Thursday, 15 January 2026

Australia Trip 2025!

 I got to go home and visit friends and family in December and wanted to share the vegan products, foods and restaurants I visited! So unfortunately I didn't get to venture out to the actual vegan restaurants which tend to be a little further away from where I was staying but I did find some great options places (mostly on the North Shore).


I was very blessed with the spot I was staying where I could go on lovely walks every morning.







Sushi Train - Neutral Bay (really in Cremorne)

Just near where we were staying was a Sushi Train which my 9-year old who loves sushi had never experiences so we ate there around 10 times during our stay LOL! Luckily the vegan options were plenty - you can order from the menu any plates that aren't coming around and they have an entirely vegan sushi tray for order!







The Oaks Hotel

The Oaks Hotel, Neutral Bay is a pub with a large beer garden with a stunning oak tree in the middle providing much needed shade. They had two very delicious vegan/gluten free items on the menu at Alala's Bar.

Roasted pumpkin pizza, mushroom, eggplant & coconut feta (gluten free base was vegan too)

-sorry no pic!!-

Dukkah spiced Cauliflower steak pistachio, chilli, dried currant & cauliflower purée.



I Love Pho
at Crows Nest had a couple of vegan choices, I got the Vegan Hotpot



Squires Landing Brewhouse - Circular Quay

Upstairs in the restaurant they kindly make me vegan gluten free options! Friend Zucchini Flowers and Vegetable Pasta :)

Gorgeous views!








Although the St Leonard's location has moved to Lane Cove and is only doing catering and grocery pick up I was so happy to still be able to find their homemade vegan vegan sauce. It's better than anything else I've tried and perfect for so many Asian dishes! If you're in Newtown, Sydney they have a vegan yum cha (dim sum) restaurant!


The Belrose Hotel

They had a great vegan and gluten free mushroom, roast pumpkin and feta pizza. They also had an excellent indoor kid's play area so the kids were well occupied! 


Mona Vale Hotel

Sorry I forgot a pic but they have a vegan GF pizza that was great!!


The Zest's Garden

I met one of my close friends up on the Northern Beaches, I got on the B1 bus and walked from the Narrabeen stop about 10mins along Narrabeen Lagoon to a Thai place called The Zest's Garden. It was so cute and although not specifically on the menu they were able to make most menu items vegan and gluten free. I had the salt and pepper tofu and chilli basil stir fry with tofu. 










My dad took me to a Lebanese place in Crows Nest called Tarboosh and they had some vegan/GF men items. I had the Maghmour Tagine (Eggplant, chickpea, cooked in garlic, onion & capsicum spiced tomato sauce served with basmati rice).



Went to Manly Beach on my birthday and we had takeout avocado sushi rolls, then vegan ice-cream from Ben & Jerry's.





Groceries

The first place I have to point out is the Vegan Grocery Store located under Town Hall, Sydney. Even though I didn't get there myself (ironically I was right in the area an didn't know it existed) my amazing brother and sister-in-law got me all manner of delicious goodies from there! They got the cheeses, rocky road chocolate and fruit mince pies from there. I brought the Maggie Beer quince paste from IGA.


Gorgeous starters with vegan cheese from Delectio BrieArtisa Freycinet (both from the Vegan Grocery Store) and The Vegan Dairy Red Bell Pepper, Maggie Beer Quice Paste and some great vegan GF crackers (all from IGA)



Vegan GF Rocky Road from the Vegan Grocery Store


GF Vegan Fruit Mince Pies by Foods of Athenry bought from the Vegan Grocery Store


This AMAZING GF vegan Black Forest Trifle was purchased from The Green Bakery!



I was a short walk from where I was staying was an IGA, Woolworths and Coles supermarket. All of them have upped their vegan game since my last stay!

I was a bit in love with this Meliora vegan ham and salami found at Woolworths!



I love Fry's vegan nuggets and these Rice Protein & Chia ones are the only gluten free offering - luckily I found them in Coles!






These Wallaby original bites were vegan & GF and so good! From Woolworths. Some of the brands items were not vegan or GF but this one was both!


A friend bought me these Gingerbread Folk vegan GF chocolate gingerbread mini bunnies! Yes the packet is empty lol


These vegan Lindt & Bennetto chocolate bars were a gift and were divine!




Woolworths is a must for their own branded vegan gluten free Mint Slice Biscuits and 


Vegan Wine - of course super important subject. Every time I go back I discover something new and amazing and this time my favorites were the Chapel Hill Verdelho and Pikes Clare Valley Riesling. Other vegan wine brand I totally forgot about were Temple Breuer and Annie's Lane!



Pikes which runs AUS$31.99 in Australia I found on a couple of different websites in the US that ship to me in Florida. The best deal was Saratoga Wine which had it on sale for US$16/bottle and had free shipping with 12 bottles :)
Gary's Wine also carried it.




Christmas Day 2025 (Australian Edition!)

 I had a wonderful time being home for the holidays in Sydney, Australia. It was the first Christmas I had spent there in 12 years so it was extra special! 

My wonderful brother and his wife hosted the most amazing Christmas day! They went all out with the vegan offerings and I was truly overwhelmed with how much effort they went to for me! Most of the items were purchased from the Vegan Grocery Store under Town Hall, Sydney.

Gorgeous starters with vegan cheese from Delectio Brie, Artisa Freycinet and The Vegan Dairy Red Bell Pepper


Served with vegan GF crackers and Maggie Beer Quince Paste.


Dolmades, Guacamole and Olives


Vegan Rocky Road




This delicious Caprese salad was made with Damona vegan bocconcini!!



Bean Salad


Mushroom Gravy (see I contributed a little!) in a gorgeous jug made by my talented cousin. I also made the stuffing tray from the Tofu log recipe!


This AMAZING GF vegan Black Forest Trifle was purchased from The Green Bakery!



GF Vegan Fruit Mince Pies by Foods of Athenry



Vegan GF "ham" slices were from Meliora found at Woolworths