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Brisbane's best vegetarian and vegan eats 2016

Anne-Louise Brown
Anne-Louise Brown

Sweet potato gnocchi with mushrooms, sugar-snap peas and chive cream at Vege Rama.
Sweet potato gnocchi with mushrooms, sugar-snap peas and chive cream at Vege Rama.Supplied

Vegetarianism is no longer the realm of rubbery tofu, soggy chickpeas and the obligatory restaurant staple, vegie lasagne. From rainbow salads to slabs of silky almond tofu, here are Brisbane's best vegetable-based dishes.

Vege Rama

Specialising in vegetarian and vegan fare, Vege Rama offers a diverse and innovative menu. Favourite dishes include fire-roasted red peppers stuffed with hazelnut goat's curd, with warm caponata and cashew cream, and sweet potato gnocchi with king brown mushrooms, sugar-snap peas, cold-pressed olive oil and chive cream.

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2a/220 Melbourne Street, West End; Myer Centre, 91 Queen Street, Brisbane CBD, 07 3255 3388, vegerama.com.au

Ottolenghi-style salads at Botanica Real Food.
Ottolenghi-style salads at Botanica Real Food.Michelle Smith

Botanica

The lunchtime line flowing from this Red Hill institution says it all. Chef-owner Alison Hutley has created a menu of the freshest salads and delicious baked goods all catering to vegetarians and vegans. Popular dishes include raw broccoli salad with garlic cashew cream, and turmeric roasted cauliflower with chickpeas, coriander, pomegranate and garam masala yoghurt dressing.

9/1 Enoggera Terrace, Red Hill, 07 3367 3334

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The Low Road

Aside from having the coolest staff and the funniest chalkboard around, the Low Road serves up some top vegetarian and vegan nosh. Favourites include spaghetti with napoli, basil, parmesan and crunchy sourdough, and smoky beans with cheddar, chipotle sour cream, avocado, jalapenos and coriander.

The Low Road, 25 Eildon Road, Windsor, 07 3161 4127

House-made silken almond tofu at Gauge.
House-made silken almond tofu at Gauge.Supplied

Gauge

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This exciting new fixture on the Brisbane dining scene does not disappoint when it comes to meat-free dining. With options such as house-made cottage cheese, celeriac, hazelnut and sweet onion dashi and house-made silken almond tofu with eggplant, caper leaf and elderflower, Gauge is sure to impress.

77 Grey Street, South Brisbane, 07 3852 6734

Sourced Grocer

Feeling indulgent? Then head along to Sourced Grocer. As the name suggests, this gourmet grocer offers fresh locally sourced fare. Breakfasts are a highlight, from the young coconut tapioca pudding with mango, passionfruit, basil and bee pollen, to the staple cabbage pancakes with soft eggs, goat's cheese dressing and crispy brussels sprouts.

11 Florence Street, Newstead, 07 3852 6734, sourcedgrocer.com.au

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Raw Juicery

If juicing and raw vegan eating is your thing then Raw Juicery is the place for you. In several locations in Brisbane, these uber-healthy #cleaneating cafes serve up a range of salads, wraps and even raw nachos. And, if you're up for it, they create tailored juice detox programs to help cleanse the system after overindulgence.

Various locations, rawjuicery.com.au

Fundie's Wholefood Cafe

An oldie but a goodie, Fundie's has been a go-to for Brisbane's vegetarians since falafels became a thing. Every day an array of rainbow salads is on offer as well as specialties such as scrambled tofu with roasted tomato, wilted spinach and organic sourdough and burgers featuring chickpeas, lentils and tofu fillings.

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219 Given Terrace, Paddington, 07 3368 1855, fundies.com.au

Cafe O'Mai

Feel like vegetarian pho for breakfast? Not a problem at this neat little Vietnamese cafe tucked away in Annerley. There's also a delightful range of bahn mi, rice paper rolls and vermicelli salads to feed hungry herbivores. Not to mention the tasty Vietnamese crepes and fresh green papaya salad with tofu.

15 Cracknell Road, Annerley, 07 3255 9778, cafeomai.com.au

Mock-meat pho at Loving Hut.
Mock-meat pho at Loving Hut.Fiona Morris
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The Loving Hut

If mock meat is your thing then The Loving Hut is for you. Here the meals include vegetable protein in a range of flavours including vegan fish protein, chunky soy mince and black pepper cutlet, and the menu has an Asian slant. A good option for vegetarians dining out with carnivores – by all accounts the protein is quite meat-like.

2/1420 Logan Road, Mount Gravatt, 07 3219 4118, lovinghutbrisbane.com.au

No No's Lebanese

Cheap, cheerful and delicious, No No's is the home of Brisbane's best falafel kebab. Here the baba ghanoush is smoky, the hummus is creamy, and the cabbage rolls are tasty. Don't miss the bean salad either – simply delicious.

158 Musgrave Road, Red Hill, 07 3369 5691, nonos.com.au

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Anne-Louise BrownAnne-Louise Brown is a columnist.

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