Crafting food with Asian influences juxtaposed with modern Australian. Features dishes like burgers like 'pulled pork' and 'fissh burgers' all topped with relish and sauces; stir fries and salads; additional options like deep-fried mushrooms and tofu salads served with vegan dressing; mango chia pudding and creme brulee with coconut sorbet for dessert. Beverages are coffee, cold brew coffee, cold press juices, and organic teas. Reported closed March 2022.
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94/732 Harris St, Ultimo, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 2007
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Last update on 31 Mar 2022 by AriSaenz
Update business info -
Added by Brainwave on 27 Dec 2018
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43 Reviews
First Review by Pacman
Frangipanistreet
Points +221
Nice place, 100% vegan, food is good but not great - Edit
The restaurant is in a small laneway just opposite Central Station. Very nice place with outdoor and indoor seating areas, friendly staff and good atmosphere.
Read moreHave been here twice (tried 4 dishes in total together with my partner) which ranged from average fried up Asian noodles to great starters. Would definitely give it another try, they have a huge range of dishes.
Guest
TattooedSydneyVegan
Points +242
Absolutely delicious - Edit
Five of us booked for dinner at Brainwave; the first time for all of us … and it didn’t disappoint. We ordered five dishes to share and all were delicious. Definitely going back
Read morePros: 100% vegan, Lovely owner, Nice set up and vibe
Guest
Scottklein
Points +16
Delightful people - Edit
Fun place to eat, but really seriously delightful people!
Read moreGuest
meeel
Points +586
Comforting asian food - Edit
Taste great and good to have near Haymarket/ cbd area. Some items are not offered by any other vegan restaurants in Sydney (hainanese chickn, jajangmyun, etc.). However, taste and price wise, I still prefer other vegan asian/chinese restaurant
Read morePros: Variety of cuisine, Location
Guest
ChloeKennedy
Points +22
Delicious - Edit
Food and service were really good heaps of foood!
Read moreGuest
Rishiroo
Points +198
Great Food! - Edit
All options are vegan, all options are delicious. I will be visiting and ordering from here often. They are also dog friendly and the service is quick and staff are friendly.
Read morePros: All vegan, Dog friendly, Great good
Cons: Hard to park
Guest
feverdaydreamer
Points +80
Awesome city cafe! - Edit
Love the range of choice on the menu. All vegan all delicious
Read moreGuest
Happysoiboi
Points +1049
Ehh? Alright - Edit
I’ve only been here once I’ll definitely give it another go but from what I could see on the menu it was exciting and it was VERY expensive for what they were offering. I got the sweet and sour pork and I’ve definitely had better elsewhere. A little disappointed but I may update this if I go there again and it’s better.
Read moreGuest
ejlcc
Points +44
Great all vegan café! - Edit
Lots of different options, all delicious!! Friendly staff.
Read moreGuest
Casong
Points +59
Delicious and a must go - Edit
It took me way too long to visit Brainwave. The name is a bit misleading, because they’re also a restaurant that does an exceptional dinner. It’s refined and full of flavour. I’d call it modern Asian fusion. Get the fried mushroom dish and the salted ‘egg’ tofu! My friend also loves the Penang curry. It’s a bit hidden but a must visit.
Read moreGuest
TracSmyth
Points +26
Fantastic - Edit
A lovely vegan oasis in the city. The food was amazing and reasonably priced. You have to try this, you won’t be disappointed.
Read morePros: Vegan, Great range of food, Only a 15 min walk from Sydney cbd
Cons: None
Guest
Be_kindness
Points +171
LOVE Brainwave...a hidden gem!!) - Edit
Brainwave is tucked away down a small ally and has a cool inner city vibe reminiscent of Tokyo or perhaps Hong Kong.
Read moreA truly delicious extensive fusion menu of classic eastern and western dishes made with a twist.
Super fresh and covers all food moods! Delicious juices too. Brainwave is great wether you go for breakfast, lunch or dinner and the service is always super friendly.
Henry, the owner is an absolute legend!
Pros: Great fusion food and super friendly service
Guest
InadvertentlyVegan
Points +986
Good little Vegan only restaurant near UTS - Edit
Good little restaurant serving a mix of dishes to cater for tastes/moods. Predominantly asian dishes with stir fry's, curries, noodles, etc. and also offers a range of burgers and chips so depending on how you are leaning on the day you can choose your cuisine.
Read moreCan be down a small alley off Harris street just down from the intersection with Broadway.
Quite a small establishment but has a nice modern feel. Very friendly staff. Seats about 20 people tops I would say maybe 25 odd at a push.
Offers a different range of faux meats/substitutes than I have had before in the dishes, some of them were a bit softer than I have had previously but I'm sure I have by no means tasted the full spectrum yet. The dishes were all very good. We had the Salt & Pepper Nori Tofu Balls, these were very good, probably the best S&P dish I have had in a few years. Good hit if spice served on a bed of puffed vermicelli and chopped chili (for a popular dish I have had some disappointing attempts of late, but not this one). Banana blossom salad, this was very good as well. Braised Bearhead Mushroom & Crispy Vegan Duck, this was good, I haven't had these mushrooms before, some of the group weren't a fan but I really liked this dish. Faux Duck was good as well with a crispy skin to it. Vegan Chicken with Blackbean Sauce, this dish was good, garnished with a good serving of peanuts. Massaman Curry, this was a good dish, good flavor and good mix of veggies (wasn't overly stuffed with potatoes as many restaurants do to keep costs down). Hokkien Vermicelli, this as a good dish, good flavor with a faux crispy chicken on top, it was bit heavy on oil for my liking. We also had Jasmine rice and Lemongrass rice, the Lemongrass rice was nice for a change with a subtle flavour.
Pros: Good selection and choice of cuisines, Small and intimate, Very keen friendly staff
Guest
AnnyNy
Points +749
Couldn’t be happier - Edit
Great food, lovely staff, amazing presentation, simple but great menu
Read morePros: Many options, Super tasty, Location
Guest
ChilliLover
Points +34
Delicious food, lovely restaurant/cafe - Edit
This was my very first visit to a vegan restaurant. My friends and husband (all meat eaters) and myself absolutely LOVE all the food we ordered! 🍄🥘🥗🥕
Read moreI highly recommend it! I'm starting to drool just thinking about it 🤤 Can't wait to go back!
Service was great as well. Say hello to Henry (owner) when you visit 😊
Pros: Friendly service, outdoor dog friendly area availa, Delicious food, Large menu
Guest
theNumberOfTheBeast
Points +4929
NOW SERVING DINNER! 😍😍😍 - Edit
The Geniuses at Brainwave Cafe keep getting better! Tonight premiered the unveiling of their new dinner menu. 5-9pm. Exceptional! I tried the tofu nori balls, the too much room mushroom fries, and mushroom panang curry. Go! Don't forget to try a Watermelon Lychee Smoothie!
Read moreAll the food is absolutely delicious and caters both plant-based vegan and wǔ hūn (onion, garlic) free buddhist meals.
You can find the entrance at 849 George street. Go through the lobby of the residential building to the back, make a left and down the stairs, the cafe is in the alley, along with covered outdoor seating. There is also access around the corner on Harris street. They offer a member and student discount.
Most of the menu items are pan-asian and western. I ate a croissant, and a Japanese-style meal (pictured) and both were absolutely stellar. They also serve coffee with a variety of all the normal plant milks including oat and soy.
Updated from previous review on 2020-08-21
Pros: friendly vegan owners, central location, student discount
Guest
planet
Points +16
Excellent Vegan restaurant - Edit
We came here for Fathers Day lunch and I'm so glad we made the right choice to come here. The food is soooo delicious. Highly recommend the Katsu Don and the Hainan Chiken Rice, it was a bomb! The service was also a delight. There's a huge selection of vegan dishes to choose from with asian influences. Sorry would have loaded some pictures but we dug into the food as soon as it came LOL
Read morePros: great food, chic interior, great service
Cons: tucked away from the main road
Guest
Maracas
Points +38
Gone down hill - Edit
Used to love this place but it’s gone down hill massively. Food quality has slipped and is now a bit lifeless, the customer service is cold and uncomfortable and the general vibe of sitting there just isn’t as nice. Given it several attempts recently, such a shame!!
Read moreGuest
BaibaBerzins
Points +154
Yummy menu log choice - Edit
I work in the city and craved some yummy vegan food. Ordered a very nice panang curry. Will be back
Read moreGuest
GerryStewart
Points +76
Amazing! - Edit
I had the sweet and sour vork! Bursting with flavour, such a good authentic dish!
Read moreGuest
gracelavender
Points +29
my favourite cafe ever! - Edit
i’ve been coming here since before brainwave was vegan (and before i was too) and i have to say the change has only made it better! the service is always delightful and fast, and the only time i’ve had to wait for my food (not that i minded) the chef brought up an ice cream for me for free.
Read morethe food is just too good. i’d been hearing great things about the katsudon and when i tried it for myself it went beyond my expectations. better than the real thing!!! same goes for the laksa, and also highly recommend the satay skewers. i usually order some combination of this every time i go. the “sausage” rolls in the case near the counter are also amazing.
brainwave is super relaxed and welcoming and has a cool upstairs seating area as well as a covered outdoor section. you’ll most often find uni students and other young people there as it’s located just down from UTS, though i do also see families come through. it’s a must try if you’re in sydney, vegan or not!
Pros: the food!!!!!! , friendly service and welcoming vibe
Guest
GianlucaDragone
Points +19
A literal hidden gem - Edit
Just off Harris St, down an unmarked laneway you can find Brainwave. It's a cute little cafe serving a vegan Asian-fusion menu.
Read moreThe food here really is amazing! Some of the best vegan food I've eaten. They have everything from noodles to burgers to cakes. The satay chick'n is the best I've ever eaten.
The coffee here also fantastic, even by Sydney standards. The vibe is cozy and the cafe is popular with university students.
If you're in Sydney you really have to stop by for lunch!
Pros: Good coffee, The best satay chick'n , Katsudon
Guest
vego53
Points +91
A hidden gem - Edit
Tucked away down an small lane next to UTS/ABC is this small cafe. Broad menu with good prices. We had pulled pork burger (spicy) and the summer burger. Both served with hand-cut chips and both delicious. At $16 each we were full and needed nothing else, though there was plenty more on the menu to choose from.
Read moreDefinitely a find to return to.
Updated from previous review on 2020-01-16
Pros: Good menu., Good service., Good prices.
Cons: A bit warm on a wet, humid Sydney day.
Guest
TravelAJ
Points +26
Delicious Asian fusion - Edit
It’s hard to find a vegetarian laksa, let alone a good one. This laksa was perfectly balanced and very tasty!
Read morePros: Great food, Great vibe, Fast service
Guest
whatchaugot
Points +29
Asian food + western food = pure awesomeness!!!! - Edit
Greeted by friendly staff. I went with the laksa and extra pork belly and was blown away by the combination of broth, veggies and tofu - exquisite!
Read moreThe katsu don was also really nice. The chicken katsu was fried enough to be crispy and wasn't rock hard.
Nice seating area and free wifi😄
Pros: Variety of different food.Burger, Japanese, salad , Friendly staff, Can opt for no onion for some dishes
Cons: Location - but worth the travel!
Guest
dazedkiwi
Points +724
Delicious food and nice atmosphere - Edit
Glad we read the comments and found it easily down a little alley. Loved our meals (pho, katsu curry and burger. All delicious and nice, friendly service. Signed up for an instant 10% discount.
Read moreGuest
JustinL
Points +28
It's so good! - Edit
I have been using Happy Cow over 10 years and never took the effort to review any place I have visited. But I must give a thumb up on this simple cafe we visited last night.
Read more4 of us shared a Laksa with tofu and Seitan Katsudon, Chiangmai BBQ burger and big bowl of Deep fried mushroom, chili cucumber, satay skewers as recommend by staff, and fruit smoothies.
The Katsu was crispy on one side and yet moist with teriyaki sauce on the bottom. And rice also cover with right amount of sauce. And I can smell the fresh laksa leave from the soup, the chef explained the soup is all made in house with ingredients and vegetable stock cooked more than 2 hours. The skewers were also crispy and tasty. Burger is very innovative and tasty, there is no cheese of any kind, and green apple instead of lettuce!
And I must mention the fruit smoothie is wonderful. My one was the coconut cashews, really nice, my wife's had mango one, she loved it.
We will be back to try everything!
Price is very affordable in comparison for such a quality food and the area. Around $15 per main.
Pros: 5 star food at very affordable price, Very friendly staff
Cons: Counter service for dinner
Guest
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