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Our favourite Glowcations, Melbourne

Melbourne is the foodie capital of Australia with cafés competing to create Instagram-hitting, rainbow-coloured,  memory-making menus. It’s also one of our favourite cities in the world to visit for plant-based cafés. Here’s our top three vegan and vegetarian cafés in Melbourne:

Bentwood, Fitzroy

Julien Moussi is the undisputed king of the Melbourne café scene. With thirteen successful launches under his belt, he champions innovative, plant-based food. Our Glowstar, Jess Moses,  lives in Melbourne and she rates Bentwood as the best of his uber impressive portfolio.  Located in the former Thonet furniture showroom, where the iconic Bentwood wooden café chairs were made, Bentwood serves the most innovative, grammable  food in Melbourne.

Their famous hotcakes served with raspberry curd, berries, meringue and mascarpone are a taste sensation to remember.

Our tip, don’t miss their signature chia pudding.  It’s a butterfly pea chia pudding, served with creamy coconut yoghurt, mango jerky, fresh berries and the most incredible buckwheat clusters. You won’t be disappointed.

Treehouse Lounge, St Kilda’s

Treehouse Lounge was already a go-to spot for most locals in St Kilda. But, with a recent renovation, and new management, it’s looking better than ever.

There are so many delicious plant-based friendly options on the menu, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

From pulled jackfruit tacos to a vegan chilli tofu scramble. Glowstar Jess loves the Not Just Avocado. “It goes far beyond any avo smash I’ve ever had’, she says. Imagine thick smashed avocado on multi-grain sourdough bread, with rainbow beetroot slices, roasted heirloom carrots, fresh lime, toasted seeds, ricotta mousse and a poached egg. Also worth ordering is their Roasted Cauliflower and Kale Salad.  It’s packed with kale, roasted cauliflower, pumpkin hummus, toasted seeds, fresh pomegranate, two poached eggs and dukkah.

For dessert, they’re also the first café in Melbourne to stock the Thai born smoothie bowl brand, NanaBowls on the menu. Jess is biased as she co- created the company, but they’re delicious!

MOB, Camberwell

This café is another brainchild  of Julien Moussi. MOB is set in the heart of Camberwell, one of the best foodie locations in Melbourne. It’s hidden away in a prime position in the car park behind Burke’s Row near the famous Sunday market. Walls are white tiled, there are ceramic floors, vintage lights and wooden high stools.

Our Glowstar Jess genuinely couldn’t decide what to get, as the menu is just too good!  For breakfast she suggests their granola bowl with a base of their homemade granola, topped with fresh yogurt, açai, fresh banana slices, kiwi, strawberries, crunchy nuts and runny peanut butter.

As a lunch option try their Nourish Salad with the most delicious grilled halloumi.

Even Jess’ meat obsessed boyfriend loves it!  Last but not least, visit for their food art. They’ve mastered it – and more – at MOB.

 

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Treehouse Lounge, Melbourne

Treehouse Lounge was already a go-to spot for most locals in St Kilda. But, with a recent renovation, and new management, it’s looking better than ever. We’re talking new menu, new staff and updated decor. The Treehouse facelift is what everyone in Melbourne is talking about.

The setting

Treehouse Lounge is on Carlisle Street in St Kilda’s Balaclava, the heart of café culture in Melbourne. It’s also a great hub for cool shops.

The space

It’s like an indoor treehouse come to life- restored wood and hanging plants. My favourite part is the bright natural light that floods in through the huge window … obviously a bonus when it comes to food photography!

Treehouse Lounge uses natural, earthy, elements to create a relaxed vibe for meeting friends or sitting and working using the free WiFi.

The little things that make a difference

The team go above and beyond. Once you’re greeted with a big smile and a friendly chat, the staff and owner do whatever you can to make your experience a pleasant one. They support local small businesses and giving back to the community.

The fresh juice test

As they’ve recently re-opened, they’re still fine tuning their juice menu. Fresh juices will be on the cards, but for now it’s all about the matcha lattes by Matcha Maiden, turmeric lattes by Golden Grind and the Treehouse homemade smoothies to quench your thirst.

What I ate

There are so many delicious plant-based friendly options on the menu, you’ll be spoilt for choice. From pulled jackfruit tacos to a vegan chilli tofu scramble.

For my review, I went for three stunning dishes that delivered a serious taste sensation. The first was the ‘Not Just Avocado’, and they’re right.  It goes far beyond any avo smash I’ve ever had. Imagine thick smashed avocado on multi-grain sourdough bread, with rainbow beetroot slices, roasted heirloom carrots, fresh lime, toasted seeds, ricotta mousse and a poached egg.

I also tried their Roasted Cauliflower and Kale Salad which is now my new favourite dish. It’s packed with kale, roasted cauliflower, pumpkin hummus, toasted seeds, fresh pomegranate, two poached eggs and dukkah.

It’s the perfect combo of fresh, hearty and filling all in one.

Last, but not least, was the Heirloom Carrot Salad. This is served with barley, crunchy roasted chickpeas, caramelised roasted carrots, pomegranate seeds, kale, a poachie and a delicious tahini yoghurt dressing. Yum!

For dessert, they’re also the first and only cafe in Melbourne to have the Thai born smoothie bowl brand, NanaBowls on the menu. They’re exclusively serving the Peanut Butter Salted Caramel and the Strawberry Bliss flavours… all with extra toppings. I’m biased as we created the company, but they’re delicious!

What we’d go back for…

The challah french toast. Who wouldn’t glow when you’re served a soft thick piece of french toast with nut crumble, toasted hazelnuts, Nutella mousse, fresh berries and a roasted marshmallow?

The bill

Matcha latte  $5.50
Not Just Avocado  $18
Cauliflower and kale salad  $18.90
Heirloom carrot salad  $18
Peanut butter salted caramel Nana Bowl  $15
Challah french toast  $18.50