Best Organic Cafes in Melbourne

I have become a lot more aware of what I eat lately, and try to buy organic food which is free of pesticides and other nasties whenever possible. But this isn’t always easy when you are time poor and have a limited budget for food shopping per week. Luckily for me, Melbourne has become hit by a health craze, with clean eating and whole food options opening up around town by the dozen. Often thought of to be bland and boring, these organic cafes are offering a new wave of creative healthy eating which is innovative, colourful and, best of all tasty!

Whether you want your smoothie superfood charged, your nuts activated or your coffee organic, there’s plenty of organic cafes around in Melbourne who are proving that healthy food doesn’t have to be boring. What are you waiting for? Here’s my guide to the best organic cafes in Melbourne.

Combi

At Combi it’s all about beautiful organic food. What started as a combi van serving coffee to festival goers has morphed into one of Melbourne’s hottest organic cafes. Nestled in the heart of bayside Elwood, Combi shows you that healthy food doesnt’t have to be boring; it can be delicious, nourishing and colourful. On the menu there’s a delectable mix of superfood infused smoothies, breakfast bowls, avocado on toast, raw zucchini spaghetti and cold pressed juices. Sweet tooths will love their delicious range of raw sweets and treats. Don’t leave without ordering their gooey raw salted caramel slice, a delicious blend of  indulgent raw caramel and yummy nut base. The whole menu is allergy and intolerance friendly so is perfect for anyone avoiding wheat, gluten, dairy and sugar. And the coffee is great too, using the finest organic fair trade beans.Definitely one of the best organic cafes in Melbourne!

A 140 Ormond Rd, Elwood VIC 3184
T (03) 9531 0084
W wearecombi.com.au

Yong Green Food

Operated by sisters hailing from South Korea, Yong Green Food in Fitzroy focuses on Asian inspired raw and wholefoods, using organic ingredients wherever possible. But this doesn’t mean you will be nibbling on slithers of carrots and cucumbers for lunch. On the creative and innovative raw menu, you’ll find a surprising array of treats like a falafel wrap, hawaian pizza and their signature “rawsagne” is organic, vegan and gluten-free. If you’re looking for something more substantial skip to the mains and find a good selection of gourmet curries, dragon bowls, Mexican chilli beans and other Asian inspired creations. The service is always homely,  friendly and welcoming, which makes coming back a pleasure time after time. What are you waiting for?

A 421 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
T (03) 9417 3338
W yonggreenfood.com.au

Shoku iku

Specialising in raw organic food, Shoku iku has recently taken the Northcote’s dining scene by storm. The cafe emphasises the importance of vegetables, fruits and whole natural foods and the use of “super foods and “super herbs.” Even the water is filtered with reduced fluoride and other chemicals.  The dishes on the menu are all plant-based, gluten-free and refined sugar or agave syrup free. There’s a delicious super berry bowl (available in maqui, yumberry or acai) topped with granola and fruit, a good range of sandwiches, wraps and noodles and my personal fave – the banana pancakes served with fresh fruit, raw and activated nutella and plant-based cream. From herbal and medical teas to superfood infused smoothies and elixirs, the drinks menu is equally impressive. The only difficulty is trying to choose!

A 120 High St, Northcote VIC 3070
T 0403 569 019
W shokuikuaustralia.com

The Organic Food and Wine Deli (TOFWD*)

Opening in 1999, TOFWD* is one of the pioneers of the organic cafe movement in Melbourne. Nestled in the heart of Melbourne in Degraves Street, the cafe has an unwavering commitment to organic produce. There’s a delicious range of pies on the menu including a Mexican bean pie, spinach and potato and vegetable and dahl. For lighter options, there’s plenty of  freshly made sandwiches on offer. From ‘biopaint’ on its walls, shelves made from low emission plantation timber to sugar cane fibre packaging which breaks down in six weeks, the cafe has thought of just about everything to minimise its environmental footprint.

A 28 Degraves St, Melbourne VIC 3000
T (03) 9654 5157
W tofwd.com.au

What’s your favourite organic cafe in Melbourne? Would love to hear your comments below.