Hemp Kitchen - St Kilda

We started off with a selection of local plant-based cheese served with marinated and smoked seasonal vegetables, hemp bread, and Burrata E Crudo (whole burrata cheese, basil, cherry tomatoes, prosciutto). For mains, we ordered Rigatoni Ragout Napoletana, a traditional pork ragout dish with sausages, ribs, belly, tomato sauce, onions, parmesan, basil, and san marzano tomato sauce, as well as the Alice pizza topped with fior di latte bocconcini, capsicum, speck, gorgonzola, and mushrooms. Our pasta was cooked to perfection and the pizza had a soft, springy texture with just the right amount of thickness.

I had a fantastic experience at Hemp Kitchen! The pizza, pasta, and salad we tried were all delicious, and the restaurant had a lovely atmosphere. I definitely plan on coming back again. The fact that they are gluten free and vegan friendly is a huge plus as well!

We were welcomed by a serene and peaceful atmosphere, perfect for group dinners at Hemp. This restaurant specializes in using hemp, a superfood with numerous health benefits, in their dishes. Some highlights of our dining experience included: 1. A wide range of alcoholic beverages, including hemp vodka. My Vodka Collins, made with hemp vodka and blood orange juice, was a refreshing drink that served as a palate cleanser throughout the meal. My partner's Hawaiian beer was fruity and delicious as well. 2. The selection of cured meats and pickles, paired with crispy hemp bread and cheese, was a favorite of mine. 3. The overall experience at Hemp was exceptional and reminded me of my time dining in Barcelona.

Imagine a café with a menu focused on Hemp? Stop imagining, I found it! Hemp Kitchen is all about higher living without the high. It’s a first for Victoria, and I’m happy to say its 100% gluten free, with accreditation by Coeliac Australia. I had the pleasure of meeting owners Ousmane Jongue Emanuel Cerera, and was enthralled by their story. Both knew of the health benefits of hemp, and decided to open a venue where chefs could use traditional Italian methods to create a menu that specialised in Pasta, Pizza, and Burgers; using hemp as the staple ingredient. Until now, I had no idea hemp was a superfood loaded with protein, is rich in two essential fatty acids, omega-6 ω-3, and a selection of vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc, and magnesium to name a few. We ordered the Spaghetti Cozze e Vongole, which came with mussels, clams, parsley, cherry tomatoes, and a white wine garlic oil base. The spaghetti had a mild nutty flavour, which paired well with the Hemp Caprese Salad served with a cold pressed hemp oil and balsamic glaze. They also serve a selection of organic wines, beer, and spirits, including a hemp-based gin, and hemp vodka. It’s the one time I can actually get high, legally!

From the moment we walked in we were welcomed and given options of where we could sit. Water was provided from the moment we sat down and replaced straight away once we filled out glasses. We decided to try the pizzas and the staff were super friendly with providing information as to what was on the menu. The pizzas were delicious and defiantly a new experience from the old styles pizzas. We look forward to trying the burgers and eggplant parmas next time!