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Yavanna brings its style of plant-based comfort food to Paddington Yavanna brings its style of plant-based comfort food to Paddington Yavanna brings its style of plant-based comfort food to Paddington Yavanna brings its style of plant-based comfort food to Paddington Yavanna brings its style of plant-based comfort food to Paddington Yavanna brings its style of plant-based comfort food to Paddington

Yavanna brings its style of plant-based comfort food to Paddington

What do you get when three hospitality lifers (who happen to be vegan) team up to create brand-new bar and restaurant? You get one heck of haven for plant-based eaters and omnivores alike. Yavanna has begun its rollout of comfort food, bringing familiarity, fun and flair to the table with a range of dishes that will have even die-hard carnivores on drool watch.


A phone call was all it took to get the ball rolling on what has become Paddington’s new plant-based eatery Yavanna. Seasoned vegan chef John Baker (of Newcastle’s Bonta Vera), hospitality whiz Kate Borgo and importer and distributor of vegan products Cale Drouin (also former owner of The Green Edge) put their considerable talents together to roll the dice on on a plant-based concept that could help solve the dearth of wholesome eating options in Brisbane’s west. The trio searched for a suitable venue in which to install their vision for a restaurant and bar, settling on a breezy space in the heart of Paddington. After stripping back the venue to its bones, the team built it up once more with new booth seating, colourful artwork, some cheeky neon and plenty of greenery – creating a cool and comfortable home in which to grow.

To make people excited about plant-based dining, Yavanna’s menu is designed to be as inclusive as possible, honing in on contemporary food trends and giving them a vegan spin. Being plant-based, Yavanna’s menu will naturally evolve to reflect the availability of certain produce, but Cale, Kate and John are committed to making Yavanna’s menu familiar and adult at all times. If steak, flame-grilled chicken and barbecue ribs don’t sound particularly plant-centric, then you’d be right, but a closer inspection of the menu reveals that even Yavanna’s meaty morsels are free of animal products, utilising plant-based substitutes across the entire offering. The kitchen team aren’t skimping on indulgence, either – the menu is stacked with comforting eats such as fried-chicken burgers, chipotle nachos, flame-grilled steak served on creamy mashed potato, omelette brinner, poutine and a forthcoming pizza menu. Sustainable and natural wines feature behind the bar, as well as a great selection of local beers and boutique spirits. Vegan brunch hunters can also stop by on weekends for a nibble, alongside coffee from Byron Bay roaster Moonshine.

For opening hours and contact details, check out Yavanna’s entry in the Stumble Guide.

The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Brisbane dining guide with more than 2400 places to eat, drink, shop and play.



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