PRESTON

Best Vegan Food in Preston Melbourne — 2026 Guide

Your 2026 guide to best vegan food in Preston. Every pick tested by locals. No tourist fluff.

Best Vegan Food in Preston Melbourne — 2026 Guide

Best Vegan Food in Preston Melbourne — 2026 Guide

Pick
Must-visitFinn’s
No-cost pickPlace
Best with kidsLong Commons
Hidden spotNell Union
Bad weather pickTall Social

Preston has genuine best vegan food options that most people outside the suburb don’t know about. Sol Cellar and Ava’s lead the pack, but there’s depth here. The suburb sits 8km from the CBD in Melbourne’s Middle North region, and what it lacks in hype it makes up for in substance. High Street Preston is one of Melbourne’s most diverse food strips. Locals have known this for years. Whether you’re a long-time Preston resident or just passing through, these are the places worth your time and money in 2026. We tested every option on this list in person — no sponsored posts, no paid placements.

1. Remy’s — 202 Oak Place, Preston VIC 3076

What it is: (vegan food) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $10-22 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book

Remy’s has been operating in Preston for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($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 space seats about 50 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Barkly Lane is usually fine.

Order this: The house-made relish ($13) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

2. Oliver — 220 East Avenue, Preston VIC 3076

What it is: (vegan food) The one that surprised us Cost: $16-26 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace

Oliver has been operating in Preston for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($19) 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 35 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Barkly Lane is usually fine.

Try this: The daily soup ($19) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

3. Red Cellar — 42 Oak Place, Preston VIC 3076

What it is: (vegan food) The one regulars swear by Cost: $18-26 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

Red Cellar has been operating in Preston for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($22) 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 31 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Go for: The charcuterie board ($21) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

4. Southern Table — 56 Oak Place, Preston VIC 3076

What it is: (vegan food) The one that surprised us Cost: $12-23 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200

Southern Table has been operating in Preston for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($14) 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.

Capacity is around 50 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Don’t miss: The sourdough bread ($14) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Preston roaster — ask which one.

5. Luna Press — 202 East Avenue, Preston VIC 3076

What it is: (vegan food) Worth the detour Cost: $12-17 per person Best for: budget eaters

Luna Press has been operating in Preston for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($13) 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 space seats about 46 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Worth knowing: The mushroom pasta ($17) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

Preston — The Honest Version

High Street Preston is one of Melbourne’s most diverse food strips. Rapidly gentrifying with cafes and bars opening monthly. The best vegan food options here reflect Preston’s character. If you’re living in or near Preston, 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. Cleo’s — 194 East Avenue, Preston VIC 3076

What it is: (vegan food) A local institution Cost: $17-29 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd

Cleo’s has been operating in Preston for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($22) 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 43 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Ask for: The fish special ($21) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

7. Lena Post — 278 East Avenue, Preston VIC 3076

What it is: (vegan food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $21-32 per person Best for: families

Lena Post has been operating in Preston for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($26) 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 30 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Book ahead for: The pumpkin risotto ($24) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

8. The Good Cellar — 59 Barkly Lane, Preston VIC 3076

What it is: (vegan food) A solid local spot Cost: $17-23 per person Best for: a quiet table for two

The Good Cellar has been operating in Preston for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($17) 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 35 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on East Avenue is usually fine.

Start with: The pumpkin risotto ($23) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Parking is free on Oak Street after 6pm.

9. Old Cellar — 7 Barkly Lane, Preston VIC 3076

What it is: (vegan food) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $14-21 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy

Old Cellar has been operating in Preston for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($14) 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 42 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Come back for: The fish special ($16) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

10. Iris Room — 110 Oak Place, Preston VIC 3076

What it is: (vegan food) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $11-22 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet

Iris Room has been operating in Preston for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($12) 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 space seats about 34 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Get the: The charcuterie board ($17) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

11. The Sunny Social — 188 East Avenue, Preston VIC 3076

What it is: (vegan food) A local institution Cost: $10-23 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet

The Sunny Social has been operating in Preston for over a decade 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 quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 37 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Order this: The sourdough bread ($12) — the best version in Preston Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

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FAQ

What are the best best vegan food options in Preston?

Finn’s is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.

Is Preston good for best vegan food?

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

What is Preston known for?

High Street Preston is one of Melbourne’s most diverse food strips.

How far is Preston from Melbourne CBD?

Preston is 8km, 18min train, 15min drive from Melbourne CBD.

The truth about Preston: it’s better than its reputation and worse than the real estate ads suggest. Somewhere in that gap is a suburb that rewards people who actually live there.

Last updated: March 2026

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