The round-up: Brisbane’s heartiest vegetarian feasts
Although many carnivores might balk at the idea of passing up steak for eggplant, vegetarian cuisine is undeniably varied and flavoursome. Regardless of your dietary choices, Brisbane has a heap of dynamo vegetarian feasts that will make you forget all about meat.
If you are a die-hard vegetarian or simply looking for a healthier alternative when you dine out, there are plenty of options available for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day so it’s a great place to start with something meat free. Ditch the bacon and chorizo and try something different like the healthy open omelette with mushroom, tomato and zucchini at Let Minnow Cafe, or head to The Lodge in The Gap for its Middle Eastern chickpeas, roasted cauliflower, spicy avocado and poached eggs. Bowen Arrow Cafe is known for their fantastic bagels which come in a vegetarian option, while Locavore Cafe in Woolloongabba offers a delectable spring bowl with coconut and lime quinoa, sautéed seasonal greens, poached eggs, avocado and toasted nuts. The Jam Pantry does away with the meat for many of its breakfasts, exemplified by the heavenly polenta pancakes with ricotta, blood orange soaked currents and pine nut praline. Lost Boys in Fortitude Valley has a great selection of vegetarian options, including the vegan waffles with grilled pear and crystallised ginger. Medley Cafe & Restaurant in Kangaroo Point whips up a great zucchini and cherry tomato tart with scrambled eggs, while The Gunshop Cafe in West End is known for its scrumptious potato and feta hash cakes. Wilde Kitchen in Teneriffe is all about healthy eating – try the protein pancakes with coyo berries and maple syrup or sautéed greens with avocado and almond butter. If you have a gargantuan hunger, the Wellness Board at Miss Bliss Whole Foods Kitchen will leave you satisfied without the meat sweats.
If vegetable fever strikes later in the day, rest assured that there are plenty of lunch and dinner options that satisfy a range of cravings. Those on the go can grab a tasty salad from kiosk in Bakery Lane, Botanica or Loaded Food Co in Red Hill or from Thr1ve in the CBD. Sourced Grocer in Teneriffe is great for fresh, vegetarian lunch, Pineapple Express offers a range of healthy eats including low carb pasta, vegan burrito bowls and vegetarian burgers and Vege Rama in West End is all about the vegetables – try the sesame BBQ & tofu salad if you get the chance. Loving Hut in Mount Gravatt is a vegan paradise, while The Green Edge whips up great faux-meat vegan dishes including meatball subs, nachos and burgers. September 18 in North Lakes serve mock hainanese chicken rice, Tea Master and Kuan Yin Tea House are renowned for their faux meat offerings and are both based in Fortitude Valley, while Kitchen Sanitarium on Eagle Street, Raw Energy on Edward Street and Govindas on Elizabeth Street are two inner-city hubs of inexpensive vegetarian dining. Chop Chop Chang’s is great for some dinner dining – try the green papaya salad, stir-fired Szechuan eggplant or yellow pumpkin curry, while Sin Vida in Fortitdue Valley makes some tasty vegetarian Mexican options.
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