Driving down the Moorooduc Highway towards the Mornington Peninsula, there's a stop where organic, plant-based food can be found. Travellers can make a veer-off at the roundabout to fill their road-trip-weary bellies and indulge in a meal at
Conscious Cravings Co. This is an unassuming food stop in sparse surroundings, serving up a short order menu delivering healthy, plant-based vegan meals with a hint of luxuriousness.
Spend lunch at Conscious Cravings Co. for artisan vegan food
The space is in a quaint, white-washed cottage style dwelling complete with floorboards. Timber benches out the front and a cosy back courtyard, furnished by beach chairs and timber tables, all welcome travellers to sit, eat and revive.
Sweet delights, all plant-based, gluten-free and FODMAP friendly
What greets travellers in a homely way is the tempting cake cabinet filled with homemade sweets and cakes, slices and fresh muffins. Friendly staff navigate those seeking a short-order meal and replenishing beverages to a table. The trick is to arrive early or late so as to beat the morning or early lunch rushes and securing a table is a breeze. Grabbing a stool at the front is a great way to experience Conscious Cravings Co.'s meals, especially if there's warm sun and a slight sea breeze in the air.
Tale a stool in the glorious sun
What makes for a satisfying light lunch is a serving of avocado on toast diced bright green and yellow avocado on lightly toasted gluten-free bread, topped with big chunks of almond fetta and scattered with hemp seeds. A small slicing of chilli gives the dish a zing for the taste buds. To pair the meal, opt for a latte with a choice of Conscious Cravings Co.'s plant-milks on offer (the entire menu was made fully vegan in February this year). For more raw ingredients, there's a hearty bowl filled with freshly plumped quinoa, grilled cubes of tempeh, baby spinach, edamame beans, sweet capsicum and toasted nuts and seeds topped by a vessel of creamy peanut-y sauce.
Avocado on toast served with a soy latte
Bowls on offer are full of plant-based goodness
All meals are served on miniature chopping boards and gold-gilded cutlery, including the sweet treats that wait after such a deliciously luxe meal. After the meal has settled, choose from one of many raw, home-made slices. One that's a decadent close for lunch is the passionfruit slice, in a coconut crust.
Passionfruit slice to finish
Or, try a gingery treat with a creamy turmeric filling
Or, a golden round of gingery biscuit with a turmeric cream centre works a treat (pardon the pun). There's no guilt involved and allergies are generously catered for; sugar-free, FODMAP and gluten-free friendly for those who need to be extra diligent with their food choices. Cravings are therefore fulfilled and travellers leave with a clear conscious, ready to return another day.
