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Five of a kind: Vegan eats

On the eve of World Vegan Day, animal lovers aren't the only ones giving meat a miss.

Jane Ormond

Chilli-spiked umami mushrooms at Monk Bohdi Darma.
Chilli-spiked umami mushrooms at Monk Bohdi Darma.Eddie Jim

Brunch

Coffee-loving vegans can kill two birds with one stone at this hidden coffee roastery and cafe, a low-roofed brick cabin lurking up a lane behind a supermarket on Carlisle St. Get a pour-over coffee to drink while you mull over the meat-free menu (all but a couple of dishes are vegan) and try to decide between the Avignon apple pancakes, a breakfast trifle with dairy-free cream or the lush, chilli-spiked umami mushrooms. There are daily soups and stews for lunch and they're open for Friday night dinner too.
Monk Bodhi Dharma, 202 Carlisle Street, Balaclava. 9534 7250

Barbecue

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Being vegan doesn't mean you can't enjoy a good tin can cocktail and a classic Aussie barbecue in a rock'n'roll atmosphere. Sweetwater Inn is like an outback pub in the shadow of Chapel St, where vegans can pull up to a wood barrel table, order a frost jug and chow down on barbecue vegan pork ribs - the 'ribs' are made of sugar cane so you can get sauce on your chin and happily gnaw away. There's also a soy-based, smoked half chicken as well as crumbed vegan prawns (made from konjac) and rissoles.
Sweetwater Inn, 60 Bray Street, South Yarra. 0487 916 082

Burgers and fries

Got a hankering for a burger and fries after a night on the fizz but all you can see is meat? Head to Lord of the Fries where you can order up a cone of chips doused in a seasonal sauce (maybe jalapeno tartare) and scarf a vegan burger made from textured vegetable protein. The bun's soft, the burger's, well, burger-y, it's got soy cheese, it's got sauce, it's got just what you need. You can also grab a vegan hot dog for a bite on the run. Fast food never felt so good.
Lord of the Fries, various locations; lordofthefries.com.au

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Pizza

This humble pizzeria, in a quiet shopping strip next to Caulfield Park, has been spinning its wholemeal vegetarian and vegan pizzas for more than 30 years. Nostralis use vegetable rennet or soy cheese on their pizzas, which range from simple margaritas to a lovely tomato and artichoke and kooky vindaloos with beans, peppers, sultanas and banana. The wholemeal bases have a soft, mellow texture (there are gluten-free bases available too), allowing the toppings to do the talking. Take your pizza to the park and dine al fresco by the pond.
Nostralis, 55 Hawthorn Road, Caulfield North. 9528 4961

Mexican

There's no need for vegans to sit on the beach while the meat eaters of Melbourne get to ride the Mexican wave. Fitzroy's Trippy Taco does a great line in vegetarian quesadillas, burritos, tacos and nachos, which can easily be switched to vegan versions with the use of soy cheese. The tofu asada burrito, crammed with spicy tofu, will really set you up for the day, but if you want to linger and relax, sit outside with a few friends, a jug of sangria and a big plate of vegan nachos.
Trippy Taco, 234 Gertrude St, Fitzroy. 9415 7711

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