Submitted by Navleen Kaur the 2024 Spring program in Sydney, Australia…
Over the past week, I have been exploring Sydney’s vegan cafe and restaurant scene. There are so many vegan restaurants for every cuisine! A few days ago, I tried vegan nachos from Bad Hombres, a pistachio cannoli and blueberry breakfast protein smoothie from the vegan cafe Oh My Days, and a hazelnut Paris brest from the vegan cafe Miss Sina. All the goods I ordered were incredible and made me feel lighter, happier, and healthier. In my opinion, the cafe culture here is relaxed, yet efficient. Most cafes here have limited seating. The people who arrive at the popular cafes near opening time can peacefully converse with their company at one of the few tables. Most people opt for takeaway and the cafes here are accommodating and efficient in serving takeaway folks. Another observation of mine has been that the prices and offerings at these vegan cafes are relatively similar. For example, a protein smoothie typically costs $11 AUD which is roughly $7.21 USD. Even the smoothie options are similar! Most vegan cafes I have visited offer some version of a blueberry breakfast smoothie, super green smoothie, and dark chocolate smoothie. I am excited to continue exploring restaurants that offer unique vegan cuisines. Currently, I have Hạnh Phúc Vegan, Yulli’s, and Kindness Kitchen on my list. Hạnh Phúc serves vegan Vietnamese pho, Yulli’s serves a variety of vegan Asian dishes (its most famous one being the Korean Fried Broccolini), and Kindness Kitchen serves vegan Thai food. Besides exploring the food scene, I enjoy walking the streets of Sydney, especially the streets near Chinatown. There are so many amazing restaurants and stores open offering all types of goods! I want to soak up this peaceful and vibrant culture as much as possible over my last two weeks here. (Submitted on February 25, 2024)