City Guide | Allergy-friendly Melbourne
Finding your feet in a new place while juggling allergies, intolerances and dietary requirements can be tough stuff. We want to show you that feeding yourself can be simple, as long as you know where to go! Alongside it’s fame for street art, Melbourne is known as the food capital of Australia and is sure to feed you well, no matter what your tastes (or restrictions). Many restaurants and cafes cater exclusively to particular eating styles: gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian etc. and you’ll find that it’s commonly understood what an allergy or intolerance is, even at ‘normal’ restaurants. Many health food shops are dotted throughout the city and suburbs of Melbourne. Supermarkets have health food isles that generally cater to most dietary requirements, which is helpful if you’re not near a health food shop. You can even find some (very over priced) allergy-friendly options in petrol station shops, should the need strike! Here’s our guide on where to shop, where to eat and how to get your yoga fix whilst exploring allergy-friendly Melbourne. 
Terra Madre
The mother of all health food shops in Melbourne is Terra Madre located in Northcote. Their range, price and quality of goods is yet to be matched by any other store in Melbourne. You’ll find a multitude of fruit and vegetables, allergy-friendly food products, dry goods (nuts, flours, seeds etc) available at bulk prices even if you’re buying just 100gms! We could go on and on about how much we love Terra Madre, and in fact we do! Check out more about Terra Madre here.
Farmers’ Markets
In Victoria, farmers’ markets are where it’s at. Lots of local mostly organic produce, ranging from honey to homemade dips and fermented beverages. Check out the Victorian Farmers’ Market Association for what’s on when you’re in town.
Queen Victoria Markets
A huge market on the CBD fringe? Yes please! This haven for all things food is only a short walk from Bourke Street, or a quick tram ride. There’s a section of the market that’s specifically for the organic produce, they have a good range but sell out quickly. Don’t miss the wonderfully friendly wine seller who is just past the organic section, he’ll give you a taste of the locally made wines (ok, maybe a few tastes).
South Melbourne Markets
We love these markets especially late on a Sunday afternoon when the fruit and veggie sellers reduce their prices. Once we got a box of bananas for $5 AUD… pretty good! On a normal day you will find fairly reasonable prices and quality fruit and veggies, also fresh fish and other meats. There are some specialty stores for dried fruits, grains and nuts. They are a bit expensive so we prefer to buy our dry goods from Terra Madre (above). 
Through the sea of restaurants in Melbourne, these are our favourite allergy-friendly restaurants that don’t break the bank.
Yong Green Food
At the top of Fitzroy Street in Fitzroy two sisters created a true haven for food and health lovers. Many of the dishes have an asian flavour; pho, dragon bowl, daikon salad, and also feature many raw dishes like kelp pad thai, rawsagne (raw lasagne) and hawaiian live pizza. Save some room for the raw desserts, on the menu are raw cheesecakes and tiramisu!
Vegie Bar
Nestled in hipster-central Fitzroy (right cross from Yong’s), Veggie Bar will take care of your vegetarian, vegan and raw food needs. Swing by to grab a juice and a selection from their sweets cabinet or stay for a tasty meal. They don’t take bookings so be ready to wait on busy evenings, but they have a cute bar at the back of the restaurant that they’ll usher you to. Try the baillieu pinot noir from Mornington Peninsular, it’s a.m.a.z.i.n.g.
Smith & Daughters
While this restaurant is 100% vegan, meat eaters can safely go here without fear of being underfed! We really enjoy the Latin flavour that dominates the menu, many of the dishes contain corn so be sure to talk to the friendly babe waiters, they will surely handle your dietary requirements with a massive smile.
Red Petite
Possibly the smallest restaurant in Melbourne, Red Petite in South Melbourne has a cozy vibe, hilariously friendly staff and gorgeous food. They offer a tapas-style menu, where the croquettes are swapped for Son in Law Egg and the crema catalana for coconut ice cream.
Ladro
With allergy-friendly pizza, dairy-free risotto and a pretty killer wine list, Ladro’s two Melbourne locations will be sure to satisfy those Italian food cravings. We love their gambari pizza and order it every time we’re there! 
To be a successful cafe in Melbourne you need more than just good espresso. This list has dairy-free milks, cold-pressed juices and allergy-friendly treats! We could say so much about each of these cafes, but to keep it short and sweet we’ll tell you just a few of our favourite things. Click through to their website or, better yet, pay them a visit!
Green Press
We love: The acai bowls and cold pressed juice (and coffee) selection.
TOFWD
We love: The take away snack options and health sushi rolls.
Mister Nice Guys
We love: Coconut milk lattes, raw cakes and gorgeous babes behind the counter.
Barry
We love: The breakfast menu and almond milk lattes
Shoku Iku
We love: The dessert fridge and the selection of herbal drinks, reshi cappuccino with homemade almond milk? Yes please!
Little Big Sugar Salt
We love: The cheeky menu, cold pressed coffee with almond milk and green smoothies
Admiral Cheng Ho
We love: The quinoa pancakes and homemade hazelnut milk lattes.
Feast of Merit
We love: The almond milk chai and the deliciously healthy breakfast menu.
Monk Bodhi Dharma
We love: The the gluten-free pancakes and choice of desserts.
Combi Cafe
We love: The smoothies and delicious selection of raw desserts.
Las Chicas
We love: The organic cacao and goji berry granola + killer coffee.
Red Robyn
We love: That this cafe is 100% gluten-free + has a well marked menu for other dietary requirements. 
In Melbourne most studios will offer an introduction pass starting from $10 for 10 consecutive days. Get the Mind Body Connect app to find studios local to your area. These are our top five yoga studios in Melbourne.
The Yoga Place
Possibly the friendliest yoga studio in Melbourne, this North Melbourne gem will make you feel welcomed before, during and after your yoga class. Owners Chris and Janine are passionate yogis and attract some of the best yoga teachers in Melbourne to their stunning studio. Our favourite part is the cup of yogi tea and chats with other students that’s waiting for us after our yoga class.
5th Element Wellness
This is a new breed of gym that’s bringing together endurance training, yoga and smoothies all together under one roof. We were taken by surprise at just how varied the classes and fitness offerings are at 5EW, read more here.
Body Flow
Aerial yoga anyone? This bright Prahran studio will flip your idea of yoga on it’s head, literally! Swing in the silks and get a serious hip flexor stretch in supported downward dog, or work on your handstand and other inversions with the support of the aerial silks.
Studio Cirq
Yoga in the CBD doesn’t have to be at a gym, this cute little studio offers awesome dynamic flow, yin and ashtanga classes. The teachers are attentive and knowledgeable, and the location is just great – right off Bourke Street in the CBD.
Power Living (Fitzroy and South Melbourne)
These guys know how to crack a sweat! They offer everything from yin to a sweaty power flow with alignment based classes and meditation in between. The instructors and community of yogis will make you feel welcome from the moment you step into the gorgeous studios. Classes are very popular so we recommend arriving well ahead of time to secure a spot.
We are passionate about supporting small local companies producing delicious local product. This list is just some of our favourite local producers. They pour love into each product and it definitely shows.
Loving Earth
This is a Melbourne-based company that sources all sorts of gorgeous products from around the World. From South American raw cacao to native Australian bee pollen and super foods. They’re famous for their chocolate, kale chips and delicious stuff called ‘buckinis’ (check them all out, we recommend EVERYTHING from Loving Earth!)
Made with Raw Love
There’s nothing we love more than raw chocolate. This beautiful company blesses everyone that tries their chocolates with an abundance of love and wellbeing. Each chocolate is loaded with medicinal herbs (like the immuni shroom or bee love) to keep you well, not to mention they taste delicious. Learn more about this gorgeous company from founding couple, Tahlia and Scott.
Koja
Need some more protein in your diet? How about an uptake in your iron? Skip the supplement aisle and grab yourself some Koja instead. These superfood blends have you nutritionally covered. We love adding them to our smoothies and raw desserts. Find out more about the babe behind Koja, Kate, in our interview with her.
ActivEats
Activated nuts are amazing, but let’s face it if you are visiting a new city (or a busy person) they can be time consuming to make yourself. Enter ActivEats, a range of activated nuts, granola, crackers and now nut butters! These guys cram their products with high quality, nutritious ingredients and are the perfect on the go snack. Learn more about Monica and the team on their Facebook page.
Raw for the People
Raw mushroom jerky anyone? How about some tomato rolls? This innovative company provides a healthy, raw take on some of the classics. They also make delicious crackers perfect for a picnic on a warm summers day. Find out more about Colin and friends via their Facebook page.
Greene Street Juice Co.
Cold pressed organic juice is up there with raw chocolate as one of our favourite things. These bottles pack a serious nutritional punch! Greene Street Juice offer tailor made cleanses as well as a full range of juices cold pressed with love. Their flavours are innovative and combine great taste with even better nutritional benefits and healing herbs. They’ve just opened their flagship store too! Discover more about Natalie and her team of babes on their Facebook Page.
1 Giant Mind
Whilst these guys don’t produce a food based product, we couldn’t leave them out. Maintaining inner wellness in a new city is not just about nutrition, your mental and spiritual health is equally as important! We are huge fans of the 1 Giant Mind app and organisation. They are making meditation accessible whilst providing research into the effects of the practice. This global organisation has a strong affiliation with Melbourne. Many of the founding members reside here like main man himself, Jonni (the wonderful voice you will hear guiding you through your meditation). These guys not only provide an incredible app but they regularly host community events around the city that encompass meditation, good food, good people and great music. Get more info about Jonni, Laura and the team on their Facebook Page.
Have a beautiful time in Melbourne, we love this city and we know it will take good care of you! Be sure to share your adventures with us on Instagram by #eatablefriendly. <3 Eatable
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