Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Pizza
International
Western
Juice bar
Beer/Wine
Honey
Australian
Licensed vegetarian restaurant serving a wide range of food, including pizza, burgers, stir fries, noodle dishes, curries, pasta and desserts, as well as smoothies and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Open kitchen and extra long communal table seating. Open Mon-Fri 11:30am-9:00pm, Sat-Sun 11:00am-9:00pm.
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380 Brunswick St (at Alexandra Parade), Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia, VIC 3065
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- Outdoor seating
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 18 Jun 2023 by Tiggy
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186 Reviews
First Review by Aloo
syl
Points +114
Great options - Edit
Good food with a huge menu. Be prepared, it gets packed and is very much full of meat eaters and foot traffic.
Read moreStill very good food and good staff most of the time.
Pros: Big menu, Good food
Cons: Noisy, Busy
Guest
Veganmacrochick
Points +78
never go back - Edit
Sat at a community table with a person I know and 2 of her friends. Went up to pay at the end of the meal and they decided no splitting bills for the evening because it's busy. I explained I have no cash, she asked if I wanted to talk to the manager. The manager kept interrupting me and said too busy to split bills. I explained all the time wasted she could have split the bill already. Also, if they are going to change the rules for the evening, they need to tell upon ordering to give us options. She just gave me a look. Luckily the rest of my party had cash and gave me their money and I paid on card. I have eaten here many times and never had them pull this crap.
Read moreFood made me sick all night and the next day.
Found out they are owned by meat eaters. Do not want to support meat eaters exploiting vegans and vegetarians either.
Can't take your leftovers, mostly rude staff, snobs like they are the only place to eat in the whole country!
I will never eat here again. Madame K, Yongs and Lord of the Fries are within 2 mins walking distance anyway.
Pros: decent size serves
Cons: owned by meat eaters, music too loud, didn't split bill
Guest
Moix
Points +345
A new fave! - Edit
Visited April 2013 on a busy busy BUSY Saturday night. There was a queue of people waiting to be seated which extended out the front door but it moved along quickly & we were at a communal table within 5 minutes. It was a loud & crowded place but it was kind of fun, depends what vibe you are seeking. The music was fab, the Flaming Lips etc, very cool decor also. We ordered the vegan burrito & the field mushroom stack & a few cocktails & I can say it all packed a massive flavour punch & we left very satisfied. Drinks & meal for two was $49. I had no problems with the service & found them friendly & genuine. I plan to go back!
Read morePros: Delicious vegan comfort food, Cool vibe, decor, music
Cons: Can be busy & loud!
Guest
bianchina
Points +167
generally excellent, raw options are so-so - Edit
Been eating here for many years and has almost always been wonderful. I have never had any issue with getting a vegan meal. Big servings, healthy and varied options, all very tasty. Pizzas, burgers, stir fry and curry meals are all great. On the downside - the recent effort to include raw foods is great but I haven't been very impressed by the raw dishes - not enough dressing, small, not filling.
Read morePros: almost everything on menu is delicious, everyone loves it, even non veg friends , pleasant at quieter times of day
Cons: gets incredibly busy and noisy, sometimes have to wait a long time, raw options weren't great
Guest
BROD73
Points +37
Graet food - Edit
Have been going to veggie bar for about 15 yaers now and it still amazes me how good the food is and the amount you get. I have tried most things on menu and have always liked all of it.
Read morePros: VEG ONLY, TASTY FOOD, VALUE FOR MONEY
Cons: TOO BUSY, VERY LOUD
Guest
adc1984
Points +72
If nothing else is available... - Edit
I've been going to the Vegie Bar for many years, and almost every time I tell myself it will be the last. I struggle to believe it's a business with a sincere focus to creating genuinely healthy and tasty meals in a positive environment for v*gans and those trying it for the first time. The rude and pretentious staff, the incredibly long wait between having someone acknowledge you're there and your food arriving (if it's even the meal you ordered), and staff telling you something is vegan when it's clearly not, I wonder why I continue to return. There are many other options on Brunswick street run by people who are happy to have you as a customer.
Read moreCons: Rude/Innattentive staff, Long waiting times
Guest
eveliene99
Points +219
Excellent foodchoices - Edit
Really great restaurant located in Melbourne. I've been there 3 times in my stay in Melbourne because there was just so much great stuff to chose from on the map. Really busy at night, so reservations are recommended. People stand in line to get a table. Friendly staff, food is excellent.
Read morePros: Excellent food, Super friendly staff, Great location
Cons: Gets really busy, Medium priced
Guest
cha222
Points +148
Awesome place! - Edit
As a vegeterian / vegan you'll love this place: there's plenty of choice in the menu, including raw food. Very fresh, very tasty. Friendly staff and the place has a good warehouse vibe. Come early, though, even if the place is really big (a beer garden, a mezzanine and a smaller room are added to the warehouse).
Read morePros: excellent food, healthy cuisine, funky place
Guest
chickodoo
Points +58
Artsy & Vibrant Veggie Heaven - Edit
After hearing some rave reviews from some Melbourne friends, my partner and I visited Vegie Bar on a Friday night this month. I heard it got busy early so we arrived at 5.30, to find it already quite full. Initially we were seated at a long "community" table which when full, would of had us next to people we didn't know (doesn't really worry me though) but before we ordered a small private table became available which we were offered.
Read moreThe menu is quite extensive and easy to read, with little symbols next to the foods which are or can be made Vegan (as well as gluten free and raw options). The entire menu is Vegetarian. I liked that the menu comprised mainly of old favourites like nachos, stir fries, pizzas etc. I chose the tempeh, brown rice and greens stir fry with satay sauce (I had a choice of 3 sauces). My partner got a margarita pizza (he's not overall adventurous & a carnivore). I couldn't believe the size of my stir fry when it came out, it HUGE and so so so flavoursome! I was in heaven eating it, and even got full before I'd finished which is rare for me. It only cost $14-15 for the stir fry which is amazing considering the size and quality. The next night I ran in there quickly at about 5pm to grab a take away tofu stir fry (again I chose satay sauce) for the drive back home. It too, was incredible.
My partner and I also got a chocolate mud (Vegan o'course!) to takeaway which was possibly the best cake of my life and my boyfriend couldn't tell any difference between that and a "real" version.
Overall I give Vegie Bar 9/10. My only, very small, disappointment with it was about busy it got and quite noisy. The table we were on was very close to the tables around us making it slightly hard to hear but the food was so incredible I know why it's such a popular place.
Pros: Easy to read menu, Great , Great atmosphere
Cons: Get's BUSY
Guest
KATIE H
Points +297
give it a couple of tries - Edit
we first went here about 8 months ago and weren't impressed we have since been back maybe 6 times and now really love it. it depends on when you go as busy times can be quite uncomfitable and loud but go during the day or before the rush and its a great spot. good wholesome food at good prices. portions are big so dont over order. great for people watching in a great area. vegan mains are good but they lack a good vegan dessert. i have tried the salads, pizza, currys, soups, stir fries all good.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on Friday March 18, 2011
Pros: good choice, good prices, cool place
Cons: noisy when busy, Bad service
Guest
abhaya
Points +92
Great ambience, service and food - Edit
I really love this place. I think it's my favourite vegetarian restaurant in Australia. The food is great, the ambience is funky and cool and the prices are very reasonable. The berry cheesecake with whipped cream on the side was delicious!
Read morePros: Excellent food, Ambience, Reasonable prices
Guest
ProtonVehiCROSS
Points +166
1-2 stars for service, 4-5 stars for food - Edit
Service here can be apathetic, disinterested, and inefficient. Some staff will have overdrawn sidebar conversations with both each other and whiney customers who need to hurry up with their business. Staff tend to have little regard for the line of people waiting to be seated or pay for their food, and will leave you standing for 5-10 minutes without so much as eye-contact acknowledgment that they're interested in helping you. Restaurant can get CRAZY busy at peak hours, but that's no excessive for the pathetic service we've seen here.
Read moreOther than hit-or-miss serving etiquette, the food here is excellent. You may wait quite a while for your food. Good vegan options abound. The lentil burger is their best burger; alcoholic mixed drinks are excellent and on-par with top drinks from anywhere else. Neighbourhood is eclectic and interesting. Definitely take a stroll through it after dinner. Down the street from Vegie Bar is also a raw vegan -friendly restaurant called Yong Green Food.
Atmosphere is funky and casual. Beautiful people abound. Definitely a must-visit for Vegetarians and Vegans who are dining-out in Melbourne.
Pros: Great 100% vegetarian food, Good vegan selection, Funky atmosphere
Cons: Slow service, Apathetic staff, Often extremely busy
Guest
rankyroo
Points +48
hrm...and? - Edit
Been here a few times as it's always highly recommended and received rave reviews but I am yet to be impressed.
Read moreI find the staff aren't as friendly as other places, the food isn't that great and it's always crowded. It feels a bit chain store like to me.
Enjoy that there are raw options at times, the vegan dessert is good too. Only had one staff member there that seemed friendly and she was clearly stressed.
One time my partner and I simply weren't served, another time our meals simply didn't arrive.
Guess it depends on the day?
Guest
Cteeal
Points +23
Oooh la la, The Vegie Bar - Edit
Situated in the heart of Brunswick Street, Fitroy, this trendy little night spot is popular amongst carnivores, omnivores and herbivores alike.
Read moreAt night, this place has a real party atmosphere and can get pretty crowded - as can all the restaurants along this strip. In the day it has a rustic quality about it and is still pretty busy, but not filled to capacity as it is in the evenings.
Part of the reason for the popularity would have to be the extensive menu. There is a huge range of vegetarian and vegan meals that are both large in size and delicious. Mexican and asian-influenced meals are accompanied with tasty sides and really frothy smoothies and drinks.
Aside from the great meals, you might get to spot a celebrity or two...I saw James Hetfield and the rest of the crew from Metallica eating here. Wow!
You don't wait long for your meal and they are quick to get your meals to you.
A few times I've been here I've been a bit let down by the service by a few of the staff. They've seemed to be having a particularly bad day and you feel like you're an inconvenience for asking for a table. However, that's not all the staff, just a few.
Overall, this is a great place to have a fun, tasty and hearty meal for a reasonable price.
Pros: Hearty and tasty food, Party atmosphere, Extensive menu
Cons: Grumpy or aloof staff, Overcrowded at times, Can be pricey
Guest
veganjenny
Points +65
Very busy but great food - Edit
I've gone to this restaurant a few times and have been really impressed by the menu. Although it is always packed full of people (even at 9pm on a Sunday or Monday night) the food has been varied, satisfying and fairly priced.
Read moreDefinitely one of the better veggie places in the city but dont go expecting a chilled out or relaxing dinning experience, dinner sometimes feels like your at a crowded city bar on a Friday night (although obviously that appeals to many people!).
Pros: Lots of different options on menu, Quality food, decent price
Cons: very crowded, noisy
Guest
Veronica01
Points +168
Good food, bad service, and no doggy bag? - Edit
My husband and I went here on a recommendation. We checked out the menu on another website and decided to try it. It was a Tuesday night, the music was very loud and it was fairly busy. It continued to become packed and even noisier as they cranked up the music and there was a huge line out the door.
Read moreWe ordered 2 soups, rice balls, the cajun stew special and the risotto. It was very good, very hot and came pretty timely.
The service was not so great, you didn't know who your waiter was and they all ran around and never asked if you needed anything else.
We did not finish all of our meal and when we asked to get it to go, the waitress flat out said no and it was part of their food safety policy. WTF is that? I have never in my life heard of that, and especially ordering vegan food with no animal products to go bad, this does not make sense, it was some rice and vegetables for God's sakes. I can't believe they think it's better to just take your money and throw out the food than let you enjoy it later that evening or the next day. Totally unacceptable. I looked it up too and it's not illegal to allow to go or doggy bags, next time I will bring my own tupperware and tell them off if they try to take my food away.
We said no to dessert and then were left alone for another 15 minutes after our food was done. No offer to bring the bill, no coming back to ask if there was anything else. I don't get why they ignore you when you're done and the table is empty and they have a lineup out the door. Do they not want more customers to be seated?
We had a really good time until the rude waitress threw out our food, left us at the table with no bill and the music was cranked even higher.
It really put a sour taste in our mouths and we were looking forward to coming back, but now we're just pissed off with the place.
Pros: good flavour, good presentation, vegan friendly
Cons: loud as hell, aloof staff, no to go/doggy bag allowed
JaimieCS
The majority of restaurants in Melbourne no longer allow doggy bags.
Read morehttp://www.theage.com.au/victoria/mixed-bag-may-leave-you-sick-as-a-dog-20111015-1lqnl.html
Guest
Swampwallaby
Points +48
Fantastic! - Edit
The food was absolutely fantastic! Lost of GF and Vegan choices. The GF+Vegan Choclate cake was to die for. The Singapore noddles was huge and delicious, feeding two of us easily. The Rice Balls where yummy and the Tomato and Vegie pasta was a big hit as well. Tons of food, fast service, nice 'busy' atmosphere, we loved it! Wish we weren't leaving tomorrow so we could go back.
Read morePros: Fast Service, Big Serves, Friendly Staff
Guest
JaimieCS
Points +30
Amazing - Edit
The Vegie Bar is a stalwart, I've eaten nearly every vegan dish on the menu and never had a less than amazing meal.
Read moreIt's loud and busy and you nearly always have to wait for a table but I've always had excellent service, (the staff are all awesome) despite the size of the place and only once have I waited a bit long for my meal to come out.
The dishes are very generous and it's good value for money.
Pros: great food, great service, good value
Cons: noisy
Guest
vgough
Points +57
variable - Edit
Been to the Veggie Bar quite a few times. It's great to have large licensed vegetarian venue so close to the city, generally good bistro-style food with ample menu and generous portions for reasonable price.
Read moreMostly I've had good service but some staff (maybe they are inexperienced and need more supervision) seem more interested in being "Brunswick-cutting-edge-cool" than in ensuring customers get good service. Waited 45 mins for burgers, it wasnt v.busy, others got served well ahead and staff person's attitude was really dismissive when we politely inquired. Not o.k.-- it's a mistake for any restaurant to rest on its laurels no matter how good business seems.
The "mostly greens" with tempeh is yumm, so are the pizzas.
Most of the staff are great too, I'll go back if I'm in the area but I wouldn't take guests and I wouldn't make a point of travelling there.
Pros: all veg food, generous portions, style
Cons: variable service, 'attitude'
Guest
jamtoenail
Points +43
A breath of fresh food - Edit
This place is wonderful. Perhaps not the very swiftest staff in the world. Yes, you might well have to wait for and/or share a table. But there is a terrific variety of great food.
Read moreI would not strongly recommend the burgers. I've tried the tempeh and lentil burgers, but as another reviewer said: meh. Be more adventuresome. Oh, and check the specials board.
As an American on vacation (er, holiday), I was lucky to even hear about Vegie Bar. I searched Happy Cow for restaurants in Melbourne, and Vegie Bar is in Fitzroy. But Fitzroy is a very, very near suburb -- Veggie Bar is 10 minutes from Melbourne's central business district on the easy-to-find, easy-to-use tram system (route 112).
Do yourself a favor and go there.
Pros: variety, vegan-friendly
Cons: crowded
Guest
Raydoggy
Points +357
Not To Be Missed - Edit
First of all I'm shocked to see a few not so good reviews. I've been eating at the Vegie Bar for 22 years and yes I think in the past there was a bit of attitude from the old manager and some staff, but in last ten years, the service couldn't be better and the staff are very friendly and helpful. For the amount of people that go through this oasis, I'm astounded that they can get the food out so quickly.
Read moreI've eaten at veg places all over the world and this is my favourite. It's not a restaurant, it's a cafe, and a fun one at that. The atmosphere is always up and the staff are quick as a flash, the problem is that it's so popular that sometimes it can be impossible to get everyone served straight away, sometimes you might have to wait a couple of minutes, but just sit back and enjoy the atmosphere. Life is not a race.
I never get bored with the Vegie Bar. It's the first place I head for when I get back to Melbourne. Try the Mostly Greens with tempeh and extra satay sauce. Also the menu pizzas, especially the Zen pizza. You could live off one of their burgers a day and only $7.50 Aust, that's about 4.00 Euro for a sit down meal that is huge. Slightly extra for a small bowl of extra satay.
The only meal I've ever not raved about was a curry, many years ago, but I haven't tried it since, so maybe even their curry is OK now.
Love the Vegie Bar, long live the Vegie Bar. I wish I could give a 6 cow rating.
After dinner, go to Bar Open up the road for some great indie music, but beware, the drinks can be expensive.
Pros: Tasty, Nutritious, Reasonably priced
Cons: No WiFi
Guest
tessha_m
Points +60
a great lunch! - Edit
i really enjoyed my lunch at the Veggie bar. I had a stirfried dish off the specials board and a tempeh stirfry from the menu. both were great. i was very happy.
Read morePros: veg food!, location
Cons: i hear it can be hard to get a table, a tad pricey, not too bad.
Guest
Petesternz
Points +1447
Really disappointing - Edit
We were really excited about Vegie Bar after arriving late in Melbourne one Friday evening. The menu was amazing. Full of great looking dishes of every type. Unfortunately, not one of them turned out to be particularly good. Everything was average - at best. My seitan burger was nothing like it was advertised, and was about 1/4 the size of the bread and drowned in salad. Frozen french fries and a below average smoothie made it an average overall experience. There are MANY better veggie restos in Melbourne... Pizzas were better choice
Read morePros: selection, atmosphere
Cons: food quality, rushed feeling
Guest
Aloo
Points +7247
Burgers are better - Edit
These burgers are huge and tasty, and one of the items that has made this place what it is. Good variety on the menu, fresh juices and lots of vegan options. Always busy, and therefore a bit too much noise and movement to be really relaxing. I also feel a little rushed, like they need your table ASAP, which is not pleasant.
Read morePros: burgers, juice cocktails
Cons: too busy
Guest
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