The Top 5 Vegan Eateries In Adelaide

Adelaide is known for being the foodie capital of Australia. The city is abundant with great food and great wine, and thankfully, vegan eating certainly isn't exempt! Put everything from hearty veggie burgers to piquant stir-fried noodles on the menu - your quest for sustenance won't go unfulfilled in the City of Churches. I've specifically chosen the more affordable outlets, as this blog is tailored to those living on a student budget.

1. Zenhouse Vegetarian Yum Cha

You simply can't go wrong with Zenhouse. I've certainly been around town in my time, and this glorious eatery always draws me back. Their menu is so varied, it's intimidating - it's one of the few places where I have to spend several minutes choosing what to eat! As a vegan, you're usually stuck with one or two options when eating out - but Zenhouse opens up a whole new world of choice. Their menu is 100% vegetarian and the majority of meals are vegan or can be 'veganised'. Their Vegan SFC (Soy Fried Chicken) burger with mayonnaise, satay sauce, cheese and a side of chips is absolutely spectacular. I've recommended this meal to dozens of non-vegan friends and relatives over the years and they're always delighted. If burgers aren't to your taste, there are a plethora of other options, including noodles, dim sims, stir fried vegetables, soup and sandwiches. Their meals are also refreshingly affordable, at only $13.50 for an (enormous) burger, a generous serving of chips and a can of drink. Their menus (yes, there are two) can be found here and here.

2. Two-Bit Villains

Two-Bit Villains, situated within the picturesque Adelaide Arcade, is a quaint little fifties-style diner offering standard, vegetarian and vegan options. This is another fantastic place to go if you're a lover of Western style food, particularly burgers and fries. Their onion rings are also outstandingly good. There are a wide variety of tempting items available, including chilli cheese fries, nachos, sloppy joe's, doughnuts, waffles and a selection of burgers. They also offer absolutely heavenly hand-crafted sodas and milkshakes in a variety of flavours. They cater for many food allergies and provide several gluten-free options. I'd recommend the El Bandigo Burger - that vegan chipotle mayonnaise is to die for. Here is their vegan menu.

3. Vego & Lov'N It

Vego & Lov'N It is a popular, 100% vegan restaurant accessible via a small flight of stairs, just off of Rundle Street. The décor is particularly eccentric, which, for me at least, makes the Vego & Lov'N It experience all the more worthwhile. They're another burger joint - okay, I admit it, I have a tiny obsession with burgers - but they offer a variety of other exciting options as well. Their burgers are packed full of fresh veggies - and you can definitely tell. The taste is clean and refreshing. They also offer a delicious lentil soup - which is highly acclaimed among the vegan community - as well as garlic toast, salads, wraps and muffins. The burgers are enormous, filling and reasonably priced, at $11 each. You'll revel in the fact that absolutely everything on the menu is vegan. The opening hours are few and far between, which is a shame, but the quality of the food essentially counteracts this one flaw. You'll have to visit in-store to check out their full menu.

4. Govinda's Restaurant

Eating at Govinda's Restaurant, also known as the Hare Krishna restaurant, is an experience in and of itself. The food is outstandingly affordable, at only $8 for all-you-can-eat - and trust me, there's plenty to eat! Most of the food is vegetarian, but there are some excellent vegan options available. The feel of the restaurant is very spiritual - you will be asked to remove your shoes before entering, and you will often hear the calming sound of Hare Krishna monks chanting in the background. The menu changes regularly, but you can expect to find a variety of delectable Indian foods including curries, rice dishes and soups. Regardless of what meals are available, you really can't go wrong with $8 all-you-can-eat and an unforgettable spiritual experience to boot. Govinda's Restaurant is located in Kilburn, and is open from Friday to Sunday.

5. Bliss Organic Cafe

Bliss Organic Cafe is a little more on the expensive side, but all of their food is 100% vegan and organic, so the heightened price is more-or-less justifiable. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, and also offer catering and take-away options. Their options include burgers, salads, soup, pasta, bruschetta, Shepard's pie, wedges and kofta balls. All of their food is considered top of the line and is highly acclaimed among the Adelaidean vegan community. If you're after a real treat, and have a little extra money to spend, Bliss Organic Cafe is the place to be. Their three menus are available here, here and here.

The above-mentioned eateries aren't the only places to enjoy delicious vegan food in Adelaide. If you're after more options, check out HappyCow or Adelaide Vegans. You'll find full lists of every single vegan, vegetarian and veg-friendly restaurant on those two websites. Happy eating!