Greenhouse Canteen + Bar, Miami
The dream team behind Greenhouse paved the way for plant-based eating on the Gold Coast. Known for attracting even the most staunch carnivores through its doors, Greenhouse is undoubtedly one of the more well-known vegan establishments in the city, with its Miami venue often bursting at the seams with folk devouring its wholesome, eye-popping menu of eats, like pumpkin alfredo gnocchi, jackfruit enchiladas and cajun tacos. If you haven’t had Greenhouse’s mushroom cheeseburger or crispy kale yet, do yourself a favour.

Goodness Gracias, Palm Beach
In case you missed it, on-the-go Mexican hotspot Goodness Gracias is now entirely plant-based. Tuck into hunger-busting favourites like burritos, tacos, nachos, salads, and wash it all down with juices, coffee and cakes. Can’t find it? Just look for the cute pastel-yellow building along the Gold Coast Highway in the heart of Palmy.

LOVECHILD Kitchen + Bar, Mermaid Beach
Let’s be honest, the term’ plant based’ probably conjures up images of healthy salads featuring various shades of green rather than burgers, loaded fries, tenders and crispy-fried wings. If the latter has your mouth watering, LOVECHILD Kitchen + Bar is here to satisfy your craving with plant-based eats that are a little bit naughty but oh-so-good. There are five towering burgers to tempt your tastebuds, plus fried ‘chicken’ tenders, fries and wings.

Easy House, Mermaid Beach
This humble Asian eatery is often bustling with locals tucking into its delicious plant-based dumplings, spring rolls and moreish yum cha spreads. There’s an extensive menu of vegan fare to order, from hot pots and noodle bowls to dim sum and remarkably fluffy ‘pork’ buns – plus, it’s BYO.

i like ramen, Nobby Beach
Ramen and whisky collide deliciously at i like ramen. In late 2019, the Gold Coast-born noodle bar returned to its hometown after getting a taste of Brisbane, setting up shop in Nobby Beach. Here you can slurp a raft of different ramen varieties, offered alongside a tasty menu of Asian bar snacks (hellooo, panko mushrooms). As for the sips, i like ramen’s bar is equipped with ice-cold tap beers and tinnies, umeshu, wine, a small cocktail list and a fine selection of hard-to-get Japanese whiskies. Oh, and the duck bao is what dreams are made of. You’re welcome.

Lord of the Fries, Surfers Paradise
This fast-food joint dishes up some of the best fries in town, alongside a hefty plant-based menu of burgers, hotdogs, fried chicken, onion rings, nuggets, mac’n’cheese balls, fish (phish) and chips, plus sweets like creamy vegan shakes, spiders and ice-cream. Hungry? Go for The Biggie with a bucket of nuggs on the side. We can confirm this is the perfect late-night snack after a night out on Cavill Avenue.

Tian Ran, Mermaid Beach
This hidden gem, tucked in along the Gold Coast Highway in Mermaid Beach, is a go-to for quick, cheap and easy Asian eats – and it’s entirely vegan. Open for lunch and dinner daily, Tian Ran gives Asian classics the plant-based treatment – think curry puffs, wonton soup, vegan calamari, fried rice, dumplings and more. You won’t leave hungry.

Izakaya Midori, Reedy Creek
You’ll be delighted by the eye-catching menu of Japanese favourites at this quaint neighbourhood izakaya. There’s everything from plant-based sushi to katsu, karaage curries and gyoza – all creatively reimagined to make them vegan friendly. The signature here is the bright-green Midori Ramen, said to be just as rich and flavoursome as the traditional pork-based version. Kanpai!

The Hidden Cherub, Miami
As its name suggests, this warehouse-style bar is a little off the beaten track (hint: it’s behind Heartfill Store, just near Black Hops), but once you find it, you’ll be met with cocktails, tap beers and Californian-style bar snacks that are all entirely plant-based! There’s everything from burgers to mac’n’cheese balls, charred corn on the cob and tacos, all best chased with a margarita (or two). We recommend swinging by on a Sunday for their two-for-one chick’n burgers.

Blendlove, Southport
Well known for its progressive plant-based eats, this longstanding Southport cafe is a haven for pure, wholesome soul food. The colourful menu caters for most intolerances and there’s not an ounce of refined sugar in sight. There’s everything from eye-catching plant-based pancakes to rosé French toast (yes), towering burgers, rainbow bruschetta and more. Feeling adventurous? Try the magic mushrooms dish.

The Cardamom Pod, Southport & Broadbeach
Prepare your Instagram feed for a serious hit of colour – The Cardamom Pod’s menu of too-pretty-to-eat dishes is very worthy of your snaps. Choose from berry peach pancakes, peanut-chia-crusted French toast, turmeric lattes, Buddha bowls, burgers, gourmet toasties and so much more – including (arguably) the best smoothie bowls on the coast. Tucked away within The Brickworks precinct, The Cardamom Pod isn’t immediately visible, however those who endeavour to seek will be rewarded with flavoursome fare and deliciously sweet treats.

Plant-Based Eatz, Paradise Point
The aptly named Plant-Based Cafe fills a wide-open gap for vegan eats on the Gold Coast’s northern end. Start your day here with a raw and refreshing smoothie, or go all out with the bountiful lunch and dinner menu. Think loaded fries, nachos, double-barrel tacos, towering burgers and poke bowls. We recommend coming here on an empty stomach, as the taste and serving size of these meals does not disappoint.

Flour of Life Bakery, Helensvale
Traditional bakeries are definitely not what you would classify as vegan-friendly – butter, eggs and other animal products tend to reign supreme. That’s absolutely not the case at Flour of Life, a cruelty-free operation stacked with all of the options you would find at a traditional bakery (and then some). Feast on cakes, pies, pastries, cookies and bread that all taste just as good as their non-vegan counterparts – and the gang here also take orders for custom cakes, so if you have a plant-based pal with a birthday coming up, it’s a sure-fire hit!

Rawthentic, Tweed Heads
From Brisbane to Byron and even beyond, people flock from all areas to experience a meal made by Colin Douglas and Bryn Morgan, also known as “The Raw Boys”. After huge popularity selling their raw slices at markets, the boys decided to open up a 100% plant-based eatery specialising in raw, vegan and vegetarian cuisine. This little slice of heaven will sort you out with hearty vegan eats like raw pad thai, portobello reuben wraps and hemp seed burgers, as well as sweet treats and slices to satiate any cravings.

Giri Kana Cafe, Southport
Nestled in amongst the action in Southport is Giri Kana Cafe, a fresh take on plant-based food. Inspired by their travels around the world, Giri Kana’s chefs aim to create wholesome, plant-based foods that nourish the body and spirit. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you can expect to feast on the likes of tofu scramble, plant-based burgers, kofta pockets and fresh salads.