With it being National Vegetarian Week, we thought we’d take the chance to round up a few of the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants and cafés in the capital.
They’re so good, they’ll have many a carnivore getting more than a little confused…
1. Temple of Seitan, Hackney
This little gem is actually the world’s first all-vegan fried chicken shop. The same crispy fried deliciousness, without the cluck. Made using Seitan, a wheat gluten-based substitute then fried and ready for you to takeaway. Think fried chicken subs, burgers and a damn good looking mac’n’ cheese.
10 Morning Ln, London E9 6NA
2. Tibits, Mayfair
An all-day restaurant that serves up over forty vegetarian and vegan homemade dishes each day, you pay by weight so can take as much or as little as you like. There are hearty pies, stroganoffs and lots of yummy looking salads to fill up – just don’t forget about the puddings, as they serve up nostalgic delights like sticky toffee pudding and even a melting chocolate dessert. Bliss.
Heddon St, Mayfair, London W1B 4DA
3. Peanut Butter Bakery, Brick Lane or Hackney Downs
Caramel choc chip, peanut butter, cherry bakewell… the list of flavours goes on. Their regular stall at Saturday’s Brick Lane Market or at the Hackney Downs Vegan Market is usually bombarded – you can also try their wares as dessert at the Temple of Seitan. Either w way, get down there early as these doughnuts are always a hit.
Stay updated with them via Instagram.
4. Mildred’s, Soho, Camden or King’s Cross
A regular hit amongst veggies, vegans and meat eaters alike, Mildred’s offers an internationally inspired home cooked meal. Expect healthy salads, nourishing pies and warming Sri Lankan curries. We hear their Polish burger is to die for.
They have three different branches – find your nearest one here.
5. Cook Daily, Croydon and (from June) Shoreditch
This Boxpark staple serves up big bowls of fresh and flavoursome ingredients. Meals include the Hard Bowl which uses Caribbean influences in their wholemeal dumplings, scotch bonnet sauce and steamed plantains.
Cook Daily is open in both of the Boxpark locations.
6. Just Fab, Bethnal Green
Any restaurant housed in a double-decker bus is bound to win us over. This all-vegan Italian serves up delicacies such as deep-fried risotto balls, lasagna, Sicilian pizzas and even a Vegamisú (that’s a vegan version of a tiramisu to you and me). Molto bene.
455 Hackney Road, London, E2 9DY.
7. Cookies and Scream, Camden and Holloway Road
Serving up gluten-free and vegan delights, this bakery proves you’re not missing out if you ditch the dairy. Their menu changes daily, but you can expect doughnut ice cream sandwiches, tray bakes and deeply moreish soft baked cookies.
Cookies and Scream have two branches, so find your nearest one here.
8. Vegan Hippo, Soho
Who said you can’t feast on hot dogs and full English breakfasts when you’re vegan? This small veggie-friendly eatery serves up some serious comfort food, and you can happily stuff your face with burgers and finish off with a slice of cheesecake. Their creamy concoctions are a huge hit and with a range of flavours from avocado to blueberry, we can see why.
52 Rupert Street, London, W1D 6DS.
9. What The Pitta’s Vegan Doner, Croydon
I pitta the fool who doesn’t love a good kebab. Sorry, that was bad… but these kebabs certainly aren’t. The guys at What The Pitta are getting rather famous for their take on the greasy kebab, which comes complete with spiced soya chunks, Tzatziki made with soya yoghurt, homemade hummus and chilli sauce. All those post-night out cravings, without the meat.
Boxpark Croydon, Unit 9, 99 George Street, Croydon CR0 1LD
10. Mooshies, Spitalfields
This vegan burger bar will leave any meat-eater bewildered because their burgers are still so damn meaty. Try a What’s Your Beef burger where their quinoa and black bean patty packs the punch, or try our favourite, the Pulled Mooshie. Based on a pulled pork sandwich, this vegan friendly version uses jackfruit, their housemade BBQ sauce and coleslaw to satisfy the most substantial cravings.
104 Brick Lane, London E1 6RL