Lacto
Asian
Australian

Social enterprise café where the profits go to programs aimed to alleviate youth homelessness. Menu includes banana blossom croquettes, crispy Sichuan tofu, smashed avocado, and salad rolls. Drinks include hot/iced coffee, chai, and hot chocolate, as well as hot black & herbal tea. Reported closed December 2025.


14 Reviews

First Review by Kittybiscuit

RobinThompson

Points +26

Vegan
26 Oct 2025

No longer vegetarian - now serves animal meat

Used to be fully vego cafe, but since October 2025 or so they are serving dead animals :(

The previously delicious vegan sausage roll is now made of animal pork :(

Pros: Friendly service, Has plenty of vegan options still

Cons: Now serving dead animals when it didn't used to, No longer an ethical cafe, Vegan sausage roll is no more

lewismatthews

Points +31

Vegan
13 Jul 2025

Now meat friendly.

Loved this place for years. Felt like a real haven for ethical choices. Now it’s just another cafe that serves meat and dairy. Really disappointing.

cassar

11 Oct 2025

Confirmed, still set up for a good cause, youth homeless, but has sausage rolls, chicken and bacon rolls now 😔

Jennamay

Points +644

Vegan
11 Jan 2025

Delicious vegan brekkie roll

The vegan version of the brekkie roll was delicious. I asked if I could swap the egg for something else, and the lovely staff members recommended a potato rosti. It was delicious! They use a ciabatta roll as the brioche is not vegan.

Pros: Vegan brekkie roll, Coffee, Friendly service

lrjs

Points +159

Vegan
08 Dec 2024

Delicious

Lots of vegan options, clearly labelled. I enjoyed a type of Focaccia.
Note: 10% surcharge on weekends.

VeganVampyr

Points +175

Vegan
25 Jun 2024

For (some reason it has) Change(d).

The service is great and the food is really good and not expensive.

But generally the food appears to be vego with some vegan options..

I'll try to remember to snap a photo next time..

Ask them to make you a vegan brekky burger (Brioche not vegan)... it's really good with a hash brown.. ~$16

Enjoy :)

Caitlee

Points +412

Vegan
08 May 2024

Super tasty and reasonably priced!

I’ve been living nearby for almost six months now and I’ve only just learnt about this place! Great food and almost everything can be veganised, and for a great cause too. The staff were friendly and there were so many delicious options it took me a while to choose.

Point off because I unfortunately received dairy milk instead of soy, but it was an honest mistake and they very kindly made me a new drink straight away. Will definitely be back here!

Raspberries

Points +628

Vegan
17 Mar 2024

Delicious!

So many vegan options, absolutely would recommend. Yummy and inventive food!

AfarZam

Points +86

Vegan
17 Apr 2023

Wow

We’re lucky to have this place. 100% plant based menu, fantastic coffee, very nice outdoor area and excellent service.

chatreuse

Points +5363

Vegan
15 Apr 2023

Good food in a cute location

Popped in just after their kitchen closed so wasn't able to try the amazing sounding freekah salad. Got The Shroom instead, which was really good, the ciabatta was perfectly toasted and the harissa aioli had the perfect amount of heat. I would have liked more of the portobello mushroom in the sandwich.
The cafe is in a cute and handy location on the 96 tram stop, and I love the social change this non-profit is achieving.
I'll definitely be back to try more of the menu, and keen to try the other sister cafes.

Ninnaskitchenbrighton

Points +184

Vegan
04 Apr 2023

Love this place

Great vibes
The sweets are the absolute best
Food incredible
Staff always friendly.
Menu is 💯 vegan, milk option with coffee 💙

MeghanBridgwater

Points +272

Vegan
08 Dec 2022

Delicious lunch

Great, friendly service, very chill vibes, I got the avo toast with mushrooms and it was really good, slightly on the small side but I was really hungry. They brew their tea for 4 minutes so if you like yours stronger like I do ask them to leave the leaves in as mine came out with no flavour

Updated from previous review on 2022-12-08

Pros: Good healthy options, Friendly service

Cons: Weak tea

kafca

Points +226

Vegan
13 Sep 2022

A great little café

At the moment this is the best kept secret in Albert Park. On the site of the old tram stop near Middle Park this cafe has a great aspect (with a balcony for dogs) with rolls that are packed and full of flavour. The croissant with tomato and pesto is the best and most flaky vegan croissant we have ever had. The matcha comes in mugs that are huge and i’ll even make a puppacino. All this goes to the vibe, which is just beautiful. 100% of the profits go to homelessness and trains young people in barrister making. We have a new favourite spot.

Pros: All vegan, Super tasty , Fabulous location but I

Cons: None

wuasabai

Points +418

Vegan
21 Aug 2022

Vegan Tram Stop. No Myki Required.

Nice venue and nice staff. I got the meatball sub and a soy chai. My friend got the croquettes. All very yummy. Extremely close to public transport (96 tram).

#aloimaak #ijwtt

Updated from previous review on 2022-08-19

Pros: Waving at people on the tram, Great cause. , Nice staff.

Cons: Cow lactation for people who aren't vegan yet.

Kittybiscuit

Points +9974

Vegan
07 Aug 2022

Varied menu and lovely location

The food menu is 100% vegan and they have dairy milk for coffee. We sat outside on a lovely winters sunny day (the outside seating doesn’t face the light rail tracks) but there are also seats inside. It was table service and I ordered a large soy flat white. It was large which is great and a very nice coffee. I ordered the banana blossom and russet potato croquettes with a salad. It wasn’t a huge serve but it was enough for me. I liked everything about this dish. My partner ordered the roasted eggplant which he enjoyed too. The service was lovely and the food was delicious without being too heavy.




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