Smith & Daughters

Overview

Back in 2021, famed plant-based restaurant Smith & Daughters and its sibling spot — all-vegan delicatessen Smith & Deli — moved in together, into their huge Collingwood home. The combined offering now spans across a 500-square-metre ground floor site on Cambridge Street, encompassing a deli-cafeteria, restaurant and food store. It's become one of the largest vegan dining hubs in the world.

The refreshed iteration of Smith & Deli takes cues from the delicatessens of Europe, with a homely yet stylish aesthetic and — for the first time — a dine-in offering. There's a menu of grab-and-go eats, alongside a tight selection of top-quality pantry essentials, ready-made meals, and other goodies like cheese and pastries.

Ashley Ludkin

An adjoining cafeteria-style eatery showcases a rotation of hot and cold dishes, complete with a vegan carvery. Patrons are able to slide trays along the canteen with fresh fruit and mueslis on offer at breakfast, or an array of hot dishes and salads at lunchtime and dinner. A daily-changing deli plate comes loaded with a main, two sides, a dessert and a beverage from the curated drinks list, which celebrates a rotating pick of wine and beer.

Smith & Daughters' 80-seat restaurant is a little more high-end, with a seasonal menu steeped in Mediterranean flavours and an aesthetic inspired by Vivienne Westwood. An open kitchen also features ringside seats, where you can sit at and enjoy a Chef's Table experience on Fridays and Saturdays — you'll be spoilt with a surprise lineup of dishes made using the day's fresh ingredients.

But don't worry if you can't get one of these prized spots, Smith & Daughters also offers a three- and four-course set menu for diners in all other parts of the main dining room.

Images: Ashley Ludkin

Appears in:

The Best Vegan Restaurants in Melbourne for 2023