Vegan
Western
Fusion
Opened Mar 2016 a vegan cafe in the Newcastle area. Offers a mix of healthy meals & comfort food including faux meats and cheese. Aims to be as zero waste as possible. Bring picnic rugs if you wish to eat in the garden. Confirmed closed, Sep 2019.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
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40 Church St, Minmi, New South Wales, Australia, 2287
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- Outdoor seating
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 22 Sep 2019 by Mellywelly
Update business info -
Added by JohnTheVegan on 16 Feb 2016
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31 Reviews
First Review by KiwiPaul
IainMcLure
Points +101
The original and the best - Edit
The OG of vegan burgers in NSW. Always good, always eat too much. Farewell Bonta. You will be missed.
Read morePros: Everything vegan , Great taste
Cons: Feel bad after leaving because you eat too much
Guest
Jessikitty
Points +139
LOVE! - Edit
Super delicious comfort / treat vegan food. So devastated that they will be closing soon😪Really hope someone decides to take over!
Read moreGuest
CaseyMcFadyen
Points +58
The Holy Grail - Edit
Bonta is incredible. Not only is it the Hunter Valley’s FIRST all-vegan cafe, but it’s also a great place to chill by the fire, it’s dog friendly and the food is delicious!
Read moreLet’s get one thing straight. This is a vegan cafe, not a health food shop. Don’t come here with calorie restriction in mind. It just won’t work. The burgers are big, super tasty and the sides are fantastic. Always trying new things, there’s something new to taste every time I’m there.
It’s licensed too, so a cheeky beer with lunch is permitted. Oh and there’s stock from the Vegan Cheese Shop there too!
Pros: All-vegan cafe. , Menu changes regularly. , Take away option & vegan merch.
Cons: Nope, can’t think of one.
Guest
ol.iva
Points +148
One of very few vegan places in Central Coast - Edit
Cozy place with atmosphere of old country house, all dishes are vegan, burgers are quite dry, so I would recommend to add some salad or sauce. Though their cakes are fantastic! 💚
Read morePros: All vegan, Warm atmosphere, Tasty dishes
Cons: Too dry burgers and fries
Guest
tjn1992
Points +225
Fantastic Food! - Edit
Bonta Vera is to my knowledge the 1st and only completely vegan cafe in Newcastle. I love the feeling of being able to order anything off of the menu. The staff are great and the location is really convenient (on the way back home from uni for me). The menu is mainly burgers which is great because I love burgers, but I think there is an opportunity for them to expand their menu and offer a bit more variety.
Read moreEdit: Please note that the menu changes all the time so some of the items in the photos are not on the current menu, but they do return from time to time. I've updated the review to represent the changing menus as a con.
Updated from previous review on 2016-08-26
Pros: All vegan menu, Beautiful location, Wifi
Cons: Menu consists of mainly burgers., Menu changes frequently
Guest
Suzana890
Points +22
Bonta Vera - Edit
Quiet and pristine surroundings. Service was good friendly. Burger meals were very yummy. I just noticed that the burgers shown aren't all available at the restaurant. Maybe they could update the photos to match what v they sell.
Read morePros: All vegan choices.
Cons: No photos for menu choices. Use happy cow app.
Guest
Snailwhisperer
Points +1158
Beautiful location, loved it - Edit
Stopped in on our way home from holidays and was thoroughly impressed. We arrived just as they opened, so expected a long wait time but food was served so fast. Our dogs were welcomed to sit on the balcony with us and staff bought them water instantly. Food was deliciously greasy and decent portion size. I did find the "chicken" burger to be a bit rubbery in texture but the "breaky burger" was a big hit with my partner. Even the soaps in the bathroom were vegan friendly which was a nice touch.
Read moreQuite pricey, but as an occasional treat will definitely stop by again next holiday.
Pros: All vegan menu, Good portion sizes , Beautiful location
Cons: Expensive
Guest
Noda
Points +611
Indulgent - Edit
Really nice dirty burgers, felt guilty but in a good way. Good price and decent size
Read moreGuest
teacupdave
Points +46
Wasn't open - Edit
I get a little erked sometimes as my friends in Melb have pointed out vegan places tend to not keep the hours they advertise. Today, frustratingly Bonta Vera did just that. With their website saying they open at 10:00 am we did a half hour drive for a delicious vegan breakfast to find they don't open till 11:30.
Read moreI am just a bit annoyed at the stereotype propogation.
Generally the food is amazing and the staff lovely when they are open.
Guest
MichaelWaters
Points +263
unbelievable, amazing, lots of other positive adjectives I just can't think of them all right now 😀😁😂😃😄😅😆 - Edit
Great vegan burger joint in a classy heritage building
Read morePros: all vegan
Cons: despite that everything is vegan, the menu is mark
Guest
kathVfawcy
Points +20
Love this place - Edit
Delish food and desserts to die for.
Read moreGuest
LauInTheVan
Points +68
Good good comfy food - Edit
We came under a local guy suggestion.. we first checked out the place on the web and all the meals were so good looking that our mouth was already watering. We already know that they only had comfy food and we were ok with it.
Read moreWe had the cauly wings (WOW! Incredibly good!), 2 burgers and a slice of brownie (best vegan brownie ever!). The burgers (prawns and chicken) were very good and original. The only thing was that the prawns looked as the real ones but were not very tasty, for the rest it was amazing!! We also had the side chips but I would have avoided them (they were nothing special). In general I would recommend 100% this place!!
Only one thing actually shocked me: even if in the menu says that is 100% vegan, they refer to the ingredients as they were animal products, and to read it made me feel for a while not feeling like it anymore. I didn't want "bacon and cheese", I just wanted a good vegan burger. I'm vegan because of animal rights and I don't miss any taste of animal products, so to me that was a bit too much (plus the prawns that looked the real ones.. quite shocking).
Pros: Good food and 100% vegan , Best brownie , Nice location
Cons: Bit pricey, Too many references to animal products
Guest
AngC
Points +18
Delicious - Edit
Lots of delicious 100% #vegan options - savoury and sweet. Burgers were amazing. Friendly staff.
Read morePros: All vegan options, Dine in or take away
Guest
Vegan.tyla
Points +78
Amazing!! - Edit
The best vegan burgers and desserts.
Read moreGreat service, the staff are super friendly and the food is amazing. YUM, would highly recommend
Delicious.
Pros: great food , friendly staff , decently priced
Guest
sunshine__star
Points +86
Mixed Feelings - Edit
Honest review from a regular.
Read moreGenerally I would say Bonta is my favourite restaurant & usually take omnis here to impresses them, I remember the 1st time i came here during opening week, I was so excited to finally be going somewhere with actual options! But was a little sad when i saw everything but one thing on the menu was fo meat, since going vego at a very young age meat was not something I missed, but decided to try a chicken burger, and was surprised to actually like it. I come here regularly and their food is usually pretty good, my omni friends couldnt even believe it was vegan! Sadly these feels only lasted a few months as after a while they started to change, the menu has changed about 4 times now and food got smaller and prices got larger.
Every time lately the one thing i wanted and just drove 30mins for they do not have. They have gotten new chefs and staff and taken away my Bonta nuggets!
They use to have all day breakfast on Sundays but never made it in, in time for this, I am not a morning person so never tried their breakfast menu sadly enough. But I'm so confused as to why one day chips a thin one day and are thick the next? But hey atleast they still having amazing freak shakes. Bring back the old Bonta¡!¡!
Pros: Actually really tasty food (mostly) , Kind & helpful staff
Cons: To many changes
Guest
xxmellsbellsxx
Points +51
Bonta is going down hill unfortunately :( - Edit
Was a fantastic restaurant when it first opened. Great prices, portion sizes, and friendly service. Each time I've visited the portions have gotten smaller, the prices have been increasing, and this last visit the service was below average. It's really disappointing as the restaurant started out so strong and it's in such a beautiful location. I doubt we'll be returning anytime soon to be honest.
Read morePros: All vegan, beautiful venue.
Cons: Shrinking portions, getting pricey, jaded staff.
Guest
Ilovetoeat6
Points +13
Room for improvement - Edit
We visited today and I have wanted to eat here for quite some time. The wait was lengthy and my drink lacked flavour but was hot, thankfully! The food arrived and was ok, nothing to rave about at all. I think the burgers really lack taste, they were pretty bland. I think the food will definitely improve and should also have the menu include healthier options, like vegan dahl with bread and more soups and vegans curries! The only thing that annoyed me were the staff. If you have your kids there and they are waiting for their food, at least smile. ALL of the wait staff looked like they couldn't wait to finish their shift. That is the biggest turn off. Please improve your staff! Or train them to smile 😃😆
Read morePros: Good value
Cons: Staff lack friendliness
Guest
drew4health
Points +156
vegan sanctuary - Edit
It would be great to see a little more healthy food added.
Read moreThe guys here have created a great vegan gathering point where you don't have to ask about menu items . Always offering new things.
Worth a supportive visit if in Newcastle. Great bushland setting in a historic courthouse.
Pros: great people safe menu
Cons: a little junk foody
Guest
Chelseachernobyl
Points +978
here for lunch - Edit
Got the parmagedon. 'Twas tasty but nothing too exciting. Menu was only bar food at lunch ( burgers and fried things) Give it a 6.5/10. Really cool location in an old courthouse. Tasty fries. Didn't eat a dessert but they looked good. worth a gander
Read morePros: location, desserts!
Cons: greasy, no healthy options
Guest
DaniK
Points +25
Bonta is the best for burgers - Edit
Amazing Burgers. Have been a few times to try a different one each time and they mever fail to please!
Read morePros: All vegan options
Guest
ReneeG
Points +25
Huge potential being wasted. - Edit
Beautiful old building in a lovely bushland setting. Wide verandah with outside tables facing the bush, listening to the birds.
Read moreService was dismal. Meals came before drinks, one item not even served. Had to ask for refund when leaving :(
Menu BORING. Only burgers, no salads. Our burgers were dry and bland. Mine tasted OK, my sister's was tasteless and left unfinished. Only good thing was the chips.
All the burgers were full of frozen processed products trying to be meat and tasted like meat. Why? Where are the vegetables? Shakes looked great but didn't try as all had sugary syrups, would have been nice to see some with real fruit.
With such a wonderful setting this place could be so much more. I was expecting to see some heathier options on the menu. Not all vegiterians / vegans miss the taste of meat.
I will not be going back, I can make much better burgers at home that don't taste like dead animals.
Pros: Beautiful location with outside seating, Lunch with the birds, Heritage building
Cons: All food taste like meat, .No fresh vegetables ?
Guest
HannahMaguire
Points +18
Great food great vibe - Edit
Delicious food served by the friendliest staff, the pancakes and freak shakes are definite favourites
Read moreGuest
sarah m
Points +189
Delicious! - Edit
Enjoyed some very delicious burgers & nuggets here and will definitely visit again.
Read morePros: decent prices , tasty, close to the highway
Guest
Snoopyfarrar1
Points +21
first time but not the last - Edit
Staff very friendly. Service was fast. The burgers were amazing. The bread melted in your mouth and it was hard to believe they were actually vegan. Very tasty and the chips were hand cut and crunchy. Yum
Read moreGuest
emmawestrup
Points +495
Beautiful setting and tasty food; fast efficient and friendly service - Edit
Great selection of meat-like, meat-free burgers and sides, 3 of which have gluten free alternatives too. Sweet, friendly staff and lovely setting with pretty grounds and tables on verandah as well as inside with aircon. Delicious looking selection of desserts which we will sample next time but this time we were too full. Also samples of various flavours of plant based jerky to try at entrance.
Read moreGuest
AkaciahHammond
Points +48
I wish I lived closer!! - Edit
We were greeted with a little chalkboard that quoted "animals are here with us and not for us" so already I knew I'd nade the right choice on picking a place to eat. Gorgeous interior, very relaxed atmosphere. The milkshakes were all delicious, especially the caramel and the halloween chocolate mint! The wait for the food wasn't long at all, considering the place was packed. I ordered the perri perri chick'n burger and I've been fantasising about eating it again ever since. Even better, my vegan boyfriend's non vegan family all ate every scrap on their plates! No complaints at all. Can't wait until we can go back here!
Read morePros: Vegan heaven
Cons: (( I don't live close enough ))
Guest
DavidHyland
Points +16
BONTA VERA IS LIFE - Edit
Best vegan burgers and treats around! The 'big mock' tastes better than a real Big Mac, and it's VEGAN aghh
Read moreGuest
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