March 3, 2026
We probably haven't been to Gopal's since our 2016 decade retrospective of the 2006 Cheap Eats Guide. What once suited our student budget and tastes and our newly vegetarian ways brought less excitement as the years went on. But what's boring to one can be comforting and even nostalgic to another.
Gopal's specialises in vegetarian and vegan food, prepared in bulk and served at affordable prices. The mainstay is the feast plate ($12 in 2006, $12.95 in 2016, $13.50 in 2026); they were out of soup on our visit so Michael dropped back to the otherwise-same vegan platter ($12.50). It's a plate piled with rice, two curries and salad, plus a dessert (apple crumble with custard) and drink (lemonade). The foods and their dietary features are well marked at the counter bain marie, but it all kinda melds on the plate.
I knew I couldn't handle the full shebang, so focused on kofta and rice, drink and dessert. It was simple, salty and filling, no more and no less than I expected. It's food that won't make new memories but might trigger old ones. It's remarkable that Gopal's have kept the prices so low for so many years, and maintained a space in the city that remains so accessible and accepting to anyone who can make it up the stairs. We might not be excited by Gopal's but we're lucky to have them.
On
this night, we paired our meal with a Pulp show under a blood moon.
Gopal's went on to rescue us from hunger between Melbourne Comedy
Festival shows in April when the crepe cart was overrun and time was tight.
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Gopal's Pure Vegetarian
139 Swanston St, Melbourne CBD
9650 1578
Accessibility: We entered via a narrow staircase with a handrail and did not notice an alternative access point. We ordered and paid at the counter. Tables are quite well spaced. Toilets are gendered and narrow.
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