The Shire’s Best Restaurants And Cafes For A Vegetarian or Vegan Feast
We talk you through the Shire’s vibrant meat-free scene
Eat Lebanese, Cronulla
Up until a few years ago, vegan and vegetarian restaurants were few and far between. Now, vegetarian menu options are sprouting up all over the Shire.
Whether you’re cutting down on meat or have been a vegetarian or vegan from day dot, we have compiled a list of our favourite hot spots, serving pizzas to dumplings and everything in between. You might even be a tad surprised by some of the restaurants whose menus are bursting with vego delights. Read on for the goods…
14 Restaurants Offering Vegetarian Bites In The Shire
Jensens
Walking into a restaurant and being presented with a dedicated vego/vegan menu is one of the best feelings, especially when the dishes are THIS good. Prepare for your friends and fam to be envious of your dish as the Jensens dedicated vegan menu has been crafted to harness some pretty incredible flavours. The menu changes with the seasons, but you can expect goodies like Eggplant, Cabbage and Chestnut Dumplings and Pumpkin and Vegan Feta Pizza. Psst. How does a vegan Banana Pudding with Hot Butterscotch Sauce and Sorbet sound for dessert?
Kareela village, 1/13 Freya Street, Kareela
7th Heaven
7th Heaven is the holy grail when it comes to both vego and vegan items. Not only do they cater to vegetarians, they excel at producing scrumptious and aesthetic meals for breakfast through to lunch. You can order almost any dish off the menu with meat substitutes aplenty. They also offer vegan milkshakes, alternative lattes, smoothies and juices. Oh, the options! Best of all, you’ll find them in two locations - Kirrawee and Sutherland.
South Village, G11, 580 Princes Highway, Kirrawee and 4/41 Eton Street, Sutherland
Blackwood
Cult fave Blackwood isn’t just for the meat-eaters. This delish brunch spot serves some amazing flavours for vegetarians with our top picks being the Miso Avo, Green Goddess Salad and Truffled Chilli Scrambled Eggs. Grab a Mimosa whilst you’re at it and, hey presto, your morning is sorted.
5/33 Surf Lane, Cronulla
Salt Meats Cheese
Woodfired pizza is always a good idea and Salt Meats Cheese are about it - meat-free options included. They’ve also got a heap of salads and pastas on offer too. Best of all, you can make any of their vegetarian pizzas vegan by switching in their vegan cheese. We know it’s always a risk ordering vegan cheese but this one is the goods, guys. Tried and tested!
Shop 1/66-70 Cronulla Street, Cronulla
Mr Paisley’s
Mr Paisleys is a nice and cruisey brunch spot that serves up some of the best vego-friendly eats and healthy fare. Expect salad bowls, wraps and breaky specials alongside smoothies and juices. They have a lovely sunny courtyard and expansive home-style cafe so there are plenty of nooks to settle in for a catch-up.
88 Cawarra Road, Caringbah
Mint Organics
Located directly opposite the lush expanse of Gunamatta, Mint Organics is a petite cafe choc-full of healthy bites. They’ve got all your usual brunch bandits including Avocado Bruschetta, Acai Bowls and Chia Pudding as well as a Veggy Bowl and Falafel Wrap for lunch. Order takeaway and soak up some rays over at the bay.
26 Nicholson Parade, Cronulla
Sealevel
Okay, hear us out. We know Sealevel specialises in phenomenal, fresh seafood, but what a heap of people don’t realise is that they have a stellar vego menu too. Updated seasonally, you can expect goodies like Vegetarian Tasting Plates and Burrata with fig-infused honey and chilli walnuts. Want to induce some serious food envy from your fellow diners? The Casarecce Pasta is to die for.
2 Kingsway, Cronulla
Antonio’s Pizzeria
Antonio’s has gone above and beyond to ensure that vego pizzas are no longer limited to margarita and vegetarian supreme. In fact, they have even sourced some of the best meat alternatives in Australia to offer options galore. The Garden Of Eden pizza (which can also be made with vegan cheese, FYI!) is our sneaky fave but be sure to save some room for dessert - their homemade rice pudding is something else.
11/360 Kingsway, Caringbah and 3/127 Belgrave Esplenade, Sylvania Waters
Yalla Sawa
Although there’s no denying that Yalla Sawa’s Mediterranean menu is packed full of succulent meat-based dishes, there’s an almost equal number of veggie and vegan options to choose from too. From Baked Eggplant with freekeh to Grilled Haloumi and, of course, their iconic Falafels, this Cronulla-based eatery is a must-stop for Shire-siders, vego and carnivores alike.
2/59-65 Gerrale Street, Cronulla
Alphabet St
Alphabet St doesn't just offer your standard vegetarian fare. Keen to share the love, they’ve created the ultimate Vegetarian banquet, which, let us tell you, is incredible. For $65 per person, you’ll be treated to Betal Leaf, Silken Tofu, Vegetarian Rice Paper Rolls, Yam Pak, Vegan Yellow Curry, Jasmine Rice and Greens. Pair with an Apple Martini or two and you’re set for a great night.
5/8 Kingsway, Cronulla
Giro Osteria
They’re known to produce some of the best Italian dishes in the Shire, and while we many love their meatballs and lobster bisque, most of Giro Osteria’s pasta dishes are, in fact, vegetarian. Our favourites include the Pumpkin Gnocchi, which is served with brown butter and gorgonzola, and the Rigatoni Alla Vodka.
3/1 McDonald Street, Cronulla
Loaf
To wrap one’s hands around the sheer width of a Loaf sandwich is a rite of passage for any Shire local. Packed and piled with fresh ingredients, these guys know their way around a good sambo. The Deluxe Salad sandwich is a top pick for vegetarians and vegans alike, as is the falafel-filled Grass Is Greener and Mushy Trip Jaffle. Or, if you love a good classic, opt for The Schnity with tofu.
89 Cronulla Street, Cronulla
55/990 Princess Highway, Engadine
Eat Lebanese
Whether you’re sharing with a group of friends or dining solo, Eat Lebanese is the perfect pick for vegetarians and vegans alike. Choose from a range of meat-free salads and enjoy with traditional savoury pastries, whole roast cauliflower and homemade dips. Or, for an easy choice, opt for Mum’s Falafel Wrap or the Falafel Plate.
98 Cronulla Street, Cronulla
Queen Margherita
This Neapolitan pizzeria is known for its fantastic woodfire flavours and dedication to the art of Italian tradition. Their menu spans red- and white-based pizzas (vegetarians will love the Siciliana and Funghi Misti), as well as pasta, but also has a dedicated vegan section, complete from entrees to mains. We highly recommend the Eggplant Ragu and the Truffle Pizza.
Shop 9, 2 Surf Road, Cronulla