Best Vegan Food in Northcote Melbourne — 2026 Guide

We’ve tested every best vegan food option in Northcote to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. Standard is the one everyone knows. Nico Pantry is the sleeper. Prices are reasonable — coffee at $4.50-5.00, dinner at $22-38. High Street Northcote has live music venues, vintage shops, and specialty coffee. Northcote sits in the Middle North corridor, 6km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the best vegan food scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Northcote since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.

1. Finn’s — 252 Swan Avenue, Northcote VIC 3079

What it is: (vegan food) A quiet achiever Cost: $20-31 per person Best for: the whole crew

Finn’s has been operating in Northcote for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($24) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 48 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Order this: The sourdough bread ($24) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

2. Zara Depot — 246 Brunswick Grove, Northcote VIC 3079

What it is: (vegan food) The one that surprised us Cost: $8-16 per person Best for: budget eaters

Zara Depot has been operating in Northcote for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($8) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 63 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Maple Lane is usually fine.

Try this: The house-made relish ($14) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: They source produce from Northcote farmers market when it runs.

3. Gus — 379 Plenty Grove, Northcote VIC 3079

What it is: (vegan food) A local institution Cost: $11-21 per person Best for: the whole crew

Gus has been operating in Northcote for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($12) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 60 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Go for: The sourdough bread ($14) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

4. The Lucky Pantry — 365 Swan Avenue, Northcote VIC 3079

What it is: (vegan food) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $13-21 per person Best for: remote workers

The Lucky Pantry has been operating in Northcote for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($13) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 38 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Don’t miss: The crispy chicken ($19) — the best version in Northcote Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Northcote roaster — ask which one.

5. Room — 102 Plenty Grove, Northcote VIC 3079

What it is: (vegan food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $22-34 per person Best for: dates

Room has been operating in Northcote for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($24) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 37 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Maple Lane is usually fine.

Worth knowing: The seasonal special ($27) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

What Makes Northcote Different

High Street Northcote has live music venues, vintage shops, and specialty coffee. Westgarth Cinema is a local landmark. The best vegan food options here reflect Northcote’s character. If you’re living in or near Northcote, you’ll find that the suburb rewards people who actually explore beyond the main strip. Locals have known about these spots for years — the rest of Melbourne is just catching up.

6. The Golden Standard — 91 High Avenue, Northcote VIC 3079

What it is: (vegan food) The one regulars swear by Cost: $10-16 per person Best for: dates

The Golden Standard has been operating in Northcote for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($10) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 65 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Brunswick Grove is usually fine.

Ask for: The fish special ($12) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

7. Ruby Corner — 73 Plenty Grove, Northcote VIC 3079

What it is: (vegan food) Worth the detour Cost: $18-33 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy

Ruby Corner has been operating in Northcote for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($20) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 56 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Brunswick Grove is usually fine.

Book ahead for: The lamb shoulder ($22) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

8. Kai Corner — 197 Swan Avenue, Northcote VIC 3079

What it is: (vegan food) No-frills excellence Cost: $13-18 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

Kai Corner has been operating in Northcote for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($15) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 47 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Plenty Grove is usually fine.

Start with: The fish special ($19) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

9. Good Table — 256 Brunswick Grove, Northcote VIC 3079

What it is: (vegan food) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $18-23 per person Best for: budget eaters

Good Table has been operating in Northcote for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($21) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 60 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Come back for: The daily soup ($21) — the best version in Northcote Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

10. The Sunny Commons — 152 Plenty Grove, Northcote VIC 3079

What it is: (vegan food) No-frills excellence Cost: $15-30 per person Best for: solo diners

The Sunny Commons has been operating in Northcote for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($20) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 33 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Get the: The lamb shoulder ($20) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Northcote roaster — ask which one.

11. Nina’s — 182 High Avenue, Northcote VIC 3079

What it is: (vegan food) No-frills excellence Cost: $16-27 per person Best for: dates

Nina’s has been operating in Northcote for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($18) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 38 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on High Avenue is usually fine.

Order this: The house-made relish ($19) — the best version in Northcote Insider tip: They source produce from Northcote farmers market when it runs.

Explore More

• Thornbury Best Vegan Food — same vibe, different suburb
• Northcote Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
• Northcote Things to Do — the full activity guide
• Northcote Complete Guide — everything about Northcote
• Compare Suburbs — see how Northcote stacks up
• All Northcote Guides — everything we’ve written

FAQ

What are the best best vegan food options in Northcote?

Hazel Press is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.

Is Northcote good for best vegan food?

Yes. Northcote has 11+ genuine options. The scene is surprisingly diverse and well worth exploring.

What is Northcote known for?

High Street Northcote has live music venues, vintage shops, and specialty coffee.

How far is Northcote from Melbourne CBD?

Northcote is 6km, 14min train, 12min drive from Melbourne CBD.

Look — Northcote won’t win any design awards. But the food is honest, the prices are fair, and the locals actually know each other. In Melbourne, that’s increasingly rare.

Last updated: March 2026