Let me take you on a perfect day of shopping and vegan food in my old hometown of Graz!
I was born in Graz and even though I did not grow up here, I have a lot of history here. When I was little, I used to spend adventurous afternoons with my aunt and uncle in the city, later I would visit art school and eventually move here. I spent most of my adolescence in Graz, met a lot of my friends and my husband in this city.
To this day, I love visiting this city because of its Mediterranean charm and close proximity. You can reach most destinations by foot, you definitely should (if possible) as to not miss any of the quaint little alleys and breathtaking architectural details.
So if the ongoing global pandemic prevents you from going to Italy, may I suggest a visit to Graz instead?
Brunch
I started off my vegan day in Graz with a brunch buffet at Café Mitte.
Even though the Café is not a vegan or vegetarian place, it still has a lot to offer for vegans and if like me, you’re bored of seeing the same hummus and porridge breakfast at every other café, you’ll be delighted to find some baked beans, salads, and grilled vegetables at the buffet.
Even the chocolate fountain is vegan!
Only downside: No margarine, only butter. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find some peanut butter!
Café Mitte
Freiheitsplatz 2
8010 Graz
Some alternative places for vegan breakfast are Parks, Café Freiblick, Kunsthauscafé, Herr Karl.
Shopping + Ice Cream Break
If I’m quite honest, I like shopping in Graz better than shopping in Vienna. Why?
It’s a smaller city, so you can reach all of the cute boutiques by foot and in one day.
Kastner & Öhler
Our first stop was the traditional department store Kastner & Öhler, which has been around since 1873 and was one of the first stores in Europe to run a mail-order service. Some of the original architecture is even still intact!
They carry a large selection of sustainable brands for all genders such as Armed Angels, Lanius, Ecoalf, and many more.
Also, check out their online store.
Kastner & Öhler
Sackstraße 7–13
8010 Graz
Café Freiblick on the top floor offers an amazing view over the old town and vegan carrot cake, breakfast, and lunch.
Dekagramm
This Zero Waste shop has everything you need to help you cut down on your daily waste.
It even houses a small café with vegan cakes and recently a small fashion selection.
Das Dekagramm – Der verpackungsfreie Erlebnissupermarkt
Joanneumring 16
8010 Graz
Sestra
Sestra is a gorgeous concept store owned by a dear friend of mine.
This is a great place to shop for a contemporary feminine fashion as well as presents for loved ones.
Sestra Store
Reitschulgasse 27
8010 Graz
Chic Ethic
Chic Ethic is a fair trade store that carries everything from fashion and accessories to food and interior objects.
The fashion selection is quite nice with brands such as People Tree and Armed Angels.
Chic Ethic – Fair Trade Shop
Tummelpl. 9
8010 Graz
Ecco Verde
Ecco Verde is a great place to buy skincare and makeup, be it in their flagship store in Graz or online.
Ecco Verde Store
Stempfergasse 3
8010 Graz
Eisperle
If you need a break: have some vegan ice cream at this all-plant based ice cream parlor!
Die Eisperle
Kaiserfeldgasse 22
8010 Graz
Färbergasse 3
8010 Graz
Conrad v. Hötzendorfstr. 55
8010 Graz
Honorable mentions
If you want to do some more shopping, also check out:
Sunset Star – Especially for menswear. I love heritage style, however, unfortunately, most of the items aren’t vegan
Taiga – Fair Fashion
Mangolds – Vegetarian restaurant with small selection of cosmetics and lifestyle
Zerum – Fair fashion
Offline Retail – Second Hand
Humana – Second Hand
(Late) Lunch and Cake
Ginko
Ginko has a very special place in my heart. I went to school with the owner’s daughter and soon became friends with her. Having been raised vegetarian, she played a huge role in my own decision to ditch meat and would later become the first vegan I ever knew.
Back in the day, I would eat at Ginko 2-3 times a week after the long school days, making it my second home.
This is also why, when it came to choosing the caterer for our wedding in Graz, July 2019, we immediately knew. 🙂
To this day, I cannot visit Graz without eating at Ginko at least once.
Clockwise starting from the top:
Beetroot balls, Burrito, Steamed Veggies, Tomato Herb Patties, Cranberry Sauce, Creamy Spinach, Pizza, and hidden underneath: Fried Eggplant.
All vegan of course!
Vegan “Scheiterhaufen”, Austrian French Toast Bake with Apples and Vanilla Pudding + some Watermelon.
Vegan Lemon Yoghurt Cake
Ginko
Grazbachgasse 33
8010 Graz
Greenhouse
This lovely coffee shop is also owned by the Ginko family and is all-vegan (apart from dairy milk to choose for coffee, as far as I know).
Café Greenhouse
Herrengasse 7
8010 Graz
Even though Graz is a small city, I couldn’t possibly cover all the places I love. I think I’ll have to do a part two soon!
If you enjoyed this post, also check out my Perfect Vegan Day in Vienna.
What are some of your favorite places in Graz? What did I miss?
