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Vegetarians and vegans, guess who’s back? Back again? Nope not Shady, but Doko Demo V and yep, tell a friend (or a good spud-ie) because the new digs are positively radishing! Serving up multicultural vegan cuisine like a boss, we’ve been rooting for Doko Demo V 2.0 to be as unbeetable as the original noshery…and we’re pea-sed to confirm it’s even better! With not mushroom for improvement to begin with, they’ve come back like a kale-force wind and yes, these vegan puns are super corny.

Once sitting pretty in Miami, passionate owners Jared Peck and Vian made the big decision to shut up shop and relocate their booming business to escape ongoing tram constructions. Recently reopening in West Burleigh, all we can say is Miami: 0, Burleigh: 1, as this plant-based pearler is a winner winner (faux) chicken dinner! Even if you’re a carnivore from way back, we recommend you live on the veg and try this place because you’d never know meat had been given the flick. The flavours – and meal presentation – are tofu-king good.

Vian has nailed the interior design and along with her builder Greg, has created the perfect look and feel for this Bali-vibing breath of fresh air. Step inside and you’re instantly drawn to an authentic eye-catching bamboo bar with thatched roofing. There’s a vine-covered white vertical veejay wall housing the kitchen with a cool “Meatless doesn’t mean tasteless” aqua neon sign, and we’ll cheers to that.

There’s plenty of gorgeous greenery, festoon lighting, and a mash-up of wooden booths, funky tree slab tables, and old-school chunky timber tables and chairs. Accommodating 70 people, dining extends to an undercover outdoor area with plenty more seating, and a statement tree wallpaper adorned wall with peach neon “All Lives Matter” sign #TrueDat.

Now the most stressful decision you’ll face is do I go for breakfast, lunch or dinner because both menus will take you to your hap-pea place. Jared also dons the Head Chef hat and friends, this man is a wizard in the kitchen. For the most important meal of the day, we couldn’t go past the Taro Pancake Stack with fresh fruit salad, vanilla ice cream and maple which we might also order for lunch, because it’s an all-day breakky menu! And hey, we can go all sorts of non-conventional here because the lunch menu is also available from 7am, and this is like the exponentially levelled-up, meatless version of a post Melba’s Maccas hit at sunrise! We’ve picked the Works Burger with cheese, onion, lettuce, egg, tomato, beetroot, onion, pineapple, sriracha mayo, and bbq sauce on a charcoal bun with a side of Potato Fries. I can’t believe it’s not butter meat!

For dinner, how about an entrée of Pan-Fried Dumplings with special soy dipping sauce and some BBQ Pork Buns peas and thank you? Then, choose from Burgers, Wraps, Pizza, Pasta and a tasty selection of other plant-based pleasers. The Spicy Pepperoni Pizza with smoky bbq, onion, capsicum, jalapeno, chilli flakes, cheese, and sausage goes down a treat, as does the No Beef Lasagne with garden salad, and the Unreal Scallopini with garden vegetables, mash potato, brandy, and mushroom cream sauce. And for something sweet, we’re ordering the Pot Plant Ice Cream because it combines our two favourite things and srsly, it would be rude not to.

Cocktails always deserve a shout-out, especially the Dokodemo with watermelon juice, vodka and mint but if it’s too early for booze (does anyone else hear crickets?), they do a mean coffee, shake, tea, juice and Hemp Kombucha.

Yep it’s official – we’ve rediscovered our culinary soil mate #EatBeansNotBeings.

Where: 2/2 Sunlight Dr, Burleigh Waters, Qld, 4220 When: 7.30 – 3.30 Tuesday – Sunday, 5pm – 9pm Friday – Sunday

 Words by Bianca Trathen. Images by Brittany Kreskas.

Vegan eats have certainly had a glow-up in the last little while. Not particularly surprising when you consider the number of hard-working venues serving up epic plant-based dishes even the most intense meat lovers among us will adore. Because of this, it was only a matter of time before full-blown vegan restaurants on the Gold Coast were a thing. Whether you’re a carnivore at heart or vegan by nature, that’s beside the point: these eateries are for everyone — creating knock-out tasty food. Period.

Here’s a list of the very best so you may indulge your inner plant lover anytime you please.

Plants and Me When it comes to eating a delicious plethora of vegan eats — which you’re hard pushed to discern from their meaty equivalent — Plants and Me is a place you need on your radar, stat. Operating primarily as a café, you’ll also discover a lunch menu worth dropping everything for with multi-coloured burgers (think green and red brioche-style buns) dyed with veggie colouring, all the way to a kaleidoscope of the very best looking fruit juices and smoothies. They have also just started making their own selection of incredible meat (free) pies — so good you won’t even know the difference. Where: 4/20 Scarborough Street, Southport 

i like ramen Serving up more mouth-watering vegan dishes than you can poke a chopstick at, i like ramen is one of the most beloved venues (vegan or otherwise) on the Gold Coast. They’ve created ramen dishes that are as good as (if not better than) any other you’ll sample, plus goodies like baos, burgers and personal faves Panko Crusted Mushrooms and Kimchi Potatoes we’d sell our souls for. Oh, and there’s a slew of epic cocktails too. Where: 2251 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach

Greenhouse Canteen One of the OG vegan restaurants on the Gold Coast, Greenhouse Canteen’s menu is as good as it gets. They’ve got a botanical bar so that you can order a selection of vegan cocktails, wine or beer and the space is always packed with good vibes. To eat, we’d go for the Jackfruit Enchiladas or the Eggplant Moussaka. Also, if you feel like eating at home, Greenhouse has takeaway packs along the lines of Kentucky Fried Jackfruit. Ohhh yesss! Where: 1916 Gold Coast Highway, Miami

Goodness Gracias Goodness Gracias has long been a vegan favourite on the Gold Coast, serving plant-based Mexican food in a vibrant Palm Beach space. Eat-in or takeaway and choose from delicious eats like burritos, tacos, nachos and plenty of tasty sides and salads. We’re regulars here, and it’s always tasty and of the highest quality. Plus, who doesn’t love Mexican food? Nobody is who! Where: 1114-1116 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

Lord of the Fries If there is one thing we can get behind, it is a fast-food venue made up primarily of potatoes. Precisely what is happening at Lord of the Fries – all of the vegan fries, peeps. Not only those crispy, delicious gifts from God, though, Lord of the Fries is also serving up Veggie Burgers, Onion Rings (Lord of the Rings), Vegetarian Nuggets and Vegetarian Hot Dogs and everything is kosher and Halal. One taste, and you’ll be a big fan: no contest. Where: Paradise Centre, 8 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise

The Hidden Cherub After close to 2 years of operation, a relative newbie to the vegan Gold Coast scene is a little tucked away laneway bar/plant-based eats venue: The Hidden Cherub. The Miami bar is decked out with a sleek, industrial-esque look, greenery dripping from the walls and black and white striped bench seating. While the drinks here are the main event, the entirely vegan packed food menu is filled with delicious share plates, burgers, tacos, salads and sides. In terms of burgers, there’s a Spicy Fried Chick’n, The Californian, and The Classic. Tacos come in combos like Tempura Cauliflower, Chick’n in Abodo sauce and Three Bean. Mouth-watering goodness. Where: 2/29 Lemana Lane, Miami

Cardamom Pod Cardamon Pod at Southport and Broadbeach has long been a favourite amongst Gold Coasters (and influencers), offering both vegetarian and vegan choices. On the menu, you’ll find dishes like Apple Pie Pancakes, a Snickers Acai Bowl and a Blinged Out Avo Benny, to name a few, plus plenty of raw treats, organic coffee and gluten-free options too. All dishes are almost too pretty to eat. Where: 1/2685 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach & 3/3 Brolga Ave, Southport

Plant-Based Cafe This cafe opened in Paradise Point last year and quickly became a massive hit amongst the locals. Every single dish is stunning, and — yes, you guessed it — you’re going to want to sample them all. For example, the California Dreamin’ burger is next-level with a stacked crispy ‘chikn’ fillet on a bed of American-style slaw with all the trimmings. So tasty. There are smoothies, coffee and acai bowls, too, and it’s the perfect spot for a brunch date, vegan-style. Where: 1/2 Grice Avenue, Paradise Point

Easy House Vegetarian Restaurant Easy House has been around for some time and is as much-loved as it’s always been. The menu consists of Asian vegetarian and vegan dishes, and it’s all flavour-packed and fresh. The XO Noodles are to die for, and the dumplings are one thing you could eat every day forever. Don’t miss out on this one. Where: 90 Markeri Street, Mermaid Beach

Doko Demo V Offering an entirely vegan wholefoods-based menu, Doko Demo V is the work of Head Chef Jared Peck. The menu ranges from breakfast through to lunch and dinner and is bursting with beautifully prepared dishes that are both healthy and of the eyes-are-bigger-than-your-belly variety. The Lamb Souvlaki is a fave with marinated greek plant-based lamb, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onion, smokey bbq, mint yoghurt in a wholemeal wrap. YUM. Where: 1908 Gold Coast Highway, Miami

Izakaya Midori You’ll find a trove of plant-based Japanese food at Izakaya Midori in Reedy Creek. There are dishes like Tofu Chocolate Gâteau, Creamy Corn Croquettes, Spicy Lime Karaage and Tempura Tofu to name a few. You can also grab things to takeaway. Should we mention their vegan cheese Party Animal Platter? Need we say more? Where: 50 Woodland Drive, Reedy Creek

Lovechild Kitchen and Bar REOPENING 4TH NOVEMBER: Stay tuned to see what the team at this popular vegan spot in Mermaid Beach have been working on! You’re promised to be impressed with the tasty selection of burgers, tacos and cocktail selection very soon… Where: Shop 1C / 2375 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Nobby’s is one of the Gold Coast’s most loved good-time spots but over the last few weeks (months, years etc.), there has been A LOT going on. Exceptional new venues are popping up left, right and centre with more to come and originals we absolutely love, closing their doors for good (sad face). A lot see.

The latest news coming out of the little beachside beauty is very exciting indeed friends and it is that of i like ramen’s return to our shores. As you’re no doubt aware, the vegan ramen slinging lads made the move to Brissy a little while ago, after setting up shop at Miami’s The LC (now closed) and a weekly stint at Bine, also in Nobby’s.

But now THEY’RE BACK and they’re never leaving again (or else).

The crew, led by Bobby and Dom, have moved into the downstairs space on the corner of the Gold Coast Highway and Wave Street and underneath sweet, new surf store Surfboard Empire. Which is the perfect pairing honestly!

Now as you’d expect, the space is quite a treat with windows opening out onto the street down one side, an-industrial-style interior complete with low hanging lights made from planks of wood and a chalkboard on which you may write messages of love and noodle appreciation.

A bar at the back boasts a stunning black rendered bench by RENDER X but the pièce de résistance is (without a doubt) the bright yellow trike at the front door and if you ask nicely, the team might just let you take it for a spin (don’t tell them we said that though).

Let’s talk food and if you haven’t had the pleasure of sampling i like ramen’s goodies, get onto that right now. The menu is made up of plates and bowls, it’s all vegan and it’s all VERY GOOD.

Plates along the lines Panko Mushrooms (love you), Kimchi Potatoes (love you too), Sticky Eggplant, Garlic Soy Asian Greens and Holy Duck Baos are absolute flavour sensations and look, we’ll be spending a lot of time there from now on.

The Kimchi Ramen is a firm favourite with ramen noodles served in a spicy kimchi broth, loaded with kimchi perfection and fried tofu and topped with chopped spring onions, fresh sprouts, fried shallots, roasted seaweed, chilli threads and sesame. Too good.

There are also Mean Green, Mushroom Ramen, Chick’n White Miso Ramen and Loaded Bowls and we recommend eating one every single day forever.

Come summer time (next week), the team will be serving up salads and cold noodle bowls because it’s quite clearly going to be the hottest one we’ve ever experienced.

Drinks wise there are several Japanese whiskies on offer and we really love Japanese whisky. There are also mouthwatering cocktails – we were big fans of the Umeshu Spritz with Choya plum liqueur, Prosecco and soda – and an impressive beer and wine list too.

So all your (our) favourite things.

Not only all of that, there are some exciting events in the works, so even more reason to go spend time there. How good.

Welcome home I like ramen, we missed you.

LOCATION: 2251 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach HOURS: Wednesday to Sunday 11.30am until late

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

Beyond a shadow of a doubt, we, the people of 2021 are more concerned with what we put in our bodies than at any other time in history. Diets and eating trends have come and gone, but the one solid dietary trend that has only gone from strength to strength is plant-based eating.

We now find ourselves with vegan options at most, if not all of our cafes, restaurants and eateries, so it was to be expected that at some point, someone was going to have that light bulb moment and open an entirely plant-based eatery. And that they did. Whilst there is a handful of venues falling under this banner in our city, you’ll no doubt be happy to learn that as of today, there is one more to add to the collection, Plants & Me of Southport!

Occupying a space on the southern end of busy Scarborough Street and only steps away from the Southport South tram stop means finding this little gem and finding your way home is not likely to cause any issue.

Once inside, you’ll feel an industrial/minimalistic vibe, but then you’ll notice these guys take their position on plants seriously too; with greenery-backed bench seating and an entire feature column dedicated to plants. But not just any plants either, rare and endangered species which in time you will be able to buy and then take home with you. Food and plants to take home in the same place — this is a new concept, people!

Great care is taken to produce a vegan menu that hinges on whole foods and using ‘mock meats’ as little as possible. A lot of work from the culinary wizards behind the scenes — with a peppering of love — has created dishes that you simply won’t find anywhere else, all tied together with a subtle infusion of Asian influence: most notably Japanese cuisine.

For example, you could start things off with Pinwheel House Gyozas with cabbage, ginger and mushrooms, before setting your sights on a Slow Cooked Japanese Curry of seasonal vegetables. Perhaps the most imaginative part of the menu is their desserts. With particular attention made to The Frozen Garden, smoked ice creams are topped with frozen (edible) botanics and sprinkled with candied mixed berries and cashew biscuit crumb. If one dish has the potential to turn anybody vegan, it has to be this one, people. Take note!

Drinks-wise, the venue is waiting for their liquor license approval — so until then, they will be operating under a BYO capacity. Fear not though, once they have the license approved, they promise to conjure up some incredibly complex and fantastic vegan cocktails just for you. And if their food menu is anything to go off, we can’t wait to see what they come up with.

Operating for breakfast, lunch and dinner and with three different menus, we can see Plants & Me on a collision course with some hungry plant eaters out there. From where we are standing, we can certainly see everyone — meat-eaters included — leaving with a smile on their face.

Where: 4/20 Scarborough St, Southport When: Everyday 7am — 2.30pm | 5.30pm — late