Eating organic food isn’t new. It used to be (a hundred years ago) the only way to eat. And these days a growing number of Brisbane people not only want to buy organic produce to cook at home but want to eat organic food when dining out.
So, what are the options in Brisbane? There are a few but only Mondo Organics offers a licensed restaurant experience. Established in 2000, Mondo Organics was Australia’s first fully licensed organic restaurant. If you think organic means hippy food such as lentil burgers, Mondo Organics presents a completely different picture. It is slick and sophisticated with plenty of delicious options for meat eaters and vegetarians. Plus there are popular cooking classes using organic produce and catering available.
The rest of Brisbane’s organic dining options are casual cafes. Most are open for breakfast and lunch, not dinner.
There’s the icon of healthy eating, Fundies Food Cafe in Paddington. Walk through the huge organic grocery section to get to the busy fresh food cafe. Sit a while with your organic coffee and decide whether you’ll have a pie, salad or hot meal for lunch. They also serve brekky.
Use organic products to create fresh, healthy and environmentally-friendly food.
Another cafe option is at Alderley on the northside. The Green Oven is small but relaxed and a good spot for an organic breakfast. The food is reasonably priced, with a selection of freshly squeezed juices and meat dishes too. The servings are generous, with lots of desserts and cakes to choose from.
In nearby Newmarket, you'll find the Wray Organic cafe, open for breakfast and lunch everyday. The cafe sits next to the organic fruit and vegetable store so you can stock up too. The menu caters well for those with allergies.
At South Bank’s Little Stanley Street, you can enjoy the organic coffee and tea shop in Flowers of the World. Or head to Sol Breads (located at Newstead, West End and Paddington) for some of Brisbane’s best organic sourdough bread. All shops include a small cafe with filled breads and slices on offer, plus drinks.
The Forest Cafe and Bar – a vegetarian only cafe in West End. It also has live music and organic beer and wine.
And to really get down and dirty in the organic world, head to the Chai Cafe at Northey Street Markets on Sunday mornings. There’s the relaxed cafe plus stalls full of all sorts of organic produce.
More and more restaurants, cafes and coffee shops in Brisbane are making the most of a range of seasonal produce and other organic ingredients. As organic food becomes cheaper and more widespread, it will be exciting to see how many more decide to use organic products to create fresh, healthy and environmentally-friendly food.
Tell us your favourite place for an organic meal in Brisbane. Add your comments below.
