Greenhouse Canteen + Bar spreads the vegan love south with its new Coolangatta digs
Those familiar with plant-based and cruelty-free eatery Greenhouse Canteen + Bar in Miami will know that it’s far from a hangout for just vegans. Sure, there are plenty of meat-free eaters that frequent the dining space, but you’ll also regularly find swarms of carnivores munching on its popular plant-based fare. Yep, those buffalo cauliflower wings and ‘meatballs’ can fool the best of us. If you’re a southern dweller feeling a little left out from this mouth-watering vegan buzz, then breathe a welcome sigh of relief – another Greenhouse Canteen + Bar has now opened in Coolangatta.
The details
Coolangatta’s newest vegan dining space is the latest from Greenhouse owner Natalie Evans, who has teamed up with Jenny Maddigan to spread the vegan love back down south. Now, the Greenhouse team are no strangers to the southern end. In 2014 Natalie opened Greenhouse Factory in Kirra, which unfortunately closed two years later when the building was demolished to make way for an apartment development, leaving a significant plant-shaped gap in the hearts and stomachs of locals. Given the shortage of quality vegan nightspots, there were plenty of southerners that were forced to make the trek (well, it’s not that far, but people tend to nibble close to their nest) north to Miami for a hearty vegan dinner and a glass (or two) of organic wine. Much to everyone’s delight, there’s now plenty of Greenhouse goodness to go around. It seems the new dining space has opened amid a mini vegan revolution in Coolangatta, with plant-based gems like Sozo Square, Vegan Aisle and the newly opened Francie’s creating a seriously tasty animal-free hub.
The space
You know how it goes – if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The Greenhouse’s new southern digs, perched on an elevated space along Coolangatta’s Griffith Street, mirrors the theme and vibe of its immensely popular Miami sibling. Though, the layout of the new 70-seat venue is vastly different, with pockets of outdoor seating on the street front, as well as an amazing indoor dining space nestled at the back of the venue, dotted with greenery, native flowers and festoon lights. If you can nab a spot out the back here after dark, then look up – there’s a glass roof, so you’ll quite literally be dining under the stars. There is plenty of recycled wood used throughout, including an amazing 80-year-old timber and stained-glass front door, which emits that signature Greenhouse style. Think bottle-green walls, plenty of natural light and oodles of fiddle-leaf trees.
The food and drink
If you’ve come to love the Greenhouse fare, then you’ll be happy to know the menu will remain the same as Miami, with everything made completely from plant-based, cruelty-free ingredients. All of your favourites will be passionately pumped out, including the arancini balls with cashew-parmesan sauce, the smoked-jackfruit enchilada, the Vietnamese pancake and the towering chilli con carne nachos with turmeric cheese and avocado salsa. The opening also marks the launch of the new Greenhouse cocktail menu served from the neon-lit ‘botanical bar’, which showcases craft spirits combined with various rehydrated herbs, fruits and oils. The unique list features tipples like a sage and turmeric martini, a young coconut served with spiced rum and mint, and the Australiana Sour with Applewood Okar gin mixed with coconut sugar, native gum and essential oils.
Keen to check out the newest Greenhouse Canteen + Bar digs? Head over to our Stumble Guide for the Coolangatta venue’s opening hours and location.
The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Gold Coast dining guide with more than 870 places to eat, drink, shop and play.
