Well, here's something new: a deli-style place, but entirely vegan. Admittedly, as a tourist I did not eat much here and spread myself around the city. However, I did spend quite a bit of time perusing their selection. It is notably the first place I've seen in Australia to offer the new Ben and Jerry's dairy-free ice cream (which I had no room to try, sadly). They make a variety of fresh sandwiches and things, offer premade pastries and such, and sell a variety of hard to find goods. As with most vegan stores, it's pricey and something of a luxury, but a nice one to have. I would not, however, suggest that any non-Australian try anything with vegemite. I know I'm writing this place a positive review, but that stuff is pretty gross. read more

Smith & Deli - Delis Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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Being new to Melbourne, trying to tick off all the good foodie place I've been recommended is hard work... especially when there's amazing food to be had practically everywhere! Smith and deli is no exception. The variety of sandwiches alone, and alllll vegan pointedly, is outstanding. I went with the "bacon" and "chicken" schnitzel sandwich with ranch lettuce and tomato and it was fantastic. I'm not even vegan and can tell you that if nobody had told me it was vegan, I'd have thought it was the real deal. They have a great selection of vegan products from around the globe too. You can imagine how crazy busy this place gets. Staff are lovely too. Get amongst it! read more

I didn't get a chance of order their hot sandwiches because I came when they were about to close. But I got a slice of Hawaiian bbq pizza that had mock chicken. It tasted so good. Usually I don't like pizzas that aren't wood fired oven pizzas. Despite the bready crust, the flavor was good and I didn't even mind the vegan cheese on top. I think the bbq sauce really helped tie in all the elements. The slice was also VERY large. They sell vegan mock meats, snacks, cheeses and ready to go meals if you want to do some shopping there as well. read more

Smith & Deli - Hawaiian bbq pizza - Delis Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

W-O-W just wow! Smith & Deli opens up from a non-descript doorway along a red-brick like a secret passageway into a treasure filled cave. Every single glorious item on the menu & all the goodies on the pantry shelves, fridges & freezers are vegan. I have died & gone to heaven. Give me one of everything, then seconds. I may pass out from the sheer glory of it all/over-eating. I go back several times a day. It's always packed (incl. cuddly dogs). Take one of their luscious big toasted sandwiches & a scrumptious coffee (in a keepcup of course) & go sit in the sun in the dog park down the road. Then you will know the meaning of happiness read more

Smith & Deli - Luscious big toasted sandwiches from Smith&Deli, Fitzroy - Delis Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

My go-to lunch spot. Best vegan sandwiches and snacks in town!! I don't think you could go wrong even if you closed your eyes and pointed to something on the menu. Temple of doom is my all time fave if you like something with a little kick! Definitely pick up a donut or dessert because they are bomb. read more

Smith & Deli - Purple yam and coconut donut definitely did not disappoint. This place will continue to amaze me. - Delis Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

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Melbourne sure knows how to do vegan fare! Especially this spot. This place is a take away and reminds me of a classic NYC deli with a small selection of grocery items catering to a vegan diet. I loved the sign at the register, "yes, EVERYTHING is vegan." I tried the meatball sub, and oh my gawd!!! Soooooo delicious. If only I could teleport here from Honolulu. I keep wishing my city would up their vegan game. Til then I'll be dreaming of this sub! read more

If you love a big fat juicy Rueben sandwich, then Smith & Deli's version, The Ruebenstein, shouldn't* disappoint. The rye bread is delicious. Perfectly warm with a chewy crust, it's the ultimate balance to the mountain of pungent, caraway seed flecked, sauerkraut and zingy crunchy pickles. The Russian dressing brings the "meat" and the pickly goodness together. *I put the word "shouldn't" in there as a caveat because maybe the thing that really does it for you is the big stack of meaty goodness you normally get in a Rueben. Smith's version is faux-meat (!) but if you close your eyes and dream of Katz Deli in New York, your brain will be convinced it's the real deal. Smith & Deli is only a few weeks old, and as such they're still coping with "hot new thing" syndrome while trying to find their feet. I arrived at 2pm on a Tuesday afternoon, assuming it would be quiet. Instead I was met with a line out the door and staff raising their voices to try and explain the ordering system and that things might take a while. The sandwiches are made to order, so expect to wait 5-10 minutes after placing your order, or grab one of the "eat now" items like a cheese and kimchi scroll if you're in a rush. When I visited there was a lot of confusion about how to order and pay as one staff member (who was super lovely but struggling to manage the rabble) tried to manoeuvre people in to an imaginary line that snaked around the store. Once my order was placed I was given a ticket and told I could get other items from the store, but that I should stay in the line to pay. I walked away from the line to get a drink from the fridge (there's a massive selection of juice and kombucha) and then I no longer had a place in the messy "line" that was forming and stood around like a dork not knowing exactly where I should be or if I was pushing in front of others. It's a minor thing, and I'm sure eventually they'll get some bollards and rope, or even a deli ticketing system, but for now I think you need to be prepared for some minor chaos if you want to get your chompers around one of these seriously good, all vegan, sandwiches. read more

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I've been here three times now, the first time I went I had no idea it was a VEGAN deli and I had an epic ham&cheese croissant that cost $12,- but was truly worth it... Then when I came back, still no one actually had explained to me that they only sold vegan goods... I think the food is delicious but the staff is clumsy, unwelcoming and there is no proper assembly line for service so the whole place is just an awkward doting around of people asking eachother shyly if they are in line or not. If they'd fix that I'd come back more often! read more

Smith & Deli - Vegan almond croissant + almond milk flat white - Delis Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

The Iced Black Coffee (Americano) was nice and strong and the Dill Cream Cheese Bagel was indistinguishable from the 'real deal' that I was eating in NYC last week. If I had one criticism, it is that Implementing multiple queues ala Katz' or even an old school deli ticketing system wouldn't go astray, but the queue was worth it for the tasty goods at the other end. Mazel tov, Smith & Deli! read more

Wow -- Melbourne really blew me away with their vegetarian and vegan delights on this visit. Brunswick Street seems to be packed with every other restaurant offering solely vegan or vegetarian fare. Makes a girl long for a hop across the Tasman! One of the greatest examples of what Melbourne has going on is Smith and Deli. A full fledged NY style deli... that is TOTALLY VEGAN! Whaaa?!?!?! Amazing!! They've got a bajillion signature sandwiches, they sell bagels (legit NY style - fat, and they've got everything bagels... YES!), sweets, coffee, antipasto and deli-type salads, as well as a whole mini grocery of specialty deli-type products (again, all vegan!) Nice selection of juices and craft sodas round out the experience. The details of the place are pretty spot on - it's a perfect postmodern replica, except without the grouchy deli guys! At first I thought Smith & Deli wasn't all it seems hyped up to be. I was nervous about deli sandwiches without real cheese (it's the cheese that keeps me from going fully vegan). Also, I got there expecting a seating area and there was none. On a rainy Melbourne day I was left chowing my sanger on a nearby park bench (cue sad trombone). Plan ahead and make sure you've got a good spot to sit and savor your sandwich. You won't want to be rushed. On my first visit I got the Buffalo the Vampire Slayer sandwich -- buffalo tofu on a roll with celery, ranch (whoops, Smith that should be blue cheese if you want to go authentic) and some other stuff. I was underwhelmed by the choice -- I expected a hot sandwich, as most buffalo sandwiches are (Buffalo girl talking here). Without being toasted the bread was a bit too chewy, and the way the sandwich was assembled made it pretty hard to eat. That said, the taste was AMAZING! I'd recommend if you go for it to ask that they toast it. Would have made all the difference! Slightly fazed, I still found myself wanting to go back the next day. We were about to leave town, and I wanted to try something else to see what I thought. My husband came along, and we split two sandwiches this time - the Maury Ballstein (vegan meatball sub), and the Godfather - a spicy pressed sandwich with pepperocini and other delicious things. OH MY GOD. I was totally blown away. Both were ridiculously flavorful, the cheese was really good (including the vegan mozzarella de bufala they had -- texture was good, and no weird vegan cheese aftertaste) and toasted, the roll on the meatball sub was just right - slightly crispy outside, soft inside. The meatballs had some nice fennel seeds in them. The fake meat in the Godfather had a nice deli meat type texture. Wow. I was in heaven! I would be in serious trouble if I lived in Melbourne - I would be very committed to trying each and every sandwich on the menu. Any chance we can get one in Auckland?? Pretty please?? Until then, I'll be back daily next time I'm in town. read more

Just dropped in for a snack and what a selection! Could have spent half an hour staring at all the food! Ended up ordering the cauliflower, cheese and leek pie - it was to die for! Delicious and most importantly held its shape whilst eating, the caraway seeds on top just added that touch of spice. Will be back to try there huge range of sandwiches:) read more

I'm not going to lie, when I first arrived at Smith & Deli my first thought was: EAT ALL OF THE THINGS. Due to the constraints of time and my stomach (damn you stomach) I spent some time carefully considering which faux meat sammich to consume. It wasn't easy. I went for the Temple of Doom - faux turkey with cheese, chipotle aioli and jalapeños. For good measure we also got a sticky bun for dessert. Despite the wait it was so worth it. As there is no seating you can hang out in Whitlam park and enjoy the tasty goodness in the fresh air, which I guess isn't ideal if it's raining. If you're going I highly recommend making enough time to carefully peruse the menu and enough patience to wait out the dog-legged queue. read more

One should never have to ask the question "what is this turkey made out of?" As a non-vegan, I debated for a week about posting my opinion on Smith & Deli, but I figure other non-vegans might be curious about my experience at this 100% vegan establishment. The amount of glowing reviews was overwhelming, so I thought I would be open minded and try it myself. Aside from the bland tasting $16 Cuban that I ordered (the prices are really that outrageous), the bottom line is that everything here is fake and this "deli" is everything that is wrong with processed foods today. I was shocked with the lack of sandwiches made from actual foods that come from the earth. If you are looking for faux meats and cheeses, this place is for you. However, if you are looking for quality vegan options made from real fruits and vegetables, I would suggest investing in a wholesome meal from Transformer. The staff was pleasant and they offer a variety of items in their shop front, but I will never return. read more

Smith & Deli - This is what a $16 vegan Cuban looks like - Delis Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

One of my favourite places to go to when I'm in Melbourne. Anyone I know who has been skeptical of my vegan food I've taken here and they understand read more

I've been eyeing this place from California - my friends on IG have been posting pics from this place for months- so I was ready to try it out as soon as I arrived. Very rad place, which also sells vegan groceries, and the best vegan chocolate bars from Europe. The menu is vast, and the food is delicious. I def can't wait to return with my friends from LA, next March. read more

Their staff is very slow and not very hospitable and friendly. They should improve this in order not to scare customers. Their food on the other hand is really good and delicious and everyone should try it. read more

Mo Wyse and Shannon Martinez, the dynamic duo brilliance behind Smith & Daughters have expanded their food presence in Melbourne with the brand new Smith & Deli. With its wonderfully retro feel, this 100% vegan deli is a food wonderland for all Melbourne folk, regardless of your meat eating status! Delicious food abounds, with the most AMAZING sandwiches on offer: Parmageddon, Hail Seitan, The Piggy Bundy, Club Sandwiches not Seals, and Buffalo the Vampire Slayer (just to name a humorous few). I chose the Ruebenstein (pastrami, sauerkraut, pickles, and Russian dressing), an amazing flavour combination, and filling to boot. I can't wait to head back to work my way through the rest of the list (I'm sadly predicting the development of my very own 'Smith & Belly' if their food stays this scrumptious). I also had a doughnut (to die for) and grabbed an apple slice ready for work tomorrow (amazingly still in my fridge and not devoured!). There are also bagels, ready cooked meals / sauces / soups prepared by the Smith & Deli alchemists (I am now quite certain Shannon could take two sticks and a leaf, work her magic and produce a vegan version of a lemon meringue pie...there is seriously freaky talent there, that possibly would have seen her burnt as a witch a few hundred years ago!), fresh produce, a variety of cheeses...etc, etc, etc, the perfect place to start the day, or end it, and everything in between! Go. Grab some amazing food. Find somewhere close by to eat it (or squirrel it home). Enjoy!! read more

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Smith & Deli offers a huge selection of vegan sandwiches, treats, salads and specialised groceries. Situated down an alley off Brunswick St, this classic style deli is always busy and filled with friendly staff. A little hit and miss on some items, and a little pricey, but as a vegan, you will be hard pressed to find something else like it in the country. Wish they had some seating, but otherwise a definite hotspot! read more

This place is fantastic! Such a wide verity of options & tastes! I'm from Southern Cali where we take our vegan food very seriously & I know this place would kill back home. I got the Rubenstine (ruben) & it was delicious! I added some cheese & would've liked just a little bit more of the sauce but overall is was yums. Hope I have time to come back & try some of their desserts! Also love the inverted cross logo ;) read more

Its really more than just a deli or sandwich shop. It has groceries, cookbooks and more! The food is simple, yet delicious. Id say its pretty pricey for what you're getting but its good to see a completely vegan sandwich shop doing extremely well for itself. read more

I was lucky enough to be one of the first people to try their vegan croissant, and it's true, they are amazing. As good, if not better, than a regular croissant. I also bought their olive bread and it's fabulous, great texture and lots of olives. If you like mock meat than this deli will be your heaven. I'm not a fan so I would like there to be more interesting sandwich options that don't have meat at all. I went on day 4 after the opening so by now they may have improved where people wait while their sandwiches are being made because when I was there everyone was waiting inside, the place is small, and there wasn't enough room for other customers to look at all the great items available in the store. This is not a cafe, it's a take away deli. read more

First time there. I did modify my sandwich whixh the lady at counter was obliging. I was so hungry I chomped into and demolished first half but when I started the second half and my hunger had subsided I realised the bread was dry and it was rather tasteless. Nothing special after all the raves I've heard. Would try again as maybe I chose wrong one. read more

This place rocks. Best Reuben I've ever had. The hail seitan is orgasmic. I'm addicted. I've started going here to get vegan cheese also. Vegan deli, you can't understand how well this works until you've been here. I can't get enough of this place. read more

This is truly the best vegan deli in the world! I live in Atlanta but yesterday I got off a long plane ride and straight to the deli to experience the insane talent of this crew. I had the chicken salad sandwich on a gluten free bread! This bread was so good I had to double check it was actually gluten free. Everything was so flavorful. The gf brownie was rich and didn't crumble apart. The coconut latte was perfect, I bought the clever coffee mug with spill proof top, which is perfect with my little ones. The staff was friendly and welcoming even with the crazy lunch rush that was filling in through out our entire time there. The deli's fridges and shelved are filled with amazing vegan products from all over the world too! I'm so glad that I get to spend my vacation eating breakfast and lunch there probably everyday. Can not say enough about this amazing place. I wish I lived closer. Thank you. read more