The Vegie Bar has been kicking around for over twenty years. The all-vegetarian function rooms hawthorn was ahead of its time when it opened two decades ago, and is all the more in vogue now. Monday through Sunday, lines of people will put their name down and wait for a table — sometimes a pokey communal one — just to get a feed. The open plan warehouse-style room is filled with exposed brick, wooden tables and a whole lot of history. With a pin board listing rooms for rent on one wall and a separate room that only recently received a liquor license, this venue is a Brunswick Street institution.

As you weave your way through the menu you’ll find everything is vegetarian, a lot is vegan, and gluten free options are plentiful. More recently raw dishes have been added to the already vast line up. Start with the crispy rice balls filled with brown rice and finely chopped veggies ($5.50) or the flatbread served with creamy chickpea dahl ($7.90).

Mains are broken down into wraps and burgers, salads, pizzas and other main dishes. The Gado Gado serves up a pile of steamed vegetables and tofu with peanuts, mint and coriander and a bowl of satay sauce, perfect for dipping ($14), while the raw tacos ($14) see two red taco shells made from nuts and seeds filled with vegetables, cashew cream, avocado and a magical ‘chilli’ style bean mix. Raw food, it seems, has come a long way.  If you’re not feeling the raw, vegan and gluten free vibe, the classic Mexican burrito ($15) is a must. A large burrito filled with beans is served atop corn chips and plenty of sour cream and guacamole. There is a reason it’s been on the menu forever.

Desserts are rather impressive. There is a rotating assortment of cakes from a gluten and dairy free chocolate mud cake, to baked berry cheesecake to raw macaroons. How they make it all taste so damn good is a mystery, but we’re happy to just enjoy the goods.

When it comes to the drink list, they have anything from the super juice of beetroot, spinach, carrot and cucumber ($6) and smoothies, to a bottle of organic German Riesling from Gunderloch ($45).

The Vegie Bar is the kind of place where any lifestyle can be catered for, but no one will impose one on you. You don’t have to be vegan or be a champion of the raw food movement to enjoy your dhal or a big fat piece of vegan chocolate cake.

So the Eras tour has (kinda) been confirmed to come to Australia, and we could not be more excited. So, with this in mind, HCS have created a list of the equivalent Melbourne bars & Prahran restaurants to represent each of Taylor’s Albums. And no this wasn’t just an excuse for me to go back and re-listen to 12hrs of Taylor Swift at work (okay maybe it is, but please don’t tell my boss).Okay, so yes this one technically isn’t in Melbourne, but trust me it’s worth the drive.

Merricks General Store is the perfect taste of the country, without having to drive for hours.

Taylor’s debut album (titled Taylor Swift) was released when she was still rocking pin curls and cowgirl boots. She was just a country girl with a guitar and an incredible voice. So obviously Merricks General Store is the epitome of this time in Taylor’s life.

Merricks General Store is just over an hour’s drive from Melbourne CBD and is home to some of some of the most comforting food that Victoria’s got to offer. Indulge in some of their house-made produce and soak up the beautiful rustic scenery.

Pop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and who knows? Maybe you’ll even meet your own Tim McGraw. 

Bad Frankie gives the same warm tea-stained glow and nostalgic energy as Fearless makes me feel. Fearless saw the switch up of Taylor’s sound from pop to country, in a move I like to call the ‘Hannah Montana Effect’.

Bad Frankie is the embodiment of an early 20th century bar. The venue was actually named after the infamous Governor of Van Diemen’s Land, John Franklin, who outlawed small pot stills in the early 19th Century. This ban led to an exorbitant amount of lost time in the distillery industry, hence why Frankie-boy is getting told-off in the venue’s name; Bad Frankie. 

Bad Frankie not only has a vast range of Australian spirits, but also a mouthwatering, ever changing menu of jaffles, which will remind you exactly what it felt like to be Fifteen.

Who could forget the purple dress that Taylor rocked during her Speak Now tour. Well if it slipped your mind, Rock Sugar will remind you. This restaurant is bathed in purple light that is sure to stir memories of Taylor singing Dear John to thousands.

Rock Sugar brings authentic Thai flavours with modern cocktails. Their Fairy Floss Martini (#FluffedNotStirred) looks nothing short of enchanted. The venue blends the hustle and bustle of Bangkok with the beauty of Phi Phi Island and the youthful energy found at a Full Moon Party, to create the ultimate night out.

Although there’s no Tom Yum Goong, or Pad Thai on the menu, you won’t be missing out! Rock Sugar has designed a menu that will leave you delightfully surprised through their modern use of Thai flavours.

And what better place to go and celebrate Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) this July!

Okay, so yes Taylor had dawned a red lip before, but her album Red is what cemented it as an iconic Taylor Swift staple. Trust me when I say you will be sporting a trademarked TS red lip when you leave Basco.

Basco knows all too well that they are one of the most loved Mexican restaurants in Brunswick. Although they are far from what you could describe as ‘Traditional Mexican Food’, they bring the fun energy that could only be found at a fiesta.

As you walk through the doors, you will be greeted by the scrumptious smell of fresh Asian flavours paired with Mexican spices (A match I didn’t know I needed until I tried it).