Nevedya - Masala Spice Kitchen & Tapas — Restaurant in Melbourne

You can sense that this beautiful place was formed with love. Walking through the front door feels like being greeted with a warm hug. Inspired by earth, the natural timber stylings and found object design is very cosy and comforting. A space where everyone would be comfortable. With a full open kitchen viewable upon your first few steps, it hints at the open conversation & connective ethos that is encouraged here. I was blown away by the food offerings, as someone that isn’t only plant based, I didn’t have much familiarity with what to expect. My expectations were exceeded, the flavours, texture, and variety of the eating experience was truly incredible. One time I was so surprised by was the vegan cheese, I’ve never had plant based feta and I genuinely couldn’t get over how similar to dairy feta it tasted. We had the tapas menu options, so tried a few different items, all of which were very tasty. I’d never had dosa so I was immediately drawn, and it was stunning! The perfect crisp bread with a velvety slightly spiced dipping paste to be dipped into was a great first time dosa tasting! The gnocchi, quite frankly the best I’ve ever had no exaggeration. I usually avoid ordering it as I find it can be “stodgy” but goodness, after the suggestion to try it I’m so glad I did. So delicate and soft, not gluey at all and big on taste as everything else was. Another non food related experience that for me can often be a down fall but in this case wasn’t, the toilet area. I’ve never been to such a cute & actually nicely fragranced bathroom area, it smelt of incense. The toilet stalls where very clean, and had gorgeously crafted timber shelving (with a little spot to pop our modern technologies!). Little things like that for me at least, add to the quality. Nevedya really is not only offering food for the spirit, but a space for a the rekindling of one’s energy. Couldn’t recommend this place enough, I definitely be...

Shame. A booking was made for a Mothers’ Day lunch a month in advance. Last week we added an extra person to the booking. Today, the day before Mothers’ Day, we were informed that our booking had been bumped from 12.30 to 2.30. Not being able to ring them, we had to send a text and wait. 5 pm we received a callback informing us that nothing could be done about this. We were told, by a rude & arrogant young entitled sounding staff member that it was the fault of their booking system, and basically, computer says no. We were also informed that we had until 6pm to confirm the booking or we would lose the table. No apology, no help, no idea. We urgently tried a good dozen other local eateries to no avail.., I mean, it is Mothers’ Day right? When we rang back to cancel & complain about the fact that 3 families, one coming from Country Victoria, had been severely disappointed and left without a venue, we were told by said staff member that he had “ had a bad week and didn’t need to hear it.” Thanks for nothing, wouldn’t go to this restaurant’ or recommend it on a bet!

Ok, so after reading your fictional account of how you bungled our booking, I will now add libel to our complaint. We were not abusive to you, on the contrary, you were totally unhelpful, arrogant & disinterested which rendered us incredulous. We were never informed about the time change, and that is down to you, not us. We have received shoddy and unprofessional ‘service’ from you, and we stand by that. Any more fanciful storytelling and libellous responses from you will result in legal action. Admit your mistake, grow up and get...

Nevedya in Upwey is a serene little gem that beautifully blends soul-nourishing food with a calm, grounding atmosphere. It’s the kind of place that makes you slow down, savour every bite, and feel genuinely good about what you're eating.

We stopped in for a relaxing brunch and started with their chai and coffee — both absolutely delicious. The chai was spiced just right, not too sweet, and full of comforting warmth, while the coffee was smooth, rich, and expertly brewed.

For food, we ordered the Kichadi — and as someone who has grown up eating Kichadi, I can confidently say this is one of the best versions I’ve ever had. It was perfectly cooked, delicately spiced, and had that homely, nourishing quality that makes you want to keep scooping spoonfuls. On a cold day, it felt like the perfect bowl of cozy comfort — light, balanced, and full of heart.

We also tried the Grilled Halloumi with seared orange, and it was nothing short of divine. The contrast of flavours — savoury, citrusy, slightly sweet — was incredibly well thought out. Not to forget, the crispy garlic smashed potatoes that were golden, crunchy, and seasoned to perfection. Both dishes were ideal for sharing and packed with flavour.

Nevedya isn’t just a café, it’s an experience — thoughtfully prepared food that nourishes you inside and out. With friendly service, a peaceful setting, and a focus on wholesome, plant-forward ingredients, this spot is a true treasure in the hills. We’ll...