Melbourne’s outer east has its own decent selection of vegan food at vegan-friendly cafes. If you take the Eastern Freeway towards Ringwood you’ll find the leafy suburb of Croydon and its vegan food worth crushing over. You can also get there by train on the Lilydale line. So, what’s on offer?
Acai Brothers Croydon
Acai Brothers has all your brekky, brunch and lunch options sorted. This Acai Brothers location is all-vegan and you can choose from a wide selection of hot and cold options. There’s an endless pouring of smoothie choices as well as delectably stacked acai bowls with all the toppings.
Need something warmer? Try their seriously good coffee or chai and partner it with a toastie of your choosing. They have gluten-free bread, too. For sweets, go for any one of their slices, cakes or cookies in the cabinet. Or, you can get a big serve of waffles topped with your choice of fruit and warm sauces.
Acai Brothers Croydon, Shop 1/3-5 Hewish Road, Croydon Victora 3136. Open 6.30am to 3pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 3pm Saturdays and 9am to 3pm Sundays.
Blackwork
While Blackwork is not entirely vegan, they have a decent selection of brunch and lunch options on their short order menu. The coffee here is divine, too. Pair it with their vegan brownie for added decadence. Try their Super Bowl for lunch. If you need something bigger to fill your tummy for the day, go for their Vegan Big Breakfast stacked with fried tofu, greens, mushrooms, spiced chickpeas and more. Lots to choose from here, and gluten-free is an option on many listings.
Blackwork, 26 Hewish Road, Croydon Victoria 3136. Open 7am to 4pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm Saturdays and Sundays.
Earth To Body Gym and Café
Earth To Body Café is the all-vegan café extension to the Earth To Body Gym next door. While their opening hours revolve around the gym’s morning class times, their coffee and ‘grab-and-go’ options are strong. Stay for warming brew or a protein-packed smoothie then fill in any gaps with a freshly made jaffle.
If you can’t stay, then takeaway bowls by A Wholesome Serving or vegan brekky jars can be grabbed from the fridge. If a sweet treat is what you’re after, then try one of the loaded cookies handmade by Choc Chip Hip. This is another café that support local makers. Learn more about the Earth To Body community when I interviewed them last year.
Earth To Body Gym and Café, 4 Coolstore Road Croydon Victoria 3136. Café is open 6am to 10.30am Monday to Friday and 7am to 10am Saturdays.
Kofi Beans
Kofi Beans is one of Croydon’s original cafes in the area. As the name suggests, they have a passion for a strong roasted bean to make some of the best coffees in the area. They use locally roasted coffee so you feel your patronage supports grassroots, local businesses. Plus, it’s one of the only places in the area you can get a coffee after 3pm.
There’s a Middle-Easter flair to the menu here, so you’ll find many vegan-friendly options. Try their Vegan Harissa Scramble for a sustaining brekky or go for their House Roasted Maple Granola if you want something sweeter.
Kofi Beans, 137 Main Street, Croydon Victoria 3136. Open 8am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and 8.30am to 4.30pm Sundays.
