Less than an hour’s drive from the Melbourne CBD, you’ll find the leafy hillside suburb of Belgrave. Belgrave is commonly known for the Puffing Billy steam train, but it’s now becoming a favourite with vegan travellers. Belgrave is a vegan oasis, nested high in the lush Dandenong Ranges, and it’s is easy to get there by car or local public transport. Here you can spend the day and take in all three courses while using it as a base to popular bushwalking sites nearby.
Start with a vegan breakfast or even brunch…
Earthly Pleasures is a favourite destination for a vegan breakfast or lunch. Set in an old bluestone building, Earthly Pleasures serves up many vegan options such as their signature Buddha Bowl, vegan toasties or house granola. For something light, you can try a H.A.L (hummus, avocado and lemon on sourdough) or homemade banana bread. If breakfast is too early, then book for lunch and try their pumpkin and greens or field mushroom burger. Earthly Pleasures has an extensive coffee menu as well as a range of hot and cold drinks. If the weather is fine, grab a table in the courtyard where you’re surrounded by the local greenery.
1627 Burwood Highway, Belgrave Victoria 3160. Phone: 03 9752 6744
Need more options for a vegan lunch?
Babaji’s Kitchen is a south Indian restaurant with plenty of vegan options. Babaji’s Kitchen started as a love story in Kerala, when Australian girl Billy met Max. Food was the way to Billy’s heart, and the couple soon set up shop in Australia. Babaji’s Kitchen travelled around Melbourne’s festivals and events as a food stand, and the business gradually found a permanent home on Belgrave’s main strip. It’s here where you can sample the best in south Indian cuisine from classic dosa, to thali plates and curries. There’s a huge selection of vegan options you can try, and all courses are covered. Plus, you can dine in while admiring the authentic south Indian décor.
1/1644 Burwood Highway, Belgrave Victoria 3160. Phone: 03 8288 2982
Leave room for vegan dinner…
Sooki Lounge
If you want a chilled location with a decadent menu and fully stocked bar, then wander to Sooki Lounge. Sooki Lounge also hosts local and international bands as well as DJs. Trivia and comedy nights feature regularly here, too. Sooki Lounge’s current menu has a generous spread of vegan options across their starters, mains and desserts. What’s extra special here is you can order a vegan cheese or antipasto board; a delicious choice if you don’t want a huge dinner. If you are hungry then go for the Red Braised Wild Mushrooms or Zucchini Noodles. Both dishes are generously sized. If you’d like a taco twist, then check out the Mexi-Texi Taco menu; again with vegan options abound. Indoor and outdoor seating is available, weather permitting.
1648 Burwood Highway, Belgrave Victoria 3160. Phone: 03 9754 7567
Savvy Organic Pizza
Belgrave Arcade is where you’ll find Savvy Organic Pizza & Icecream. While Savvy is not entirely vegan, they have a choice of eight different vegan pizzas and they use soy-based mozzarella cheese. Savvy’s is known for its maximum flavours all while using organic ingredients. Flavour combos include Sweet & Spicy, Vegan Supreme and Mushroom & Spinach, to name a few. Afterwards, you can finish your pizza meal with a tub of Savvy’s own soy-based frozen dessert or Italian style sorbet. In total, there are six flavours to choose from. Savvy truly loves pizza and catering for vegans in the area. There’s also a casual bar area where you can sit and eat your vegan goodies.
Rear 3/1647 Burwood Highway, Belgrave Victoria 3160. Phone: 03 9754 6642
Need some things to do in between?
Cameo Cinemas
Cameo Cinemas is an independent movie theatre that’s vegan friendly. The popcorn is vegan friendly, plus there’s locally sourced coffee from Silva Coffee with soy milk and Pana Chocolate if you want a sweet treat. Cameo also has a vegan choc-top flavour – vegan berry – as well as a few vegan-friendly beers and wines. Cameo Cinemas shows a range of movies including newly released ones, and they’re an avid supporter of local Australian films. Ample parking for three hours is nearby.
1628 Burwood Highway, Belgrave Victoria 3160. Phone: 03 9754 7844
Street Art
If you walk around the main strip and through Belgrave’s arcades and alleyways, you’ll find stunning street art murals that capture the essence of the nature in and around the Dandenong Ranges. From koalas, to parrots and greenery, you’ll delight in the images of those beings that call Belgrave home.
Various locations around the main strip.
Nearby Wildlife Reserves and Parks
If you’d like to get off the main drag, then travel to any one of these nearby wildlife reserves where you’ll also find picnic areas. They’re perfect for wildlife spotting though you’ll need your car to get to these:
- Belgrave Lake Park in Belgrave
- Grants Picnic Ground in Kallista
- Birdsland Reserve in Belgrave Heights
- 1000 Steps in Upper Ferntree Gully
How to get to Belgrave…
Belgrave is less than an hour from Melbourne’s CBD. Drive your car eastbound via Burwood Highway or take a train from Flinders Street Station in the CBD. You want to grab the train on the Belgrave line. Check the schedule via the PT website. Belgrave train station is only a brisk walk from the main strip.
All views expressed in this blog post are those of Justine de Jonge of Fire & Tea. Fire & Tea does not have any pre-existing affiliations with any of the programs or companies mentioned in this blog post.
