Good, simple, wholesome, cheap food from a Hari Krishna place on Swanston Street, upstairs one level. The meals are basic curries and rice, rotated based on the day of the week -- they have Thai curries, red beans and rice, Malaysian curries, and Indian curries. The food is basic but very flavorful. The meals are hearty and warm, which is especially great on a cold dreary day (of which Melbourne has many, even in summer.) Crossways is very cheap -- the standard meal + dessert + drink is $8.95. If you have a concession card, it's $5.95. It's all-you-can-eat, so if you're really hungry, this place is excellent value for money. Note that it is more expensive for take-away -- I'm not really sure why they do this, as many eateries do the opposite -- but maybe the takeaway containers add up in price for them or something. Most of the food is vegan, but if you're vegan, make sure to tell them that when you're paying because they might have to give you a special dessert instead of the regular one. (They use some dairy in their cooking.) In terms of atmosphere, Crossways feels vaguely institutional, like you're eating in a school cafeteria. They have a mix of ordinary small round tables and then several long rectangular share tables. When you get your cafeteria tray with your meal and dessert on it, and you turn around and face the room and all those share tables, you'll have flashbacks to primary or high school. And then you have to choose which clique you'll sit with -- the cool girls? the band geeks?! the sporty people?!? the cheerleaders?!? In the case of Crossways, there are no cliques but rather a mix of people from all walks of life -- elderly retired people, young students, thirty-something hipsters, Indian professionals, you name it. And maybe a band geek or two. The Hare Krishna-ess of the place is noticeable. One wall has a bookshelf filled with spiritual books for sale, and there are Hare Krishna posters and signs everywhere. But you don't feel pressured to convert in exchange for your meal or anything -- it's more like they're saying, "The information is here if you want it!" Upstairs, they have a yoga/meditation studio and a lounge area that you are welcome to relax in. The yoga/meditation studio often runs special nights where you can take a yoga class or meditation class along with a cheap meal. (Google "Urban Yoga.") When you're done eating your meal, make sure to be a good diner and take your food up to the front right-hand side of the room and stack your empty dishes there. As you're leaving the restaurant, you can ring the little bell to signify "thank you, I enjoyed my meal." Or just to annoy the crap out of all the other diners. Definitely worth a visit if you're looking for inexpensive, hearty food in the CBD. read more

Crossways - People queuing for food - Vegetarian Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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This place is a gem, main with two curries and rice, desert and a drink $9:50, concession price avail. Lovely friendly service, delicious vegan veggie food read more

Extremely mediocre execution Nice concept but the food was really average and kinda cold I have pretty low expectations but you can easily have a better meal at Om vegetarian nearby read more

Crossways - 16/8/18 - Vegetarian Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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The first time, I didn't come here expecting much. Since I'm a student, it was only $5.50 for an all-you-can-eat lunch. I don't know much about Hare Krishna, but the place has a good vibe. They do what's practical - providing working tables and chairs is good enough. Going overboard with decorating to them is totally unnecessary. It's all about the food. And I thought the food was great! Even though it was just a simple menu - rice with curry - the curry was nice, warming, and delicious! The workers (volunteers?) are all very cheerful as well. There is a similar place nearby called Om Vegetarian. They also provide simple and delicious food for really cheap, but I think Crossways does a much better job. read more

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As a vegetarian student i cant always afford a meal a 'Vegie Bar'. As a cheap (but oh so tasty) alternative, 'Crossways' is actually one of the greatest vegetarian meals I've had the pleasure of tasting. The way 'Crossways' works is simple, there's a set menu. Mon - Sat has a designated meal. Students can eat for $5.50 and Non-Students for $7.50. Did i mention its 'All-You-Can-Eat'? Unlimited food has never been so delicious and cheap! Monday Satay Vegetables & Jasmine Rice Raisin Halava Tuesday Sambar & Brown Rice Peach Halava Wednesday Chickpea/Spinich Subji & Jasmine Rice Cherry Halava Thursday Malaysian Curry & Brown Rice Orange & coconut Friday Thai Curry & Jasmin Rice Pineapple Halava Saturday Chickpea Subji & Special Rice Banana Halava The setting is quite communal, theres large tables on the main level and upstairs. Don't be surprised if a stranger comes and sits at your table, it's just the vibe of 'Crossways'. When you collect your food you will be given a plate of the main meal, a small desert and then you can fill a glass with Yogurt Lassi or Orange Cordial. Mondays and Thursdays are my favourite days to eat, the curries are unbeatable! I recommend 'Crossways' to all my friends and none of them have left unhappy. read more

Crossways - Vegetarian Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Run by the Hare Krishna group (the food is not free here. If you want their free feeds, go to nearby Albert Park somewhere) this establishment provides quality vegetarian food six days a week (closed on Sunday's) for only $7.50; all you can eat. Cheaper for students and pensioners, and more for take away. The ambience is cheap; however this establishment is not run at a profit. It is a pity that they don't rotate the menu; so for instance if you can only eat here on a Saturday, expect curry lentils every Saturday for lunch for instance. Their rice servings can be too generous; although this food is faultless and cooked to perfection. Even if this group is not your ideal religious organisation to join, at least have lunch here. For a cheap quality lunch in Melbourne, come here. This establishment gets packed out real quick. Their custard pudding for dessert is divine; although the problem is by the time I have finished my main - there is hardly any room left for dessert. Come hungry, and second servings are most welcome. Just drink water instead of their diluted cordial. They get rather upset if you bring any form of meat into this establishment. It's not good manners. read more

Crossways - Vegetarian Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

The cheaper of the two Hare Krishna serveries on Swanston street, it is this one that people seem to refer to as Hare Krishna. The food is cheap, and the food is good. The serving sizes are fitting and for all ye students there are concession rates making it just that bit better. Papedams and wicked puddings et al. Often found full of people, the lunch hour is a small bracket to nip in for a bite, but the seating upstairs is often much quieter for those wanting a longer stay. read more

Crossways - Vegetarian Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

An awesome vegetarian restaurant. Super friendly service. Very cheap for such big servings. read more

Crossways - Vegetarian Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

What the hell? Crossways has this many positive reviews? Objectively speaking from statistics, Crossways is without a doubt one of those love-it-or-hate-it establishments. Personally, I hate it. I mean I REALLY hate it. I mean I will never come back. Ever. I'm not talking about the setup of the restaurant. I don't care that they have minimal decorations. I don't care that they have cheap chairs and tables. I don't even care that you have to clear off the food by yourself - self service is A-OK. No, I'm not one of those people who only enjoy classy restaurants where someone waits on me hand and foot. I enjoy Chinese food after all and you know how shit the customer service in that category can be. ... Then why do I hate Crossways with the fiery passion of a thousand suns? Let's talk about what I DO care about. ~ The atmosphere, and I don't mean the decor. I mean the suffocating and stuffy atmosphere you have to endure when coming here peak hour lunchtime. I mean tasting the staleness of the recycled air. ~ The slop that is passed for food. I don't believe that just because a dish is cheap, it gives it some sort of magic right to be cheap in quality as well (look at dumplings - cheap AND tasty). Seriously I felt like I was in some soup kitchen or a public school's cafeteria. Everyone talks about how great and cheap it is, but what they don't realise is that you probably had the capability to make the same dishes of the same quality when you were maybe 6 years old. It's just not worth it. I left pretty unsatisfied. As hip and cool as you want to be fighting against expensive restaurants and advocating cheap alternatives, Crossways just shouldn't be one of them. A tin of baked beans while camping would taste better. Go to Crossways if you're flat broke. Or hey better yet! Don't go at all. read more

I'm a 3/4 for Crossways. I work really near by, so it's great if I want a meal meal for lunch, I can pop in here for close to nothing. So it's awesome in that sense. But it's not somewhere that I'd go to for kicks. Also, they have really good and sanely-priced yoga classes on Monday and Thursday with dinner included! read more

It's really cheap, I mean really, really cheap. But that's the reason you would come here. So don't set your expectations too high. Or set any expectations whatsoever. Basically you get served whatever they make that day. And on my day I got some brown rice, which was mixed with another grain, that had a weird fermented taste. It was heavy, over cooked and soggy. The curry was ok, it had a bit of flavor but overall was very mild. The lassi was barely drinkable, it was too sweet and had a pungent taste. But then again, it's a cheap place, so if you're tight for money, then I guess this isn't a totally bad option. Though if you're a vegetarian, there are heaps of better places to go to. read more

Crossways - Vegetarian Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

This restaurant isn't suppose to be trendy or have a hat chef. It's run by Hare Krishnas and their philosophy is that everyone should have access to food, so they create restaurants all over the world so people get a healthy affordable meal. I've been coming to this location for 16 years and the service is always friendly and the food is a home made delicious curry and dessert. It's non for profit, so the decor is low key but is comfortable and has a community feel. There is an upstairs area with tables and a couple of couches where you can sit and read or sit peacefully if you wish. If you score the bay window on a sunny day then it's guaranteed the rest of your day will be pleasant, but that's just my personal feeling!! Lol. A must try especially for vegetarian/vegans. They also now do dinner as well as lunch. You can get take away. And they also offer yoga classes read more

Had a really great meal here for the first time tonight. The food was really nice and is definitely amazing value for money. The man behind the counter was really friendly and gave us a big smiley wave on our way out. Unlike some of the other all-you-can-eat vegetarian restaurants in the area, drinks and deserts are unlimited as well. read more

I LOVE this place. It sits in the centre of consumer chaos and basically chants "theres an alternative". Not being religious in anyway I was a bit hesitant dining here at first but the Hare Krishna belief or philosophy is never pushed on patrons. A doorway on Swanston leads up to the first floor dining space/canteen. If you have a student card or health care card the meals are only $5.5 and they offer free top ups, though the meals are massive I have never needed it. The meals rotate daily and are usually pretty good for the price. There is also a yum custard and sweet rice dessert. There is a total mix of customers, dreadlock folk, uni students, suits, DJ's staff and all feel totally welcome. When it gets busy there is more dining space another level up so it never gets too squishy. When youve finished your curry and pappadam's remember to return your plate and cutlery to the small cleaning bay. read more

The staff are so genuinely lovely. They really just want to share their delicious food with customers. You can go back for more as much as you want! read more

Gotta love a place that makes fresh, tasty, healthy food that's also super cheap. The best part, it's a buffet style establishment that serves all you can eat entrees and dessert. What is there not to love? Go here, enjoy the food and don't forget to ring the bell on your way out. Peace. read more

This place gives such positive vibes. Nothing makes me happier on a rubbish day at work than to come outside on my lunchbreak and see the Hare Krishnas singing and dancing on the street. Walking into Crossways, you get a similar sense of peace in the world because everyone there is so damn friendly and cheerful ...Bless 'em. As for the food, you can get a generously portioned vegetarian main and desert for only $7, and it's healthy and tasty to boot! Rubbing shoulders with the homeless has never felt (or smelt) so good! read more

I've ordered the 7.50$ meal and I'm satisfied with the food I've got. Here you get healthy and food for a cheap price which will fill you up completely. read more

How could anyone say something bad about this place. I mean 7,50 for a full meal which is definitely delicious, especially the desert got me. 4 out of 5 because it is a bit low budget and you see it when you come here. But all in all best price for value ever. read more

So what do you do when you're on a budget and in the mood for some great food? Well duh! Naturally you show up at a Hare Krishna owned restaurant and chow down! There's little left unsaid about this place other than that despite the dinginess of the seating arrangement, there is still order in the chaos. A person periodically sweeps through the tables and checks that they are cleared off and the area where you bus your plates and utensils is constantly being cleaned out. Overall it was a very enjoyable experience and next time I'm back in Melbourne I'll be sure to check it out again. read more

Crossways may be the shopfront recruitment centre for a daggy religious organisation - but that certainly doesn't impair the quality of its food. For a base rate of a mere $7.50, you're served a hearty curry and rice, pappadams on the perfect side of crisp, a pudding and all the orange cordial and lassi you can drink. In the heart of the CBD's most consumerist quarter, it's refreshing to be relieved of the obligation of choice: there is only one curry option per day in a thoroughly vegan menu that rotates over the week. The kooky ambiance of spiritually-high adepts, posters advertising yoga classes and sitars, sitars, sitars only enhances its unique flavours. read more

It's hard to fault a $7.50 (cheaper for unemployed and students) all you can eat restaurant. The food is vegetarian, healthy and tasty. You do get much more than you paid for and the people running it all seem to have a smile on their face. More of a student hangout than something fancy but good for a quick meal anyway if your on a budget. read more

For what it is, it delivers. $7.95 for an all you can eat vegetarian (usually vegan) lunch buffet which includes a daily curry, rice, papadams, dessert and a drink. Food was tasty, but not incredible. Place is on the second and third levels, and pretty minimalistic. It's a non-profit, so the place is reflective of that. Worth trying if you're on a budget and are really hungry. read more

Typical place that you love or hate. I love, not just because is very cheap veggie food, but also the atmosphere of the place. The people share tables and is friendly, the volunteers are lovely when they aren't too busy. I really like the idea, healthy food for small price. The food quality is not so great but is nice anyway. read more