The Gold Coast is home to some seriously good restaurants, from beachfront cafes to terraces overlooking lush valleys. As the demand for meat-free options rises, more and more restaurants focus on providing tasty plant-based dishes.
Restaurants are expanding vegan and vegetarian alternatives beyond simple salads, helping accommodate everyone’s dietary needs at group get-togethers. The best vegan restaurants on the Gold Coast use the abundant produce the region offers and serve it in fresh, creative ways.
Try flavour-packed Persian cuisine moments from the coast, or enjoy the fresh creativity of chefs-in-training at a rooftop restaurant in Robina.
Spend an evening trying veggie twists on classic pub food alongside a delicious glass of whisky in Palm Beach. Or, get some friends together to share plates of fluffy bao and spicy kimchi at one of Mermaid Beach’s best modern Asian restaurants. And if you’re looking to snag a great deal, there’s more than one restaurant with mid-week specials like Taco Tuesday and Margarita Monday. Whether you always eat vegan food or you’re trying Meat-Free Mondays, the best vegan restaurants on the Gold Coast have something for you.
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The best vegan restaurants on the Gold Coast – read on for a guide
For one of the best vegan restaurants on the Gold Coast – visit Shiraz Persian Restaurant + Bar in Surfers Paradise
Shiraz Persian Restaurant + Bar is a welcoming, family and vegan-friendly Persian restaurant that’s been delighting Surfers Paradise locals and tourists for over a decade. Beat the heat in the spacious interior dining space with high wood-panelled ceilings and calming blue accents, or enjoy al fresco dining in a leafy outdoor space.
The ‘Vegan & Vegetarian’ section of the menu includes tasty options like vegetarian ghormeh sabzi made with braised halloumi cheese and Persian herbs, and vegan loobia polo, a Persian classic made with green beans, mushrooms and vegan minced ‘meat’. For dessert, try the sweet vegan baklava served with pistachios and walnuts. The Vegan & Vegetarian menu also includes plenty of gluten-free options, plus the entire menu is 100% Halal certified.
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For one of the best vegetarian restaurants on the Gold Coast – head to Green Fields Bar + Restaurant in Robina
You don’t need to be studying to have a reason to visit TAFE Queensland’s Robina campus. The vegetarian-friendly Green Fields Bar + Restaurant on Level 4 offers the chance to enjoy a delightful seasonal menu, made from local produce. The short and sweet menu changes throughout the year, though it reliably offers vegetarian and vegan choices. Such options include a feta entree served with compressed watermelon and herbs, or a tomato risotto main accompanied by zucchini flower fritti and eggplant crisps.
Vegetarian dishes also come in vegan options. The restaurant is committed to sustainability at every step of the process, and partners with suppliers who share this ethos. The TAFE location has one extra bonus: Green Fields acts as a training ground for young chefs; the two training kitchens on-site have glass windows, allowing diners to glimpse the kitchen experience.
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For plant-based Japanese cuisine at one of the best vegan restaurants on the Gold Coast – try Izakaya Midori in Varsity Lakes
Light bulbs hang from the ceiling over seating in both the indoor and semi-outdoor seating areas at this laid-back Varsity Lakes vegan restaurant. If you’re craving vegan versions of hearty ramen, crispy tempura or juicy karaage, Izakaya Midori offers some of the best Japanese food on the Gold Coast. Plus, it’s 100% plant-based. Popular dishes include the ‘chicken-ish’ and ‘pork-ish’ katsu and karaage, served with wasabi tartare or Yakitori sauce.
On cool evenings, there’s no better way to warm up than with a bowl of aka ramen made with a spicy miso ‘butter-ish’ noodle soup and flavoured bamboo shoots. If you’re feeling indecisive, just go with one of the sushi Omakase options, where the chef will select an assortment of sushi that showcases the best seasonal flavours from the kitchen.
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For a creative, 100% vegan, gluten-free menu- visit Greenhouse Canteen and Bar Tallebudgera in Tallebudgera
With a creative, totally vegan, gluten-free menu, Greenhouse Canteen and Bar Tallebudgera in the lush Tallebudgera Valley is always a crowd-pleaser. It’s easy to understand where it got its name, with plants emerging from every wall and corner and a soft green neon glow illuminating the interior in the evenings.
With both indoor and outdoor dining available, every guest can find their perfect spot. Start with some red pepper arancini balls, topped with romesco sauce, before trying the mushroom enchiladas, made using marinated mushrooms and served with pickled vegetables. Head here on Taco Tuesday for a great deal on dishes like Cajun jackfruit tacos served with cauliflower, nut mince and banana blossom. Don’t skip the dessert menu, which brings a vegan twist to classics like tiramisu and baked lemon cheesecake.
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For one of the best vegetarian-friendly restaurants on the Gold Coast for Middle Eastern fare – book at Taboon in Robina
Taboon – Robina serves up tasty Middle Eastern cuisine that caters to a wide range of tastes, including vegan and vegetarian. Its open-plan design with indoor and outdoor seating creates a lively, cafe-style atmosphere where the fragrant flavours from the kitchen waft out into the dining space. Start your meal with some pita and dips, like the vegan-friendly tomato pita and hummus with spicy eggplant and tomato or the vegetarian cheese pita with tangy yoghurt labneh. If you’re eating out with a big group, consider ordering one of the platters to share, which combines a range of dips, pita and falafels.
Taboon is a great restaurant for anyone who wants to enjoy a hearty salad, like a classic tabbouleh made with cracked wheat and chopped vegetables and topped with a lemon, tahini and olive oil dressing.
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For pub-style vegetarian comfort food – go to The Scottish Prince in Palm Beach
If you’re after vegan or vegetarian pub-style dishes, The Scottish Prince in Palm Beachoffers the perfect retreat for a comforting meal. Photos and artworks line the walls, and model ships and bottles of wine and spirits decorate the shelves, creating a unique, eclectic atmosphere that evokes its namesake – a Scottish ship that ran aground on the Gold Coast’s shores in 1887.
The veggie tart is a popular highlight that uses seasonal ingredients to create the freshest flavour. The burger and chips has a vegetarian option, with a crumbed mushroom patty served on a brioche bun with onion jam and hand-cut chips. Don’t skip the apple crumble with coconut ice cream for a tasty vegan dessert to finish off your meal. Whisky is the specialty on the drinks menu here, and if you can’t decide which to choose from the extensive list, just ask one of the knowledgeable servers.
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For one of the best Asian vegan restaurants on the Gold Coast – head to Lucky Bao in Mermaid Beach
With a focus on modern Asian cuisine and share plates, Lucky Bao’s extensive range of vegetarian and vegan options makes it ideal for group gatherings. Located in the heart of Mermaid Beach, its minimalist, neon-lit interior has a laid-back cafe-style vibe. For something light to enjoy with a drink, split some lotus root crisps, served with kewpie mayo and a kimchi cucumber salad. If you’re after something a little more substantial, try the tempura cauliflower served with a Korean glaze.
Of course, bao is the highlight here, with veggie options including glazed eggplant with kewpie mayo and crispy shallots packed in with organic tofu. Don’t forget to grab some fries for the table, elevated with the fragrant flavours of taro and sriracha.
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For vegetarian-friendly Mexican fare – enjoy a meal at Hail Mary in Burleigh Heads
One of the most picturesque, Insta-worthy restaurants in Burleigh Heads, Hail Mary offers tasty Mexican cuisine with vegan or vegetarian options under almost every section of the menu. Hidden away down an alleyway, you’ll definitely want to book ahead to secure one of the pastel pink booths. Jackfruit is the meat substitute of choice here, used in the BBQ burrito, nachos and tacos. Some options, like nachos, are vegetarian to begin with, but ask for the vegan option to swap the melted cheddar and sour cream for cashew sour cream and dairy-free cheese.
Hail Mary – Burleigh offers deals throughout the week, from margarita Monday to taco Tuesday to Thursday Fiesta. Note that on the menu everything labelled V or VO is vegan or has a vegan option.
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For one of the best vegan restaurants on the Gold Coast for Italian food – visit Justin Lane Establishment in Burleigh Heads
Justin Lane Establishment’s motto is Eat, Drink and Be Messy, which embodies the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere of this vegan-friendly Italian restaurant. With a dedicated vegan menu, it’s easy to find tasty pizza and pasta dishes to enjoy. Vegan mozzarella, cashew parmesan and plant-based mince form the basis for dishes like Margherita pizza with Roma tomatoes, basil and balsamic vinegar or casareccia puttanesca with capers, olives and cherry tomatoes. Justine Lane Establishment also offers a vegan Feed Me menu, which is perfect for large groups that have worked up an appetite.
Don’t forget to spend some time perusing the extensive drinks menu, which includes unique cocktails (ask about the ‘Cocktail of the Month’), Australian wines, beer on tap and much more. The restaurant also offers plenty of seating options, including a buzzing rooftop area that hosts a weekly DJ pizza party.
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As you can see, vegan and vegetarian diners have a wealth of options on the Gold Coast. From classic Japanese flavours to unforgettable Persian cuisine and much more, the best vegan restaurants on the Gold Coast have something for everyone. Plus, they’re found up and down the coast, so planning your next night out with friends or family is easy.
