this, it was only a matter of time before full-blown vegan restaurants on the Gold Coast were a thing. Whether you’re a carnivore at heart or vegan by nature, that’s beside the point: these eateries are for everyone — creating knock-out tasty food. Period.
Here’s a list of the very best so you may indulge your inner plant lover anytime you please.
Plants and Me
When it comes to eating a delicious plethora of vegan eats — which you’re hard pushed to discern from their meaty equivalent — Plants and Me is a place you need on your radar, stat. Operating primarily as a café, you’ll also discover a lunch menu worth dropping everything for with multi-coloured burgers (think green and red brioche-style buns) dyed with veggie colouring, all the way to a kaleidoscope of the very best looking fruit juices and smoothies. They have also just started making their own selection of incredible meat (free) pies — so good you won’t even know the difference.
Where: 4/20 Scarborough Street, Southport
i like ramen
Serving up more mouth-watering vegan dishes than you can poke a chopstick at, i like ramen is one of the most beloved venues (vegan or otherwise) on the Gold Coast. They’ve created ramen dishes that are as good as (if not better than) any other you’ll sample, plus goodies like baos, burgers and personal faves Panko Crusted Mushrooms and Kimchi Potatoes we’d sell our souls for. Oh, and there’s a slew of epic cocktails too.
Where: 2251 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach
Greenhouse Canteen
One of the OG vegan restaurants on the Gold Coast, Greenhouse Canteen’s menu is as good as it gets. They’ve got a botanical bar so that you can order a selection of vegan cocktails, wine or beer and the space is always packed with good vibes. To eat, we’d go for the Jackfruit Enchiladas or the Eggplant Moussaka. Also, if you feel like eating at home, Greenhouse has takeaway packs along the lines of Kentucky Fried Jackfruit. Ohhh yesss!
Where: 1916 Gold Coast Highway, Miami
Goodness Gracias
Goodness Gracias has long been a vegan favourite on the Gold Coast, serving plant-based Mexican food in a vibrant Palm Beach space. Eat-in or takeaway and choose from delicious eats like burritos, tacos, nachos and plenty of tasty sides and salads. We’re regulars here, and it’s always tasty and of the highest quality. Plus, who doesn’t love Mexican food? Nobody is who!
Where: 1114-1116 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Lord of the Fries
If there is one thing we can get behind, it is a fast-food venue made up primarily of potatoes. Precisely what is happening at Lord of the Fries – all of the vegan fries, peeps. Not only those crispy, delicious gifts from God, though, Lord of the Fries is also serving up Veggie Burgers, Onion Rings (Lord of the Rings), Vegetarian Nuggets and Vegetarian Hot Dogs and everything is kosher and Halal. One taste, and you’ll be a big fan: no contest.
Where: Paradise Centre, 8 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
The Hidden Cherub
After close to 2 years of operation, a relative newbie to the vegan Gold Coast scene is a little tucked away laneway bar/plant-based eats venue: The Hidden Cherub. The Miami bar is decked out with a sleek, industrial-esque look, greenery dripping from the walls and black and white striped bench seating. While the drinks here are the main event, the entirely vegan packed food menu is filled with delicious share plates, burgers, tacos, salads and sides. In terms of burgers, there’s a Spicy Fried Chick’n, The Californian, and The Classic. Tacos come in combos like Tempura Cauliflower, Chick’n in Abodo sauce and Three Bean. Mouth-watering goodness.
Where: 2/29 Lemana Lane, Miami
Cardamom Pod
Cardamon Pod at Southport and Broadbeach has long been a favourite amongst Gold Coasters (and influencers), offering both vegetarian and vegan choices. On the menu, you’ll find dishes like Apple Pie Pancakes, a Snickers Acai Bowl and a Blinged Out Avo Benny, to name a few, plus plenty of raw treats, organic coffee and gluten-free options too. All dishes are almost too pretty to eat.
Where: 1/2685 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach & 3/3 Brolga Ave, Southport
Plant-Based Cafe
This cafe opened in Paradise Point last year and quickly became a massive hit amongst the locals. Every single dish is stunning, and — yes, you guessed it — you’re going to want to sample them all. For example, the California Dreamin’ burger is next-level with a stacked crispy ‘chikn’ fillet on a bed of American-style slaw with all the trimmings. So tasty. There are smoothies, coffee and acai bowls, too, and it’s the perfect spot for a brunch date, vegan-style.
Where: 1/2 Grice Avenue, Paradise Point
Easy House Vegetarian Restaurant
Easy House has been around for some time and is as much-loved as it’s always been. The menu consists of Asian vegetarian and vegan dishes, and it’s all flavour-packed and fresh. The XO Noodles are to die for, and the dumplings are one thing you could eat every day forever. Don’t miss out on this one.
Where: 90 Markeri Street, Mermaid Beach
Doko Demo V
Offering an entirely vegan wholefoods-based menu, Doko Demo V is the work of Head Chef Jared Peck. The menu ranges from breakfast through to lunch and dinner and is bursting with beautifully prepared dishes that are both healthy and of the eyes-are-bigger-than-your-belly variety. The Lamb Souvlaki is a fave with marinated greek plant-based lamb, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onion, smokey bbq, mint yoghurt in a wholemeal wrap. YUM.
Where: 1908 Gold Coast Highway, Miami
Izakaya Midori
You’ll find a trove of plant-based Japanese food at Izakaya Midori in Reedy Creek. There are dishes like Tofu Chocolate Gâteau, Creamy Corn Croquettes, Spicy Lime Karaage and Tempura Tofu to name a few. You can also grab things to takeaway. Should we mention their vegan cheese Party Animal Platter? Need we say more?
Where: 50 Woodland Drive, Reedy Creek
Lovechild Kitchen and Bar
REOPENING 4TH NOVEMBER: Stay tuned to see what the team at this popular vegan spot in Mermaid Beach have been working on! You’re promised to be impressed with the tasty selection of burgers, tacos and cocktail selection very soon…
Where: Shop 1C / 2375 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Words by Alex Mitcheson.