Plant-based eating has become far more popular in recent years, and the Newcastle dining scene has taken notice. Gone are the days where the only vegan options on the menu were a bowl of chips or a boring salad. Now, there are so many places to eat that have a substantial vegan offering.

Here's our guide to the best spots for vegan food in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, from cafes to restaurants and pubs.

Cafes

Akuna Cafe

Expect vegan smoothies, acai bowls, and more wholesome goodness on the menu at Akuna Cafe in Merewether. Perch yourself on a table outside and soak up the sunshine while you enjoy your vegan goodies.
Where: 40 Patrick St, Merewether

Autumn Rooms

While the menu at Autumn Rooms changes regularly, you can always expect to find a number of vegan options. At the moment, the Green Bowl sounds right up our alley.
Where: 127 Darby St, Cooks Hill

Convoy Commune

This Merewether local has a decent plant-based offering – it's smashed avocado can be made vegan, and there's a few other options that are already vegan. 
Where: Shop 1/88 Mitchell St, Merewether

Estabar

Estabar is a local favourite, right across the road from Newcastle Beach. The menu changes up pretty frequently, but you can usually expect a few vegan options. We love the creative use of local ingredients and house-made items like labna.
Where: 61 Shortland Esp, Newcastle

Equium Social

Equium Social has stacks of vegan options on the menu, and plenty of its non-vegan menu items can be made vegan on request. The menu is focused on crafting creative dishes with seasonal produce, and it never disappoints.
Where: 1-5 Maitland Rd, Mayfield

Mama P

Could food that is sugar free, dairy free, gluten free, vegan, paleo-proof, organic, and nutritious taste delicious? Well, take a visit to Mama P in Charlestown and you'll discover for yourself that it's absolutely possible.
Where: 142 Pacific Hwy, Charlestown

Mockingbird

Mockingbird is known for its creative takes on classic breakfast, brunch, and lunch dishes, so you can expect the same from its vegan menu items. Think corn fritters with chilli jam and leek, a vegan buddha bowl, and coconut quinoa bircher muesli.
Where: 131 Beaumont St, Hamilton

Momo Wholefood

This light-drenched inner city cafe is a favourite for nourishing, plant-based food. Pretty much everything on the menu is vegan – keep an eye out for its delicious weekly specials too.
Where: 227 Hunter St, Newcastle

Shakey Joe's

Shakey Joe's is a superfood cafe with a menu focused on health and nutrition. With build your own bowls, protein shakes and more, there's heaps of nourishing plant-based goodies on the menu at Shakey Joe's.
Where: 6/87 King St, Warners Bay

Slingtown

Slingtown is a local institution, and for good reason. Formerly known as Suspension, this cafe has stood the test of time due to its quality coffee and delicious food. The menu changes often, but you you should find a few vegan options on the menu.
Where: 3 Beaumont St, Islington

Talulah

This cafe in The Junction never disappoints with its cosy indoor and outdoor settings, good old-fashioned quality service, and a good spread of vegan options. We love the Chai Spiced Porridge with caramel poached pear, blueberry compote, and granola.
Where: 52 Glebe Rd, The Junction

The Yoga Place Cafe

Pretty much everything on the menu at The Yoga Place Cafe is vegan, much to all plant-based foodies' delight. This community-minded cafe is a lovely spot in quiet Blacksmiths.
Where: 6 Mitti St, Blacksmiths

Villa Lane Cafe

Villa Lane Cafe has a large selection of acai bowls, nearly all of which are vegan. What better way to soak up all Redhead has to offer than grabbing an acai bowl and devouring it at Redhead Beach. 
Where: 105 Cowlishaw St, Redhead

Restaurants and pubs

Antojitos 

In the heart of Newcastle West, you’ll find authentic Mexican street food with vegan favourites available on the menu. These two vegan filling options available for burritos, tacos, nachos, and mulitas.
Where: 11 Steel St, Newcastle West

Bangkok on Darby

Authentic Thai takeaway with a whole dedicated vegan menu? Yes, please! You'll find Bangkok on Darby towards the Hunter Street end of town, bursting with colour and flavour. There are also plenty of gluten-free options available.
Where: 9 Darby St, Newcastle

Bernie's Bar

King Street's queer bar is not only the home of fun cocktails and community-minded events, but a food menu with plenty of vegan options like bao buns, tacos, and spaghetti bolognese.
Where: 410 King St, Newcastle

Bella Italia

Serving Italian soul food in the heart of Newcastle, Bella Italia’s extensive vegan menu is a must for those chasing an authentic Italian feast. Entrees, pizza, pasta, and desserts are all done vegan, so this menu will leave you spoilt for choice.
Where: 545 Hunter St, Newcastle

Ginger Meg's

Ginger Meg's delicious pan-Asian menu can be enjoyed by everyone, with plenty of vegan options available. Its Sunday yum cha lunch also has a full vegan menu available.
Where: 212 King St, Newcastle

Habesha Ethiopian

There’s nothing vegans hate more than bland food, and the team over at Habesha Ethiopian are certain to serve up anything but. Its Ethiopian curries, served with a flatbread called ingera, are rich, flavourful, and so moreish.
Where: 7/50 Glebe Rd, The Junction

HUMBUG

HUMBUG serves up Italian-inspired fare with an Asian twist, and it's some of the most interesting food on the Newcastle dining scene. The restaurant has a dedicated vegan menu that's just as good as its omnivorous offering.
Where: 87-89 Hunter St, Newcastle

Kumache

Located at the University of Newcastle, Kumache serves up South American street-food that's full of flavour. The best part? The majority of the menu is plant-based.
Where: Shipping Container 2, Drama Lawn, University of Newcastle, Callaghan Campus

Light Years Asian Diner

Settle in for an Asian feast at Light Years Asian Diner on Darby Street. The menu is designed for sharing, and thankfully there's a stack of vegan options like Miso Caramel Eggplant, White Truffled Mushroom Dumplings, and Turmeric & Coconut Cauliflower Curry.
Where: 5-7 Darby St, Newcastle

Masa Madre

Vegan pizza can be tough to get right. Luckily, the pizza whizzes at Masa Madre have made it their mission to create vegan pizza that actually tastes like pizza, resulting in three vegan options on the menu.
Where: 40 Railway St, Wickham

MEET

MEET may be known for its Brazilian meat, but its Churrasco feast is available for vegetarians and vegans too. Who said plant-based eaters had to miss out on all the fun?
Where: 9 Darby St, Newcastle

OH MY PAPA

This popular East End Asian restaurant has a decent vegan offering, with dishes like Turmeric Cauliflower Tempura, Cabbage and Shiitake Dumplings, and Pumpkin Yellow Curry all being vegan.
Where: 169 Hunter St, Newcastle

RASCAL

RASCAL is known for serving up American-style burgers at its Newcastle and Charlestown burger joints. With several vegan burgers on the menu, those eating plant-based won't have to miss out on all that finger lickin' goodness.
Where: Ground Floor 1/266 King St, Newcastle | Level 02, Shop 2000, The Corner Precinct, Charlestown Square

Sapphire Indian Restaurant

With a vegan menu available on request, Sapphire Indian is the perfect choice for the nights both your tummy and soul need warming with a big bowl of rice and curry. Sapphire prides itself on delivering exceptional service with meals that will exceed every expectation. Plus, their entire vegan menu can be done takeaway. 
Where: 367 Glebe Rd, Merewether

Susuru

Most vegans know that finding ramen without meat, either on top or in the broth, can be a struggle. Not any longer – Susuru offers a few different types of vegan ramen, meaning plant-based diners don't have to miss out on this delicious Japanese dish.
Where: 140 King St, Newcastle

The Greenroof Hotel

The Greenroof Hotel is known for its quality pub grub, and its vegan options are no exception. Think a vegan schnitty, a couple of vegan salads, and a vegan burger.
Where: 71 Tudor St, Hamilton

The Kingfish

The Kingfish might be a seafood restaurant, but did you know they have vegan options too? Not only does The Kingfish have a vegan fish and chips, and vegan fish burger, but there's even a vegan seafood platter too.
Where: Unit 19/15-17 Honeysuckle Dr, Newcastle

The Nags Head Hotel

Joining the vegan pub gang is The Nags Head Hotel in Adamstown. This menu is a bit of a hidden gem outside of Newcastle's CBD but definitely worth checking out. The vegan menu is separate from the main dinner and lunch menus, so be sure to ask for a vegan menu on arrival.
Where: 272 Brunker Road, Adamstown

Vego’s

Newy’s first and only vegetarian fast-food outlet has a whole range of vegan options that will undoubtedly satisfy those Saturday arvo burger and chippy cravings.
Where: 82 Maitland Rd, Islington | 178 Pacific Hwy, Charlestown

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