Western
European
Honey
Non-veg

Serves meat, vegan options available. Community space and licensed cafe by day; operating as a bar by night. Under new management February 2022 and no longer vegetarian - please update HappyCow about vegan options. Reported closed January 2024.


Venue map for The Merri
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24 Reviews

First Review by veganskinhead

wuasabai

Points +403

Vegan
13 Mar 2022

Now with added meat 🥓🥩🍗🍖 !!!

EDIT Feb 2022: venue is now "Merri Bar" and has added animals to the menu. So vegans might get some extra B12 and iron if they inhale deeply near the kitchen or if the cutlery isn't cleaned properly. Hopefully there are still some of the old vegan treasures on the menu. Or even more hopefully, the new owners watch Dominion and change to a 100% vegan joint.

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Visiting a nearby friend who has backyard rescue hens, I strangely had a craving for some sort of vegan mock chicken dish.

Fortunately Merri Clan was only a short walk away!

The Mock Chicken Burger sounded good, but I had the Big Mock instead... Mmmm-mmmmm! Finally vegans can enjoy plant-based versions of fast food multi-national corporations, just like normal people!

It was so tall that I needed a hippo mouth to eat it. So I opted for a dissection approach, which revealed fascinating insights into the anatomy and biology of a vegan burger.

So delicious! The mock patties were so authentic, succulent and tender. They were seared to perfection at a "well-done" level. (Way too many vegan establishments cook vegan patties to only rare or medium-rare, which is just gross!)

Chips were nice too, and more ethical as deep-frying is always the most instant and humane method of cooking potatoes.

They had some nice lookin doughnuts too, which I didn't buy because:

a) I was brimming with fullness after just eating the Big Mock and I needed to get to a maternity ward, stat.

b) they were out in the open on the counter and thus vulnerable to people's friendly fire spittle and/or sneezing as they talk to the staff. Please buy one of those glassy domey things.

Which is a shame as I'm on a Vegan Hole Foods diet, thus limiting food choices to doughnuts, bagels, Lifesavers and Froot Loops.

I've been here a few times in the early days and more recently. Things have definitely improved.

Very relaxed atmosphere with comfy, groovy, hipster, retro seats. The comfy bit is the best as it says "stay n chill n talk for as long as you like". Nice outdoors seating area too.

Music playlist is good too - mainly dub and electronic chill stuff.

I'll be visiting again soon when I get my next Northside Visitor Visa.

Aloi Maak!

Updated from previous review on 2022-02-28

Pros: Passive B12 and iron

Cons: Meat-based menu !!!, Cow lactation for adults who "need" to breastfeed

Jenoooo

Points +52

Vegan
20 Feb 2022

Now serves meat :(

This used to be one of the best vegan establishments. It was recently sold and the new owners have completely disrespected the legacy of the previous owners and patrons by adding dead animals to the menu. Horrible.

Updated from previous review on 2022-02-19

Cons: Serves dead animals, Contributes to animal cruelty , Ruined legacy of this once amazing establishment

CeciCasillas

Points +61

Vegan
19 Feb 2022

Not vegan anymore

Changed owners, added meat straight away and destroyed a place that was one of the best vegan restaurants in Melbourne.

Cons: Changed owners, Sells meat

samsamerson

Points +16

Vegan
19 Feb 2022

New owners new menu thumbs diwn

New owners/ management I used to love coming her for all occasions now I can't recommend any other place more.

Pros: Used to have amazing food , Used to be a vegan kitchen , Used to have good vibes

Cons: No longer vegan, Serves meat, New owners are tactless

YohanⓋ

Points +6078

Vegan
06 Nov 2021

Really funky place!

This is a very chilled yet funky place to have a meal and hang out. The food is very tasty! I had the bibimbap which was delicious! The staff were super friendly as well.

Pros: Amazing food, Lovely staff, Cool space

kimmyeats

Points +518

Vegan
02 Jul 2021

Amazing food

My partner and I absolutely love the food here. The bibimbap, nachos and cannelloni are amazing. The garlic bread with the cannelloni woww. 👌👌
But I'm disappointed the drinks aren't vegan! The whole food menu is... But they don't make an espresso martini that's vegan (they use Kahlua which isn't vegan, they could use tia Maria which is vegan) and they don't seem to have Jack fire, but they have fireball which isn't vegan. Such easy swaps to make I don't get why they don't!

beancurdled

Points +1633

Vegan
15 Jan 2021

always tasty

The Korean fried chicken bibimbap is my go-to takeaway when it’s late, I’m hungry and I don’t know what to eat. It’s always delicious and the fried chicken is balanced with coleslaw, light fresh kale, steamed broccoli, kimchi, and brown rice. It satisfies my cravings for both junk food and a healthy meal.

First time I went I had nachos that were piled high with tasty toppings and sauces that were all rich and delicious, if a bit salty. I’ve also had a couple of juicy delicious burgers in creative combos like the Bollywood with creamy curried chicken, raita and mango chutney. All burgers are served with crispy, seasoned fries.

One evening we went on a date there and the chill vibe was kind of ruined by the guy working at the bar dropping loud f’bombs into every sentence. So maybe don’t take your Nan, unless she likes that sort of thing.

Christoveg

Points +145

Vegan
15 Mar 2020

Nice atmosphere.

Burger was good. Fries nice. Nachos good too.

Pros: Tasty food.

Cons: Bit pricey for what you get.

emjaspiro

Points +22

Vegan
01 Mar 2020

Delicious food

I had the Korean Chick’n with kim chi and slaw served with rice and quinoa. It was excellent and so flavourful. 😋😋😋

Pros: All vegan menu, Excellent service, Wonderful music

Cons: $20 but worth it!

Tahnee

Points +262

Vegan
02 Nov 2019

Nice vegan friendly cafe

I enjoyed the vegan burgers and I look forward to trying other vegan options on the menu.

blace

Points +152

Vegan
27 Jul 2019

Lovely plant based cafe

Cosy place with gorgeous set up. Good coffee, full plant based menu, delicious food. Typical melb cafe prices.

Tofulicious

Points +1337

Vegan
10 Feb 2019

Decent Fare

Not-bad-burgers for this side of town, although Collingwood’s Greenburger leaves them for dead. Charging an extra $3 for a ‘side’ of fries, and an extra $2 for aioli to go with the fries, is pretty darn stingy in a restaurant setting. The (presumably) owner is pretty much the reverse of friendly and welcoming. If you’re with friends, in a group or here to see the music, it’s not a bad place to hang out.

Pros: quite tasty, beautifully presented dishes, primarily vegan, plenty of seating, live music nights

Cons: incredibly rude arrogant ‘service’ from the owner, not bad but better food can be found much cheaper, very non-generous with all ‘add ons’ charged

twospices

Points +64

Vegan
28 Jan 2019

4 stars

Staff are chilled and friendly. The food is heavenly but I was taken aback by the price of their vegan banh mi. I ordered it anyway twice on separate occasions because I had massive banh mi cravings in my 3rd week of the vegan diet, and yes, it was totally delicious on both occasions. The other reason I didn’t give them 5 stars is one of their staff confidently told me their carbonated drinks didn’t have sugar. It did. I pointed that out (so he doesn’t tell other customers the same thing). He apologised. It’s okay not to know but don’t give out wrong info. It’s one of my biggest pet hates when it comes to service.

Updated from previous review on 2019-01-28

Pros: Their entire menu is vegan

Madasoved

Points +202

Vegan
31 Dec 2018

Great vibe

Walked into an amazing feeling space, strong feminine energy in a fairly masculine looking space, it felt inviting and relaxed. The vegan food was on point and we will be back.

Pips

Points +1596

Vegan
11 Dec 2018

This place is great!

The food is delicious but my favourite are the vegan “magnums” and vegan “golden gay times”..... Holy crap sooooo goooood!!!!!

MadeleineSc

Points +523

Vegan
17 Sep 2018

Good food

I had the regular nachos and for $15 it is a really good size. Tastes great and cheese is evenly distributed through corn chips. My meal took 25-30 minutes which seemed quite long for nachos. Inside the staff were very loud chatting amongst themselves so maybe sit outside if you are after a bit better atmosphere. The menu says all vegan however the drinks aren’t.

HelenSetaStolfo

Points +46

Vegan
17 Aug 2018

Great food. Great staff

Really great food and lovely friendly staff. The place is a little small but they have outdoor back area.

Pros: Only vegan options, Big portions , Amazing hot chocolate

GypsyRogueMarie

Points +105

Vegan
04 Aug 2018

uber eats order

Got uber eats order. Nearly $50 for burger, small nachos and side chips. If you're SUPER craving big Mac sauce then this burger may itch that scratch. Not my type of nachos, bland, no salt and brown avocado. The burger that I got was SUPER massive and very juicy...like...dripping everywhere which I like personally. Too expensive for what I got

Pros: vegan...what more is there

Cons: can be pricey ordering to deliver

Eden11

Points +40

Vegan
19 Jul 2018

Amazing burgers

My partner and I had burgers delivered and they were incredible. He's an omni and was very impressed by the burger. It was tasty, filling and worth the $$. Highly recommend this place!

Oliveaolive

Points +32

Vegan
25 May 2018

The nachos are the best

I love coming here, I think the food looks beautiful and always tastes really fantastic. The nachos are my favourite but everything else is also quiet good. As others have said, prices can be a bit expensive. But it's still a place I would recommend.

PotatoesTho

Points +13547

Vegan
08 Apr 2018

Preston's pricier side

There is a decent amount of finesse going on with flavours and presentation here, but could not be considered good value for certain items on the menu. Not a great deal to choose from either.

Pros: Well prepared & presented food

Cons: Serves dairy, Pricey

BreakfastKlutz

Points +12253

Vegan
08 Apr 2018

Very good food, let down by the price

Large space, small menu. Someone in the kitchen definately knows what they are doing, more so than most; but the prices are extreme. $16 for a banh mi o.O and an $18 big breakast without toast, tempeh, tofu, or sausage.

Pros: taste

Cons: dairy, price

Wuji_Luiji

Points +2613

Vegan
24 Sep 2017

Great lunch

We had the vegan Nachos and the Merri Breakfast. They were generous serves and very tasty! Almost everything is vegan (though they have dairy milk). I also had a soy turmeric latte which was yummy. The staff are friendly and helpful and it has a nice atmosphere. There's indoor and outdoor seating. I'm keen to come back to try their poffertjes! Also there's a bar and in the evening and they serve vegan burritos... I'm keen to come one evening too!

veganskinhead

Points +267

Vegan
19 Aug 2017

Reasonable, but not stellar.

I went to the Merri Clan with a friend for brunch. The food was reasonable, but nothing spectacular. I had the vegan nachos, and my friend the 'pulled pork' burger. The flavour was decent, but nothing spectacular; my friend's burger was a little dry. Neither dish was more than lukewarm, which was a shame on the day (see below). The menu isn't massive, but as most dishes are vegan, it's a better selection than the majority of suburban cafés.

Our coffees were fine (albeit a little cold), but it's hard to recommend them over other places nearby (yes, Melbourne's coffee fixation does set a high standard). The soy chai latte was reasonable, but also only lukewarm.

We were there on a cold, wet, windy Saturday. After we sat down, we spent a while trying to work out from where the cold draft was coming - the large window by the barista was wide open! We couldn't take our coats off as it was so cold. On a fine day, it'd be great, but less so whilst it was hailing outside.

I'm not sure if I'd go again. It wasn't by any means bad, but neither of us walked away thinking that we'd had a great meal and experience.

Pros: Reasonable food.

Cons: Food and drinks weren't very hot., Windows open on a cold, wet, windy day.




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