Tips for Eating Vegan in Perth

Eating out puts us vegans into the hands of cooks and waiters that may not always understand what a vegan eats so it's important to be prepared.

Although there are some great vegetarian restaurants in Perth (see below) you may not always have the opportunity to choose to eat at one of them - particularly if you are eating with friends, family or co-workers. Here are some tips for ensuring that eating out is an enjoyable experience and not a hunger-inducing one.

1. Don't assume anything about your wait staff (i.e. that they know what vegan means, that they understand you don't eat foods with chicken stock in it, that they know Parmesan means cheese, that they understand that gelatin, lard, and anchovies are animal products).
2. Do as much negotiating as you can with the restaurant on behalf of your needs before arriving there.
3. Be prepared. Contact a restaurant before hand to enquire about their menu and whether they cater for you. By contacting them before you arrive it gives the chef plenty of warning and yourself the peace of mind that you won't go hungry eating a side salad.
4. If you are unable to contact the restaurant before you arrive; try to pull the waiter aside to explain your dietary requirements away from the table. This will avoid giving the meat-eaters you are sharing with the perception that you are a finicky or troublesome eater.
5. Be specific when describing what you eat, or don't eat to waiters/chefs. Politely state that you are vegan and clearly explain the specific foods you don't eat, i.e. "Can you tell me which menu items do not contain any ingredients derived from animals such as eggs, any type of meat or meat-based broth, cheese, milk or cream?
6. If you are unsure about how vegan-friendly the restaurant or function will be; it may be helpful for you to eat before hand. Though not ideal, it will at least ensure you don't go hungry.

• Listen to 10 Tips for Eating Vegetarian in Social Situations (16min02sec) - a podcast from Food for Thought
• Listen to On the Road: Travelling as a Vegan (53min37sec) - a podcast from Food for Thought

Vegetarian Restaurants

Annalakshmi on the Swan
Jetty #405, Barrack Street Square, Perth (Behind Bell Tower)
08 9221 3003
Indian vegetarian buffet style, no alcohol allowed

Govinda's Restaurant
200 William Street, Northbridge
08 9227 1684
Hare Krishna cuisine - check for dishes that don't contain ghee or paneer

The Juicy Beetroot
Tum Tum Tree Lane, 132 High Street, Fremantle
08 9443 4488
Home style wholefoods

Loka Cafe
199 Brisbane St, Perth (near the corner of Lake Street, opposite Hotel Northbridge)
08 9228 2610
Vegetarian cafe with many vegan options and use organic and fair trade products when practically possible

Lotus Vegetarian / Sri Melaka Vegetarian Nonya Restaurant
2/220 James Street, Northbridge
08 9228 2882
Asian style with proliferation of mock meat

Maoz Vegetarian
Location: 78 William Street, Perth
08 9322 3733
Falafel pockets and all you can eat salad

One World Cuisine
Location: Shop 7, 23 South Street, Kardinya - in the Kardinya Park Shopping Centre (next to the IGA supermarket)
08 9331 6677
Vegetarian and vegan asian Cuisine

Soul Tree Organic Store and Cafe
Shop 6 / 50 Railway Parade, Glen Forrest (opposite Railway Park)
08 9298 9997 - 0417 547 609
Organic vegan, vegetarian, and raw vegan meals

Utopia/Formosa
Shop 4/14, 109 James Street, Northbridge
08 9227 8588.
Chinese style with proliferation of mock meat

Vegetarian Market Delicatessen
Location: 324 Bulwer St, North Perth (Cnr of Fitzgerald & Bulwer St)
08 9227 0022
Vegetarian takeaway

Vegan Friendly Outlets

Absolutely Organic
782 North Beach Road, Gwelup
08 9335 83555
Large range of organic and vegan products

Antonio's Fresh Continental Store
623 Beaufort Street, Mt Lawley
08 9227 5551
Fresh vegan ravioli, large range of Orgran products

Chatters Cafe & Restaurant
1 Progress Drive, Morley
08 9375 1636
Contemporary Chinese, great vegan/veg menu

DeVine Cellars
909 Beaufort Street, Inglewood
08 9271 9197
Good range of vegan and organic wines

Fair Go Trading
197 Brisbane Street, Northbridge
08 9228 2610
Range of organic & fair traded teas, coffee and vegan chocolate

Fresh Provisions
Bayview Shopping Centre, 303 Stirling Highway, Claremont
08 9383 3308
Alexander Building, 77 Walcott Street, Mt Lawley
08 9227 6309
Cnr Canning Highway & Petra Street, Bicton
08 9339 5333
Wide range of vegan biscuits, sprouted bread, dips, Indian takeaway meals etc.

Healthy Valley Organics
28 Drynum Street, Bayswater
08 9371 9903
Fresh nuts/dried fruit, sproutable seeds - bulk and pre-packed

Kakulas Bros.
14 William Street, Northbridge
08 9228 8005
Large range of nuts, beans, dried fruit, grains, and herbs

Kakulas Sisters
29-31 Market Street, Fremantle
08 9430 4445
Large range of nuts, beans, dried fruit, grains, and herbs

Manna Wholefoods
274 South Terrace, South Fremantle
08 9335 7995

The Wild Fig Cafe
33 West Coast Drive - Perth
08 9246 9222
Vegetarian & Vegan Feast on Wednesday nights

World Gourmet Pizzas
265 Walcott Street, Mt Lawley
08 9444 4780
Vegan pizzas made to order

Manufacturers of Vegan Food