My vegan cousin has just moved to Melbourne. We have been to A25 for vegan pizza twice in one week. And now, wherever I go, I see myself looking at vegan options for future family outings. This was my first time at Laiko, and I will be going back.
There are so many good restaurants along High Street Northcote, that you can drive past hundreds of times (and I have) and still be discovering new places a year later. Laiko is super relaxed, clean and easy with a vegan section to its menu and lots of old Greek favourites.
The mixed vegan dips were in a small serving, but each was enjoyable. There was garlic potato mash, hummus, eggplant and roasted capsicum. These were served with slices of white, toasted bread.
I cannot go past a vegetarian moussaka. This one was vegan with potato, eggplant, chickpeas and a tomato topping without the bechamel or cheese. The chickpeas and been brought into a paste so that the textures were smooth. The potato and tomato with all its herbs and seasoning was straight out of Greece.
Other vegan mains include pumpkin salad, yemista, stew, lentil soup and vegan pie. For entrees, alongside dips are smoked vegan cheese, dolmades, chargrilled veggies, and a variety of chips (potato, sweet potato, zucchini).
For dessert, we ordered the smashed baklava with halva ice-cream. Unfortunately, they had run out of the ice-cream, and this dish was not the same with plain vanilla.
Service was professional, and much more formal than the laid-back setting. I feel the atmosphere would move from basic café to chic restaurant if they just dimmed the lights and turned off the TVs (at least the sound wasn’t on!). As it is now, it feels more like Vanilla café in Oakleigh than a restaurant. Still, the food was good, the service was good, there are plenty of vegan options, and we had a great time.
There are so many good restaurants along High Street Northcote, that you can drive past hundreds of times (and I have) and still be discovering new places a year later. Laiko is super relaxed, clean and easy with a vegan section to its menu and lots of old Greek favourites.
The mixed vegan dips were in a small serving, but each was enjoyable. There was garlic potato mash, hummus, eggplant and roasted capsicum. These were served with slices of white, toasted bread.
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| Vegan Dips |
I cannot go past a vegetarian moussaka. This one was vegan with potato, eggplant, chickpeas and a tomato topping without the bechamel or cheese. The chickpeas and been brought into a paste so that the textures were smooth. The potato and tomato with all its herbs and seasoning was straight out of Greece.
 |
| Vegan Moussaka |
Other vegan mains include pumpkin salad, yemista, stew, lentil soup and vegan pie. For entrees, alongside dips are smoked vegan cheese, dolmades, chargrilled veggies, and a variety of chips (potato, sweet potato, zucchini).
For dessert, we ordered the smashed baklava with halva ice-cream. Unfortunately, they had run out of the ice-cream, and this dish was not the same with plain vanilla.
 |
| Smashed Baklava |
Service was professional, and much more formal than the laid-back setting. I feel the atmosphere would move from basic café to chic restaurant if they just dimmed the lights and turned off the TVs (at least the sound wasn’t on!). As it is now, it feels more like Vanilla café in Oakleigh than a restaurant. Still, the food was good, the service was good, there are plenty of vegan options, and we had a great time.
Laiko
308 High St, Northcote VIC 3070
03 9489 0218
Opening hours: 8:30am to 11:00pm daily