When I moved to Melbourne almost two years ago, people told me a lot of things. “That city runs on coffee.” “Melbourne has four seasons in a day.” “You’re going to love the food scene!”
But here’s the thing no one prepared me for: Melbourne’s food scene doesn’t always love vegetarians back-especially the ‘no eggs, no exceptions’ kind.
And I’m not one of those adventurous, “let’s try everything once” foodies. I’m the “read the entire menu twice, analyze every ingredient, panic internally, and then order paneer (Indian cottage cheese) again” type. If food had a comfort zone, I would be wrapped inside it like a warm garlic naan.
Yet somehow, against all odds, Melbourne has slowly-but steadily-pushed me into becoming a more flexible, open, and slightly braver vegetarian human.
For the longest time, I didn’t even know what box I fit into. Every time I said, “I’m vegetarian, but I don’t eat eggs,” people instantly labelled me vegan. Meanwhile, I was mentally holding onto soybean for emotional support. It wasn’t until last week-yes, after nearly two years in Melbourne Roslyn casually dropped the term lacto-vegetarian into a conversation, that I finally discovered the actual word for who I am. A term that finally made sense, even if no one else around me has any idea about what it means.
That realization is what sparked this article. Because being a pure vegetarian in Melbourne isn’t difficult-it’s just wonderfully misunderstood in the most dramatic and entertaining ways.
Melbourne Mornings as a Pure Vegetarian
My Melbourne food awakening began during my first week at university: an 8:30 am lecture, a perfectly fresh fruit cup that sadly didn’t pair well with coffee, and a cheese-and-tomato toastie that looked like salvation. I stood at the counter doing the usual pure-vegetarian internal checklist-Does the bread have eggs? Does the cheese have eggs? Does anything have eggs?-because years of habit don’t disappear just because you’ve flown to another country.
The café staff were kind, but understandably unsure. One person said, “I think it’s vegetarian?” Another hesitated when I asked about the bread. I didn’t want to be that person interrogating everyone at 8 am, so for a few days, I just survived on a mocha and whatever egg-free biscuits I could find.
Over the semester, I gently checked with different staff members until one day, someone finally told me they had looked into every ingredient specifically for me. When they confirmed the toastie was egg-free, the relief I felt was disproportionate to the situation-but completely justified. I treated that toastie like it was a five-star brunch.
And yes, I’ll admit it: sometimes I do the reckless thing. I take a bite first and ask later. Sometimes the universe is kind. Sometimes it isn’t. But if you’re a pure vegetarian in Melbourne, you understand-it’s less rebellion and more self-preservation.
Morning Lifesavers: These became the places that rescued me on mornings when my stomach refused to negotiate and my brain was too sleepy to conduct ingredient interrogations. Each of them, in their own way, became little anchors in my routine-a reminder that even on chaotic days, there were options I didn’t have to overthink.
- The Vine Coffee Roasters - My go-to for a Vanilla Mocha that tasted like a warm hug and a Cheese & Tomato Toastie I could trust without second-guessing every bite.
- Bonbons Bakery - Their Vanilla Mocha became a quiet comfort, and the Garlic Cheese Loaf? Soft, warm and reassuring-like edible emotional support.
- Subway - A Veggie Delight/Patty Sub built with a scrutinized, borderline-investigated selection of truly eggless sauces. A small triumph every time.
The Hunt for Eggless Desserts in Melbourne: Cakes, Lava and Everything I Can’t Eat
If Melbourne has a love language, it is dessert. Cakes displayed like artwork behind glass, pastries warm and golden, bakeries that smell like heaven from three shops away. And yet, for someone like me, this entire universe comes with a bittersweet disclaimer: almost none of it is eggless.
My love for cake is well-documented, but my relationship with Melbourne’s bakeries has been… complicated. You would think that finding a simple slice of chocolate cake without eggs would be easy. It isn’t. What I usually find instead are elaborate vegan slices-with flavors like hazelnut-dark chocolate-espresso fusion-that sound poetic but don’t satisfy the craving for a plain, comforting slice of chocolate goodness. The irony is that full-sized vegan cakes are widely available. But since I can’t finish a whole one on my own, I end up waiting for someone’s birthday so my friends and I can justify ordering a full-sized cake.
Luckily, I’ve found a few saviors: Isher Eggless Bakers, who truly understand the assignment, and The Cheesecake Shop, whose eggless cakes somehow always taste like nostalgia. They’ve become my go-to options whenever a cake craving hits.
Then comes winter-the season of cosy drinks, warm desserts, and cravings that feel almost romantic. Melbourne winters practically beg for a hot chocolate paired with a rich choco-lava cake. But finding an eggless lava cake here has been nearly impossible. After one too many heartbreaks and failed searches, I’ve resorted to making mug cakes at home-quick, warm, and topped generously with Nutella. It’s not the same, but on cold nights, it’s close enough.
Still, there are moments when I walk past Melbourne’s beautiful bakeries knowing I’m admiring pastries I’ll never be able to try. It’s a small heartbreak I’ve learned to live with.
Sweet Comforts That Saved Me: Even with all the dessert-related disappointments, a few places have brought pure joy back into my life.
- Koko Black - Their hot chocolate is a whole experience, a silky warm hug that never misses. Truly chef’s kiss.
- 7-Eleven - Don’t underestimate it. When you're on a budget or rushing between trams, their hot chocolate is unmatched for the price. Tip: Use full cream milk and don't fill the cup to the brim for the best consistency.
- Brunetti Classico - Their Vegan Chocolate Cake and the Brunetti Oro Cheesecake? Bliss. They melt in the mouth like they were crafted specifically to heal dessert trauma.
Navigating Melbourne Supermarkets as a Pure Vegetarian: Confusion, Betrayals and Little Wins
Melbourne supermarkets have taught me more about vigilance than any life lesson ever has. The first time I spotted Cheetos at Woolies, I grabbed the packet with the excitement of a child. That excitement lasted exactly four seconds-until I noticed the flavor: bacon and cheese. A betrayal I was not emotionally prepared for.
Thankfully, redemption came later in the form of the regular cheese-only Cheetos available at larger Woolworths and Coles stores. Small victories count.
Then there’s mayonnaise. I adore mayo, but finding an eggless one here is a challenge. Vegan mayo is readily available, but the taste-how do I put this kindly?-does not align with my values. So the search continues.
Beyond Paneer: The Non-Indian Vegetarian Dishes That Won Me Over
Despite my pickiness, Melbourne somehow managed to lure me out of my safe zone with a few dishes I now trust completely. The kind that gently convinced me that maybe-just maybe-not every new food will betray me.
Margherita pizzas that taste like they were prayed over. Pastas so comforting, they feel like emotional support in a bowl. Tacos that don’t offend my Indian soul. And the GYG burrito, which is honestly a forever mood.
It wasn’t an overnight transformation. But Melbourne has this way of softening your fear of “new food,” one delicious bite at a time.
Non-Indian Lifesavers: These dishes became my go-to spots whenever Melbourne tempted me to step outside my comfort zone:
- Vapiano - Pizza bread with garlic and cheese + Veg Arrabbiata Pasta. Tip: Choose Campanelle pasta - absolute game changer.
- Criniti's - Spaghetti Aglio e Olio, Garlic & Cheese Crust Pizza and Ravioli Rosa. Simple but so full of flavor.
- Guzman y Gomez - Tacos and Burritos that are crisp, customizable and surprisingly veg-friendly.
- Tteokbokki - Inspired by binge-watching K-dramas, I tried the vegetarian version and loved it more than expected.
- Dragon Hot Pot - With just one broth I can safely eat, but endless joy in customizing my noodle bowl.
The Veg Surprises of Melbourne
A few things in Melbourne have genuinely shocked me as a vegetarian-in a good way. Most places have at least one solid veg option, even if it’s hidden behind twelve meat dishes. International supermarkets are full of vegetarian snacks I never knew existed, many of which have now become accidental addictions. And you can even find pure veg versions of dishes you’d assume were impossible… if you know where to look.
And then there are the unexpected festival wins-like the Potato Twisters at the Firelight Festival. I went in hungry and came out emotionally attached to a spiraled potato on a stick. Who knew potatoes could exist in a form other than fries and wedges?
And finally, there was Yochi-an accidental discovery that has now become a personality trait. A place where I don’t have to decode ingredients or negotiate with the dessert gods. Eggless, customizable, and genuinely mood-lifting, it’s the kind of sweet comfort that never lets you down.
Being the Vegetarian Friend in Melbourne
Every friend group has its roles: the planner, the latecomer, the one who always brings snacks. In Melbourne, I became the vegetarian friend-the one around whom restaurants must be chosen.
My friends now automatically ask, “Mehak-friendly? No eggs?” And honestly? It’s kind of adorable being this loved. They’ve seen me question menus like it’s an Olympic sport, and they’ve learned how to pre-filter options before I even show up. It’s one of the sweetest, most unexpected parts of this journey.
My Comfort Zone: Indian Food in Melbourne
There’s comfort, and then there’s the comfort of walking into an Indian restaurant in Melbourne and instantly feeling like your chakras have realigned. The smell of tadka? Therapy. Fresh hot naan? Religion. Paneer? Identity.
For the longest time, I clung to Indian restaurants not because Melbourne lacks variety, but because a good Mysore Masala Dosa is basically a personality trait and Butter Naan is my preferred coping mechanism. These places felt like home-a safe, flavorful hug when everything else around me felt unfamiliar.
Indian Spots That Never Miss:
- Saravanaa Bhavan - A full-veg restaurant that feels like a pilgrimage. From mouth-watering dosas to North Indian-style channa bhatura and even Indo-Chinese chilli paneer, everything here feels forbidden to be missed.
- Divine Darbar - The only place that consistently delivers the perfect Masala Soya Chaap. Not close… perfect.
- Delhi Rocks - My go-to for home-style Indian food. Their thali has basically become a weekly ritual.
- Dosa Hut - Their Dhaba-style Paneer Bhurji never misses. It’s rich, bold, nostalgic perfection.
- Gopi Ka Chatka - Hands down the best spot for chaats and Indian street food. The kind that instantly reminds you of home, and they even offer live unlimited pani puri at just $17.
And yet, even in that comfort, Melbourne surprised me by nudging me gently out of my predictable choices, reminding me that growth can happen even in the middle of a menu you’ve memorized.
Fast Food Realities for a Vegetarian in Melbourne
Some food experiences in Melbourne have been shocking in unexpected ways. For example, I was heartbroken to discover that McDonald’s has no vegetarian burger here. None. Zero. Meanwhile, Hungry Jack’s has an entire plant-based range.
But the real star has been Betty’s Classic Vegan Burger, one of the few vegan items I actually enjoy. It has earned a permanent spot on my “safe choices when starving” list.
Melbourne Events and the Vegetarian Starvation Ritual
Melbourne’s events and performances are incredible, but their vegetarian options? Not always. More times than I can count, I’ve attended a show only to realize the only thing I could eat was popcorn or chips. I’ve sat through concerts and theatre performances feeling elegant on the outside and mildly starving on the inside, only to return home for emergency instant noodles.
It’s all part of the vegetarian-in-Melbourne experience.
Becoming a Wine Person in Melbourne: The Vegetarian Edition
One of the most surprising developments in my Melbourne journey is that I’ve become a wine person. I never expected it, but this city-with its wineries, bars and endless wine shelves-makes it almost inevitable. Yet even here, the vegetarian struggle follows me: while vegan wines are common in bottle shops, many restaurants and cafés don’t even know what a vegan wine is.
My current favorite is Chapel Hill Pinot Grigio, a reliable companion through many confusing food encounters.
Still Picky, Still Learning, Still Growing
Even after two years, I am still a picky eater. I still overthink menus, still ask about ingredients, still double-check things that others don’t give a second thought. But I’ve also grown. I’ve tried dishes I never imagined trying, discovered flavors that surprised me, and learned to navigate this city with equal parts caution and curiosity.
Being a vegetarian in Melbourne isn’t difficult. It’s just… a story. A long, confusing, funny, surprising story. And one I’m still learning to write every day.
Disclaimer: All experiences and opinions shared in this article are personal and entirely our own; this is not a paid partnership or sponsored content. Menus, ingredients and availability may change across venues, so readers are encouraged to double-check directly with restaurants, cafés or stores for the most up-to-date information. This piece is intended for general guidance and storytelling, not professional dietary advice.
