Secret vegan menu @ Cafe Sydney
An impromptu celebration with a bunch of flesh-eaters led us to Cafe Sydney last week. On arrival it dawned it was fine dining and had more animals on the menu than a zoo. Someone else was picking up the tab so the waiter was probed. “Umm…strict vegetarian options?…Oh and dairy allergies too”. Immediate response was “vegan, sure. I’ll get you the vegan menu”. Minutes later a fresh menu was produced. This aptly titled ‘vegan menu’ had a selection of 2 appetizers, 2 mains and 2 dessert options. Cafe Sydney now has now been added to the list of fine dining establishments that serve our kind, right under Tetsuyas. Anyone want to pick up the next tab for the next visit? 
Love a secret vegan menu! That’s awesome. How was the food?
What were the vegan options?
Very exciting. I’m moving to Sydney in January and your blog has been helpful in finding vegan options.
I went here yesterday because I’d read about the vegan menu in the Good Food Guide 2009. Unfortunately the menu was really just a scrap bit of paper with 2 mains written on it. A vegan appetiser seemed to mystify them, so I had to order a ‘veganised’ salad. (I hate when all I can eat is a salad).
I was actually really disappointed with the very small plate of vegies that was my $35 main. I’ve had non-vegan menu items at other high-end restaurants that were much more inspired. However I do appreciate the token effort.
Hi there, greetings from Berlin Germany. I’m currently researching Lupin milk, Lupin/Lupines is a type of bean similar to soy (better actually), but can grow all the way up North to Sweden. I found out that Australia, surprisingly is the biggest grower of Lupins, however these are most likely the ones used for animal feed. For human food there are the “sweet” varieties with less alcaloid content.
Anyway, not to stray too far into the details, I need you guys to tell me if lupin milk is already commercially available in the supermarket shelve, uncle Google doesn’t spit out any of the sort. It could be that I’m not getting any results because I don’t know the brand names, if any.
Sorry for posting off topic here, I thought if anyone can answer me it’s big city vegans;-) Also, which is the most active forum where Australian vegans mingle?
‘You don’t win friends with salad’. When VeganSydney dined there the menu was a printed menu and the there were two options for every course; entrees, mains and dessert. Given this comment it might not hurt to double check when making a reservation.
Hi, I’m thinking of moving to Sydney in a few months and wondering what suburbs/areas are best in terms of vegan friendliness (people, cafes, grocery stores)? I’d be working in the city so looking for somewhere also that’s relatively convenient.
Sorry this slipped thru my inbox unnoticed. Lupin milk is not commercially available on Australian supermarket shelves. Best wishes, Benji, VS moderator.
Sorry this slipped into my inbox unnoticed. IMHO the best 2 suburbs for veganism in Sydney would either be Bondi or Newtown. Neither of them are amazing comparable to other similar sized Western post-industrial cities, but they’re the best we’ve got. My pick would be Surry Hills or Darlinghurst (gaybourhood) as it’s jammed between the two, though rents can be restrictive to say the least.
It’s great that a lot of restaurants are starting to offer vegan alternatives but I would be so happy to find one with options really worth eating out for esp at Café Sydney prices. Still it’s a start ^_^