Melbourne's Best Vegan Pizza: Must-Try Spots

Looking for Melbourne's best vegan pizza? Here's a quick guide to the top spots you need to try:

• Red Sparrow Pizza: Melbourne’s first all-vegan pizzeria, known for its 48-hour fermented dough and creative toppings like spicy tofu pepperoni and coconut-based mozzarella. Prices around A$25–30.
• Smith & Daughters: Italian-inspired vegan dishes with bold flavours in a rock 'n' roll setting. Perfect for vegans and non-vegans alike.
• Shop225: Family-owned in Pascoe Vale, offering 11 vegan-friendly pizzas and house-made vegan Nutella. Accredited by Coeliac Australia.
• Pinchy's: CBD location with a six-course vegan tasting menu for A$60. Creative plant-based options alongside their pescatarian menu.
• 11 Inch Pizza: Conveniently in the CBD, offering vegan cheese options and gluten-free bases. Popular choices include Margherita (A$18.50) and Get Veg’d (A$22.00).

Quick Comparison

Whether you’re a vegan or just curious, Melbourne’s pizza scene has something delicious for everyone. Dive in and enjoy!

Is Red Sparrow Pizza Really THE BEST Vegan Pizza in Melbourne?

1. Red Sparrow Pizza

Red Sparrow Pizza holds the title of Melbourne's first all-vegan pizzeria, bringing plant-based Italian cuisine to the forefront. Their secret? A commitment to traditional Napoletana techniques. Each pizza base undergoes a 48-hour fermentation process, creating a thin, lightly charred crust that has earned them an impressive 4.7-star rating from 1,438 Google reviews.

"Opening up a vegan restaurant and bar has been a dream of mine for a long time... I think there's a gap in the market for high-quality vegan pizza - not necessarily from a business point of view, but from a personal desire to have somewhere to eat good pizza and drink beers with friends."
– Michael Craig, Co-owner and Chef

Their menu pushes the boundaries of traditional pizza, featuring bold combinations. The signature pepperoni pizza swaps out the usual toppings for spicy tofu and gluten-based pepperoni, finished with a coconut oil and tapioca-based mozzarella. Other highlights include a white base pizza with vegan parmesan, rosemary, leek, and potato, as well as a Middle Eastern-inspired creation featuring hummus, black sesame dukkah, and fresh mint.

For those with dietary restrictions, their kitchen takes extra care. Gluten-free options are prepared with separate utensils, surfaces, and gluten-free flour to avoid cross-contamination.

Red Sparrow Pizza has received glowing reviews from critics. Time Out Melbourne gave it 4 out of 5 stars, praising its creamy fior di latte and expertly crafted crust. The Herald Sun went even further, naming it "Melbourne's best pizza", proving that plant-based pizza can rival the best in the city.

2. Smith & Daughters

Smith & Daughters brings an Italian flair to Melbourne's vegan pizza scene, following in the footsteps of Red Sparrow Pizza. The restaurant made waves in 2018 by introducing a fresh take on Italian cuisine using plant-based ingredients, reshaping the local vegan dining experience. The bold flavours are perfectly matched by the venue's equally daring atmosphere.

The restaurant's vibe screams rock 'n' roll, with band posters on the walls and punk rock tunes filling the air. It's a space where vegans, vegetarians, and even meat-lovers can come together to enjoy creative, plant-based pizzas in a fun, edgy setting.

"For me, food memories are everything. My grandmother's cooking is why I started cooking. And the thing that I get, which no other chef experiences, is the joy of watching someone's face change when I serve them something that they haven't eaten for 20 years and thought that they would never eat again. If their grandmother has passed, eating a dish she cooked brings back this memory for them. I see them become teary."

• Shannon Martinez

Led by Shannon Martinez, the kitchen uses ingredients like soy and mushrooms to recreate classic Italian flavours that stand up to their traditional counterparts. This approach has drawn a wide range of diners, reflecting Melbourne's growing vegetarian community, which now makes up approximately 11.2% of the population.

The restaurant thrives on its mission to make vegan food approachable and enjoyable for everyone. As co-owners Shannon Martinez and Mo Wyse put it:

"Our goal is always to show people that vegan food has moved beyond the trend, the joke or the dirty word it once was"

• Shannon Martinez and Mo Wyse

Their menu showcases how Italian classics can be transformed into plant-based dishes without losing their essence. Dishes like gnocchi with broccoli pesto and roasted pumpkin paired with olive and orange tapenade highlight the kitchen's creative and experimental spirit.

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3. Shop225

Shop225, a family-owned pizzeria in Pascoe Vale, has been shaking up Melbourne's vegan pizza scene since Lorenzo Tron and Roberto Davoli took over in late 2016. Their dedication to quality has earned them a spot among Melbourne's top pizza destinations, as recognised by 50Top Pizza in 2023 and 2024.

At the heart of Shop225's success is their focus on authentic Italian flavours, achieved through house-made vegan ingredients. They've teamed up with Coburg-based non-dairy cheesemaker Damona to craft a range of vegan cheeses. This approach has earned them 2 stars at the prestigious Guida Chef di Pizza Stellato in Napoli 2024.

"We want to bring people with diverse dietary needs together without compromising on taste. To make sure of this, we create most vegan and gluten-free products in-house." – Shop225

Their menu is a testament to inclusivity and creativity, offering 11 vegan-friendly pizzas out of 13. They’ve even developed a house-made vegan Nutella, perfect for their dessert pizzas.

The inspiration for Shop225's inclusive menu comes from a personal place. Tron's vegan mother from Trieste struggled to find authentic plant-based Italian food in Pascoe Vale, sparking their mission to create a menu that caters to diverse dietary needs.

"Proud to be pioneers in offering vegan and gluten-free options through in-house production." – Shop225

Shop225 also made history as the first pizzeria accredited by Coeliac Australia. Their commitment to sourcing local ingredients and making components in-house ensures every dish is crafted with care and consistency.

4. Pinchy's

Found on Level 1, 200 Bourke Street in Melbourne, Pinchy's has expanded its offerings beyond seafood and champagne to include a 'Made Friendlier' menu. This new menu highlights creative vegan dishes, such as plant-based pizzas, while staying true to its seafood heritage.

Head Chef Jack Tsai brings the same dedication to crafting vegan dishes as he does to Pinchy's seafood selections:

"We work with some great producers that supply us with amazing vegan products. We treat these products with the same respect and attention as our seafood to thoughtfully create a menu that will excite both vegans and non-vegans alike"

Owner Jeremy Schinck emphasises the restaurant's focus on offering diverse dining experiences:

"We are very proud of our pescatarian menu and excited about our new vegan-inspired menu. The 'Made Friendlier' menu mirrors our 'Made by Sea' menu and allows diners to choose their own Pinchy's journey. Choose between à la carte or from one of the three set menu options"

Pinchy's stands out by sourcing high-quality vegan ingredients from local producers. These ingredients are transformed into beautifully crafted dishes, showcasing the restaurant's commitment to elevating plant-based dining. Even their vegan pizzas reflect this dedication, proving that plant-based meals can be both elegant and satisfying.

5. 11 Inch Pizza

Tucked away on Little Collins Street in Melbourne's CBD, 11 Inch Pizza has garnered an impressive 4.6-star rating from 1,554 reviews.

The pizzeria caters to a variety of dietary needs, offering both vegan and lactose-free cheese options. As they put it:

"We offer both vegan and lactose‐free cheese. This means you can enjoy our entire menu without missing out on the gooey, chewy goodness of cheese that is so central to the pizza experience."

• 11 Inch Pizza

Their menu features a range of pizzas, including these popular choices:

For an extra A$2.50, you can swap in vegan cheese, and gluten-free bases are also available for those with specific dietary needs.

The restaurant's flexible hours and delivery options make it a convenient choice for many. They're open 11 am–9 pm on weekdays and 5 pm–9 pm on weekends. Free delivery is available within the CBD for orders over A$35, while orders of A$40+ outside the CBD incur a A$5 delivery fee.

Their ethos aligns with Melbourne’s vibrant food scene:

"Melbourne is a big city. We want everyone to be happy. Everyone to enjoy their time on earth. To enjoy the moment. Right here. Right now."

• 11 Inch Pizza

Guests are encouraged to inform the staff about any dietary requirements due to the possibility of allergen cross-contamination.

Final Thoughts

Melbourne is now a haven for vegan pizza lovers, offering options to suit every palate. Whether you're a lifelong vegan or just exploring plant-based dining, there's something delicious waiting for you.

Here’s a quick guide to some of Melbourne's standout spots and what makes them special:

These venues showcase the variety Melbourne has to offer, from laid-back spots to more refined experiences. Each pizzeria has its own spin on plant-based pizzas, showing just how far vegan cuisine has evolved.

"Judge us as a pizzeria, not as a vegan restaurant. It's vegan because that's what I think is the best thing to do, but I'm also confident non-vegans will be happy as long as they have an open mind."

Even Time Out Melbourne recognises the city's vegan pizza scene, stating:

"This is pizza that no carnivore could refuse, served in a little place where good times as well as good karma are guaranteed."

Wherever you are in Melbourne, a mouth-watering vegan pizza is never far away. Each venue adds its own flair to plant-based dining, cementing Melbourne's status as a top destination for vegan food.

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