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Track difficulty: Really easy
Terrain elevation: Flat
Estimated time: 15 minutes (non-stop). 1 hour (depending on how you long you take to eat )
Steps: 1200 approx.
Need: To starve before eating good food in bigger quantities
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Plant-based food avoids any sort of predisposition towards anything. Its not a cult. Its not a movement. Its not any sort of preconceived label. Its food on its own way, and that's it. A very tasty curated CitiTrail done with local Sydney-born and raised Jonathan who adopted a plant-based diet since 13 years ago.

Comeco Foods
If you are into fluffy bread, or sushi, or you like nicely baked donuts. This is the one to come to. Serving plant-based and gluten free dishes, this is a cozy Japanese-coffee alike restaurant with a peaceful atmosphere that allows you to have a dinner and peaceful chats in the midst of bustling Newtown.


What would you say to people that are too afraid trying plant-based food?
You've got to see this as an adventure, like I always say: Try it and make it fun. Have an open mind. And even if its a challenge for you, you can always change your mindset about something.


Where countries out there offer great options to try more plant-based foods?
Singapore its not bad. India has a lot of contrasts, north not so much variety but the south its very rich and very good! My favourite country has to be Indonesia to be honest, followed by Canada. Those ones would be my top countries. I feel they care about the presentation of the food which is something people tend to overlook with plant-based options.
This is a freshly baked donut made of fermented brown rice and sweet potato. Organic chocolate and rich cocoa powder. Gooey all the way.

What's an advantage of today's world for people wanting to follow a plant-based diet?
Its easier now! Options are everywhere. 13 years ago when I started it was very difficult to have any options at all. People did not know what it meant or they just simply got angry at me for asking. I feel normalising choices is good for everybody. Now you can find plant-based alleys in grocery shops. They are having a huge success as they tap on growing customers.
As someone living in Australia, do you think having this food lifestyle its easy?
Probably yes. It is very easy, Sometimes you advocate for a restaurant that's your favourite and people want to know more about it. At the end they'll stop caring whether its plant-based or not, but rather if food tastes good.
The 3 Kind of Mushroom Tempura platter its seasoned with traditional Japanese condiments and each one of them has completely different texture. Every bite its an experience for your taste buds.


There are a bunch of meet-ups happening here as well. Make sure to check them out.

Blossoming Lotus
On a budget? How much are you used to pay to have a "nice meal" in Sydney? $20, $30, or even $40? How about spending less than $15 for a big generous portion in one of the busiest streets of Newtown. Sounds too good to be true, and that's because it is. Thai inspired, welcome to this good-vibes buffet.

Do you think its easy to be someone with a plant-based diet among your peers?
Sometime people have diet 'racism'. That can be judging over the choices you pick for the food you want. 7 years ago they could discriminate people a lot. Today Sydney has become friendly about it. But I know it may me hard if you live in places like America.

2 choices of protein/vegetables plus fried rice or noodles. This time Jonathan picked the fried rice with Tofu & Mushroom and the Veggie Duck. Everything was only $13! And yes, it was good as if you paid $30 in City.

Being a male with a plant-based diet raises some eye-brows as society would have some expectations with your food choices. What motivates me was actually a selfish reason. It was for fitness and performance, not much about the environment. My body shifted and my quality of sleep improved immediately. Energy levels and pleasant dreams increased.
Make sure to follow some of their other franchisees around Australia. They are creating the 'Living Healthy Liberation Army'.

Buddha Bowl Cafe
Salad bowls are boring because they would normally have a lot of fluff and less filling ingredients. Jonathan advises to come here with a hungry appetite as this place is exactly the contrary. This plant-based gourmet joint would also offer delicious boosting smoothies and a cozy space to sit back and relax.


I'm not saying changing your food choices its easy. You can start with small things. Some people decided to stop eating red meat because their body cannot handle it any more. That does not mean they now have to change everything in their lives. Little adjustments is what I would recommend before deciding to switch off to a complete different food lifestyle.
Everything done at this place has a sustainable purpose. From the unused coffee grains, through the avoidance of plastics of single use. Takeaway bowls are fully compostable and recyclable.

Jonathan picked this time the 'Balanced Bowl'. Highly colourful, tasty, and containing a mix of beetroot hummus, lentil salad, toasted tofu, tahini dressing, avocado and sweet potato. This was accompanied with a 'Blue Algae' Smoothie. 100% recommended.

This has to be one of the most chilled places across Newtown. The atmosphere combined with good space decoration and a great customer service.

Always find a way to make things fun. If you think you'll hate eating anything that you haven't dare to try before because of personal beliefs or concerns, then you are not simply going to enjoy it. Play on. Have a go.

Jonathan is currently the former CEO of Utopia Rising. A growing business in the entertainment and personal development industry. People come together into activities organised by Jonathan where you can explore and leverage your social skills by engaging in compelling activities that will help you reach new goals and rise above your own personal struggles. Come check it out and receive 10% off your next event with CitiTrails.
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