Rye AND Potato Waffle – Equium Social
One thing I love about Equium is that so many of their dishes come with a vegan option. Today I’m telling you to try the Rye & Potato Waffle, but ask me again tomorrow and I’ll probably tell you something different – it’s all so good! Oh, and they have the fanciest water dispensing system in Newcastle, something all the other H20 fans out there need to know.
Vegetable Bento Box – Nagisa
I’m a sucker for good Japanese food and damn, Nagisa do it very well. The vegetable bento box is the best way to sample a little bit of everything (is this cheating if I am only meant to pick one dish!?) but the stand out for me is their goma spinach; a cold dish of blanched spinach, edamame and sweet sesame dressing. Just ask for it vegan and they’ll take care of you!
Vegan Vanilla Glaze Doughnut – Doughheads
I may not be the biggest sweet tooth, but I simply cannot resist a good doughy. Luckily Doughheads have two permanent vegan flavours and one vegan special every fortnight.
Most of the time I like to keep it simple with their vegan vanilla glaze but don’t be surprised if you end up walking out with at least one of each flavour.
Banh Xeo Chay (Veggie Viet Pancake) – VietKing
Out of all the restaurants in Newy, I find myself craving a spread from VietKing the most often. The banh xeo chay is crispy and bursting with flavour – by far the best I’ve ever had. If you’re sharing with others, be prepared for a showdown over who is going to get the last piece.
COCONUT AND RASPBERRY CAKE – CAKE BOI
Cake Boi’s owner Reece will likely downplay how much of an inspiration I am to him, but there’s no other explanation for how good his vegan coconut & raspberry cake is (other than his baking prowess, I guess.)
It’s a moist and flavourful cake with bursts of raspberry and a creamy frosting that I’d be tempted to just eat straight from the mixer. I haven’t asked him if I can do that, but I don’t think he’ll let me.
Vegan Seafood Platter – The Kingfish
Despite the fact I was never really into seafood in my pre-vegan days, put The Kingfish’s vegan seafood platter in front of me and I will undoubtedly demolish it. Prawns, scallops, fish, salads, chips and more – all vegan and all delish.
Southerner Burger – Greaser’s Good Food
I’ve become accustomed to only being offered one vegan burger option, so at Greaser’s I always feel spoilt for choice! Located within the Family Hotel, the whole menu here is plant-based.
The vegan chicken tenders on the ‘Southerner’ burger are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside and tasty all over. Grab a side of tater tots and you’ll be living your very best life.
GARDEN TO PLATE MENU (VEGAN) – MARGAN
If you’re keen for a little drive to wine country, you won’t regret stopping by Margan in the Hunter Valley. I can’t pick one dish from their Vegan Garden to Plate menu because it’s an often-changing five course offering made with produce from their very own kitchen garden and orchard. Plus, a lot of the wines are vegan, just ask the incredibly friendly and knowledgeable staff for recommendations.
Soya Chaap Masala – Sapphire Indian Restaurant
I’m not for one second going to suggest you only order one thing from Sapphire’s extensive vegan offering, however I am going to tell you to make sure the soya chaap masala is one of them. It’s tangy, meaty and the perfect amount of spice, perfectly accompanying all the other menu items you’re surely be digging into alongside it.
Chelsey Johns is a part-time vegan lifestyle blogger and content creator, born and raised in Newcastle. Since 2010, Chelsey has been showing people all over the world how to eat, look, travel and live Like A Vegan through her blog and Instagram account, showcasing vegan products, restaurants and original recipes.
When she’s not working or creating, she’s probably adding things to cart without purchasing, making cocktails, watching Mad Men for the 1000th time or hanging out with her rescue dog, Brett. Sometimes all at once.
