Soulful Home Cafe - A Vegan-Friendly Hidden Gem in Mount Waverley

If you're searching for quality vegan food in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, Soulful Home Cafe in Mount Waverley is absolutely worth a visit. While it’s no longer an exclusively vegan café, Soulful Home Cafe has retained its plant-based heart, offering a menu that’s mostly vegan or easily customisable to be.

Previously known as Home Vegan Bar in the Melbourne CBD, the café rebranded and relocated after the pandemic and CBD landlord issues made it tough to stay afloat. But don’t worry—many of the fan favourites, including their house-made falafels, tofu scramble, and even their signature chilli oil, are still going strong.

This café now sits in a quiet pocket of Mount Waverley, making it a peaceful and convenient spot for a plant-based breakfast or brunch—especially if you’re planning a day out in nature.

vegan breakfast tacos — *Vegan Breakfast Tacos*

A Menu That’s Mostly Vegan (and Very Well Done)

Although Soulful Home Cafe now caters to all dietary preferences, vegans are still well and truly taken care of. Most of the menu either defaults to vegan or has a clear vegan option available. And the best part? The chef from the original Home Vegan Bar is still at the helm—bringing that same level of creativity and quality to every plate, resulting in some truly memorable vegan food in Melbourne.

The Vegan Highlights Include:

Breakfast Tacos – Full of flavour with perfectly cooked fillings and house-made elements.
Tofu Scramble – Creamy, delicious, and seasoned to perfection.
"Eggs Your Way" – A creative and comforting take on a classic, done vegan style.
Toasty Options – Ranging from $12 to $19, these are budget-friendly without compromising on taste.
Cabinet Treats – A range of house-made vegan sweets and savouries are available at the front counter.

Everything from the falafels to the hash browns and chilli oil is made in-house—and it shows. Flavours are bold, comforting, and really satisfying.

Check out the full Soulful Home Cafe menu.

A Few Small Misses

While the savoury options are impressive, there are a couple of areas where Soulful Home Cafe could improve:

No Sweet Vegan Breakfasts – Unfortunately, there are no vegan waffles or pancakes on the menu. Considering how easy these are to veganise (I’ve got these recipes on my website - vegan pancakes, vegan waffles), this feels like a missed opportunity.
Unclear Drinks Menu – While the main menu is well-labelled, the drinks menu doesn’t specify which milkshakes or drinks can be made vegan. A little clarification here would be helpful for plant-based visitors.

That said, these are small points in an otherwise well-thought-out and high-quality vegan-friendly café.

Location, Seating & Atmosphere

Soulful Home Cafe is conveniently located near freeways, the train station, and just a short walk from a nearby nature reserve. It's a great spot to relax with a coffee before or after a walk. The indoor seating is cosy and well spread out, with over 40 seats inside and around 15–20 outside.

If you're planning a little day trip, you could easily combine a visit to Soulful Home Cafe with a stroll or picnic at the nearby parklands at Valley Reserve - complete with playgrounds and walking tracks.

Location and Opening Hours

Soulful Home Cafe
Shop G01/12 The Hwy, Mount Waverley VIC 3149
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:30am – 3:30pm; Saturday to Sunday, 8am - 4pm

Soulful Home Cafe is a beautiful example of how cafes can adapt and thrive while still keeping vegan food front and centre. With a majority plant-based menu, a talented vegan chef in the kitchen, and house-made everything, it’s an easy place to recommend for locals and day-trippers alike.

If you're vegan and live in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs—or just feel like exploring a new spot—Soulful Home Cafe is a hidden gem that offers great quality vegan food in Melbourne and deserves your support.