Canberra's best vegan cafes for 2023
Being a vegan in Canberra is becoming easier and easier. With meat-free dining options increasing as the Australian population moves towards more plant based eating. Having a variety of plant milks available is now the norm in most cafes and there are often one or two permanent vegan brunch options on the menu. Many cafes and restaurants are starting to champion vegetarian flavours. Even meat-eating punters are appreciating exciting vegan dishes.
However, there are a few stand out choices when it comes to the best vegan cafes in Canberra. Whether you're the type of vegan who wants healthy and locally sourced veg dishes, strictly organic produce, sweet vegan desserts or plant-based deep-fried fast foods, these Canberra venues have you covered.
Two Before Ten
Perfect for: locally grown seasonal produce, flavourful fermented foods, delicious dairy-free coffee
Last year Two Before Ten released a new core menu focusing on seasonal produce, locally sourced and plant-based. Over 70% of the menu choices are vegetarian and most dishes can be made entirely vegan by request. A large proportion of their food comes directly from the Aranda Urban Farm, where cafe customers can stroll through the productive garden as they sip their coffees.
You can also see exactly where all the ingredients are sourced throughout regional NSW and Australia in the menu books. All the farms they have teamed up with to supplement the Urban Farm produce are working towards sustainability in their different ways. This is great news for those who care about where their food is coming from.
Mushrooms, pickles and fermented foods all feature across the vegan dishes and pack a flavourful punch. The popular Shrooms on Toast is made from Aranda grown mushrooms & charred leek from the garden. With herbs, UFG black garlic and tahini on rye sourdough. There's also a Garden Bowl with seasonal vegetables sourced from the Urban Farm. These are tossed through brown rice with tamari and hoisin, served with UFG kimchi, pickled cabbage, puffed rice & togarashi.
Alternative milk options are championed here, with oat milk fast catching up to dairy as the customer favourite choice, alongside soy and almond milks. Many of the cakes and pastries are baked in house by their talented pastry chef and there's huge selection of delicious vegan cakes. All the TBT venues in Canberra are vegan-friendly and a good choice for anyone concerned about transparency in food production.
You can find Two Before Ten cafes and espresso bars in Aranda, Greenway, Canberra city, Dickson, Barton, Brindabella Business Park, Majura Park and their most recently opened venue in Gungahlin.
The Goods Wholefoods
Perfect for: wholesome salads, fast and healthy lunches, raw-vegans
As the name suggests, The Goods is all about feel good food, nourishment and cooking from scratch. Their ethos is fresh, simple, honest food. Klarisa opened The Goods Wholefoods herself after a successful venture with her sister Tihana starting up Eighty/Twenty in Braddon. She wanted to open a cafe that made healthy foods easily accessible to Canberrans caught up in the busyness of daily life. The little shop tucked away between office buildings in city west is now a popular choice for wholesome, vegan office lunches and healthy, mid-afternoon pick-me-ups.
The wholefoods cafe is laid out like a salad bar. Vegan selections at The Goods include the falafel bowl, sesame tofu salad, breakfast bowl, sweet potato toasties, wholemeal wraps and a variety of topped toasts. They also have amazing fresh smoothies and a range of vegan treats baked in house.
They're located on No Name Lane off Marcus Clarke St in Canberra city.
Sweet Bones
Perfect for: sweet-tooths, vego version of the classic brunch, supporting a dedicated vegan business
These guys are a well-known Canberra vegan destination as one of the only dedicated vegan cafes. Emily and Russell started Sweet Bones in Bradden over a decade ago and grow more popular each year. Their cakes are to die for and the menu features an exciting variety of dishes from vegan takes on brunch classics to Mexican and classic American fusion.
We recently tried their crepe special with caramel, fresh locally grown figs, coconut whipped cream, blueberry drizzle, dried cranberries and candied pistachios - and were not disappointed! Sweet Bones is a must visit for vegans with a sweet tooth. Find them near the rainbow roundabout in Braddon.
Acai Brothers
Perfect for: fast fruit salads, nourish bowls, superfood smoothies
This Australian chain specialises in vegan friendly nourish bowls and smoothies, and calls themselves a "Superfood Bar". They have a venue in Canberra Civic in the Canberra Centre and several others dotted across the country. Acai Brothers founders Sam and Ben both have professional sporting backgrounds and are passionate about highly nutritious foods and healthy lifestyles.
If you've got a craving for fresh fruit bowls or a vegan dessert this is the place to go. They have also recently branched out to a warm menu with burgers, tacos and more.
As Nature Intended
Perfect for: mouthwatering cakes, organic coffee, certified organic vegan produce
As well as a cafe, this shop sells fresh produce and grocery items that are good for the environment. The space has a cozy feel and owner Beata Wilder takes inspiration from her Polish heritage when it comes to the food. The breakfast and lunch venue is all about organic and environmentally friendly, and serve both vegan and meat dishes. You'll find a good selection of vegan desserts plus delicious brunch options like their smashed avo, cabbage rolls, lentil burger, and Fabulous Vegan Yogi Bowl.
The cafe & grocers were located at the Belconnen Fresh Food Markets for many years, but now you'll find them on Dairy Road in Fyshwick close to Capital Brewing and Blochaus.
Chompy's at the Basement
Perfect for: deep-fried cravings, vegan burgers, afternoon drinks
Tucked away between Officeworks and Dick Smith in Belconnen is Chompy's. If your idea of the perfect late brunch involves loaded vegan burgers and onion rings then this fast food joint won't disappoint.
While not 100% vegan they do have a vegan menu with burgers, hot dogs, nachos, deep fried snacks, coffee and plenty of alcohol. Every month brings two burger specials - one for the plant-lovers and one for the meat-eaters. Past vegan burgers have included the Jackfruit Ninja, Cauliflower Power, Lentil As Anything, Siamese Dream and My Vegan Romance.
Recent converts craving nostalgic flavours will find plenty of imitation meats and non-dairy cheeses here. As far as vegan fast foods go, Chompy's is a must-try.
