Serves meat, vegan options available. A glass-walled light-filled space in the old Pentridge Prison, with roses outside. In 2015 it added more vegan choices. Has vegan specials and smoothies as blackboard items in addition to the menu options like chia pudding, maple muesli and coconut hotcakes, vegan big breakfast. Chips and deep fried items such as mock meat & gochujang burger are fried in the same fryer and oil as non-vegan items. Check with staff as specials menu changes. Open Mon-Fri 7:00am-4:00pm, Sat-Sun 8:00am-4:00pm.
Categories: Vegan-friendly, Lacto, Ovo, Western, Fusion, Australian, Non-veg
7 Reviews
First Review by Aloo
Contributions +3444
Invest in a second fryer please. - Edit
Recently learned that several items labelled vegan on the menu are cooked in the same oil/fryer as flesh items. Disappointed as we were assured by staff on a previous visit that the chips were vegan.
This venue is always extremely busy to the point of waiting lists; surely a second fryer would be an ethical investment.
Updated from previous review on 2016-05-01
Cons: Not all foods marked vegan are vegan.
Contributions +2237
Four Walls, no floor - Edit
Chips and mock meats are not even vegan, venue claims that the head chef is vegan but they cannot even be bothered having a separate fryer for the chips and the mock meat; they are cooked in the same oil as body parts.
Updated from previous review on 2017-04-29
Cons: vegan isn't vegan
Contributions +13
Coffee and cake - Edit
A friend took me for a bonsoy coffee and vegan cake. It was delicious. Can't wait to go back and try a meal.
Contributions +271
new favourite - Edit
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.
Contributions +91
Went for Coffee, Stayed for Lunch. - Edit
We wanted to check out this cafe and intended to have a coffee, however, after looking at the menu, we decided to stay for lunch and were so glad we did. There is quite an interesting and comprehensive range of vegan dishes to choose from, in fact most of the menu items can be made vegan. The serves are reasonably sized for the price with fresh ingredients attractively presented. We ordered the Portobello Burger and Mushroom Taco, both very flavoursome and enjoyable (the coffee was good too). Equally impressive was the service we received from our waitress who brought the food. We told her we were sharing and she asked if we wanted plates and if we wanted the Burger cut in half in the kitchen, whilst also replenishing our water bottle. As she left she also said "if you need anything else, please let me know". The Glass Den, in our opinion, is a first class establishment and we will definitely return. It's a shame we are only allowed to give a maximum of 4 stars as it is not fully vegetarian/vegan.
Pros: Lots of vegan options, Excellent service
Cons: Not open at night.
Contributions +44
good vegan hot cakes - Edit
We have only been here once and had the coconut hot cakes which were great. They serve meat but have a lot of vegan options which I think is quite rare in the coburg area for cafes so it's great. Will definitely be going back to try more things. Big space with lots of tables which is good
Pros: big space, lots of vegan options
Cons: serves meat
Contributions +830
Not prison food - Edit
In the old Pentridge Prison complex, sits this humble looking cafe. It's lovely inside, with outdoor seating at the back and front. Beautiful garden surrounds and great service.
It is both vegan friendly and suitable for those on gluten free diets as well. Everything is clearly marked on the menu, and there is quite a range. I enjoyed a wanton salad - all vegan. It was tasty, with all the intricacies of Asian flavours.
Drink-wise, they have smoothies, crushes, great coffee and choice of milks, including coconut milk and almond.
Prices are reasonable too.
Pros: Surrounds, Service, Choices
Cons: Can be a little noisy
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