What do you get when you cross vegans with an East End boozer? The Spread Eagle, London’s first entirely vegan pub.
Yep, those darn vegans are at it again. Demanding places where they can actually eat decent food, rather than settling for a sad wilted salad because it’s the only vegan option. How dare they! Life is getting almost too easy for London’s vegans, and for vegans who love their beer, this place makes it even better. The Spread Eagle pub in Homerton, once a fairly standard East End watering hole, is now London’s first vegan pub. (See more of the best pubs in Hackney.)
The driving force behind the move is longtime vegan Meriel Armitage. She’s best known in the London foodie scene as the co-founder of vegan taco joint Club Mexicana, whose streetwise vegan dishes have graced Dinerama, Vegan Nights, and Pamela in Dalston. Having got their hands on a proper London pub, Club Mexicana tossed out the steak pies in favour of plant-based fare, and it sounds pretty delicious.
Surely even meat-eaters will find it hard to say no to beer-battered tofish and chip burritos? You’ll also find ‘scallops’ on the menu, along with more traditional Mexican fare like the ‘chorizo and cheese’ nachos. It’s not just the food that’s vegan, however. All the beers are vegan-friendly, including offerings from east London faves Beavertown and The Old Blue Last.
Even the seating and decor is cruelty-free, such is the attention to detail at The Spread Eagle. As you can see from the eagle murals, the decor also succeeds at being totally bitchin’. Having recently unveiled a sweet beer garden, expect The Spread Eagle to become a popular spot out east this summer.
The Spread Eagle has no desire to be simply “that vegan pub”. They also run all the events that go into making a great British pub. A quick peep at their social calendar reveals the likes of quiz nights, live music, and late night parties. Beer, jackfruit, and quizzing – now there’s a recipe for some very contended vegans…
Want more vivacious vegan goodness? See our guide to London’s best vegan restaurants.
Location: 224 Homerton High Street, E9 6AS. Nearest station is Homerton. See it on Google Maps.
Opening hours: 4-11pm (Monday to Thursday), 4pm-2am (Friday), 12pm-2am (Saturday), 12-11pm (Sunday).
Price: tacos are 2 for £7 or 3 for £10, tortas are £10, and the beer pairing menu starts from £6.50.
More information: on their website.
Featured image: @thespreadeaglelondon