Vegan
Western
Beer/Wine
Delivery
Take-out
Asian
Vietnamese
Gluten-free
Licensed cafe and restaurant serving vegan food, hot and cold drinks, and desserts. Dishes include stir fries, rice dishes, noodles, burgers, soups, salads, bao and dumplings, as well as sweets, including several flavours of gelato. Beer, wine and cocktails available. Business operates on solar power. Open Tue-Sat 5:30pm-9:30pm, Sat-Sun 11:30am-3:30pm, Sun 5:30pm-9:00pm. Kitchen stops 30 mins before closing. Closed all Public Holidays.
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- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 19 Apr 2024 by Guest
Update business info -
Added by Soybean on 10 Apr 2014
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102 Reviews
First Review by chantea
otherdimension
Points +218
Tasty, too expensive - Edit
pretty good food, but way too overpriced. Not that fresh tasting and relies on a lot of frozen imported vegan mock meats (which are pretty good). $30 for a burger and fries is very up there. The price does not match the quality of the food, but still would return. I'd probably go up the street to Ballard's over this place (where the higher prices match the food quality and creativity).
Read morePros: all vegan, friendly staff, huge area
Cons: too expensive, cost doesn't really match the quality
Tiggy
Agreed it is very expensive but the flip side is that they do pay their workers properly. Many restaurants keep their prices down by underpaying staff.
Read moreotherdimension
they also give their staff great discounts on the food as well!
Read moreGuest
Jackfruitie
Points +154
Super tasty - but a bit pricey - Edit
Very nice food - however, for what you get - it definitely did feel slightly more on the expensive side. Still well worth a visit. I’d particularly recommend the bang bang cauliflower.
Read morePros: Tasty food
Cons: Slightly pricey
Tiggy
Yes it isn’t cheap but they pay their staff properly. Some restaurants keep their prices down by not doing this.
Read moreGuest
blovessummer
Points +321
One of our favourites - Edit
It’s on the expensive side but the food here is always amazing, the atmosphere and staff are great and it’s just an overall lovely experience.
Read moreGuest
jessicalovescows
Points +102
Yummm - Edit
Sooo delish! I'd heard so many good things and it exceeded my expectations. The vegan egg - omg. I'd eat here every day if I could. 😂
Read moreGuest
Sarilein
Points +19254
Not as good as others - Edit
Update
Read moreFood was delicious again - the pho is really intense
Unfortunately it was the 2nd out of two times that food came 10min apart which is really annoying especially without saying anything
Also expensive for what you get
So either one finished eating or you have cold food that’s why only 4 stars
This restaurant was on my list for quite a while. Extra plus: fully vegan and nice family history behind the actual restaurant
Great interior, larger than expected and service superb.
Menu is huge - which made me question the quality first but quickly got convinced otherwise
Food was superb
Bao bun with crispy chicken was decent as were the steamed rice cakes. Banh Cuon is one of my fav viet dishes and I had it multiple times in Vietnam. If you have tried this place you know what’s it like in Vietnam. Love it when places create authentic dishes!
It comes with a higher price as well though. Reading other reviews I think it’s kinda sad to make prices go up for 10$ in one year each dish, but it is what it is
Food was stunning. Certainly serving a whole lot of different cuisines from Chinese to Thai to viet to Mongolian - but the viet dish I had plus the bao: amazing (maybe I’ll ask for sauce on the side though next time) overall a great meal and will be back because I need to try more dishes
Updated from previous review on 2024-04-20
Pros: Service!, Bao chicken and banh Cuon , Atmosphere
Cons: Expensive , Food does not come same time
Guest
Caitlee
Points +222
Amazing for vegans with allergens! - Edit
So worth it, especially if you are GF or require foods with low fodmaps. Always really pleased and massssssive menu that could satisfy anyone’s needs!
Read moreGuest
MadeleineSchoech
Points +64
Delicious, fast, friendly service - Edit
Everything we ordered was sensational, the food came quickly and the service was lovely. We had a great time and already thinking about what we will order when we come back
Read morePros: Delicious food, Fast, Good service
Cons: Expensive
Tiggy
What did you order this time?
Read moreMadeleineSchoech
We had the big mak baos, Taiwanese popcorn chicken, sweet and sour pork with coconut rice, and hazelnut roti for dessert 🤤
Read moreTiggy
Sounds delicious. I’ve had the chicken and the roti. I agree both are really good 😋 😃
Read moreGuest
hcdelamusique
Points +41
Delicious but small portions and exxy - Edit
Excellent service, epic menu and I love that it's solely vegan.
Read morePros: Delicious food , Epic variety of dishes
Cons: Small portions , Expensive
Tiggy
The reality is that many restaurants have been able to keep their prices down because they don’t pay workers properly. BB does.
Read moreGuest
Neth
Points +690
Simply the best - Edit
A wide range of different dishes, all taste pretty good. My go to for bringing non vegans as there's something for everyone. They also have a good range of ice cream and Iced teas now. My favourites would have to be crispy Noodles with duck or Japanese curry with duck. Not always drawn to their burgers/souvlakis but they are still really good. Nice staff and good atmosphere too.
Read morePros: Good staff, Lots of dishes, Mock meat and tofu
Cons: Priced higher
Guest
Ryadasu
Points +13
Some of the best vegan food in Melbourne - Edit
Absolutely amazed with the meal I had at Brother Bon, everything was super delicious and they have such a great range of meals!
Read moreGuest
Seatown_vegan
Points +7136
Plenty cuisines to choose from - Edit
This restaurant is serving up multiple different Asian cuisines. I had a hard time choosing what I wanted. I ultimately decided to go with the steamed rice paper rolls and Laksa. The rice paper rolls came out with way more accompaniments than I was expecting from seeing a pic on here, which was welcomed. I enjoyed mixing it all together and pigging out. The laksa was amazing. So flavorful and the broth was thick. Also enjoyed the mock meats that were in there.
Read moreYohanⓋ
Welcome to Melbourne brother 🙏🏽
Read moreSeatown_vegan
I appreciate it. Lovely city.
Read moreGuest
LC70PZJ70
Points +564
Tasty! - Edit
Great food and a great atmosphere. They went above for a birthday on our table. We would return.
Read morePros: Selection, Great flavour
Cons: Some dishes are expensive for what they are
Guest
Kotty
Points +116
Bon appetit - Edit
Delicious fried rice, hit the spot 👌🏼 Just a bit pricey
Read moreGuest
RudiDarran
Points +291
So good - Edit
A great place in Northcote worth the visit. Menu is huge and has so many completely vegan options!
Read morePros: Completely vegan , Katsu Chicken Sando in fluffy bread, Gelato
Cons: A bit rushed to get out of the restaurant at close
Guest
OskG
Points +221
Love love love - Edit
Our family loves brother Bon. Great food, service, vibe, space etc.
Read morewe almost come weekly!!
Pros: Bao buns and edamame , Service , All vegan and good variety
Guest
alexandradewinter
Points +64
Always so good - Edit
They have great food, the ambience is nice, and the staff are lovely.
Read moreGuest
EmiEats
Points +486
Decent! - Edit
The dining experience at Brother Bon was fantastic. Very friendly customer service and the food was tasty. I came for the Japanese curry with veg duck (staff recommended) and it delivered. The mocktail was yummy and the choc mud cake was just right (not too sweet). We didn’t know we had to prebook a table so we were placed on the bench table (walk-ins).
Read morePros: Good food portions , Delicious food, Close to train station
Cons: Can be pricey, Have to prebook table, Can be full at dinner time
Guest
JackRock-ThatVeganDad
Points +140
Great menu for a variety of tastes! - Edit
I recently had the pleasure of dining at Brother Bon with my family, and it was a hit with everyone. Our visit took place during a Sunday lunch, and right from the start, we were greeted warmly by the attentive and friendly staff. As a parent of two young children, I found it particularly delightful to discover a vegan restaurant that caters specifically to kids with its dedicated vegan kids' menu. To top it off, the restaurant provided our little ones with colouring pencils to keep them happily engaged throughout the meal.
Read moreWe indulged in a variety of delectable dishes during our visit. The crispy 'chicken' pieces we ordered had a delightful crunch and a satisfying texture, while the vegetable dumplings burst with flavourful goodness. For our main courses, our kids relished the generously portioned schnitzel and chips, which proved to be a definite crowd-pleaser. On the other hand, the Bun Bowl Salad, a more traditional Vietnamese dish, offered simplicity yet an explosion of flavours that left us thoroughly satisfied. We couldn't resist trying the Bon's Chicken Burger, complete with vegan bacon, cheese, and a crispy chicken fillet. The food, in general, was not only tasty but also brimming with delightful flavours.
The restaurant itself boasts ample space, high chairs, and convenient change tables, making it a welcoming environment for families. However, it's worth noting that the prices at Brother Bon may be a tad higher in comparison to other vegan restaurants in the vicinity. To give you an idea, our bill for two main courses, two kids' meals, two sides, two ice creams, and a few beverages totalled approximately $150. Despite this, I would still recommend Brother Bon due to its exceptionally flavourful dishes and the family-friendly ambiance it offers. It was indeed a wonderful experience dining with the family!
Pros: Family Friendly, Expansive menu to suit a variety of preferences, Good Flavours
Cons: A tad pricier to other vegan restaurants
Guest
Mikacreative
Points +30
Good foods and drinks - Edit
All the meal we had were really tasty.
Read moreThe staff were very friendly and helpful😊
Pros: Food, Service
Guest
lisaelvis
Points +89
Feast! - Edit
We had such a terrific meal & delicious dessert! Wish I lived closer. I’d be there every day!!!
Read morePros: Food, Layout of restaurant , Dessert
Cons: None!
Guest
Tiggy
Points +13904
C’est si Bon - Edit
Brother Bon has become one of my favourite restaurants for both lunch and dinner. When it was in its previous incarnation as a Loving Hut I never went at all, but it has clearly developed into a sophisticated, high-quality eatery with a pleasant vibe. They’ve managed to make the huge space, which used to look like a workplace cafeteria, a lot more attractive. Importantly, the business pays its workers properly, which unfortunately isn’t something that can be taken for granted. It’s also eco-conscious, using solar power. The international menu is large and varied. I’ve worked my way through a lot of it, although it would take a long time to do it all, particularly with all the options for variations within a dish. The meals that come to mind when I think of this restaurant are the Vietnamese-style noodle soups and other noodle dishes, from udon to Singapore noodles to char kway teow, all delicious, very good quality and well presented. Having said that, the more brunchy and western-style dishes, like burgers and pasta have been great too. The cocktails are the icing on the cake. While prices are not low, they are absolutely comparable to those of similar cafe restaurants, and portions are certainly not stingy. BB is the only valid place to dine out in Northcote.
Read morePros: Delicious food and decent servings, Fair wages for staff and environmentally conscious, Drinks-poos
Guest
chatreuse
Points +2498
Delicious but SO pricey! - Edit
I've always thought Brother Bon was pretty pricey, but now I can't believe just HOW pricey it's gotten.
Read moreThe food is delicious, but I find myself not wanting to go too often due to the price.
We popped in for a late lunch and ordered the Bam Bam cauliflower. I've had this before and really loved the creamy spicy sauce. I still very much enjoyed it, but it seems like they deep fried it before the oil was hot enough, the batter was a little bouncy and still retained a bit too much oil.
My partner chose the netted spring rolls, I didn't think I would enjoy it but it was nice and crispy, although the nuoc mam was quite spicy.
The chilli scramble was SO good, very creamy, but it tasted mainly of the butter they used,
could have used with some black salt. The feta was delicious on it's own, but was overpowered otherwise. The bread was perfectly toasted with a beautiful crust. The sausage was a really good texture, and the chilli oil they drizzled around was really delicious.
Pros: Delicious food, Huge variety
Cons: PRICEY
Guest
RuthSharon
Points +1130
My mouth is very happy - Edit
We had the chicken dumplings, the wontons, crispy chicken bao buns and some gelato (pandan coconut and Thai tea). I can’t believe I haven’t had the chance to try brother Bon before because my tastebuds are on fire (in a good way). The menu describes the food perfectly, the spicy food was spicy, the crispy chicken was crispy and the flavours were incredible.
Read morePros: Gelato is made there. Awesome, Delicious food
Guest
PotatoesTho
Points +13483
It's been a while - Edit
June 2023
Read moreFirst visit in over three years and interestingly the menu hasn't changed too much but the prices (like everywhere else) have risen considerably. Noticed the addition of a cocktail menu and gelato menu which looked interesting.
Vegetable dumplings - (described as large on the menu, but they're pretty small). They were okay.
Udon carbonara - quite good but very rich. Got to give them credit for nailing the smoky, creamy sauce.
Char kway teow with tempeh - very good
March 2020
Rice paper rolls - good
Japanese Curry - pricey for the quality and size. Deep fried tofu made this dish heavier and more oily than ideal.
Vegetable dumplings - not bad, but not noteworthy
Satay skewers - very well presented but the flavour didn't deliver unfortunately.
Vietnamese iced coffee - very good
All of the above dishes were a few dollars more than they probably should have been, all things considered.
Feb 2020
Revamped space and refreshed menu! The mushroom bao were quite tasty and the diy presentation was an interesting point of difference. I found the Aussie burger a touch oily for my liking although the fillings were varied and the bun better than most. The satay udon with tempeh was quite good. Will definitely be back to try other options.
....
Updated from previous review on 2020-03-08
Pros: Plenty of variety, Friendly staff
Cons: Pricier than expected
Guest
AnnabelleArnold1
Points +149
Comfort food - Edit
This is my go to on Uber eats if I want some vegan comfort food. The only downside is it’s a little over priced in my opinion
Read moreGuest
MaiaTea
Points +26
LOVE - Edit
We love Brother Bon, the food, the staff, and the atmosphere. We have been many many times, so often that at one stage it appeared that we had tried everything on the menu. We have never had a bad experience here. The food is always delicious. The staff are friendly and the restaurant is very pleasant to sit in. Down the back, they show anime that might help distract the children and give people a little bit of time to enjoy their food and chat. It's probably time we visited again.
Read morePros: Delicious, Friendly, Great Atmosphere
Guest
CA89SS
Points +1798
Incredible and extensive menu! - Edit
It was really hard to choose what we wanted off this menu. It’s huge and everything is so tempting. We went with the crumbed cutlet with plum sauce, Vietnamese salad and the Taiwanese fried chick’n. Lots of seating but make sure you book because even midweek they nearly couldn’t fit us in.
Read moreGuest
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