Billy van Creamy II

July 26, 2026

 

   

 

While we were in Brisbane, I was hit with a bolt of FOMO: my Brunswick favourites Billy van Creamy and Tofu Shoten announced a collaborative icecream sandwich! It was sold out before we returned home, but so popular that they made an encore batch a couple weeks later. I pounced! They also had a second icecream sandwich on offer, so I picked that up too, to share with Michael.

   

 

First, the Tofu Shoten one. Not only was it vegan, but gluten free as well! The cookie was thin, crisp and coconut-based. The icecream had a lovely creamy texture without need of dairy, but the subtlety of its vanilla-soy-yuzu flavour was lost on me. The star - the absolute clincher - for me was the sweet smear of pear jelly.  

 

   

The other more regular BVC sandwich was also vegan - a pair of more substantive chocolate cookies holding together hazelnut icecream, a layer of chocolate fudge, all rolled through chopped hazelnuts. It's a classic flavour combination done extremely well here, with the overall effect being pretty similar to their vegan Easter egg special. The flavour is full and rich, so it's one for most devoted chocolate lovers, or perhaps to share. (In my case, on this day, both.)

Billy van Creamy's icecream sandwiches and other specials aren't always super-obvious in store, but they're well worth paying attention to. I'd recommend keeping an eye on their social media and being bold enough to ask what's new when you're in for a visit.

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You can read about one of our previous visits to Billy van Creamy in Brunswick, and one in Fitzroy. 

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Billy Van Creamy

146 Sydney Rd, Brunswick

https://billyvancreamy.com.au/

 

Accessibility: There's a shallow ramp on entry. Low stools and benches line the walls and windows, and there's substantial open flat space in the centre of the room. We ordered and paid at a low counter. We didn't ask about the toilets. 

Green Refectory III

July 25, 2026

 

   

Green Refectory opened on Sydney Road in 2004 and it's been a long-running local favourite, dispensing meals, muffins, pastries and drinks at inflation-busting prices. The classic Green experience (milling around awkwardly at the crowded counter dealing with confusing throngs of people getting and waiting for takeaway, paying their bills and ordering) is happily no more - last year they expanded into the shop next door and the whole process is a lot smoother these days. 

Otherwise very little has changed - they're still doing the veggie stack I had 2008 ($9 in 2008, $16.50 in 2026), they've still got an array of gigantic muffins and the pie cabinet is still loaded up with goodies that are perfect to pick up early on your way out bird-watching (for example). We were glad to be back for our Cheap Eats 2006/2026 project, we'd not sat down for a meal together there since 2013.

 

   

The menu is up on a blackboard over the counter and you order there and then find a table. There are eggy breakfasts, a decent set of vegan options, heaps of sweet stuff and more cabinet options than you can imagine. I rehashed my 2013 order - scrambled tofu with mixed spices, pickled veggies, Mt Zero olives and mountain bread ($10 in 2013, $15 in 2026). The consistency of Green Refec is pretty incredible, this felt almost exactly the same as the dish I vaguely remembered from decades before - they've switched from green to kalamata olives, but otherwise this is the same solid vegan brekkie they've been serving forever. The mountain bread is fun to tear to pieces and pick up the warmly spiced tofu with and the pickles and olives add nice salt and tanginess to the whole arrangement.

   

Cindy couldn't go past a two course muffin meal, starting with a pumpkin, feta and sun-dried tomato option ($3.50 in 2008, $3 in 2013, $5 in 2026) and finishing with blueberry/pear ($2.80 in 2008, $4.50 in 2026). They are surely made using the same recipes they've been using since they opened. The savouries are quite eggy, while the sweet ones have a cakey texture - it's familiar, it's delicious and, if you turn up near closing time, it's incredibly cheap.

 

   

Coffees were good, service was friendly and efficient and the whole Green Refectory experience was probably as good as it's ever been for us. The expansion has really made dining in work better (plus they've finally started accepting card payments!). There's something very dated about the menu but, like The Galleon before it, there's nothing wrong with doing an old fashioned brekkie. Most weekends I'll be lured by the fancy offerings at one of Brunswick's endless trendy cafes, but it's a delight to know that the Green Refectory will always be there, offering up solid, affordable brekkies.

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You can read about one, two of our previous visits to the Green Refectory. Since 2013 there have been positive reviews from Whatever Floats Your Bloat, Mosaik Melbourne, frenchtoastandindiepop and Melbourne Vita, while Curious Charlie had a more mixed experience.

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The Green Refectory

115 Sydney Road, Brunswick

9387 1150 

menu

https://www.greenrefectory.net/

 

Accessibility: There's a small step up on entry. The interior is much more navigable than it used to be, but the dine-in side is still fairly densely packed with tables and backed chairs. You order and pay at a low counter.

Long Bánh Mi

July 18, 2026

 

   

 

Banh mi might now be the most ubiquitous lunch food available in our neighbourhood, perhaps even ahead of sushi. It's not hard to see why - it's a sandwich but probably better than what you'd make for yourself (unless...), it usually includes a tasty, marinated protein, bright pickles and herbs to keep things fresh, bursts of chilli, and a light roll. It need not leave you with post-lunch lethargy. 

 

I did not pay Long Bánh Mi a lot of attention when it opened up nearby in Brunswick - its initial distinguishing feature was boasting 10 inch rolls, and large portioning isn't my priority. I stopped in once in a pinch and found their one vegetarian option, a tofu banh mi, perfectly pleasant.

 

Then, somewhere along the line, they expanded their veg*n options! The menu now includes an explicitly vegan section, noting that vegan pate and Kewpie mayo are available, with five protein options: meat loaf, tofu/mushroom, BBQ charsiu, grilled chicken, and roasted duck. We went for chicken and duck ($15.80 each) and liked them very much - we should branch out to meat loaf and charsiu next.

 

   

 

To Michael's delight, there's also Vietnamese iced coffee ($6.50) ready to pour, though I believe it's dairy-based.

 

Long Bánh Mi seem to trial a few other dishes beyond their core menu, such as sandwiches and pho. On this visit it was a trio of bagels, including transfer of any of their banh mi fillings. These novelties aren't what will pull me back for more - I'm just hoping that the vegan menu proves to be a long-term fixture.

 

   

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Long Bánh Mi

112 Lygon St, Brunswick East

9499 2050

menu 

https://longbanhmi.com.au/

 

Accessibility: There's a shallow ramp on entry and a clear, flat passage through the centre of the shop. There are a small number of low tables with short, backless stools against the side wall and front window. We ordered, paid and picked up food at a low counter. We didn't visit the toilets. 

Brisbane in winter 2026

July 16-17, 2026

 

   

 

Being in Brisbane is more about friends than food, but that doesn't mean we can't have both! Here are three meals that I pulled the camera out for this time around.

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We try to visit Alphabet Cafe for brunch whenever we're in West End. (Thanks to Tash for first sending us there!) Pretty much everything on the menu has a vegetarian option and many have vegan substitutes. Once I saw the words 'flaky cheddar buttermilk biscuit' I was hooked, arranging for pumpkin in lieu of ham ($28.10). They're teamed with scrambled eggs, avocado and pickled green tomatoes, and I spent a loooong time picking my way around this excellent plate. Michael was just as pleased and finished much faster with the chilli eggs ($27.10), a heaped plate of scrambled eggs, sprouting broccoli, roast pumpkin and grilled sourdough with house chilli oil and toasted sesame. I carefully selected a chocolate-chip cheesecake blondie to share for breakfast dessert - it tasted great but was a touch dense and dry - and we took home house-made jams for ourselves and our cat-sitter.

 

   

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We don't get to Bar Francine every year, but it's always a fun time when we do, and usually involves our friend Tash. (I will never forget the mushroom toasts from our first visit.) Somehow we ordered a lot of potatoes this time: as rosti topped with cultured cream cheese and capers (above right, $10 each), binding an artichoke croquette ($34), roasted with paprika and parmesan ($12), and then as straight-up chips ($12, all pictured below left). The staff took pity on our poor judgement and sent over a complimentary cucumber salad (usually $14, and much needed). For dessert we split an Earl grey pannacotta topped with rhubarb and honeycomb ($16), and a brulee carrot cake with cream cheese icing and brown butter ($18, both pictured below right).

 

   

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On a day that alternated with rain and bright sunshine, we did a circuit of the river by CityCat, through New Farm Park, and eventually on to the Valley. Vegan cafe Dicki's has been in New Farm for years, but this is the first time we've spotted it on Happy Cow and had the time to try it. It's small but bright and cheerful, with a menu full of the kind of wraps, toasties, salads and snacks that really appeal to me, many featuring mock meat plus both fresh ingredients and judicious condiments. (There's also a hint of Supreme Master about the place.) 

 

It takes a lot to steer me away from waffles (they had apple pie crumble and peanut butter & jelly versions!), yet what I really wanted was the Reef Burger ($24.50). This was fish of their own making - tofu with a beer batter that had great seasoning - sandwiched with tartare sauce, pickles and cos lettuce, then heaps of fries on the side. Michael happily demolished a brunch burrito ($23.50) stuffed with sausage, tofu scramble, spinach and hash brown, then helped me out with my fries. This is the kind of cafe that one need not move mountains to visit, but would easily become a regular favourite if it were in your neighbourhood.

 

   

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Though it's not been our neighbourhood for many years, these parts of Brisbane still feel a bit like home. It felt so nice to be back. 

Bundjalung Country

July 13-14, 2026

 

   

 

As we often do, we visited south-east Queensland mid-winter to catch up with family and friends (and see a bit of sun). This year we added a new adventure to the itinerary, hiring a car and heading south across Bundjalung Country for a few days. We wandered up hills, by the beach, and through towns; visited op shops, art galleries and a beach-side book fair; saw whales, elevated views across the landscape, and a pretty sunrise. And, of course, we ate - here's what we liked best. 

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Our first breakfast, at Woods, really set the tone for the 'wellness' angle on so much of the cafe food in the region. I caught myself dodging and weaving dishes containing Beauty Chef and mushroom powders but found more than enough to enjoy in the banana bread ($15, pictured below left), which was piled with miso maple butter, blueberries, and macadamia-coconut streusel. Michael was delighted by the Mexican Shakshuka ($28, pictured below right), with its base of braised black beans and poached eggs, layered with tomatillo salsa, chilli butter, fried curry leaves and a side of roti. Woods' outdoor seating was lovely, and I enjoyed browsing the surrounding Lumberyard Creative Precinct.

 

   

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As the special meal of the trip, Michael booked us a table at Byron Bay's all-vegan No Bones in advance. We visited on $20 carbonara night and were happy to work that into our meal - it was both the best savoury dish we ordered that night, and an all-time top-ranking vegan carbonara alongside Green Man's Arms' version. We ate heartily, with mushroom ragu ($38), dips, chat potatoes ($15) and Brussels sprouts on lemon cream ($17). For me, the other high point was the chocolate cremeux ($16), a scoop of chocolate ganache hollowed out to hold a gooey miso caramel, with a side of hazelnut praline. We took advantage of the original cocktail list too.

 

   

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Shelter was Michael's breakfast pick in Lennox Head, and a set of wide-open windows facing the beach established its relaxed and positive atmosphere. He loved the local avo toast ($22) covered in chilli crunch, with two poached eggs ($7), pickled onions and a herb salad. They were out of the porridge that I was eyeing off so I happily made do with crumpets and a juice.

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After hopping all along the coast, we finished the day back in Bangalow for a meal at Ciao, Mate!. The focaccia ($6, served with butter) and veg supreme pizza ($30) were on point, and the tiramisu ($17) was as big as a brick. They had their own distinct specials, too: a cute little brie custard tart ($20, pictured above left) crowned with endive, chervil and candied walnuts; and a fancy almond whey tart ($17, pictured below left) accompanied by spiced figs and Davidson plum.

 

   

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Byron Bay's Folk had a lovely, rambling garden setting but the weather kept us indoors. This menu swapped Woods' Beauty Chef powder for a house-blend nettle tea, hemp seeds and bee pollen, and held on to the reishi. Their chai-spiced buckwheat porridge special ($20+) was exactly what I needed, served with half a poached pear, labne, a generous streak of almond butter, crunchy buckwheat sprinklings, and a pink edible flower garnish to break up the brown. Michael made quick and messy work of the double egg roll ($19.50) - the standard cheddar, pickles and barbecue sauce added plenty of flavour and he wasn't inclined to add on avo, halloumi or mushies as the menu invited.

 

   

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We turned around, had a cute little moment (but no food) at the Murwillumbah Farmers' Market, and set off back towards Brisbane. Happily Izakaya Midori was right on our path and I steered Michael into the strip mall it inhabits for a vegan Japanese lunch. He was just as charmed as I was on my first visit: it's cordoned off and thoughtfully decorated to transport your senses well away from the Pacific Motorway, and the staff are just lovely. We both ordered from the slightly discounted lunch menu (a rice bowl and iced tea for $26.50): a saucy mock-chicken curry karaage for Michael, and a bright, vege-heavy mock-chicken karaage don for me.

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With that, we were refreshed and ready to return to our second home of Kurilpa/West End. This wasn't a food-first holiday, but it was definitely one of the joys of the trip.