Every veggie I know in Melbourne talks about Soul Mama. Will definitely have to pay a visit next time I’m in town. I especially like the idea of a buffet - why people persist with the authoritarian concept of a menu where you can only have one or two items is beyond me.

I heartily agree. Apart from the buffet, I have to say that one of the best things about Soul Mama is the view - it is one of the only places actually on the bay, overlooking the water. In that regard, Melbourne’s waterfront is similarly (under)developed to Canberra’s Burley Griffith lakeside.

The service is a bit wonky but it’s nice to be confronted with such a range of veggie food of a reliable standard that the selection process is painful.

Soul Mamma is just ok in my book. The food is really average especially if you are vegan, I’m sure I can count another half a dozen restaurants that do do better meals which are not already cooked and are cheaper. The views on the otherhand are beautiful and in summetime it is especially nice after a nice walk along the beach.

Btw, just found this website and loving it. Such a great time. Will go and post some more positive comments on the other reviews.

Cheers for the comment and appreciate the vegan perspective. Would love your thoughts on the best vegan options in Melbourne. I’m curious to try Soul Mama for myself. It’s the most searched for restaurant on my site and seems to be a Melbourne institution - but sometimes these places built up a legend that can be hard to live up to all the time.

I was visiting from Sydney and a work friend suggested we go to Soul Mama. She knew I had been a vegie all my life. (Usually she notices I have a “salad” as most of our work do’s take us to Seafood Restaurants). I really enjoyed the food (too generous with sizes)! I sat outside and it was perfect! I especially enjoyed your quotes on the paper wine list.( I folded it up and brought it back with me to show my friends). Hence why we are now on your website. I wanted to buy your T-shirts but apparently they aren’t 4 sale. Why dont you put the quotes on the shirts and sell them on your website?
“Animals are my friends……I don’t eat my friends!

Hi Donna,
This website is not actually Soul Mama’s website - it is an independent blog on vegetarian restaurants with reviews of restaurants uncluding Soul Mama. I think Soul Mama’s website is http://www.soulmama.com if you want to contact them about the t-shirt idea (which, incidentally, I think is a top idea! The quotes are very cool, aren’t they?)

I would definitely not rate Soul Mama any higher than VVV, and perhaps even VV. My wife an I use the gym in the St Kilda Sea Baths and often eat in the restaurants in the complex, including Soul Mama. However, their service is atrocious (their wait staff seems to be made up of students, not professionals) and the food just so-so. The only two things it really has going for it is the location (including a terrific view over the bay) and the huge range of veggie food.

Hi Michael. I agree that the food itself isn’t the best veggie fare ever but it is more the range of food choices that inspired me to give it a Super V rating - that and the magnificent view! I have generally found the service to be fairly prompt and ok, although perhaps on the casual side Do any of the other St Kilda Baths restaurants have much in the way of veggie food to offer, as I would love to try another place with the same view!

definately not great veggie food- its just ok.the waiters seem to be more interested in looking cool than actually waiting. apparently an ex waitress was askd to wear a t-shirt instead of a singlet as she chose not to shave her underarms- the waiters were not asked- for a ‘trendy, hip’ resturant they seem to be cought in a bit of a time warp.

you are agood cook

we enjojed our meal on wenesday night.we live in the country so we do not get into the city very often.we would like to know if you have a cook book or could recomend one regards barbara

Hi Barbara

Great that you enjoyed Soul Mama. There are a couple of vegetarian cookbooks I’d recommend. One is called ‘Veggie Food’. It’s quite small and thick with a green spine, and published by Murdoch Press. I think it’s the same series as “Bowl Food”,”pasta” etc. A lot of newsagents and supermarkets stock this line. I think it’s great for everyday meals that still use some imagination.

Another book I like is Veggie Chic by Rose Elliot (she’s British). I’ve seen this in Borders in Sydney.This is more dinner party food, but the recipes (and especially the desserts)are fantastic.

10 Reasons why Soul Mama is Fabulous:

1) Good, wholesome comfort food that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Its fun without trying to be fun(which can be a real turn off!)

2) Its not pretentious and does not try to be what its not, unlike other places in St Kilda.

3) The waiting staff are funky and fabulous. Service is certainly not “atrocious” to quote someone. One has to bear in mind Soul Mama is not one of thoes stuffy restaurants in Southbank/Docklands.

4)The place is brimming with positive energy. Not serving up dead carcasses really does make the place more chirpy.

5) Great coffee….overpriced but well worth it.

6) Gorgeous desserts. Again bear in mind the type of food served…generous, down to earth, comfort food.

7) Gorgeous setting…simply gorgeous!

Equally gorgeous prices! Good to know you won’t burn a hole in your pocket and a hole in the ozone with cow farts.(Poetic license: Methane causes global warming, not ozone depletion)

9) Its a vegeterian restaurant you can take non vegs too and they won’t feel too out of place (unless they are really opposed to any sort of greens, in which case I’d feel really sorry for their colons)

10) Because its a veggie “alternative” restaurant and doesnt tout itself as a “cool” place, you get a much nicer crowd and very few pricks/wankers/tossers

Like Soul Mama’s food, but ask for some water at your table and they turn!
Get your own from the taps apparently

Service = Bad, Food = Great!