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Smith and Deli has become known as one of the best Melbourne vegan food spots of all time. Wanna know what all the hype is about? From legendary toasties and sandwiches to decadent pastries, their menu is 100% plant-based – and served with a generous side of Collingwood charm.
It’s impossible to look up “best vegan restaurants in Melbourne” without being sent in the direction of Smith and Deli, Collingwood– or its equally beloved and effortlessly cool sister restaurant, Smith and Daughters. And it’s no surprise why!
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These beloved inner-North eateries are the brainchildren of Shannon Martinez, a trailblazing chef whose approach to plant-based cuisine is just as edgy as it is delicious. Over the years, they’ve both earned a fierce reputation for serving some of the most nostalgic, satisfying, and downright indulgent vegan cuisine Melbourne (if not the world) has ever seen.
At this point, Smith & Deli and Smith & Daughters aren’t just plant-based options — they’re practically sacred institutions of Melbourne’s vegan scene. Ready to have your mind blown?
Smith and Deli: come for the food, stay for the vibes (… and more food)
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You’ll find Smith and Deli conveniently tucked away on Cambridge Street, just far enough from Fitzroy’s main drag to feel like you’ve stumbled on a local secret, but surrounded by vintage shops, record stores, and street art that embodies the neighbourhood’s signature edge.
The deli space itself is industrial yet cosy. Light streams in through the massive windows onto polished concrete, rustic terracotta, and Mediterranean-inspired tiling, complete with a vintage-inspired mural that demands a sneaky picture or two.
It’s bustling yet laid-back – the kind of place you might accidentally make friends in the sandwich queue, united by a shared reverence for whatever mouthwatering masterpiece you’re about to consume.
That said, there’s no room for hesitation when you order at the counter, so come prepared or risk being gently nudged along by the sheer force of hungry foodies behind you.
What’s on Smith and Deli’s savoury menu?
For starters, a whole lot of meaty, cheesy, sauce-drenched deli classics that you’d never guess were vegan if you weren’t in the know. The food is truly a testament to human creativity, and we all bow down.
As with all of Shannon Martinez’s ventures, Smith and Deli has taken the bland, outdated stereotypes about plant-based food and set them on fire – then used the flames to toast an absolutely outrageous sandwich.
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The menu rotates, but some iconic dishes have achieved cult status among deli devotees, including:
🥒 The Wiggum: Mouthwatering sourdough slices and slabs of salt-and-pepper tofu, slathered with BBQ sauce and chipotle aioli, then stuffed with briny pickles and slaw.
🔥 The Godfather: This intimidatingly tasty toastie is packing some serious heat, with layers of spicy salami, pesto, olives, Spanish peppers, feta, and rocket (AKA: An offer you can’t refuse).
🍝 The Maury Ballstein: A sauced-up Turkish toastie stuffed with hearty vegan meatballs, pesto, napoli, cheese, parmesan, and rocket.
🍳 The Egg Martinez: A deceptively ‘eggy’ and ‘bacony’ breakfast muffin that you’ll likely crave for breakfast throughout the rest of your days. You’ve been warned.
And that’s just a small taste of what Smith and Deli’s savoury line-up has to offer!
Aside from a range of seasonal fresh salads and soups of the day, other crowd favourites from their all-day brunch menu include the pork banh mi, okonomiyaki, and croque monsieur (a dish that truly tests the limits of how much vegan cheesiness one plate can hold).
Got a sweet tooth? You’re in serious danger.
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Smith and Deli isn’t just about the savoury stuff – they’re just as extra when it comes to vegan desserts. Walking past the pastry cabinet without blacking out or buying one of everything is a true test of willpower for us all.
Expect gooey cinnamon buns the size of your head, brownies, cookies, decadent slices, fruit-laden tarts, and flaky croissants with golden, buttery layers (minus the actual butter, of course).
And let’s not forget their famous doughnuts, often filled, glazed, and/or stacked with surreally creative toppings that defy both gravity and common sense, and yet somehow, just work.
Wash it all down with a top-notch coffee, a glass of wine, or a limited-time-only concoction from their seasonal menu, like the Strawberry Cloud Matcha or my personal favourite, the Tiramisu Cloud Latte.
Don’t forget to stock up on treats and supplies on your way out!
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The retail area by the entrance to Smith and Deli is an absolute treasure trove of vegan groceries. A leisurely browse is the perfect way to soft-launch leaving the premises after you’ve finished eating.
Why not grab a take-home frozen meal from the fridge or stock up on some artisanal pantry items to level up your home cooking game? You’ll also find a stylish range of Smith and Deli homewares such as tea towels, reusable bottles, and cookbooks – including Shannon’s latest and hotly anticipated release, Vegan Italian Food.
The verdict? Go. Just go.
We don’t even know what the Melbourne food scene was before Smith and Deli, and frankly, we don’t care to remember. It’s all a blur – back then, we were simply existing, unaware of the sheer heights that sandwiches and pastries could ascend to.
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Whether you’re a lifelong vegan, a curious omnivore, or just someone who enjoys objectively fantastic food, you need to experience this deli-induced euphoria for yourself.
Smith and Deli isn’t just one of the best vegan restaurants Melbourne has to offer, it’s hands down one of the best places to eat, full stop. So go forth, order recklessly, and prepare to have your food standards permanently ruined – in the best way possible. 
📍Smith & Deli is located at 107 Cambridge St, Collingwood. Get directions and opening hours here.
Looking for more hot spots? Check out our round-up of the best vegan restaurants in Melbourne for even more must-try plant-based eats!
Header image: © Smith & Deli
Meet Liv!
Having grown up in a “meat and 3 veg” kind of household, Liv’s embarrassed to admit that she was a bit of a one-note chef until she began exploring the world of plant-based food. Vegan cooking has given her a whole new appreciation for the symphonies of flavours that simple, nourishing wholefood ingredients can create. (Even eggplant, once her greatest nemesis, is now — in a delicious, miso-glazed redemption arc — her all-time favourite veg.)