don Fred

At don Fred on King Street, Newtown, Italian street-food traditions are reworked through an entirely plant-based menu. The restaurant’s focus is not on presenting plant-based food as a compromise, but on making dishes that feel generous, familiar and full of flavour, with classic techniques alongside contemporary ingredients. It is a good fit for curious eaters as well as committed vegans, particularly if you enjoy trying food designed for sharing.

The menu covers small plates, focaccia, desserts and a seven-course sharing banquet, with gluten-free availability noted for the banquet. Standouts include the zucchini fritti with Napoletana sauce, crispy konjac with lemon and seaweed tartare, and casarecce carbonara made in the restaurant’s own style. The focaccia section brings together options such as eggplant parmigiana, almond ricotta with crispy zucchini and a plant-based schnitzel with iceberg lettuce, lemon and parmesan-style sauce. There is also a house-made chocolate mousse with vanilla cream and biscotti crumbs for those wanting something sweet.

Sharing is central to the experience, from the plates designed for the table to the seven-course banquet, which is available for a minimum of two people. That makes don Fred a natural choice for a relaxed dinner with friends or a date where you can order several things and compare notes. The menu also offers individual pasta, focaccia and lighter vegetable-based dishes, so a full banquet is not the only way to approach the meal.

The restaurant describes itself as a place for good food, conversation and a little cheek, with a strong Newtown character. Its cooking is tied to a broader interest in animal care and the possibilities of plant-based food, but the emphasis remains on the pleasure of eating. With Italian wines, local beers, alcohol-free drinks and an in-house pastry chef, don Fred offers a complete evening rather than just a quick bite. It is open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday and from midday on Sunday, at 28 King Street, Newtown.