Last Update in December 2023 – Please Note, we are just getting started! Your recommendations are welcome. We’ve created this ever-growing guide to restaurants, bakeries, cafes, ice cream shops, and stores in Australia that are friendly to dairy-free diners. It’s a collection based on research and reader recommendations (send yours!) that’s divided into restaurants & shops by city (first) and major chains found throughout the state (second). And we’ve started a section for specialty dairy-free foods produced in this state.
We Update Continuously! You can ignore the original date on this post going forward. We update the information below whenever we’re alerted to a new recommendation, change, or closure.
Dairy-Free Australia: Recommended Restaurants & Shops
We’ve listed these recommendations alphabetically by state, then by city and then by the restaurant or shop name. For large chains with locations throughout the state, see the Major Restaurant & Grocery Chains section below. We have dedicated posts with dairy-free details for many of the big guys.
⭐️ = Restaurant is either dairy-free, has a dairy-free menu, has dairy-free labels on their menu(s), or lists top allergens with menu items. (At the time of our last review.)
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
New South Wales (NSW)
- Adamstown, Goodness Me Organics Grocer and Cafe – The grocery side is a well-stocked natural food market with produce, organic and biodynamic meats, vegan goods, and dairy substitutes. They also offer premade frozen meals, which we’ve heard includes dairy-free options. They have an artsy cafe on site that, when open, offers all day breakfast, lunch, smoothies, coffee drinks, sweet treats, and kid-friendly menu items, with options for vegan, raw, gluten free, dairy free, nut-free, and egg-free guests.
- East Maitland, Organic Feast – This market sells organic produce, breads, free range meats, vegan items, gluten-free specialty foods, spirits, and tons of dairy-free goods. They have both fresh and packaged dairy-free cheeses, milks, spreads and more to choose from. They also have a Wholefoods Cafe on-site, serving breakfast and lunch. The menu is clearly labeled for vegan and gluten-free guests, and most items can be ordered dairy-free. They have specialty ingredients, like cashew sour cream and nut cheese.
- Glebe, Soul Burger ⭐️ – This is Australia’s first gourmet vegan burger chain. They serve a big array of burgers with four bun options (including brioche, wholemeal, gluten-free, and bunless). Their menu also includes a good selection of burger toppings, hot dogs, fries with a selection of dipping sauces, dairy-free coconut milkshakes, and more.
- Newtown, Soul Burger ⭐️ – This is Australia’s first gourmet vegan burger chain. They serve a big array of burgers with four bun options (including brioche, wholemeal, gluten-free, and bunless). Their menu also includes a good selection of burger toppings, hot dogs, fries with a selection of dipping sauces, dairy-free coconut milkshakes, and more.
- Sydney, Soul Burger ⭐️ – This is Australia’s first gourmet vegan burger chain. They serve a big array of burgers with four bun options (including brioche, wholemeal, gluten-free, and bunless). Their menu also includes a good selection of burger toppings, hot dogs, fries with a selection of dipping sauces, dairy-free coconut milkshakes, and more.
Northern Territory (NT)
Queensland (QLD)
- Multiple Cities, Botanica Real Food – This is a great spot for dairy-free salads and they also offer vegan brownies.
- Brisbane, Ripe Organic Grocer – This recommendation was shared with us by Stephanie Weaver of Recipe Renovator – she is also gluten free. “Ripe has some of the best food in Brisbane, and they are incredibly supportive of dairy-free diets. Their excellent kitchen staff members are completely versed in special diets, and will modify anything to be dairy free or make suggestions for you if it cannot be modified. Try the luxurious coconut yogurt with house made maple-pecan granola and fresh berries, the scrambled eggs with smashed avocado, or the lamb burger for lunch or dinner. The staff will make fresh juice to order, specialty coffee, and offer sandwiches daily as well.”
South Australia (SA)
Tasmania (TAS)
Victoria (VIC)
- Benalla, Rustik Cafe & Foodstore – They label their entire menu with dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and paleo options, and almost everything on their lunch and all-day breakfast menus can be ordered dairy free. They also have a market with local goods.
- St Kilda, Rufio – This is a gluten-free Latin restaurant that also offers vegan options on their menu. Additional menu items can be ordered dairy free.
Western Australia (WA)
External Territories
Restaurant & Grocery Chains found throughout Australia
Some recommended restaurant and store chains are getting too big for our city listing britches. They have many locations, or are rapidly growing, and you might stumble across them in a number of towns in this state. Click on them for more dairy-free details.
- Lord of the Fries⭐️ – This vegan fast food chain serves burgers, sandwiches, breakfast sandwiches, dairy-free ice cream, shakes, and more.
- Mad Mex – This is a build-your-own burrito, bowl, taco, or nachos chain. They offer vegan cheese, protein options, and chipotle crema. They also have a big array of salsas. Most of their savory menu can be ordered without dairy, and they do have an allergen chart available.
- Muffin Break – This quick serve muffin shop offers a small selection of wholemeal vegan muffins (contain soy and gluten). The options might vary by shop, by day. They also offer soy milk and almond milk for lattes at no extra charge. And we did spot dairy-free and vegan raisin toast (order no butter), but their sandwich breads contain milk. Dspite the fact that they do have a gluten-free, dairy-free muffin mix too, most of their gluten-free muffins do contain dairy.
- San Churro – Their churro formula is dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, vegan, and they are made fresh to order. You can order from a selection of vegan dips, and they even have some specialty vegan churros, like cookie butter filled churros and churro loops. They also offer vegan ice cream, dark chocolate fondue, coffee drinks, hot chocolate, and smoothies. Their menu is labeled for dairy-free, vegan, and vegan optional. They have dozens of shops in Australia.
- Zambrero – This is a bit like the Chipotle of Australia, but with even more dairy-free options. They let you build your own burrito, bowl, nachos, or quesadilla with a range of fillings/toppings, including vegan sour cream and cheese.
Local Dairy-Free Food & Drink Producers in Australia
These dairy-free friendly companies don’t have their own retail location, but are in Australia. So you have a good chance of finding their products at grocery stores, restaurants, and/or other shops in this state. Keep an eye out!
- Damona Dairy Free Cheese – Their unique creations include bocconcini, pecorino, smoked mozzarella, and more.
- Deliciou Seasonings – These vegan seasonings come in all types of cheese, ranch, and bacon like varieties.
- Dilectio – Vegan blue cheese, camembert, and chevre are a reality from this dairy-free cashew cheesemaker.
- Sweet William – This is a dairy-free chocolatier that makes a huge range of allergy-friendly chocolate products. They even craft dairy-free white and mylk chocolates in bars and buttons, and have chocolate spread. Their products are sold on store and can be ordered online in Australia.
This Guide is Continuously Updated with Recommendations
We welcome you to recommend other dairy-free friendly restaurants. Leave a comment or contact us and tell us why you like a certain restaurant. Restaurant owners and employees are also invited to reach out and let us know how you welcome dairy-free customers.
Please kindly let us know in the comments if any of these restaurants close. We want to keep this list current for you, but aren’t always notified when a restaurant closes. Let us know and we will quickly update!
This Guide is for Informational Purposes Only
Menus, ingredients, kitchen procedures, management, and restaurants are subject to change at any time. Always read the menu and discuss your dietary needs with the staff before ordering. Make sure that they can accommodate your situation.
There is always a risk for potential cross-contamination of allergens in any commercial kitchen. If cross-contamination is an issue for you, always speak with the manager to ensure that your meal can be safely prepared. Listings here do not guarantee that a restaurant is safe enough for your individual needs. Only you can make that decision.