Once the undisputed heart of suburbs where neighbours met over groceries and dim sims, milk bars can feel like a piece of suburban folklore described with wistful nostalgia — especially for a generation raised on supermarkets and delivery apps. At Carlton North's Pickles Milk Bar, the retro hub receives a modern homecoming. From hot snacks and sandwiches to baked goods and even old-school candy, Pickles serves up everything a local milk bar would. The kicker: everything's plant-based (and mostly gluten-free). Classic sangas are reimagined as vegan-friendly options. Bacon egg rolls lean on tofu, while cheesy bean burritos bulk up with tofu scramble and potato gems. Fried chicken sangas — they come via seitan (a savoury what-based meat alternative) — are canvases for a monthly rotating flavour. Currently, it's a zesty za'atar version with baba ganoush, pickled turnips and veggies served in a pita wrap. For the gluten-free crowd, seitan gives way to a fried enoki patty that also stars in a riff on Caesar salad. You can't leave a milk bar without grabbing some hot snacks. Find potato cakes, hash browns and two types of loaded fries — one modelled after the HSP and another with American-leaning chipotle BBQ sauce — alongside the ever-changing bakes sitting on the wooden counter. There will be at least two gluten-free sweet treats going. Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground Newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
