Lentils as Anything, pay as you feel restaurant

I am right now in Melbourne to visit my daughter who has been working here for the past year. She really knows the best places to bring me around.

Actually , our plan was to visit Abbotsford to see well, the Abbotsford convent and try out their bakery goodies and likewise visit the Farmer’s market. This is probably like the Good Shepherd’s convent in Baguio. The Abbotsford convent bakery was packed and we had to queue for our table. The smell of baked goodies was making me hungry.

We might not have tasted the convent goodies but we found a wonderful restaurant. My daughter was happy to see that Lentils as anything was nearby. Many Melburnians are familiar with “Lentil’s eclectic philosophy but, for those who aren’t, the idea is that diners tuck into a good meal and then pay what they think the food is worth. Aside from offering an excuse for a little introspection and social commentary, the restaurant is also popular for their international vegetarian and vegan meals. These might range from a tofu burger to a Sri Lankan curry or a Moroccan hotpot. ”

Yes, Customers pay the price they believe the food deserved. Cash payment only.

Vegetarians will love it here. It makes me wonder if this wonderful concept will work in the Philippines. Anyone want to try out this novel business model?

The staff at “Lentil as Anything” are mostly volunteers and they also help a lot of street kids and disenfranchised youth get back on their feet.

Lunch buffet was not ready when we arrived there at 11:00 AM so my daughter and I ordered Chai tea and some dumplings. The food is simple vegetarian fare but really tasty. Even meat lovers will enjoy the food and, depending on your financial situation, you can pay whatever you feel the meal is worth.

I chose to sit outdoors even if the weather was a bit chilly. The scene is just too beautiful to ignore. There is even music while enjoying my food.

The scene to my right side is like a painting.

Lunch buffet consisted of Couscous, pasta and other dishes I forgot to jot down. The menu can range from a tofu burger to a Sri Lankan curry or a Moroccan hotpot.

Lentil as Anything is a restaurant “where communal eating with random strangers just seems normal.” It happens a lot in some of our restaurants in the Philippines. You can spot families sharing a table together.

This branch is the largest among a series of 3 pay as you feel restaurants located in Melbourne, Australia. There are currently 3 restaurants in St Kilda, Abbotsford and Footscray.

If you are visiting Melbourne, this is a must visit restaurant. “Lentil as Anything” website states that pay as you feel philosophy is simple –they invite you to pay what you think the food and the experience is worth – and invite you to also donate towards a philosophy that places human dignity above profit. All donations and payments are made into an anonymous box. Anonymity, in our view, preserves dignity and promotes trust and feelings of social inclusion.

After our healthy lunch, we checked out the farmers’ produce.

Winter cole

beets

Of course, these are all chemical free produce.

And bought some organic dark chocolates.

My daughter got some freshly squeezed mandarin orange juice while I got a cup of coffee.

What a lovely saturday. The farmers’ market was until 1:00 PM so we had nothing else to do but get back to the Melbourne central for another adventure. This time graffiti art at Hosier Lane.

Contact information

Lentil As Anything
1 St Heliers St
Abbotsford 3067 VIC
website: Lentils as Anything

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