Melbourne's best vegetarian eateries

Go vege with a selection of Melbourne's best vegetarian spots...

Our favourite Melbourne desserts...

Desserts can make or break a meal. We share our favourite Melbourne desserts so you can make sure your dining experience ends on a sweet note.

Salted caramel ice cream churros tacos 

Product Review: Bionade

Bionade is a unique, non-alcoholic, refreshing drink brewed via fermentation of 100% natural and organic raw materials. Bionade is also low in sugar and therefore calories, and contains the minerals calcium and magnesium.

Restaurant Review: Old Kingdom

Location: 197 Smith Street, Collingwood
Phone: 03 9417 2438
Cuisine: Chinese
Overall Impression: 4/10

We love a good peking duck. Golden, crispy skinned duck, cucumber and spring onion, lathered with hoisin sauce and encased in a delicate pancake – when done well it can be truly delicious.

Restaurant Review: Mr Huang Jin

Location: Ground Floor, Rialto Building, 525 Collins Street, Melbourne

Phone: 03 9077 7937 

Cuisine: Asian, Taiwanese, Yum Cha

Overall Impression: 8/10

With chefs from Din Tai Fung, the legendary Taipei-based global chain, it is not surprising that Mr Huang Jin has rapidly gained a cult following.

Celebrate Spring with lazy Sundays @ Royal Saxon

Location: 545 Church Street, Richmond
Phone: 03 9429 5277
Link: http://www.royalsaxon.com/
Cuisine: Italian, Pub/Bar Food, Coffee
Overall Impression: 8/10 

After the success of Spins, Spits and Swallows in July and August, the restaurant is continuing these Lazy Sunday sessions over spring!

Hammer and Tong's new spring menu

Location: 412 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Phone: 03 9041 6033
Link: http://www.hammerandtong.com.au/
Cuisine: Breakfast/Brunch, Modern Australian, International
Overall Impression: 8.5/10

Located just off Brunswick Street, Hammer & Tong is a unique new all-day eatery right in the heart of Fitzroy. Industry pros Simon Ward and Dennis Ferreira have moulded a contemporary take on the traditional culinary experience, boasting a decadent wine menu and exceptional service combined with an industrial chic interior that is quickly making Hammer & Tong a Fitzroy food institution.

Restaurant Review: Taketori Fusion Japanese

Location: Shop 1, 225 King Street, Melbourne
Phone: 03 9939 8152
Link: http://www.taketori.com.au/
Cuisine: Japanese
Overall Impression: 8/10

From its unassuming location at the top of King Street, Gastrology bloggers were astounded last week to find that Taketori is serving up some of the finest sushi and sashimi in Melbourne.

Nuffnang's Food Blogger Meet up & Tasting @ Cacao Green

Location: Lower Level, Chadstone Shopping Centre, Chadstone
Phone: 03 9563 3355
Link: http://www.cacaogreen.com.au/
Cuisine: Frozen Yogurt, desserts

Gastrology bloggers attended a Nuffnang Food Blogger Meetup and Tasting at Cacao Green to celebrate the opening of Cacao Green’s Chadstone Store. We were treated to delicious samples of some of the best offerings from Cacao Green’s menu while learning why organic, fair trade, and all-natural ingredients make their froyo so good.

2013 Mission Mexican Festival launch @ Mad Mex

Gastrology bloggers were privileged to attend the launch of the 2013 Mission Mexican Festival (that will be held on Sunday!) last night.

Event review: Spring Graze @ Ayatana [24th September]

Location: 97 Chapel Street, Windsor

Phone: 03 9533 8813

Link: http://www.ayatana.com.au

Cuisine: Thai, Asian 

Overall Impression: 8.5/10

Ayatana celebrates Spring Graze with a delicious five course modern Thai feast prepared with fresh, local Victorian produce sourced from some of Prahran Market's star traders. Also partnering with Oakdene, each course is perfectly matched with one of the winery’s wines.

One of our favourite Thai restaurants in Melbourne, Ayatana serves Modern Thai cuisine with bold and authentic flavour combinations.

Review: HERO - Born in Brooklyn Raised in Melbourne

Location: Stewart Street at the back of 445 Swanston Street, Melbourne (RMIT SAB Building 80)
Phone: 03 9995 4655
Link: http://www.herosubs.com.au/
Cuisine: American, Fast Food, Sandwiches/Subs
Overall Impression: 8/10

A revolution of the sandwich kind has arrived in Melbourne. 

Product Review: Spiral Foods Organic Coconut Sweet Spread

Australia’s leading supplier of quality Traditional Foods, Spiral Foods has released a coconut spread. 

Spiral Foods Organic Coconut Sweet Spread is 100 percent certified organic, has no artificial colours or flavours, and boasts the versatility to act as a spread, a topping, a sugar substitute or even just a sneaky spoonful snack.

A round up of this month's hottest foodie news

Zumbo pops up

Gramercy welcomed Adriano Zumbo last week with a pop-up "stand" at the restaurant featuring his famous sweet treats. Zumbo is set to open his latest patisserie on north Chapel Street this month, cementing South Yarra as Melbourne’s hottest new food destination.

When Italy met Yea – Spring Graze @ La Svolta [22nd September]

Location: 3/5 Cecil Place, Prahran and 450 Hampton Street, Hampton

Link: http://www.lasvolta.com.au/
Cuisine: Italian
Overall Impression: 8/10

This September, La Svolta welcomes Spring through the marriage of Italian cuisine and authentic flavours with local ingredients with a Spring Graze menu. Gastrology bloggers were privileged to attend a dinner which featured a tasting of each dish on the spring graze menu.

2013 Mission Mexican Festival [15th September]

What: 2013 Mission Mexican Festival

When: Sunday 15 September, 10am-6pm

Where: Federation Square

Tick off the weekend checklist, Mexican style!

Melbourne’s Favourite market traders have been decided!

Melbourne’s major markets have been abuzz with excitement and jovial competition throughout the inaugural Melbourne Market Awards and the festivities are only just beginning.

Event: Rustica Sourdough Bakery reopening

Location: 402 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Phone: 03 9417 7775
Link: http://www.rusticasourdough.com.au/
Cuisine: Bakery, Breakfast/Brunch, Coffee

Rustica Sourdough Café was opened last year by master baker, Brenton Lang (formerly of Phillippas Bread). A successful venture, today, Rustica supplies some of Melbourne's best cafes with delicious wild yeast fermented sourdough.

Restaurant Review: Bay City Burrito

Location: 4 Shakespeare Grove, St Kilda
Phone: 03 9534 1582
Link: http://www.baycityburrito.com/
Cuisine: Mexican, American, International
Overall Impression: 8/10

Bay City Burrito (BCB) has arrived with the vision of serving the Mission burrito, which traces back to the Mission District in San Francisco. It all started in the 1960s, when San Francisco’s working class were feeling the heat from the economic recession. Burritos were bulked up with beans and rice to satiate people on the cheap.