You may remember last year I made a Melbourne Food Diary. However, I went down to Melbourne this year and did a lot more research of vegan-friendly places to eat, though I swear more and more places have opened up in the past year! As I have been to Melbourne before, this trip was more about food than doing touristy things, so I found I had more time to eat at multiple places a day. My jeans may be a bit more tighter than when I left, but definitely worth it! I apologize for the photos, they were taken with my iPhone as my camera died and the lighting was horrendous winter lighting!

Some places are still staples from last year, mainly Lord of the Fries for burgers/fries and Queen Victoria Markets for fruit, but here I'll try and list new places to eat.

1. Cupcake Central, Melbourne Central


This is an adorable cupcake shop that rotates its cupcake range daily. However, they only do one vegan flavour (which is always gluten free too) per day! But hey, access to a vegan cupcake in a main shopping centre is always a win-win situation, is it not? Just ask the friendly staff for the daily vegan flavour! I had a blueberry pie flavour!

2. Sister of Soul, St Kilda


This is a popular vegetarian cafe right near Luna Park at St Kilda, on the main road. It does a range of lunch/dessert/breakfast options, everything is vegetarian, a few are vegan or can be altered to be vegan. I tried the banana pancakes and rocky road! So delicious, and the presentation was gorgeous! Talk about photogenic food!

3. Vegie Bar, Fitzroy

Super busy, but delicious with a range of vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and raw food! I tried the raw vegan tacos which were super satisfying and filling.

4. La Panella, Vegan Bakery at Preston


This is a 100% vegetarian bakery in the suburbs of North Melbourne (Preston, to be exact). This is about a 25 minute train trip from Melbourne Central. But damn, it is worth it. Fattening, no doubt, but dirt cheap with heaps of vegan bakery goodies including donuts, apple pie, cheese and tomato rolls, sausage rolls... I got a cream filled jam donut, a strawberry donut, sugar jam donut and an apple pie for $7.70!

5. Like Minded Projects, Collingwood


This is a building that houses three businesses: Fred Gets, Ace Cookies and Milk, and Coffee Supreme Roasters.

• Fred Gets

Think vegan salads, soups, pana chocolate and cakes. I ordered a take-away pumpkin soup to eat, so warming and great for the winter chill! Unfortunately I didn't take a photo, so you will just have to imagine its deliciousness.

• Ace Cookies and Milk

Think raw ice cream sandwiches and milk. You can choose from a range of Zebra Dream flavours to put on your sandwich, including honeycomb, mint, and berry! I naturally chose the salted caramel biscuits and honeycomb ice-cream as I haven't tried any vegan honeycomb since going vegan. I also got some chai spiced almond milk to glam up my daily breakfast oats back at the hotel.

6. Smith and Deli, Fitzroy


This is probably my favourite place. I mean, its perfect, except for the fact it is entirely take-away. Think vegan croissants (only sold on Saturdays), gooey brownies, vegan McMuffins, meat-like sandwiches including "chicken" salad. Plus, it is a grocery stall in its own right: they sell vegan staples including tofutti, ice-cream, chips, loving earth, bread, marshmallow goodness....the list goes on! I had a McMuffin which even smelt like the original! Even my boyfriend agreed (and he rarely agrees!). Naturally, I also bought the croissant: I got up at 7am to get there at 8am on the dot so I wouldn't miss out! Apparently, only 100 are made each Saturday and the croissants fly out the door: so if you want a croissant, get there early! Definitely worth it: crispy and flakey and moist just like their buttery counterparts! I am actually tempted to try and make my own home-made croissants after rediscovering my love for these delicious pastries.

7. Raw Trader, near Melbourne Central


This is one of those classic Melbourne cafes: hidden from the main street in an alleyway. However, they have a range of vegan options, and all the desserts are vegan: think vegan cheesecake, caramel slice, carrot cake. Plus, I had an amazing white hot chocolate!

Others:

I also had avocado sushi at Gochi at Crown Casino, homemade oats from made from banana, oats and almond milk bought from Coles, strawberries and juice from Queen Victorian Markers to keep costs down!