Crossways: A Vegan and Vegetarian Haven in Melbourne’s CBD – by Allison Yates – Be ▲rtist

© Allison Yates. Crossways - be artist be art — © Allison Yates. Crossways

Crossways: A Vegan and Vegetarian Haven in Melbourne’s CBD – by Allison Yates

Through a small door off of hectic Swantson Street in Melbourne’s CBD, I walked up the colorfully painted corridor to the second floor. It was lunchtime. I heard hare Krishna chanting and drumming from a stereo in the back. People of all ages and backgrounds were coming in and out. Some younger looking groups of people giggled and made jokes. A saw a man in a business suit sitting by himself at a long, shared table. It’s just above on of the busiest and most hectic tourist areas of the city. Yet, it’s bright, pristine, and oddly calm. Sometimes even quiet.

Crossways, the hare Krishna vegetarian restaurant, isn’t your average restaurant. It certainly isn’t your average trendy vegan and vegetarian restaurant, either. To begin with, there is only one meal option at a time served on a bright red tray. And miraculously enough, it’s insanely cheap. Nowhere else in the Melbourne CBD can you get such quality food, in such great quantity- for $7.95. The cafeteria style setup means that patrons wait in line to pay and are served by hare Krishna devotees in modest white clothes. At the end of the meal, patrons pick up their trays and distribute any liquid or solid waste into the appropriate buckets.

There’s a rotating schedule of curries and desserts for lunch and dinner every day of the week. Although their typical meal of curry, papadums and rich dessert options are filling, patrons can be seen lining up over and over again with their empty plates, indulging in the all you can eat aspect. It’s a mix of round and long, rectangular tables. A perfect setup to encourage conversation and exchange of ideas. Books touching on spirituality and hare Krishna line the walls, as do spiritual and abstract painting.

Crossways isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a spirituality center that hosts lectures, workshops, and yoga on the top floor. There’s a bulletin board in the main dining room with all of their upcoming events. At any time, patrons or people simply passing by can be seen relaxing and reading on the couches on the third floor.

It’s a comfortable place where you can strike up a conversation with anyone. All types of people have been enjoying their food and atmosphere for over 30 years. It’s no wonder why people keep coming back over and over again. Some for decades. Their meals are quality and affordable.

If you live in Melbourne and haven’t heard of Crossways, check it out on your next lunch break. For just a little bit extra, you can even get your food to go. If you’re just visiting Melbourne, make Crossways part of your itinerary. You will be grateful for the prices and enjoy seeing a different atmosphere from the rest of the CBD.

Information:
Name: Crossways
Location: 123 Swantson Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000
Prices: Full price: $7.95, student discount: $5.95
Website: http://www.crosswaysfoodforlife.com.au/

Crossways: A Vegan and Vegetarian Haven in Melbourne’s CBD – by Allison Yates

About the author:

Allison is a travel blogger with a dedication to social justice. She isa lover of quaint cafes, exploring places by foot and funny conversations. Her favorite part about traveling is seeing how entertaining humans (and other creatures) are. Read her anecdotes and odd observations on her blog –> Naptime with Yasmine