Vegan
International
Beer/Wine
Take-out
Casual vegan restaurant and wine bar. Menu includes small and large dishes as well as sides and dessert. Drinks include wine, beer and cocktails. A degustation option is available. NOTE: Closing time is flexible, so check ahead. Open Tue-Thu 6:00pm-10:00pm, Fri-Sat 6:00pm-10:30pm, Sun 5:30pm-9:00pm. Closed Mon.
48 Reviews
First Review by Kittybiscuit
NilsHeymann
Points +819
The “Just feed me” menu is yummy - Edit
Great vibes, all dishes are imaginative and impressive. We will be back!!!
Read moreWay too much food so go hungry
Guest
saaurik
Points +110
Wonderful dinning experience - Edit
Incredibly tasty vegan food. Creative, great flavours, definitely leading the vegan food game. Saying yum after every bite!
Read moreI had 2 crochets and the braised cabbage. Plus a mocktail. Which was probably the best mocktail I’ve ever had.
Pros: Exceptional food, Friendly staff, Prompt service
Guest
styvbdz
Points +33
Vegan fine dining at its tastiest - Edit
All the food is sophisticated, fresh and delicious. Order the ‘Just Feed Me’ option and see what comes out - had insane beautiful dishes like Heirloom tomato w smoked mezcal sorbet, almonds & horseradish.
Read moreGuest
AndyH
Points +66
Best vegan restaurant in Melbourne - Edit
wonderful rich flavours. The smoky eggplant dip with homemade foccacia alone is worth the trip. Reasonably priced for exceptional quality food. The proprietor/chef is a crazy genius, long may he cook😊
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-10-08
Guest
BiancaLouise
Points +44
Lovely food and drinks - Edit
Everything was delicious, but I found the food a little too salty for my liking. I had the Lions Maine steak and gin sour mock tail. The mock tails were around $15 each and the steak was average main meal price ($32, I think). It was on a bed of spinach, but no other veggies. It was filling though.
Read moreMy friend had crispy eggplant and ordered potato skins. She said hers was salty too, but she likes it like that. Her mock tail was full cream ahead and she loved it!
Cool venue. Great location. Easy parking. Very friendly and helpful staff.
Pros: Good service, Lovely ambiance, Vegan restaurant
Cons: A bit too salty for me, Pricey
Guest
CabernetS
Points +374
Delicious degustation - Edit
I’d seen many recommendations for this restaurant. It completely lived up to expectations, even exceeded! We went the chefs menu. Food was delicious, we were absolutely stuffed full. Couldn’t believe how much delicious food we got for $65.
Read morePros: Delicious food , Friendly staff
Guest
BalmainLarger
Points +44
Killer food, killer vibes! - Edit
Killer food, killer vibes! Amazing flavours & fresh AF ingredients, I’ll be going back again for sure!
Read moreGuest
luigurl7
Points +137
An amazing little gem in the north of Melbourne - Edit
This place was recommended to us and it does not disappoint at all! Everything is so tasty and substantial, the only challenge is picking what to get especially on your first time here. Everything could be shared as portion sizes are quite large. You could always take away what you don't finish which was what we did. Would definitely come back!
Read morePros: Tasty, seasonal food! Drinks were nice , Food can be shared, Good service
Guest
Seitanicveg
Points +861
Hit and miss - Edit
Came here for Tuesday night steak night. Very under-whelmed. Garlic bread was okay. Wasn’t a big fan of the sweet fig and fennel flavour.
Read moreWanted to love the lions mane mushroom steak. It had some nice seared bits, but was under seasoned and lost on the plate. Too much salad (also under seasoned) and too many fries. Not much cauliflower purée. I wonder if this dish would have been better on the regular menu night.
Green man’s arm’s do a much better mushroom steak.
Second time eating here and would not rush to go back, but would give it another go.
Updated from previous review on 2024-05-22
Pros: creative, veg focused/centric, vegan
Cons: Limited indoor seating , Service variable
Guest
Caitlee
Points +280
My favourite restaurant in Melbs - Edit
Truly the best vegan restaurant I’ve been to in Melbourne - a must visit. Everything is to die for and I can’t wait to go again!
Read moreGuest
jesseMC1991
Points +23
Best vegan restaurant I’ve been to - Edit
Great food, unpretentious, everything is vegan so ordering is fun because everything is an option!
Read moreGuest
MeaganKiely
Points +779
The cabbage 🤤 I could eat this every day. Seriously delicious!! - Edit
Great vibe and even better food! Very well priced and friendly staff. You won’t be disappointed.
Read moreGuest
StephF
Points +133
The best feed I’ve had in a while! - Edit
The FOOD here - oh my god! So delicious. These people know their vegetables! It’s a cute little venue with a lovely outdoor area. The cocktails were a particular highlight. Would definitely come again.
Read morePros: Delicious food, Interesting variety, Great cocktails
Cons: Music was a little loud for conversation
Guest
jacintascarfone
Points +69
Soooooo good!!! - Edit
Will definitely be coming back, sat in the courtyard which was adorable and had the cosiest vibe inside! Good cocktails too!
Read moreGuest
belinda.ralston
Points +24
Amazing food! - Edit
We were so impressed by the food!! We had the Fed Me menu and were so impressed by the quality and flavours of the food! We will be back again for sure!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-12-28
Guest
omgvegan
Points +72
Vegetables have never tasted so good - Edit
I went for the feed me option and enjoyed every single dish. Everything had so much flavour and I’m already looking forward to my next visit. My only wish is that the dessert wasn’t shared as a vanilla slice is not easy to share and not big enough for 2.
Read moreGuest
ligi
Points +31
Unique flavours!! - Edit
Food is just amazing. Can’t recommend the lion’s mane steak highly enough.
Read moreGuest
Kittybiscuit
Points +8656
Best vegan food in Melbourne - Edit
I walked past this with a friend and there were seats available so we decided to try it. I had a few tables (mostly for 4 and a couple of booths for 6. It was really nice inside. I love places where the tables aren’t too close to each other. All of the alcohol is vegan too and the cocktails were delicious. I shared a plate of salt and pepper tofu which was very nice. It was also served with sprouts with a dressing and they were delicious! I didn’t think I’d ever say that either! I ordered a mushroom ravioli for my main. It had really nice flavours. It would have been nice to have another piece of ravioli but I can’t say that I was starved afterwards. I could smell the cauliflower croquettes and they smelt delicious. I think next time I’d order two entrees to share!
Read moreIt seems like it would be a great date place or a great place to catch up with small groups of friends. I also loved they were playing Talking Heads!
I’ll definitely go back.
Updated from previous review on 2019-06-15
Pros: Tables aren’t too close together, The lighting, The music
Guest
DanielBarnett
Points +18
Hands down my favourite - Edit
Absolutely my favourite restaurant in Melbourne. The food is amazing.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-11-02
Guest
AmberWilson
Points +28
FAVOURITE RESTAURANT - Edit
Ballard's is my absolute favourite restaurant I've ever been to. Somehow you just nail every single thing on the menu, the flavours are just so good! If you are in Melb you MUST go here. Sunday roasts are an epic, the gnocci is 🤤 and the parma deal was amazing (pls bring it back).
Read morePros: Flavour, Very reasonably priced, Atmosphere
Guest
Tiggy
Points +13798
Great food but not very relaxing - Edit
We came here for a special occasion. We were seated in a booth, not as intimate as a table,  but further away from the cold air when the door opens. We’d been here a few times and never tried a degustation, so it seemed like as good a time as any. We got to sample a good deal of the menu, and everything was delicious, perhaps with the Brussels sprouts at the lower end of the rankings for me (while still good). The arancini and the Jerusalem artichoke balls were very nice and I was surprised at how delicious the braised cabbage was with its rich, savoury flavour. The meal was good value at $65 for eight dishes and I was definitely full by the end. The restaurant has a lively atmosphere and was booked out on this occasion. Staff were very busy and this did detract from the dining experience. After finishing our meal we were notified that we needed to leave in 15 minutes. I understand that restaurants need to maximise bookings, particularly in the current economic climate, and I also realise that 90 minutes is not an unusual allocation of time for a booking. However, given that the topic of booking times had already come up when we arrived (when we couldn’t sit at a particular table), it would have been good to be informed of this time limit at that stage, and it ended up making us feel rushed. That said, I do see this as the first choice for a special date night in Melbourne: a small, completely vegan fine-dining restaurant in close proximity to a boutique independent cinema.
Read morePros: Delicious food , Small completely vegan fine-dining restaurant
Cons: Not notified of time limit until time to leave
Guest
Ari Gis
Points +79
Undefeated Champion - Edit
This is the best vegan restaurant in Melbourne. I’ve been dozens of times and it always delivers. I love their regular bistro menu as it always changes but the flavours and textures are incredible. Recently, I’ve been to their roast nights and parma nights and they were great as well. Fanciest parma you can find.
Read moreCreative food by an artist of a chef. Relaxed atmosphere in a dimly lit cozy wine bar. Unhinged sarcastic ramblings of a mad man for a social media marketing plan. What more could you ask for?
We are truly not worthy.
Pros: Flavours, Good jokes, Terrible bedside manner
Cons: Costs too little, Not open 24/7, Makes other restaurants seem worse
Guest
chatreuse
Points +3135
High quality food for reasonable prices - Edit
I generally love the food at Ballard's. The most recent time I went was the first time I ordered a couple things that I ended up not loving. The mushroom gnocchi is pillowy and fluffy, but was a little lukewarm (except those in the centre) this time. We also got the salad and garlic bread included basically free, as part of their $30 gnocchi, salad, garlic bread special. The garlic bread was covered with what looked like bolognaise sauce but tasted like chilli jam (far too sweet for our liking).
Read moreThe parsnip rosti was a surprising highlight, it was delightfully crunchy.
Their burnt eggplant dip is always delicious, and comes with amazing house made focaccia.
The charred brassicas was layered with some pickles, which was quite strongly flavoured, and wasn't to my taste. Also, the brassicas were kale (I wouldn't have got the dish if I had known) and turnip (I think).
Alot of their dishes are on par with what you'd get at a fancy degustation restaurant, but in a cosy, grunge bar aesthetic. I love what the chef can do with just wholefoods, I wish there was less oil used though.
Pros: Delicious wholefoods
Cons: Some dishes have too much oil drizzled on/around
Guest
MartinMare
Points +29
Amazing - Edit
We had the five course menu. Everything was amazing and felt curated but not in a stuffy way. Warm and inviting atmosphere and great vegan wines.
Read morePros: Both casual menu and degustation, Great atmosphere, Entirely plant based menu
Guest
veganbabe69
Points +226
Quaint bar with relaxed vibe - Edit
All vegan bar with lovely small dishes for sharing as well as larger plates. Spots to dine inside or outside. Especially enjoyed the focaccia with shiitake dip.
Read moreGuest
alex.a
Points +521
Wow - Edit
Have been meaning to come here for a while, to try out the delicious food. Bar has a friendly, eclectic and chilled vibe which is nice. We started with the chili fried popcorn cauliflower which was very very good. Very light but crispy batter/coating finished off with chipotle Mayo and pepitas for some texture. Perfect way to start the meal. My partner had the Sunday roast with all the delicious trimmings. All the elements worked and the flavours balanced like a champion.
Read moreBut the star in my eyes was the pesto gnocchi with charred broccoli, roast tomato, kale pesto and chili oil. There was so many flavours all balanced so well, it was impossible to fault. As I’m eating each mouthful is as good as the first, with many mmmmmms and “how good is this?!?” to “I can’t believe how good this is”. I’ve grown up around gnocchi my whole life and this was the best I’ve eaten. So much so I bought another serve to take away, took it to my Italian parents to sample (I know, fraught with danger lol). They also agreed with my assessment. “Ma che buoni!!” (how good are these?!?)
We also had the desert, which was okay, but not to the level of the other dishes.
Well done guys, definitely be back.
Update Feb 2023: This has become my favourite restaurant of all time (vegan/non vegan), the variety and inventiveness of the dishes never cease to amaze me. The chef Tamlyn is a wizard of vegan food.
Updated from previous review on 2020-11-30
Pros: Beautiful vegan food, Cool venue
Guest
RuthSharon
Points +1232
Gnocchi heaven - Edit
I’ve been excited to try this place, big fan of the owners social media presence and the menu sounded delicious. Let’s just say it was everything I was hoping for and more. Cool vibes and awesome food, and some Rick and morty music? 😂
Read morePros: All vegan , Super fluffy gnocchi, Great service
Guest
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