My passion for sustainable travel (or responsible tourism as some folks call it) does not stop at food. The most sustainable diet is a vegan diet, with vegetarian coming a close second. When it comes to veg-friendly food, the little seaside town of Brunswick Heads has a lot to offer. Veg-friendly food often goes hand in hand with gluten-free (GF) options, so if you have a sensitivity to gluten, you will find this list helpful, too.
1. Yami Café
- Middle Eastern/Mediterranean, Vegan, Vegetarian. GF options.
- 4.5 stars on Tripadvisor
- Cheap eats
- Hours and address
Yami is a local’s favorite with indoor and outdoor seating, local art on the walls, and a healthy vegan and vegetarian menu. They have big interesting salads, humus, babaganoush, breads, falafels, coffee and tea, smoothies, sweets such as home-made banana bread, and a lot more.
- Healthy organic breakfasts and lunches. Vegetarian, vegan and GF options.
- 4.5 stars on Tripadvisor
- Low to mid-range prices ($16 for a main)
Although they do serve meat, it is sustainably farmed. Their eggs are free range (cage free). Two vegan options at the time of writing were Moroccan chickpea tangine and mushroom ragout ($16 each). They have sweets, gluten-free options, smoothies, juices, organic teas and, of course, good local organic coffee with a range of milk alternatives.
- Organic Italian. Vegetarian and GF options. Limited vegan options.
- 4.5 stars on Tripadvisor
- Mid-range prices ($20 – $30 for a dinner main. Less for lunch meals.)
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
There’s nothing quite like home-made pasta, especially when it is made from organic flour and free-range eggs. This place was voted the best restaurant in Brunswick Heads by reviewers on Tripadvisor. They have a good range of vegetarian options, but because the pasta itself has eggs in it, limited options for vegans – rocket salad with celery, walnuts and poached pears paired with some of their house-made breads and olive oil. Vegetarian options include arancini with pumpkin, sage and taleggio; roast pumpkin casarecce with kale, goat cheese, pine nuts and burnt butter sage; grilled haloumi salad; and warm lentil salad (vegan if you leave off the goats cheese); quiches and frittata.
They also have organic teas, chai and a range of milk alternatives.
4. Bernardi’s Gelato and Espresso bar
- Italian gelato and coffee. Vegetarian. Vegan options.
- Open afternoons and evenings
Interesting flavours such as ginger and pear as well as a few standards such as raspberry, passionfruit, and lemon sorbet. The waffle cones are fresh and crispy. Dairy options include macadamia, burnt caramel, chocolate, pistachio and others.
- Pizza and salads. Vegetarian options. Gluten-free crust available.
- 4.5 stars on Tripadvisor
- Cheap eats
- Lunch and Dinner
Sticky Fingers has plenty of interesting vegetarian options but no vegan cheese. You could create your own combination from the vegan toppings (spinach, mushroom, fresh tomato, sun-dried tomato, olives, roast capsicum, marinated pumpkin, chili, artichoke, roasted marinated eggplant, onion and garlic) and ask them to leave the cheese off, or go for one of their salads. Sticky Fingers offer gluten-free crust.
- Healthy bistro food. Vegetarian, vegan and GF options.
- 4 stars on Tripadvisor
- Cheap eats
- Lunch and dinner
All GF options are marked on the menu and there are quite a few of them. Vegan options include yellow curry tofu and vegetables with rice; chickpea, lentil and roasted vegetable patties with tzatzaki, rice and salad (leave off the tzatzaki); salad roll; veggie tapas (leave the dairy items off); a veggie burger and several salads. Vegetarian options extend to nachos, pizza, and cheese melts on top of everything that’s offered as vegan.
They also make fresh juices and smoothies, have a good range of beer and wine on tap and an impressive cocktail list.
You can sit outside under a sprawling poinciana tree while listening to live music. it’s a pleasant way to spend a sunday afternoon. Inside the original ceramic tiles still cover the walls and black and a black and white photo display tell the history of Brunswick Heads.
- Healthy breakfasts and lunches. GF and vegetarian options. Vegan options are possible by modifying the vegetarian meals.
- 4.5 stars on Tripadvisor
- Mid-range prices ($16 – $21 for lunch, $18 – $32 dinner mains)
The view of the river attracts people to this cafe and the fresh healthy food keeps them coming back. Vegetarian and GF options are marked on the menu. Samples from the menu include cauliflower, sweet potato & caraway fritters with a salad of mint, rocket, red onion, roast capsicum & beetroot jam ($17); Baked pumpkin & organic quinoa salad with danish feta, red onion, beans, rocket, cherry tomatoes & raspberry vinaigrette ($18).
- Greek inspired. Veg-friendly with GF options.
- 4.5 stars on Tripadvisor
- Mid-range
An adventurous, contemporary Greek inspired menu with vegetarian options (eggplant and feta balls, Beetroot falafel with fatouche salad and tadziki) and vegan options (hummus, breads, salads, falafel). Steer clear of the bread and you’ll find plenty of GF options, too.
It seems Fat Belly Kaf have been taking their customers on a culinary journey around the world. Every so often they will have a theme night, cooking a banquet of dishes from a particular country – Morocco, Peru, Switzerland, Malaysia…
MAP of Restaurants in Brunswick Heads
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