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Vegan
American
Western
Fast food
Beer/Wine
Take-out
Bakery
Breakfast
Completely vegan deli selling fresh pastries, coffee, sandwiches, charcuterie, select produce and groceries, and take-home meals. Canteen serves dine-in food, including breakfast options, lunch plates, coffee, sandwiches, toasties and pastries, as well as hot and cold alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Gluten-free options available. Deli shares premises with Smith & Daughters restaurant. Est. 2015 and relocated from 111 Moor St in 2021. Open Tue-Thu 8:00am-3:00pm, Fri-Sun 8:30am-3:00pm.
251 Reviews
First Review by sarah m
Eeek.
Points +470
Big Food - Edit
Based on a New York deli, the sandwiches are big and there’s plenty of choice. I had the pastrami Rubenstein. The pastrami was not very convincing but it was filling. There is also a good range of sweets. The cannelloni was crunchy and choc filling good. There could be a larger range of drinks.
Read morePros: 100% vegan
Guest
Kayd
Points +44
My favourite vegan place in the world - Edit
Everything is super tasty and it's incredible that everything is vegan. It's my favourite vegan place in the world.
Read moreGuest
ktmckeown
Points +76
A must go - Edit
Very delicious food and love that it’s all vegan. There is no seating but there’s a park nearby you can sit at. The donuts are delicious and so are the sandwiches. Only downfall was that there was a 30 minute wait for the takeaway sandwiches and my order was messed up but this may have been a one time thing.
Read moreGuest
willtravelforfood
Points +1024
The dream - Edit
This is a deli, not a cafe or restaurant, so don't be surprised by the lack of seating and the queuing system to order. There's plenty of green spaces in the area to sit and enjoy your coffee, cake and massive sandwich!
Read moreI am stoked they transformed this into the Deli it was always supposed to be.
If you're not sure about the system (while is essentially 'take a number'), just ask the staff - they've always been super friendly when I've been there.
There's ready to eat sandwiches, lots of cakes and treats, to go snacks, and plenty of options to heat up for dinner but the real shining light here is the ingredients on offer to make yourself an amazing picnic, grazing platter or delicious fancy dinner.
There's plant-based deli meat slices, salami, ham, turkey, mushrooms, olives, hummus, garlic dip, cheeses, salads, pasta, pies, antipasto, cakes, donuts, treats and cookies. As well as premade sauces, drinks, a small selection of groceries, snacks and merch, there's plenty to cook at home, including schnitzels, ribs, calamari, chicken souvlaki, and more, plus a rotating mix of things like curries, mac and cheese, shepherds pie, sausage rolls, lasagna, chilli non carne and kung pao chicken.
You're probably not gonna like everything; perrsonally, the deli slices are way too salty for me, and I'm just not a fan of vegan shrimp & calamari. But that's the joy of a place like this - so many options means you'll love some and not love others (just like omnis in an omni deli). The cheeses are mind blowing and I particularly love the fish fillets - they've opened up recipe options I never thought possible.
This isn't the place to go for a big sit down lunch (though the sangas are definitely something special) but the place to go to top up the fridge & the freezer and to get all the goodies to spoil your guests.
Honestly go here to buy all the things you never thought you could buy vegan.
Side note - It's pretty disappointing to see this getting lower ratings because the owner isn't vegan. She's always been really open about it. Her businesses are vegan, she regularly showcases plant-based greatness across events and media in Melbourne and keeps her social vegan so that her followers feel safe (high recommend her Instagram for vegan cooking demos and video recipes)
Pros: A unique and innovative place, Serves vegan food you never thought was possible, Rotating options = delicious surprises
Cons: The meat slices are super salty, Be prepared for queues at lunch time, Rotating options = your fave might be temporary
Guest
VeganLaurenS
Points +81
One of my favourite vegan places! - Edit
I’ve had the foghorn legless, parmageddon and the home alone. All amazing, but my favourite is the parmageddon. Their tuna salad is amazing too, and I can’t wait to try some of their other deli items
Read moreGuest
YohanⓋ
Points +7105
Always amazing! - Edit
Great food, great service!
Read morePros: Really amazing food!, Cool space, Happy, friendly staff
Cons: Take ways only, but that’s not all bad!
Guest
Kimveganforlife
Points +40
Plant based not vegan - Edit
I have eaten here many times but no more. Am extremely disappointed a key person who runs it, Shannon Martinez, concealed the fact that she uses, abuses and exploits non human animals. What a hypocrite.
Read moreGuest
ChelseaHollins
Points +96
Love love love - Edit
This place is one of my go-to's
Read morePros: Amazing food, Heaps of options, Unique food
Cons: Not open Sun or Mon's which is annoying
Guest
dee_dee
Points +292
All the Yum - Edit
I love smith and deli and always try to make it out there when I’m in Melbourne. The only reason I’m giving it 4 stars is that they really need some seating. I know it’s not the purpose but it’s not an area super close to a park etc so you do have to trek elsewhere if you’re wanting to eat right away. The subs are great, the last time I had the McMartinez which was fantastic. All the baking is delish too.
Read moreGuest
hannazman
Points +44
Vegan Deli Heaven - Edit
This is a place you should check out for a good wholesome subs and deli meats. Lots of options & friendly staff!
Read morePros: Lots of plant based deli meats , Pre-made sandwiches and scrolls to grab and go , Mix of savoury and sweets
Guest
EliseElicious
Points +251
Soo many things to choose from! - Edit
Smith and deli is a must! So many vegan meat substitutes, amazing sandwiches and salads. If you’re getting a toasted sandwich be prepared to wait a bit, but it’s so worth it! My favourite is the little Havana and free willy! Also the chicken salad sandwich (not toasted) is amazing!
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options , Friendly staff, Lots of vegan
Cons: Can be expensive , Nowhere to eat inside, Closed mondays
Guest
CoolBeans!
Points +107
Home alone - Edit
I got the home alone sandwich which has stuffing, mashed potatoes, turkey, gravy, and cranberries. The gravy was very good but I wish there was more turkey because I couldn’t really taste it. It took them 5 minutes to make the sandwich after I ordered it. I hope to return to try many of the cool options I saw.
Read morePros: Good sandwich, Quick, Lots of options
Cons: Not much turkey, Nowhere to sit
Guest
wils
Points +96
Amazing! Wish there was something like this in Sweden. - Edit
Amazing place with delicious sandwiches, cheese and mock meats. Really wish there was a place like this in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Read morePros: 100% vegan!
Cons: Wish they had seats.
Guest
Propoke24
Points +36
Amazing vegan eats - Edit
Just like the restriction for dinner, this place is amazing!
Read moreGuest
Blakey_
Points +69
Vegan deli heaven! - Edit
Great food but on the expensive side. $13 for a sandwich seemed a bit pricey but it was a perfectly made with quality ingredients. I’ll be back!
Read moreGuest
Sabbyy
Points +225
A must try! - Edit
Every time I travel to Melbourne Smith & Deli is a must for me. Their pamagedon sandwich is heaven on earth. Also love their donuts!
Read moreI love the style and the feel of the place.
Very helpful staff.
Pros: Fully vegan
Cons: Can be pricey
Guest
siobhanofarrell
Points +109
Amazing - Edit
Absolutely delicious and the guy behind the counter was super helpful and such an amazing variety of vegan deli food to pick from. I had the rubenstien and plain croissant and wow was delicious.
Read morePros: A vegan deli what more could I say!, Amazing and helpful staff, Beautiful food
Guest
vegan_sofia
Points +16
heartbroken - Edit
I was in love with this place. Egg McMartinez was amazing, coffee was good, staff were always friendly. I would go every Saturday after my yoga practice, even Mo remembered my name.
Read moreAfter it re-opened I went to get my usual muffin and coffee on a Saturday morning. First shock - the deco lost its charm and fun, it was sterile to me. Second shock - I was confused how to order. There were staff preparing food behind the counter but no one at the cashier, and two of them were discussing about packages of food on the shelf. None of them tried explaining the new procedure to about 5 of us customers waiting in line. Son of a lady in front of me asked what was going on, the lady said she’s not sure. That’s when a staff told us to grab a number.
Third shock - my muffin was pre-made and ready for me on the shelf. At this point I thought to myself, it’s ok, the staff promised it’s fresh and hot. Fourth shock - there’s no sauce on my muffin. So I found out I was supposed to put sauce on it myself. That’s not the end of the world, but there’s no aioli sauce. I lost my patience at this point. Fifth shock - the barista was staring at the coffee machine. I knew because I was staring at him for 5 mins, wondering what’s holding up my coffee with only 3 customers in the shop.
I was very disappointed when I walked out of Smith & Deli half an hour later with a cold, soggy Egg McMartinez muffin and the frustration of knowing I have lost my favourite place.
I won’t be coming back.
Cons: Pre-made food, Unenthusiastic staff, Half an hour waiting around when deli was quiet
Guest
RebeccaBlowes
Points +367
Loads of deli options & all vegan - Edit
Vegan deli with an extensive range of vegan products you can’t get anywhere else. They prepare hot sandwiches fresh or you can take a pre-prepared meal away to heat at home. Also have vegan pastries, donuts and pies. We had a rueben sandwich and a cardamom donut with coffee.
Read morePros: Big range of take home meals/vegan products, Many treats to choose from, Nice coffee
Cons: No where to sit and enjoy your coffee and treat!
Guest
vegan.millie
Points +16
From Amazing To Average - Edit
Whilst the hot sandwiches are still made fresh to order, everything else is pre-made and now sits in either the fridge or the warmer waiting to be bought. I know that the sandwiches are turned over rather quickly so I suppose that nothing sits there for too long, but even so, they've lost the warmth and freshness that they had previously. The freshness that we've all come to know and love. Before, the chicken in my Foghorn Legless was hot and crispy, now it's cold and dry. They've also changed from sourdough bread to some sort of Turkish roll, which I feel is too heavy and thick, and overpowers the flavour of the fillings. I used to get delicious mouthfuls of mayo and chicken, now whole bites are only bread.
Read moreI also noticed that a number of people around me were confused as to the process of purchasing their food. You're supposed to grab a number, whether or not you're buying anything from the deli cabinet, and wait your turn to be served. But people were standing around, unsure if they were in line or not, not knowing to take a number. It's not 100% clear that you're supposed to do this, and when there's dozens of people in front of you, you can barely see beyond the chaos to figure it all out. Previously, we'd line up in an orderly fashion. I do admit that the deli cabinet is a really cool concept, and I love what they have on offer, but I don't think they should have sacrificed the freshness of the other food to introduce this.
I know that the pre-made sandwiches and the number thing is meant to make it quicker, but I still ended up waiting about 15 minutes to be served. I'd honestly rather wait the extra 10 minutes to get fresh food. I used to come by every fortnight, but I won't be rushing back to spend $16 on a sandwich that's been sitting in the fridge for who knows how long. I'll be spending my money elsewhere from now on.
Pros: All vegan, heaps to choose from
Cons: Sandwiches premade, wait time still long, expensve
Guest
NaturallyRawHoney
Points +74
Love it - Edit
Every day is an adventure. Love the huge selection of epic sandwiches. Hardest thing is deciding which one. So good ♥️🌈
Read moreGuest
Pips
Points +1702
So Disappointing - Edit
What have they done?!?!? This place was amazing. It had style, class, good food and happy efficient staff. Not anymore unfortunately. If you want soggy lukewarm egg mcmartinez breakfast muffin with no sauce and service that is ridiculously slooooooow and without a smile then this is the place for you. They used to make food fresh but now it’s made prior and left in a warmer which destroys the fresh flavour. Plus they are now serving weirdoughs croissants which in my opinion are worse than the ones they were getting which were delicious. So sad. This was my favourite place but I won’t be back. It’s been ruined.
Read moreGuest
anomalily
Points +292
It is as good as everyone is raving about - Edit
Legitimately cool concept and a great place to pick up vegan deli food and take somewhere nearby like the park 2 blocks away. It’s good. Worth the trip as a tourist to this part of Melbourne. Had the egg McMuffin and the vegemite scroll and Both were great!
Read morePros: Good good food , Easy to grab and go, So many vegan options
Cons: Nowhere to sit, A little pricier than a non-veg deli, Too many things to choose from!
Guest
CamilaSilvaL
Points +8336
Incredible - Edit
Of course it was going to be as amazing as Smith and Daughters. I used to live one block from here and I spent all my money in this place and I don’t regret it
Read moreGuest
DitaCarlita
Points +483
Best Sandwiches - Edit
Every single damn time I come here I am never disappointed. Best sandwiches ever. 100% recommend. Lots of vegan sandwiches, toasties, pastries, ready meals, drinks, groceries and frozen stuff to buy. It gets busy and sometimes you have to wait awhile. There is also no seating here.
Read morePros: all vegan, huge variety
Cons: always busy, no seating
Guest
HayleyKendall
Points +42
Amazing - Edit
I visit this place every time I go to Melbourne. Sadly my visits are not often enough. The food is just amazing!
Read morePros: Plenty of options
Cons: Location could be better
Guest
MarieVeggie$
Points +433
Unbelievably Good Food - Edit
We would like a Smith & Deli restaurant in every city of the world, please! The first time we went, we were disappointed that most of the freshly made food was gone or unavailable by 3:30pm. But in saying that, the food was DELICIOUS when we came back a different day, at 2pm. We had the Maury Ballstein (meatball sub) and the Rocky (philly cheese steak). We also bought some doughnuts to bring home, as well as some packaged peanut butter cups that I’ve only ever found online! This place was just great, absolutely worth 5 stars, and everyone should try it, vegan or not!
Read morePros: Huge variety of all vegan food, Freshly baked good and pastries, Packaged vegan groceries also available to buy
Cons: Nowhere to sit
Guest
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