Vegan and Vegetarian dining on the Central Coast

About three million Aussies are choosing to eat a vegetarian or vegan diet these days, so it makes sense that more and more plant-based options are popping up on menus around the country. Herbivores rejoice!

And the really good news? The quality of these veggie options has improved vastly, to the point where they’re often the star of the menu. So even if you haven’t adopted a full-time plant-based diet for yourself, you’ll probably find you’re tempted to order veggo more frequently than ever before.

Here are some of our favourite plant-powered dining venues, where eating your greens is always a treat, never a chore.

Coast 175, Ettalong

This cute, nautical-chic cafe/produce market serves excellent coffee and deliciously wholesome meals. It’s a favourite brekkie/brunch/lunch spot for locals and for holidaymakers staying in town.

The vegetarian corn fritters here are always a crowd pleaser, but we have to recommend the vegan bowl, which is elevated to a level of extra-tastiness thanks to the combo of dukkah and fresh herbs the chef mixes in.

There’s always a selection of tempting treats in the cake cabinet to suit any dietary requirements, and we think you’ll find the Wes Anderson influenced aesthetic of Coast 175 pretty sweet too.

Jasmine Greens Park Kiosk, Umina

This little gem sits in a grassy parkland just across the road from Ocean Beach, so naturally it has a very chilled-out, vacation vibe. If the word ‘kiosk’ made you assume fast food, think again. Everything at Jasmine Greens is lovingly prepared and made with high quality, sustainable produce. Grab a seat in the sunny courtyard and enjoy a light snack, a substantial meal, and/or a sweet treat. If you’ve got kids, they’ll enjoy the playground nearby while you enjoy your coffee.

A lot of the items on the menu feature a subtle mediterranean influence, and among the various salads, toasties, pies and burgers there are loads of options for vegans as well as vegetarians. Our favourites? For breakfast, the simple but delicious vegan toastie, bursting with tasty veggies. And for lunch, the grilled halloumi salad.

Gnostic Mana, Woy Woy

For the uninitiated, Gnostic Corner is a bit of an institution on the Peninsula. It’s a cute little precinct in Woy Woy where a handful of Gnostic branded businesses operate side by side, united by their shared values of wellness, mindfulness, kindness, and community. There’s a healing centre, a crystal shop, a florist, and a cosy cafe called Gnostic Mana.

Yes, there’s a new-agey sort of vibe here (Mana is a type of spiritual force, and Gnostic means knowledge), but even if that’s not your thing, don’t let that put you off. This joint isn’t exclusively for those seeking enlightenment, everyone’s welcome, there are even meat-based dishes available for the carnivores.

But because we’re here to talk about plant based meals, we gotta sing the praises of the very more-ish house made falafel wrap. Or, if your sweet tooth is calling the shots, you’ll be happily sated by the buttermilk pancakes topped with grilled banana and gelato.

Island Time, Terrigal

Getting yourself a bit of Island Time is always enjoyable. Whether you grab a table inside or out the front of this cute little cafe, you’ll feel chilled-out, upbeat island vibes the moment you sit down. And then you’ll possibly be in the mood for a cocktail (if that’s the case, you’ll find they do a bloody good Bloody Mary).

The food here is simple, fresh, and they offer plenty of tasty plant-based options. The açai bowls are loaded with fruity, antioxidant-rich goodness and served in (very photogenic) coconut shells. And the green bowl is so full of flavour it makes kale feel like an indulgence.

Savour the view of the horizon, do a bit of people-watching, tuck in, and enjoy being on island time for a while.

Komuniti, Long Jetty

Formerly known as Modern Organic, Komuniti is another venue that’s newagey- but-not-annoying-about-it. There’s a “Zen garden” aesthetic and energy here. The design was inspired by the owner’s experience living in South East Asia, and it creates an effective ambience of contentment and peace calm. And, while you’re enjoying the calm vibes, you’ll also feel the good karma knowing that most of the produce is organic, locally sourced, and plant based.

Komuniti’s extensive all day menu features loads of non-boring vegan options, so you’ll probably want to come here a few times to work your way through it. Maybe start with the dish for which they’re famous: the “Yin and Yang”, a serving of their beloved corn fritters with a mini-stack of fluffy butterscotch pancakes. It’s the perfect plate for when you just can’t decide if you feel like something sweet or something savoury.

And once you’ve checked out the impressive food menu, check out the menu of yoga and pilates classes they run here every day of the week. There’s a class for yogis of every experience level.

Green Tangerine, Long Jetty

This artisan bakery and cafe keeps locals coming back, and it’s a hit with visitors. Their on-site bakery uses traditional French techniques to produce mouth-watering breads, cakes and pastries, and the cafe menu features a range of sweet and savoury dishes packed with unique taste sensations.

Their “punchy” take on avocado toast, the Avo Bravado, is a fan-fave that features a dozen (yes, twelve) different flavours working in perfect harmony with each other. It can be adapted for vegans and it’s absolutely essential to try.

After you’ve enjoyed a satisfying meal and a perfectly brewed coffee at Green Tangerine, be sure to take home a loaf of their freshly baked (and maybe a croissant or two).

The Secret Cafe, Charmhaven

Well, the secret’s out… now everyone’s gonna know about this charming little nook.

The rumours are true: the ingredients in all the dishes at The Secret Cafe are super fresh, the coffees and smoothies are excellent, and the bean and mushroom burger is a favourite for a reason. We also recommend the Vegan Bliss Bowl and the Vegan Brekky Stack, and we really love that The Secret Cafe encourages you to build your own bespoke breakfast. We love being able to choose our own adventure.

You’ll probably want to visit a few times to try it all, but now that the secret’s out you might wanna book ahead.

Yellowtail, Terrigal

This is just the spot if you’re looking for an intimate, unpretentious fine-dining experience. It’s sophisticated enough to suit a special occasion, and at the same time it’s comfortable enough to be suitable for a casual mid-week dinner.

There are plenty of innovative plant-based options on the modern-Australian menu, featuring a vibrant combination of flavours from around the world. Try the tempura fioretto (baby cauliflower stalks) with salsa verde, and Oyster mushrooms with Tasmanian wakame. And if you’re feeling adventurous, every Thursday the chefs at Yellowtail get inventive and trial new recipes for their weekly ‘test kitchen’ nights.

Los Dos Hombres, The Entrance

Mexican cuisine is always a solid option for vegans and veggos (as well as our gluten-free friends), and this is some of the best Veggo-Mexicano you’ll find on this side of the Pacific Ocean. Whether you prefer mild or spicy, crunchy of soft, folded or rolled, everyone’s got a go-to Mexican fave, and Los Dos Hombres have it all.

The atmosphere here’s fun and casual, the menu has a wide variety of options to suit everyone, and the prices are super reasonable. With that in mind it makes sense that this is such a popular dinner spot through the week, and a fun location for weekend lunches.

We recommend the vegan tacos with crispy cauliflower, and we also suggest you BYO some Coronas if you’re feel like making it a fiesta.