Concrete Playground

Kuan Yin Tea House is the vegan epicentre of Fortitude Valley, a haven of fake meats and bubble teas set in a small wooden retreat on Wickham Street, opposite the mouth of Chinatown. Head here for lunch or a very early dinner and feast on an array of healthy - and not so healthy - vegetarian delights. The low key venue sees friendly staff bring you menus and take your order, but will leave you to collect your own cutlery and water glasses.

If you’re eating alone, any one of the bento box-style meals are satisfying, otherwise share the delicious Thai Spicy Chicken, Fried Dumplings, Delicate Pancake (a sort of okonomiyaki), Tofu Salad and Veggie Pork Rib Soup among friends. Of course, all these meaty dishes are made with seitan meat substitute, but their delicious Chicken Drumsticks taste so realistic that sensitive vegetarians are advised to steer clear.

Their extensive bubble tea selection is superb; try the Sesame Milk Tea, Coffee Frappe and Lychee Green Tea with or without tapioca pearls. Kuan Yin also offer 10% discount on takeaways if you bring in your own container, but even then the meals are very reasonably priced.

On the wall is a photo board of customers who’ve taken the Kuan Yin Challenge: groups or individuals who have eaten the most in a single visit. That, my friends, is one tasty challenge.