South Melbourne Market's first plant-based diner is here

Vegans rejoice, for South Melbourne Market now has a 100% plant-based diner. 

Marko focusses on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, with a menu developed by Charley Snadden-Wilson (Etta, Embla) and delivered by head chef Nabin Shrestha (Vegie Bar, Rumi). 

Vegetables are at the heart of each dish, and the likes of burgers, pitas and bowls are offered on a seasonal basis. Marko’s signature burger patty (which you can get in a vegan cheeseburger) is crafted from lentils, mushrooms, beets, sunflowers and coconut, while its falafel is made with whole green peas. Sides will include chips tossed in fresh herbs, broccolini with sunflower cream and furikake, and corn ribs topped with crispy chilli. 

Coffee orders are run down by foot in an old-school fashion by the team at Clement, a St Ali-supplied, hole-in-the-wall café, and for those looking for something harder, the venue also offers a range of craft beers, natural wines and a local cocktail list.

Sustainability is the name of the game here, with packaging lightweight and recyclable, the electricity powering the venue originating from renewable sources, food waste and some packaging composted at the South Melbourne Market Gaia machine, keeping it out of landfill and turning it into fertiliser, and all cooking oil recycled into biofuels.

Marko opens on April 14 at Site 99, South Melbourne Market, Cecil Street, South Melbourne on Wednesdays to Fridays from 11.30am to 3pm and Saturdays and Sundays, 11am to 4pm.

Want more vegan deliciousness? Try Smith and Daughters for a plant-based date night.