• CLOSED: Waratah Organics

  • (24)
    16

    Closed

  • Vegetarian Vegetarian
Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Ovo
Organic
Raw
Western
Salad bar
Juice bar
Take-out
Breakfast

Opened Mar 2015 an organic cafe and juice bar at the foothills of the Dandenong mountains. Serves smoothies, cold pressed juices, coffee, chai, and changing lunch plates. All day breakfast plates on weekends. Kitchen stops 1hr before closing. Reported closed July 2021.


24 Reviews

First Review by Eden11

LeanneKelly

Points +442

Vegan
24 Mar 2024

Breakfast burrito

Yummy food. I come here all the time. Everything is vegan but you can request cow milk which is great bc it means I can open non vegans eyes to the world of veganness without scaring them off with soy milk. Update: this closed down and became a steak house!

Updated from previous review on 2018-11-21

bonisaurus.rex

Points +206

Vegan
03 Mar 2020

Food is nice but service could improve

Have only eaten here once, as each time I go to get food, the kitchen is always closed or closing. I feel that it closes too early and you essentially only have 2 hours to make it in there to grab lunch (it is open earlier for breakfast). The younger women who work there are friendly but there is an older lady who is always there, who I think might be the owner, who always seems sour and is not very friendly. She isn't particularly mean or anything, she just does not provide friendly, smiling service like the other staff do. This plus the early closing time leaves me more likely to try other places instead, which is sad because I like to support local plant based businesses. The wait times for food are quite long as well, even if you are just getting something from the cabinet. It took 20 minutes for them to put a toastie in their sandwich press to heat it up and get it to me. Saying that, I did try their vegan nachos the one time I found them open, and they were very tasty.

Pros: Tasty food, Younger staff are friendly

Cons: Unfriendly manager/owner, Closes too early, Prices high like most cafes these days

NikitaStert

Points +36

Vegan
18 Feb 2020

Good prices, not the best food

Have been here a few times now. I still go because it's cheap but have not enjoyed any of their food options yet excepting the BLT sandwich which is always first to sell out. Much of their food lacks flavour, and while I understand they're trying to keep it healthy that doesn't mean you should skimp on the seasonings. The chai latte and their doughnuts are nice though.

rich_m

Points +50

Vegan
13 Aug 2019

Nice Find

Popped in for a quick bite on the road. Was so happy to find this little gem. Nice rice and veggie bowl

KristenCampbell

Points +786

Vegan
10 Aug 2019

Adore this little place.

Such a cute little place and a must visit when in the Dandenongs! Epic selection of smoothies and juices. Baguettes, wraps as well as a big breakfast and lunch menu! Lots of little sweets and cakes too! So yummy!

adamj

Points +478

Vegan
30 Jul 2019

A really cool, healthy cafe

Waratah Organics has a good range of options, from wraps and burgers, to cookies and cakes, as well as hot beverages and many different juice drinks. There are tables and a high bench inside you can sit at, and some tables outside. They are close to being vegan, but they serve eggs.

Pros: Large range, Friendly and happy staff, Very reasonable prices.

ghostgumtrees

Points +771

Vegan
06 May 2019

Super friendly& delicious

Happy, friendly, delicious offerings of vegan nachos which are especially good, teriyaki tofu wrap, amazing range of raw desserts and baked cookies. The staff are warm and friendly and the vibe is family friendly and inviting, love this place.

Pros: Lots of vegan options including desserts, Happy, warm, friendly atmosphere , Well priced

JOSH.ATKINS

Points +28

Vegan
24 Feb 2019

Perfect breakfast spot.

Amazing food, great coffee and friendly service.

Pros: Lots of great food and drink options.

NJ220

Points +752

Vegan
12 Jan 2019

Lovely little cafe

Lovely cafe, really great food, friendly helpful staff. :)

SimonJ

Points +120

Vegetarian
29 Dec 2018

Nice place

Enjoyed it very much. Was with 2 others and we had 3 different smoothies: Extreme Green, Immune Tune and Pink Drink. We all agreed the Extreme Green was the best tasting. They were all brightly coloured which looks nice.
The Burger Bomb is one of the better vegan burgers I've had and their dessert is to die for. We (two of us) had berry cheesecake and caramel slice. Although my friend said the latter was too sweet for him. The girls who were working are really nice and I like that they have paper straws (not that I would expect plastic straws in a place like this anyway).

NatalieLittlejohn

Points +113

Vegan
29 Dec 2018

🌱 Amazing Vegan Friendly Cafe

My partner and I stumbled across this place by accident only to discover that we have officially found our new favourite vegan friendly cafe

Pros: Lots of vegan options, Yummy juice, Friendly staff

VikiJ

Points +43

Vegetarian
28 Dec 2018

Not great

I had a high hopes when I stumbled upon this small quaint cafe after a trek in the Dandenong’s, but unfortunately I wouldn’t go back. Staff seemed disinterested from the get go, with the inside of the cafe not feeling very welcoming. The outside table in the corner though has a wonderful atmosphere, I wish it was more like that on the inside too. I ordered a banana bread and a chai latte with soy. The chai latte was almost undrinkable, very watered down with chunks of cinnamon spice in it. The banana bread was standard but nothing great, most people could bake a much better one in the comfort of their own home. I’ll pass.

Pros: Vegetarian and vegan options galore

Cons: Uninviting atmosphere , Disinterested staff , Very average food

FrenchP

Points +568

Vegan
12 Aug 2018

Vegan Big Breakfast

Stopped in here on the way from an appointment and had the most amazing vegan big breakfast. Scrambled tofu, baked beans, relish, avo, mushrooms. All super fresh and bursting with flavour.

Pros: Outdoor and indoor seating, Friendly Staff, Kids corner

blissful_brittany

Points +130

Vegan
12 Jul 2018

Coffee and Pancakes

Caught up with two girlfriends here for breakfast, i got the pancakes and a coffee and i didn't want my breakfast to end, they were delicious!! I can appreciate a good coffee and Waratah Organics delivered!!

Worth a visit from wherever you are.

KevJohnson

Points +363

Vegan
19 Jun 2018

Bad

Payed two visits to give them the benefit of the doubt after a disappointing first visit and the second was no better. Dirty and grotty with disinterested staff. Although on the first visit the Veggie Burger was ok, on the second I had the Scrambled Tofu which had way too much Turmeric and had added Olives making it a bitter and salty inedible mess. There are better places to eat

Cons: Dirty and Grotty, Disinterested Staff, Lacklustre Food

InHerImagePhoto

Points +285

Vegan
11 Apr 2018

A great find!

So happy that this place exists! Perfect spot for yummy vegan food after exploring The Dandenongs! Tons of vegan and gluten free options! Buddha brown and teriyaki tofu wrap were excellent!

ElizabethLeanne

Points +16

Vegan
25 Oct 2017

Best little healthy cafe around

Awesome staff. Not totally vegan but plenty of options available. Raw cakes and yummy nachos.

Pros: vegan options, gluten free options

Buddy45

Points +95

Vegetarian
05 Jun 2017

ok

It's 'ok' but bread is stoggy and like a brick - not like a crusty sourdough. Surrounds need cleaning, feels grimy. I hear they're going to redecorate, so hopefully will be cleaner too.

LeeZomBee

Points +58

Vegan
12 May 2017

Really great Vegan food.

Staff were great, food was amazing! Definitely worth going to if you're in the area

vegdave

Points +147

Mostly Veg
01 Jan 2017

What a find!

You spend a day in the beautiful Dandenongs and then it's lunch time. Go down the mountain and visit Waratah Organics. They run an all day breakfast menu with some really filling options such as their burger bomb or nachos. Delish! For those wanting something lighter there are some cold breakfast bowls and wraps as well. They do serve eggs and cow milk but these items are clearly labelled so there are no surprises. The coffee is Jasper and excellent with a choice of milks (cow and vegan options). Prices are very reasonable, the staff are accomodating and make you feel welcome. Will definitely be going back.

Pros: Friendly staff, Excellent food with a great variety of dishes, Great coffee

Cons: Cafe can get a bit crowded

GrahamRoberts

Points +40

Vegan
20 Nov 2016

excellent

Excellent atmosphere, friendly service and great food served quickly and with a smile.

Charlie Pickle

Points +18

Vegan
22 Dec 2015

A beautiful atmosphere, and beautiful food

As soon as you set foot into Waratah Organics, there is an instant sense of calm and belonging. All of the staff are so friendly, and the food is made on premises, and all organic (yum)! Whether it be a quiet period or a busy lunch rush, the staff are always efficient (wait time ranges from 5-20 minutes depending on how busy it is), and it is a great opportunity to look around and take in the beautiful surroundings!
Everything on the menu is vegan (unless you opt for cow milk in a coffee, or eggs on toast), and the super vegan nachos are to die for! The range of non-dairy milks also adds to the beauty of this place, and at no extra cost, it's a vegan's dream!
The raw cake fridge is filled with beautiful slices, even including a nut-free option! There are plenty of gluten-free options now on offer, as well as a range of juices and smoothies perfect for those who have come from the 1000 Steps.
If you are in or around Upper Ferntree Gully, and are looking for organic, reasonably prices food, then you've come to the right place!

PotatoesTho

Points +13776

Vegan
10 Oct 2015

Wara nah

Below average food paired with a ridiculously long wait to receive our order and this was during a quiet period.

Cons: Long wait for coffee and food, Poor quality meals

Eden11

Points +40

Vegan
10 Sep 2015

A real gem in the east

This place was a real rare find in the eastern suburbs. A very cute little cafe serving vegetarian and vegan fare.

The raw cakes are to die for and all are vegan and gluten free.

Prices are very reasonable here and a vegan dish of the day will set you back $12.




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