5 RCA-winning Restaurants to Find Gourmet Vegetarian Fare

With a large proportion of diners requiring vegetarian fare with flair these days, most venues have meat-less options on the menu to appease all cravings.

As we focus on gourmet vegetarian offerings this week, let’s check out five Readers’ Choice Award-winning venues where you will always find something to cater to all dietary requirements whether a crispy pizza, risotto or corn fritters for breaky:

Find a little slice of Europe on Phillip Island at Anerie on Thompson Avenue in Cowes. This French-style bistro exudes stylish charm from the black and white striped chairs to an eclectic mix of art on the walls, including a sketch of ‘Anerie’ the donkey; or soak up the island sun alfresco as balmy sea breezes ruffle trees and peruse an authentic menu of classic dishes.

 

Serving lunch and dinner, pair a wine with starters like twice-baked cheese souffle with dressed frisee, or traditional onion soup; for the main, think vegetarian delights such as mushroom vol au vent with field mushroom ragu and truffle cream.

 

Tasmanian favourites and international flavours meet at Dalton Café on Victoria Street in Ulverstone. This Devonport eatery exudes a charming vibe of concrete flooring, timber table settings, Edison bulb lighting and shelves stacked with produce; while on balmy days the alfresco dining area and deck beckon to soak up the sun with a coffee and slice of cake.

 

Stop in for eggs Florentine to start the day with poached eggs, spinach and Hollandaise on an English muffin; later diners can opt to start with sourdough bruschetta topped with pesto, red onion, Parmesan and tomato, before picking up a slice of vegetarian pizza with mushroom, onion, pumpkin, capsicum, olives and tomato.

 

Nestled in the heart of Wollongong and part of the town’s cheery seaside dining scene is Kneading Ruby on Crown Lane. Imposing from the outside with high brick walls, inside is unassumingly elegant, with lofty ceilings giving an airy feel to pair with delicate vines draped across timber ceiling beams and polished floors.

 

Naturally lit during the day for a breezy café feel and cast under a soft glow for more ambient evening dining, Kneading Ruby can cater to a range of occasions and is popular for large groups looking to share a vegetarian pizza topped with mushroom, Fontana, Parmesan, leek, garlic, chives, truffle oil and pepper.

 

Beginning as a pop-up restaurant during COVID, Café Haha’s on Brunker Street brings the taste of homestyle Vietnamese fare to Adamstown diners. A bright and breezy interior vibe of whitewashed walls, trailing greenery and dark wood table settings sets the scene for inspired all-day dining from a menu mixing Aussie café classics with Vietnamese favourites.

 

Think breakfasts such as housemade crispy corn fritters, poached egg, sliced avocado, crumbled feta and chilli tomato relish; or devour chunky avocado smash with poached eggs, Asian dukkah, pickled carrot, coriander, sweet chilli and roasted tomatoes.

 

Find a dining experience with a heart deeply rooted in the Adelaide Hills and an imagination that embraces the flavours of the world at Miss Perez Kitchen & Bar on Druid Avenue in Stirling. Nestled on one of the prettiest tree-lined streets in the suburb, floor-to-ceiling windows grant stunning views of iconic oak trees, or you can sit under them on the outside deck to enjoy breaky tempters like smashed avo with basil pesto, herbs, dukkah, seeds, crumbled, feta and sourdough toast.

 

Later diners can start with crispy cauliflower, Mexican spice and adobo; before wild mushroom risotto, truffle oil and Parmesan, or wrap your hands around a veggin’ out burger with plant-based patty, hash brown, onion, jam crispy lettuce and vegan aioli.