Power Plant

Melbourne is spoilt for choice in many ways, but it can still be hard for vegetarians to find a completely animal-free kitchen – especially one that offers options beyond pumpkin salads and mushroom risottos.

Johanna Maguire knows this. She’s been a vegan for 25 years and counting. She started Power Plant in October 2015 with the idea that “serving people even just one plant-based dish is one less animal-based meal in their day”. The cafe keeps nutrition, sustainability and, of course, ethics at the front of mind.

The spacious indoor dining area has soft polished timber floors, long cushioned bench seats and an abundance of natural light. Take a seat and treat yourself to a vegan cake or pastry (nearly everything is made in-house), or soak up some sun on the deck with a refreshing kombucha, mocktail or smoothie.

The menu includes dishes such as cinnamon French toast with caramelised banana and whipped espresso; Spanish chickpea omelette with almond feta; and a Reuben sandwich that uses corned tempeh in place of beef.