Whether you’re a wholesome plant eater or a devoted carnivore, these indulgent vegan foods will have you drooling at the mere sight of them.
“Remember, remember, the first of November, it’s National Vegan Day. I know of no reason why meat-loving pals should ever be scared away.” Oh yes, National Vegan Day is here, but that’s no reason for steak-lovers and dairy addicts to hide away. The common myth about vegan foods are that they have to be raw, organic, and dreadfully dreary. Secret London’s response? Sod that!
Yes we like our vegan food full of healthy veg, but we also love it to be filthily delicious, and messy as a meat feast. Luckily, we aren’t the only ones who feel this way. There are some criminally indulgent vegan foods out there, and these eight eateries are serving some of the best. Ditch the sausage rolls for a day, and wrap your chompers around one of these…
1. Burgers from The Vurger Co
The Vurger Co are calling for a revolution in fast food, and they’re using plants to do it. Everything on the menu puts Burger King to shame, but for our money, your best bet is The Mexican. A jalapeno and pepper bean patty, topped with chilli mayo and smashed avocado, all of which is deliciously vegan and gluten-free. Add a side of truffle mac n’ cheese, and you’ll forget that other burgers exist.
They’re currently working on opening their first permanent restaurant, but until then, you can view their events page to see where they’re popping up next.
2. Junk food from Biff’s Jack Shack
For unapologetic vegan foods with attitude, Biff’s Jack Shack is the place to go. Whilst they also do some incredible burgers, you mustn’t miss out on their Jackin’ Wings – pulled jackfruit, coated in breadcrumbs, and deep fried on a sugarcane bone. Throw on some blue cheese sauce (also vegan), a side of Bang Bang fries, and you are sorted. Oi meat, put that in your pipe and smoke it!
They pop-up in different locations from time to time, but for now they’re rotating between two spots. Biff’s is at Kerb London Bridge on Wednesdays – English Grounds, SE1 2DA, nearest station is London Bridge. On Saturdays you’ll find them at Broadway Vegan Market – London Fields Primary School, Westgate Street, E8 3RU, nearest station is London Fields.
3. Pizza from Wedge Issue Pizza
Italy’s love affair with sinfully good meats and cheeses has long meant that vegan pizza kind of sucked. But no more! Wedge Issue Pizza boast an impressive selection of vegan pizzas that don’t skimp on the flavour. Taste the Vegan Maribel, which has dairy free cheese and vegan chorizo, and you’ll discover that you don’t really need Domino’s anymore…
…OK, OK, that was a little rash, we still love you Domino’s!
Their Clerkenwell joint is at 91-95 Clerkenwell Road, EC1R 5BX, nearest station Farringdon/Chancery Lane. You can also find them in Shoreditch, at 122 Bethnal Green Road, E2 6DG, nearest station Shoreditch High Street.
4. Sandwiches from Sub Cult
From inside a van and a shipping container, the sandwich wizards known as Sub Cult regularly magic up a jaw-dropping range of subs. Whilst most of them aren’t vegan friendly, they have a weekly vegan special which is out of this world. Given that it changes so frequently, we can’t tell you what they’ll be serving on any given day, but you can bet your bottom dollar it will be incredible. How do we know? Well, that picture is of last week’s offering…
Their pop-up shipping container, aka ‘The Container of Dreams’ is at 2 Whitecross Place, EC2, Monday to Friday. Nearest station is Moorgate/Liverpool Street. Over the weekend, Sub Cult attend Brockley Market (Saturday), and Maltby Street market (Sunday) in a van dubbed The Soul Roller. Groovy!
5. Roast dinner from 222 Veggie Vegan
The purists will say that if it doesn’t have a hunk of beef, Yorkshire puddings, and lashings of gravy, it isn’t a roast. They are wrong, and 222 Veggie Vegan is out to show them why. The Vegan Roast is a hearty Sunday meal, and it comes with onion gravy too, so take that purists! Alternatives include the Seitan Stroganoff or the all-you-can-eat lunch buffet, but whatever you choose, finish it off with the Spice Island Pie – just trust us.
222 North End Road, West Kensington, W14 9NU. Nearest station: West Kensington/West Brompton.
6. Sharing platters from Haunt
Out in Stoke Newington, Haunt have put together a verrrrry nice menu of vegan foods, and whilst the burgers are a big draw, we couldn’t help but notice a range of sharing food that had us drooling. If you’re feeling charitable, bring along some pals to share beer-battered chillies, and potato skins with BBQ tofu and smoked vegan cheese. If you’re not feeling charitable, we certainly aren’t going to judge you for hogging them!
182 Stoke Newington Road, Stoke Newington, N16 7UY. Nearest station: Rectory Road.
7. Sweet treats from Ms Cupcake
The finest entirely-vegan bakery in Brixton/London/the world has enough indulgent vegan foods to sink a battleship. You can follow the name and go for one of their mouth-watering cupcakes (the red velvet is a cut above the rest), or branch out a little. Ms Cupcake serves a peanut butter version of the nanaimo bar – Western Canada’s premium dessert bar – and it’s both ridiculously indulgent and utterly divine, as you can see.
408 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8LF. Nearest station: Brixton.
8. Freakshakes from The Canvas Cafe
“But they’re so full of cream and dairy and chocolate? How in the name of all that is holy do you make a vegan freakshake?” Honestly, we don’t know. But the folks over at The Canvas Cafe have mustered it, and they’ve made them gluten-free to boot. They rotate through flavours so you can always be assured of a new adventure in vegan freakshake wonderland. What a place that must be!
42 Hanbury Street, E1 5JL. Nearest station: Shoreditch High Street.
Featured image: @biffsjackshack