Vegan
Western
Australian
Vegan cafe inside a wildlife sanctuary. Open once a month a 7-course degustation dinner. Will open other times for group bookings and private events. NOTE: Not open to the general public other than for a wedding or a function but first a ticket needs to be purchased. Call for more information.
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35 Crane Rd, Lithgow, New South Wales, Australia
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- Outdoor seating
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 27 Sep 2022 by PatrickHouston
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24 Reviews
First Review by Pegomastax
kattyfigs
Points +207
Amazing, everything - Edit
I went on a Lithgow trip with my uni and was the only vegan amongst some vegetarians and meat eaters. We all had an amazing time and the food was delectable.
Read morePros: Tasty, Innovative
Guest
KristenCampbell
Points +697
5 stars. - Edit
We did the set lunch menu over the Easter weekend. Everything was very tasty and had great flavours.
Read moreThere were also optional add on meals/desserts. BYO drinks and alcohol. Service was wonderful - can’t fault it! Sanctuary still a work in progress, can’t wait to visit again and see what they do with the place. 🤍
Guest
Slyder
Points +1573
Shhh, keep it a secret - Edit
Here for the 3 course spring lunch, it's just delicious. Service was friendly and relaxed, along with an interesting rustic venue. It's worth the trip to get here.
Read morePros: Totally vegan and gluten free, Delicious
Guest
PatrickHouston
Points +97
Fantastic. - Edit
Go to their website first if you want to book in to eat here. Don’t just rock up; you will be understandably ignored. Specified dates only for lunches and degustation dinners for the public. Don’t be concerned about paying prior to even seeing the dates available, it’s worth it. This is why it books out quickly; many regulars from far and wide book in for the privilege.
Read morePros: Vegan only., It’s an animal sanctuary as well., Food is fantastic.
Cons: Limited available dates to book in., They book up quickly.
Guest
dreadlockssydney
Points +27
Quiet & Cute - Edit
Good service, nice food, hard to get access to animal sanctuary.
Read morePros: Nice spot, Good food
Cons: Can't visit the quolls easily, only occasional tou
Guest
Suzbuster
Points +82
Delicious - Edit
Had this a few weeks back. Had the cabbage (cheesy and really good), the meatballs - also pretty good and the faux duck, also tasty. Overall highly recommend stopping by for food if you’re in town.
Read morePros: Many options , The baked cabbage dish, Large portions
Guest
liz.munn
Points +353
Worth whatever effort it takes - Edit
Felt so spoilt and very excited to read the blackboard menu. No need to choose, just sit back and let them bring you fantastic food. No idea what happened to the previous reviewer, I couldn’t disagree more strongly. Secret Creek is back with a fixed-menu, bookings-only approach which is epic. And triply amazing when you see how close the fires came to them just 12 months ago before Covid hit. Worth the special trip from Sydney to share the vegan vibes.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-06-20
Pros: Vegan for the animals, The Sriracha Mayo , Five courses for $40
Cons: Ummm…no…nothing
Guest
Philistine
Points +84
Maybe still Covid-19 rules in play - Edit
I have to say this was a very disappointing lunch which was supposed to cap off a return trip from Orange to home... no entrees, very limited choices of main courses on offer.. tasted great.. but to cap it off it was a very small serving... not sure if I will ever go again. Such a shame since it was our "special occasion" goto Vegan restaurant in the past. Not impressed anymore.... sorry.
Read morePros: Great vegan restaurant
Cons: portion size and selection is now very limited.
Guest
KirstenJoyIsabel
Points +22
Great atmosphere - Edit
Great atmosphere
Read morePros: Vegan
Guest
veganvirtues
Points +2836
Secret Creek Cafe - Edit
We came here from Sydney to visit the sanctuary and try some fare. Unfortunately the sanctuary is only open to visitors on certain days (has to have enough visitors to organise a person to guide the visitors around the sanctuary $20 per person). We did see some geese and a distance away 2 emus. There is no a la carte menu but a 5 course set menu at set price. We decided on a slice of chocolate cake and slice of banana bread and pot of camomile tea. We did have notion to visit next day for lunch was only able to book no walk ins. I think eating a five course meal for lunch is a bit much, dinner would have been ideal.
Read morePlease note only open on the weekends.
Cons: No ala carte menu
Guest
rachy77
Points +88
The best - Edit
This is a great place. Food choices amazing. Food sooo good.
Read moreSurroundings georgous, with different animals around property to observe.
Pros: All vegan food
Guest
BridgetteW
Points +62
Best Vegan restaurant this side of the mountains - Edit
Well worth the drive! Have probably been ten times with my husband and friends, anyone I take always enjoys the food and the beautiful location (on the edge of town - lots of friendly kangaroos, roosters, ducks and possums!) The food is Always delicious and mains are usually around $16 which I think is exceptionally priced for great vegan food! You will need to make a booking, expecially on a weekend as every table can be full, and they host a lot of events too. One of my favourite vegan restaurants in NSW, I always get my birthday cakes from here too.
Read morePros: Food is always yummy and the location is beautiful, Their birthday cakes are amazing (& well priced!), Get to hang out with animals walking around
Cons: Need to have a booking -cant always walk right in
Guest
BlackheathVegan
Points +163
One of the Best - Edit
Secret Creek is a Vegan Cafe that is located in an Australian Wildlife Sanctuary. Exceptionally creative and delicious food, served by an incredible team of people. Secret Creek is one of my Favorite vegan places in Australia
Read morePros: Creative Vegan Food, Delicious Food, Unique Setting
Guest
may.choa
Points +78
Disappointed - Edit
Weren't open an hour and a half after the website said they would be. While I understand that they recommend bookings, if you need it that badly, don't call yourself a cafe / restaurant. They're a catering company. Never got to eat. They said they might not have enough food for 2 people due to an event the previous day. I'm sure the food is great and I love that they're all vegan, but terrible planning and wasted 2 hrs of my day walking there and waiting.
Read moreGuest
bwellelay
Points +17
Delicious! - Edit
Beautiful setting, and it is evident that the food is cooked with love!
Read moreGuest
Mslanei
Points +870
Delicious and delightful - Edit
A beautiful space nestled in an animal sanctuary. Amazing food, great service, fantastic setting. Definitely worth a visit.
Read moreGuest
Vegedumpling123
Points +20
Amazing food! - Edit
Amazing atmosphere and food!
Read moreGuest
Emmalouise1983
Points +22
My favorite vegan place! - Edit
My fave vegan place to eat! And the setting.... OMG! On an animal sanctuary!! This place is a hidden vegan gem in a meat eating town. Everyone has to come a experience this unique place! 10 out of 10!
Read morePros: Totally vegan! Food is fantastic. , Spectacular setting! , Reasonably priced.
Guest
Musicbookings
Points +24
Lovely Location - Edit
I always enjoy a vegan menu and the location is wonderful. Service was friendly and efficient. The food wasn't inspiring and somewhat average. Overall it is worth a visit.
Read morePros: Great location, Friendly staff
Cons: Average Food
Guest
GregWashere
Points +45
fantastic - Edit
Amazing vegan food, cozy, relaxed environment with wildlife outside cafe. Well worth visit
Read morePros: amazing vegan food
Guest
BearBear
Points +139
Great Food, Great Setting - Edit
Despite it's distance from Sydney, I have been to Secret Creek maybe 10 times now, and all visits have been completely enjoyable. The menus change frequently and we have tried one of the monthly Saturday night degustation menus (a real treat). The price is very reasonable for the 5-star quality. We have eaten at world-class veg/vegan restaurants around the world (e.g. Candle-79 NYC, Hiltl Zurich, Pure Lotus Beijing, Vanilla Black London) and the Secret Creek food is seriously at this level (but more relaxed ambiance). Another bonus is the associated sanctuary, which sometimes run tours just before dinner (but check with them first).
Read morePros: Food, Setting, Reasonable Prices
Cons: Distance from Sydney
Guest
Barolli
Points +178
Nice atmosphere, ok food - Edit
Great atmosphere, the food is quite average, service with a smile. Prices at the higher end.
Read moreGuest
emmawestrup
Points +495
Peaceful and welcoming - Edit
Although we drove for 2.5 hours to visit this quirky restaurant just outside of Lithgow, it was most definitely worth the effort. New dishes were being trialled for a new menu so we were lucky enough to be amongst the first to try a couple of them...the risotto was the best I've ever tasted...sooooo delicious! The staff were helpful, friendly and warm and the venue was relaxed, informal and homely. Will definitely return - especially on a Sat night when they do a 7 course degustation menu from time to time.
Read morePros: All vegan...all delicious
Cons: None
Guest
Pegomastax
Points +59
This cafe shouldn't be kept a secret! - Edit
This cafe recently transformed into 100% vegan to contribute to environmental sustainabilty.
Read moreI visited it for the first time over the ANZAC long weekend and it was packed full of customers. I soon found out why. Even the regular lunch food was plated up in an appealing manner, the service was relatively quick despite the swell of customers and the food itself was delicious and reasonably priced.
I had the Pot Pie of the Day ($19.50) a bean pie which was served in a ramekin with a side of chips and salad. The pastry was thick and crispy.
My partner had the Parmigiana ($20) which came with sweet potato chips and salad. We were curious about the coconut bacon so they gave us a little to try out. I liked the sauce of the Parmigiana and the texture of the mock chicken.
We then came back for the 7 course Game of Thrones vegan version degustation dinner ($60) which blew me away with it's inventiveness with flavours, textures and composition. Four savoury dishes were served and three desserts. The servings were small in size but after 7, I was very full. The degustation dinners only happen once a month and I highly recommend it.
We came back the next day for brunch.
I had the mushrooms on toast ($15) with a unique mock bacon. The tomato relish was excellent.
My partner had the breaky dog ($16) a very real tasting sausage on a bun with tasty sauces which was very satisfying.
Tip is to book for a table for lunch so you aren't sitting outside in the cold months. Also if you are going to a dinner there, visit the place first in the daylight as the entrance is on an unlit road near semi rural residential housing which is difficult to find in the dark.
Secret Creek Cafe is set in a very charming log house, next door to an Australian native animal sanctuary which it supports. In the morning when it was quiet I saw emus (fenced off), a bush turkey and almost tripped over a brush tailed wallaby when I was exiting the cafe.
I'll definitely be back when I travel that way again. I'm shocked that my review will be the first Happy Cow review. I first learnt about the cafe from Happy Cow. Maybe people who visit the cafe are keeping it a secret for themselves!
Updated from previous review on Sunday April 24, 2016
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