Best Indian Vegan Restaurants – Melbourne
According to a recent Google Trends report, the popularity of the term ‘veganism’ is currently at an all-time high. In fact, it is now twice as popular as it was in 2014, with no signs of slowing down.
Today, the concept of a vegan or 100% plant-based diet is prevalent across the globe, with The UK, Australia, and Israel holding the top three spots. However, unfortunately, there aren’t many restaurants, yet that cater solely to a vegan audience.
So if you’re looking for some vegan Indian food, specifically in Melbourne, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve curated a list of five vegan Indian restaurants in Melbourne that are known for offering the absolute best vegan food in the city. Keep reading to learn more!
How we review:
All the Indian vegan restaurants in Melbourne that are a part of our list are reviewed based on four important criteria:
1. Value for money
2. Quality
3. Authenticity
4. Creativity/innovation
5 Best Indian Vegan Restaurants in Melbourne
1. Om Vegetarian
Address: 4/227 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Website: https://www.omvegetarian.com/
About the restaurant:
Om Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants is a family-run Indian restaurant in Melbourne first established by a husband-wife duo — Suraj and Meenakshi Kumar. Since its inception over a decade ago, they’ve also opened two other branches in the city. This vegan Indian restaurant in Melbourne has won multiple awards, including the Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence (2015-2018) and the Restaurant Guru Veg Restaurant of the Year (2019, 2020).
What makes it special:
As immigrants in a foreign country, Suraj and Meenakshi were surprised by the rising costs of living within the city of Melbourne. And so, they decided to build a restaurant that would serve healthy and sustainable foods without an expensive price tag attached to it.
Today, Om Restaurants is one of the most accessible and budget-friendly vegan Indian restaurants in Melbourne, famous for their flavourful dishes and excellent customer service.
Must-try dishes:
- Baingan Bharta: One of their bestsellers, this Indian curry is cooked in a tandoor oven to give it that smoky flavour.
- Jackfruit Curry: This unique and flavoursome desi curry is made by cooking seasonal jackfruit in fresh Indian spices. It is served with rice and tandoor Naan.
- Soy ‘Chicken’ Makhani: A spin on the classic Indian recipe ‘Butter Chicken‘, this dish is made by combining soy chunks with a creamy, rich Indian gravy.
P.S – All their curries are served with a side of Tandoori Naan and Rice.
2. Lakshmi Vilas
Address: 31 Pultney St, Dandenong VIC 3175
Website: https://www.lakshmivilas.com.au/
About the restaurant:
Lakshmi Vilas, established in 1998, is one of the oldest vegan Indian restaurants in Melbourne. Their food can best be described as wholesome, affordable, and, most importantly, absolutely delicious.
What makes it special:
Lakshmi Vilas is famous for two things — Tiffins and Thalis. Tiffins, also known as the Indian version of snacks, come in a variety of forms and flavours. From crunchy Vadas to soft fluffy idlis, the options are endless.
On the other hand, Thalis are full-fledged meals that include Indian curries, rice, rotis, and dessert. So if this sounds like your cup of tea, you must definitely visit Lakshmi Vilas!
Must-try dishes:
- Vegetable Pulao: A mix of fragrant long-grained basmati rice, fresh vegetables, and exotic Indian spices.
- Thali Of The Day: The Thali Of The Day is inspired by the different regions of India, with each day’s menu celebrating a different city. It includes one chapati, rice, dal, three vegetable curries, sambar, rasam, pappadams, yogurt, dessert, and assorted condiments. Though this is a vegetarian special, it can easily be customised for those with a vegan diet.
3. Gopals Veg
Address: 139 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Website: https://www.gopalspurevegetarian.com.au/
About the restaurant:
Situated in the heart of Melbourne, Gopals Veg is the oldest vegan Indian restaurant in Melbourne. Established by internationally-renowned chef Kurma Dasa in 1980, this restaurant is known for their peaceful ambiance and lip-smacking desi food that will leave you wanting more.
What makes it special:
What’s great about Gopals Veg is that even though they are an Indian restaurant, their menu has a strong international influence. The skilled chefs at Gopals take authentic Indian dishes and add a modern twist to them, making them truly one-of-a-kind.
Another unique feature of the restaurant is that all their foods are offered to Lord Krishna for sanctification before being served.
Must-try dishes:
- The Vegan Special Meal: An absolute delight to the taste buds, this meal includes your choice of a salad, main, vegan dessert, and drink.
4. Crossways Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurant
Address: 309-325 The Causeway, Melbourne VIC 3000
Website: https://www.crosswaysfoodforlife.com.au/
About the restaurant:
Established over three decades ago, Crossways is one of Melbourne’s finest vegan Indian restaurants, known for their soul-nourishing, sanctified, and flavour-packed desi dishes.
What makes it special:
If you’re someone who believes that variety is the spice of life, then you will absolutely love Gopals because they have a different menu for each day of the week! The best part? It’s an all-you-can-eat spread, which means that you don’t have to pay extra for seconds!
The restaurant also has a lounge area where you can kick back, relax, and read a book from their thoughtfully curated collection.
Must-try dishes:
- The Monday Start Of The Week Dinner: One of the best ways to kickstart the week — a nutritious vegan meal of CousCous, Chickpea with Vegetables and Pumpkin Sauce, and Apple Crumble.
- The Take It Easy Friday Lunch: A wholesome meal that includes Jasmine Rice, Thai Curry, Pappadums, and Pineapple Halwa. Though this is a vegetarian meal, it can be customised for vegans.
- The Lavish Weekend Dinner: A mouth-watering vegan Indian spread that includes Basmati Rice, South Indian Coconut Curry, and Orange Date Halwa.
5. Sri Ganapathi South Indian Vegetarian Restaurant
Address: 34 Douglas St, Noble Park VIC 3174
Website: https://sriganapathiveg.com/
About the restaurant:
Sri Ganapathi, also known as one of the best vegan Indian restaurants in Melbourne, offers some of the healthiest and tastiest South Indian food in the city at prices that can only be described as an absolute steal!
What makes it special:
If there’s one thing that Sri Ganapathi Restaurant never compromises on, it’s quality. They believe that a good and balanced meal is the key to a healthy body, mind, and life, and so, ensure that the standard of the food they deliver is top-notch.
Must-try dishes:
- Cauliflower Dosa: A thin crepe made using a lentil and rice batter, stuffed with a mildly spicy cauliflower masala.
- Pesarattu Dosa: A crepe made using a green gram and rice batter, garnished with green chillies and onion.
- The Weekend Special Unlimited Breakfast: An assortment of classic South Indian dishes, including Poori, Kesari, Pongal, Medu Vada, Idli, and Onion Uthappam.
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