• 4
• new favourite

Coburg is killing it in the vegan-friendly cafe stakes lately. This is the second time I've been sitting somewhere, mid-meal, and been inspired to write a glowing review for HC right away! The Glass Den goes way beyond most cafes listed "vegan friendly" on HC. They really deserve the label. I'd guess about 1/4 menu items are vegan with a further 1/4 vegan optional. And it's a really creative menu! First visit I had the breakfast soba and it has to be one of the best vegan dishes I've eaten out, imo. Had everything I love. Perfect balance of fresh and green (piles of fresh kale) crunchy and fried (polenta crusted oyster mushroom) and crispy (smoked coconut and kale chips) and silky, slippery soba noodles. Second time I started with an espresso frappe featuring almond milk and coconut ice cream. I love that this is a standard menu item, not a veganised version. I rarely order a raw dish but this time I was tempted by the raw pizza special. I think it was the beetroot mousse, olive soil, and pickled cabbage that sold me. It's delicious. They kitchen have actually done an amazing job of creating a "pizza" flavour but with freshness and variety of textures. It ain't cheap but I believe it's good value. I've started treating myself to a meal here every other Saturday after a yoga class and really feel like it's worth it as a treat. Look forward to trying everything on the menu but also find it hard to go past that soba. If HC let you rate veg friendly places 5 stars, I'd definitely give Glass Den full marks.