But stuck between all the choices and your mood, how do you know where to find vegan food at South Bank, especially when your stomach is calling the shots? And while it’s rare for a restaurant these days not to offer at least a few vegan options, it’s worth having a list of go-to’s so you never get caught out hangry again.

So let’s hear it for the plants: these are just some of the best vegan restaurants and eateries serving vegan food at South Bank.

Coco Bliss

Bliss out at this fresh-food fave, where you’ll find plenty of vegan options for brekkie, lunch and a mid-afternoon treat. The acai bowls are an obvious place to start (and what Coco Bliss built their reputation on) but if you’re after something savoury, then check out the nourishing bowls and toast toppers. The vegan cheese toastie is also a gooey delight worth ordering.

El Planta

Purely plant-based by design, El Planta’s tables heave come dinnertime thanks to hungry hordes of vegans flocking to the veg-centric paradise. The menu may change weekly but the traditional Mexican dishes – think tacos and antojitos spotlighting local QLD produce – never fail to live up to the hype. If you’re looking for clever, creative and surprising takes on meaty dishes like carne asada or fish tacos (yes, a vegan fish) with fresh handmade tortillas from the grill, then El Planta is the place for you.

GYG

One of Brisbane’s original Mexican joints knows a thing or two about keeping vegans happy with their made-to-order fresh burritos, tacos and bowls. The sauteed veggie filling is your best bet for plant-based eats but everything is customisable and can be made without meat or cheese if your veganism isn’t super strict. Check out their allergen and nutritional info page for a very detailed look at the ingredients.

Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers

What’s better than a hearty vegan pasta dish? One of the meat-free delights at this South Bank Italian fave, where the vegan gnocchi rivals the rest of the meaty dishes. Choose from spicy or napoli before getting lost in the soft pillowy goodness of these tasty orbs of pasta, made from gluten-free flour and potato. Scarpetta – the act of mopping up sauce with bread – is actively encouraged here so don’t finish until that plate is clean!

Ben & Jerry’s

Vegan ice cream is worth screaming about and Ben & Jerry’s South Bank delicious certified vegan scoops, even more so. Treat yourself to a scoop or two (or lash out with a full tub) of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Non-Dairy or Strawberry Marshmallow and never look sideways in envy again.

Baba Ganouj

Grilled meats may be a staple of Lebanese food but vegetables come a pretty close second. And at Baba Ganouj, you’ll find options aplenty from fresh made saj bread and falafel dipped in hummus to mudardara, a traditional dish of lentils and rice, you’ll feast like royalty. 

Tipplers Tap

Paying homage to the hallowed pairing of hops and yeast, Tipplers Tap throws its hat in the ring for champion of vegan food that’s good with beer. Find meat-free eats like cauliflower wings, plant-based burgers and a hearty salad for soaking up the liquid gold flowing from the rotating taps.

Harajuku Gyoza

Irasshaimase, vegans! You’ve arrived at South Bank’s dumpling heaven, where you’ll be able to indulge in one of Japan’s most famous culinary exports: the moreish gyoza. Harajuku Gyoza’s delicious vegan menu options may be few, but they’ll keep the plant-based diners in amongst the izakaya action easily. Try the shitake mushroom gyoza, the eggplant tempura stack, the tofu teriyaki bowl and the rainbow cake for something sweet to finish. 

Nandos

Play pretend at Nandos with their ‘Great Pretender’ range – a plant-based take on their popular chicken burgers, wraps and salads. These mock-meat patties are just as satisfying and so convincing that even dyed-in-the-wool carnivores might just fall for it too. 

Mado

Turkish home cooking with views overlooking the dappled tree-ringed lawn of Picnic Island Green, Mado is a favourite for fans of Mediterranean cooking. While meat is a mainstay on this menu, vegans can get stuck into vegetable casserole (sebzeli guvec), boat eggplant (imam bayildi), hummus dip, stuffed vine leaves (sarma/dolma) and acili ezme tomato dip.

Grill’d

Eating a plant-based diet is one of the best ways to tackle the carbon issue, which is a mission close to Grill’d’s heart. But if you’re already committed to the meat-free cause (for climate reasons or otherwise), then you’ll likely know about the burger joint’s delicious vegan menu. Featuring four riffs on their classics, you’ll find two Impossible patties and two vegetable-based patties sandwiched between your choice of bun, with a range of fillings to round out the perfect no meat meal. Naturally, a side of chips (regular potato, sweet potato or zucchini) is non-negotiable. 

Mucho Mexicano

You’ll be a vegan Mexi-can at Mucho Mexicano where you can chow down on everything from taquitos to nachos and comidas (plates) made without animal products. Just alert your waiter to your dietary and they can point you in the right direction, amigo. 

The Plough Inn

It may come as a surprise that such a bastion of pub cuisine would harbour vegan options, but here you have it. While The Plough Inn vegan menu is certainly not extensive, a plant-based burger and a few other small plate options will keep vegans full enough to have a pint or two. 

The Ship Inn

Known as one of the oldest pubs in Brisbane, The Ship Inn’s building may be old-school but their menu is a feast of contemporary, gastro-pub food. Though the menu indicates what’s vegan or vegan optional, a quick chat to your waiter about your dietary requirements will have you on the road to meatless satisfaction in no time.

Barbossa

For a taste of the islands (the Caribbean, that is) head to Barbossa where the extensive cocktail menu (and a back bar with 50 varieties of rum) is also accompanied by a well-rounded vegan dish selection, among the standard menu. The Haiti Curry is a must-eat, made from a punchy combo of chickpeas, jackfruit and spicy curry sauce.

Ma Pa Me

So dedicated to offering options, Ma Pa Me has a special dedicated vegan menu, featuring equally tasty takes on the meat-based Southeast Asian eats served here. If you’re in for the full experience, opt for the vegan banquet and sit back and enjoy with a cocktail in hand. 

Chu the Phat

Vegan fans of Asian food often struggle to find truly vegan options thanks to the use of fish and meat in sauces, stocks and soups. So when excellent restaurants like Chu the Phat channel energy towards providing said options, there’s usually a relieved sigh from your nearest plant-based person. Another with a vegan banquet option, the days of a vegan buzz-kill amongst your gathering are over.

Southbeach

Hitting the surf club (or the closest thing to it at South Bank) is part and parcel of an Aussie summer and Southbeach makes sure the vegans can tag along too. Sip on a crisp drink while relishing the view and the tasty plant-based menu items perfect for beachside dining.

Otto

Ask and ye shall receive the vegan options at River Quay’s Otto. Leaning into the restaurant’s trademark fun and simple style where local produce shines, the vegan options include dishes like risotto and fresh, seasonal soups plus a sweet treat to round out the meal. 

Burrito Bar

Carne, or meat in Mexican, may be central to this cuisine style but the folks at Burrito Bar don’t leave the meat-free customers behind with options. Their vEEF filling is vegan-friendly but if you want no animal products you’ll need to ask for subs of things like cheese and the mayo-based sauces when ordering.

Ole Restaurant

Spanish tapas aren’t usually associated with vegan-friendly food but South Bank stalwart Ole Restaurant offers some selections across their moreish menu that are either naturally vegan (olives and bread with tomato) or vegan modifications to dishes like patatas bravas. Tuck into a vegan paella or ask your friendly waiter to point out choices across other plate sizes too. 

P’Nut Street Noodles

Want to slurp a steaming hot serving of Singapore noodles or a duck spring rolls minus the meat? P’Nut Street Noodles’ vegan menu has the goods. Working with local mushroom meat makers Fable Food Co, the noodle ninjas have listened to their loyal customers and recreated some of their most popular dishes like the spring rolls and plant-based beef massaman dumplings.