Admit it: starting the New Year with a full-blown healthkick (10-day juice cleanse? high protein low carb diet?) can be overwhelming, a bit miserable and likely unsustainable in the long run. But after ramming in enough leftover Turkey and Yorkshire puds over the festive season to feed a small army, you might feel tempted to try some slightly greener fare.
You’d be far from alone; last January, over a quarter of a million people worldwide participated in Veganuary. Nearly half of those said they would stay vegan after the first month, and 98% of participants would recommend Veganuary to their peers.
With vegan restaurants popping up left, right and centre, it’s no wonder the online vegan restaurant catalogue HappyCow named London the most friendly vegan city of 2019, with over 150 vegan restaurants to choose from across the city. But don’t worry about where to begin with weeding out the ones that are actually worth spending your hard earned cash at; Foodism have put together this streamlined guide to the very best of the bunch, just for you.
Even if you’re not planning to go full throttle with veganism this New Year, trying out some of our favourite picks from the city’s array of vegan restaurants is a good place to start your plant-based food journey.
25 best places to eat vegan food in London
1. Simplicity Burger
Brick Lane
Neil Rankin's Simplicity Burger
Over the last six years, meat substitute sales have grown by 451% in the Europe market. However, Simplicity Burger is one of the few vegan restaurants in London that isn’t cashing in on the increased demand for processed meat alternatives. The brand ethos is simple: offering customers juicy burger patties that are all plant, no chemicals. By sourcing out local produce and working with British farmers, the staff prepare, pickle, ferment and cook fresh vegetables to formulate a prime burger that is filling enough to satisfy any carnivore, without the faff of processed ingredients.
Located in the heart of London’s East End along Brick Lane, it’s signature burger is accompanied with fresh onions, a tart vegan burger sauce and golden salt and pepper fries to go with. The menu offers up four unique burgers and five moreish sides, plus a handful of vegan cocktails mixed from aquafaba in the hidden speakeasy bar downstairs. Whilst you're here, have a sneak peak behind the scenes at Simplicity Burger with Foodism. Enjoy.
2. The Spread Eagle
Homerton
The Spread Eagle became London's first vegan pub in 2018
Jade Nina Sarkhel
The Spread Eagle became London's first vegan pub in 2018
Jade Nina Sarkhel
The Spread Eagle became London's first vegan pub in 2018
Jade Nina Sarkhel
The Spread Eagle became London's first vegan pub in 2018
Jade Nina Sarkhel
The Spread Eagle became London's first vegan pub in 2018
Jade Nina Sarkhel
The Spread Eagle became London's first vegan pub in 2018
Jade Nina Sarkhel
The Spread Eagle became London's first vegan pub in 2018
Jade Nina Sarkhel
The Spread Eagle became London's first vegan pub in 2018
Jade Nina Sarkhel
The Spread Eagle became London's first vegan pub in 2018
Jade Nina Sarkhel
This London tavern made history last year when it became the first pub to go 100% vegan in London. That means food, drinks, interiors and all—everything is plant-based, plus, everyone is welcome, including vegans and non-vegans.
Where possible, all of the food and drink is sustainably sourced and made from plants. Catered by London’s very own Club Mexicana, offerings include crispy hash browns in hot sauce, warming huevos rancheros and chocolate mousse with salted caramel popcorn and candied chilli - all totally plant-based, of course. Hit up the bar for natural ales that are brewed without finings and a small selection of wines. All of the classic drinks are on offer, too, from zingy, refreshing mojitos to a Beetroot Kombucha punch that meets any health nuts needs. Not one to miss.
3. Young Vegans Pizza Shop
Bethnal Green
Gooey mozzarella fingers, doughy pizza slices and crunchy pastel de nata are just of the few of the lush dishes available at the Young Vegans Pizza Shop in Bethnal Green. A sister restaurant of Camden Market’s hugely successful Young Vegans Pie Shop, the vegan pizza joint uses fresh ingredients all prepped onsite in their kitchen in Camden. It gives customers the chance to try over 15 vegan pizza options, plus serves local craft beer, lager and ale, too.
Wondering what to expect? Well, American-stye pizza covered in a rich marinara sauce and topped with handmade vegan cheese, with toppings ranging from smoky mushrooms, salty capers, peppery rocket and fresh basil. To finish off your meal, we recommend you bury your face in the entirely vegan peanut butter and chocolate mud pie served with ice cream. Oh yeah.
4. Eat of Eden
Clapham, Brixton and Lewisham (coming soon)
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Five minutes round the corner from Brixton tube is Eat of Eden, a bustling vegan restaurant serving up an eclectic range of Caribbean cuisine. Dishing out organic grub and comfort food made with love, there’s a focus on grains, roots, legumes, beans, pies, potatoes, plus a sweet selection of veggies on the menu, too.
Like the sound of pumpkin and sweet potato curry with a refreshing side of zingy rum punch? Then you’ll love Eat of Eden, a one-stop-shop for super fresh healthy fodder that’s also delicious, carby and full of flavour. They also use all biodegradable boxes and cutlery, so you needn’t feel guilty about ordering a box to-go. Whilst you’re here, read our guide to the best sustainable restaurants in London.
5. by Chloe.
Covent Garden, Tower Bridge, Oxford Circus and Greenwich
by Chloe. vegan burgers, air baked fries with beet ketchup and chipotle aioli
by Chloe., the infamous vegan fast food chain originating from New York, has expanded massively in recent years. Not only do they now have 20 locations worldwide, with locations in the US and Canada, but they also have four eateries in England, dotted across London.
It’s essentially a vegan and ethically-conscious incarnation of McDonald’s, founded in 2015 in Manhattan’s chic Greenwich Village. Head to by Chloe. to try over 50 dishes (that’s on the London menu alone), including battered tofu in place of fish, tempeh burgers, shiitake bacon sandwiches and much more. And head to our Foodism article with Rachel Ama to go behind the scenes at by Chloe.
6. The Vurger Co.
Shoreditch and Canary Wharf
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You'll likely have heard of The Vurger Co.; it's one of London's original cult vegan burger spots and serves vegan milkshakes so good, Lucy Watson is a regular. Mhm. If milkless milkshakes wobbling high with (plant-based) squirty cream aren't your thing, tuck into black bean and corn fritter patties piled high with salad and vegan Gouda, bleeding burgers, creamy mac and cheese and Kentucky bites from plants and alternative meats. Yeah, it's good.
7. Pied à Terre
Fitzrovia
White asparagus with samphire, bitter leaves and gem lettuce from the vegan tasting menu at Pied à Terre.
Got a special occasion coming up? Looking to treat someone special? Pied a Terre is an upmarket fine dining restaurant in the heart of London’s affluent Mayfair and one of the city’s most enduring Michelin-star establishments, garnering it’s first star just two years after opening.
Even though meat, fish and dairy are all served at Pied à Terre, there’s a vegan tasting menu on offer with a 10-course spread, with dishes ranging from from salty sweet jerusalem artichoke, to organic spelt risotto, to bramley apple terrine. Fun fact: the kitchen makes the most of seasonal ingredients, so the eight menus chop and change frequently to mirror what’s available.
8. North Street Deli
Clapham
The North Street Deli offers a range of tasty veggies that can be packed into salad boxes for on-the-go meals.
The North Street Deli (on North Street) has got more sandwiches and salads than you’ll know what to do with.
North Street Deli's sandwiches are packed with flavoursome fillings.
The North Street Deli (on North Street) has got more sandwiches and salads than you’ll know what to do with.
North Street Deli's signature broccoli.
A short walk from Clapham Common station is this small deli, an independently run business serving up a whole host of plant-based treats. Whilst the rotating menu is not fully vegan, each day offers a new range of plant-based salads, roasted veggies and vegan stews to choose from. The menu is seasonal, so in the winter months you’re likely to be served with roasted root stews and smoky aubergine pastas. However, in the summertime, expect light fruity salads and teriyaki tofu noodles. After something a little lighter? Go for the soup of the day, which ranges from Tuscan tomato to Indian spiced red lentil.
9. Rogue Vegan
Dalston
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This East London eatery first opened in 2017 with one simple aim: to make healthy plant based food that didn’t leave you feeling like you’d missed out on a better, cheese-topped option. The menu options are Caribbean and Creole inspired; think ‘ras-tao’, complete with sticky mushrooms, creamy sweet potato and sweet yam, or fresh chilli pineapple with dairy-free vanilla ice cream. Drool. Rogue serves nutritious food that’s big on flavour—don’t miss it.
10. Black Cat Café
Hackney
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Black Cat Café is a cooperatively-run spot in Hackney. It’s USP? All of the goods onsite, including the ingredients for the dishes, cleaning products and drinks, are 100% plant-based and never tested on animals. Pop by to enjoy the nutty aroma of roasted coffee and scour the menu, where all of the ingredients and flavourings used are spelled out for you so you know exactly what’s in your food. Foodism loves the NY bagel with miso umeboshi cream cheese, salt roasted beetroots with dill, and the Caribbean stew piled high with fluffy steamed rice and fried, toffeeish plantains.
11. Gauthier Soho
Soho
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Winner of the Best Vegan Menu at the PETA Vegan Food Awards in 2016 and since popping up on many of London’s best restaurant lists, this fine dining restaurant is known for inventing a vegan alternative to foie gras. Oh yep.
A little on the story: when the restaurant moved from Pimlico to Soho ten years ago, chef patron Alexis Gauthier decided to let veggies take centre stage. Becoming vegan himself six years later, the menu went from strength, winning many awards for their ‘Vegan Lunch Tasting menu’, which champions seasonal, locally sourced, ethically-produced vegetables. Favourites on the ‘Gram include golden glazed swede and a decadent Autumn truffle tortellini. Tucked away in Shaftesbury Avenue on the fringes of Soho, the townhouse restaurant is a five minute walk away from Leicester Square underground station.
12. The Muddy Puddle
Stoke Newington
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This dog-friendly east London café is certainly one to add to your London vegan food roster. Not only is there a full vegan English breakfast, complete with crispy hash browns, roasted plum tomatoes and grilled sourdough dripping in creamy vegan butter, they also serve seriously generous portions, leaving even the hungriest of customers full.
There’s far more than fry ups on offer, though: the spicy coconut ramen is a delightful winter warmer, served with silky tofu, shiitake mushrooms and thick udon noodles deliciously slurped up when drizzled in hot chilli oil. The best bit: you needn’t worry about food or plastic waste, because the restaurant prides itself on it’s sustainable policy, meaning no plastic is used and local produce is championed. To enjoy a cosy meal at a restaurant with great food and an easygoing, chilled ambiance, the The Muddy Puddle your best bet next time you’re venturing east.
13. The Canvas Cafe
Spitalfields
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Opening in 2014 with a modest team of five, this humble café was founded by actress and puppeteer Ruth Rogers, who most notably starred in the West End production of War Horse. Within the first two years of opening, it became the capital’s first Happy Cafe, working with the charity Action for Happiness to host events promoting happiness. It has also launched Happy Hour, a safe space comedy night with writer, speaker, comedian and actor Juliette Burton. On top of that, two years ago the Community Hub was established, providing a free event space that enables Londoners to realise their creative ideas.
Even though it only became 100% vegan in 2018, it now serves locally sourced, homemade breakfast and lunch meals that change seasonally, including homemade beans on sourdough toast and spicy pulled jackfruit buns. Signature dishes include weekend blueberry pancakes served with golden maple syrup and ice cream or, if you’re in the mood for something more savoury, don’t miss the ‘Tofish’ and chips, a tofu block served in crispy batter alongside chips, crushed peas and classic tartar sauce.
14. Mooshies
Brick Lane
One of London’s original cult vegan burger joints Mooshies was founded by couple John Marulanda and Nelly Habib with the aim of bringing seriously tasty patties to London. Initially starting out as a market stall on Brick Lane, the small enterprise soon had enough customers (and cash) to open their own permanent home on Brick Lane.
Enjoy burgers made from jackfruit, organic quinoa, black beans and crispy panko fried aubergine, including ‘What’s Ur Beef?’, an organic quinoa patty topped with plant-based burger sauce, melt-in-the-mouth vegan cheese, sour gherkins and lettuce. If you’re up for a seafood treat, try the ‘Fillet-Om-Phish’ burger. A spin on the classic ‘Mickey D’s Filet-O-Fish’, the Mooshies version is served with their take on tartar sauce, salty nori seaweed, vegan cheese and lettuce. There’s also a vast collection of soft and hot drinks, vegan beers, wines and milkshakes to wash it all down. Cheers to that.
15. Eat Chay
Shoreditch
An Eat Chay spread including the noodle salad, kimchi, bibimbap with pickled daikon and cucumber and crispy Korean fried tofu
Eat Chay's kimchi bao, Korean tofu bao and 'Chik'n' bao
Bibimbap rice bowl with Korean bbq seitan, kimchi, pickled daikon and cucumber topped with nori
Eat Chay's kimchi bao, lemongrass bao and Korean fried tofu bao
After graduating with a dream of creating seriously delicious vegan dishes inspired by their East Asian heritage, uni students Liz and Joe founded Eat Chay in 2017. Like Mooshies, Eat Chay also began it’s culinary endeavour by hosting a pop-up in Brick Lane. All of the ingredients used are locally sourced where possible, plus all of the soy products are non-GMO. It also preps all of the proteins, pickles, sauces and fermented vegetables from scratch, inside the central kitchen in east London. Don’t miss the steamed bao buns stuffed with Kimchi, Chick’n or Korean Tofu, spicy vegan pork dumplings and Bánh mì filled with bulgogi BBQ seitan.
A fun fact about Eat Chay: its brand ethos stems from equality and inclusivity, so the staff is loud and proud about having two strong women holding managerial roles and leading the way. Eat Chay also takes pride in investing within communities close to home, recently raising money for Blue Dragon’s Children’s Foundation, a charity that aims to rehabilitate children caught in homelessness, human trafficking and abuse.
16. Rasa
Various locations in London
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It’s iconic hot fuschia chairs and pale pink washed walls make this old London favourite hard to miss. Rasa has definitely earned its position as one of London’s best restaurants serving vegan-friendly South Indian food.
Founder Das Sreedharan grew up near the port city of Cochin in Kerala, along the southwestern Malabar Coast, and opened the first chain of Rasa in 1994, hosting celebrities like Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai and chef Jamie Oliver.
The menu isn’t fully vegan, but there’s a wide range of vegetable dishes on offer showcasing some seriously tasty Indian cuisine. Standouts include the masala dosa, filled with hot aloo, fried onions and ginger and served with sambar and coconut chutney. There's also the signature Rasa vegan feast, complete with everything you could need for a true Indian feast: pre-meal nibbles, starters, mains, side dishes, rice, breads and Keralan sweets. Drool.
17. Biff's Jack Shack
Boxpark or Walthamstow
Your teeth won't thank you for this one: Biff's Jack Shack's chicken wings – made of jackfruit – are so authentic they even contain a sugarcane 'bone' for you to gnaw on when you're done. With a super-crispy coating on the wings, maple-bourbon hot sauce, blue cheeze and a kale slaw, this is a meal you won't forget in a hurry. Catch the team at Boxpark or in Walthamstow for very, very good vegan junk grub.
18. Temple of Seitan
Camden and Hackney
Whether it's pizza or a burger, we all have a few guilty pleasures when it comes to food – and fried chicken happens to be one of them. If you've made the switch to plant-based eating but miss that juicy, crispy goodness, you can still get your fix at Temple of Seitan. The vegan joint has nailed its own seitan recipe – mixing it with water, spices and tofu to make it lighter and mouth-wateringly delicious – which it churns out in subs and burgers, even using it to to make 'bacon' bits to sprinkle over mac'n'cheese. The chicken shop site offers proper comfort food in no-frills, takeaway-style surrounds – which means it's got 'hangover food' written all over it.
19. Greedy Khao
Borough Market
Greedy Khao's vegan signature red curry
@kimburrowsvegography
It makes sense that the bright, fresh flavours of Thai cooking pair well with vegan food, and the brilliantly named Greedy Khao brings both together for dishes that tick all the boxes: salty, sweet, sour, spicy and heavy on the umami. Interestingly, the street-food stall didn't start out as vegan – it was a decision made by its founders after learning more about the benefits of a plant-based diet, when they transitioned to vegan cooking without losing any of that punchy East Asian flavour. Find them at various markets around London to hoover up jackfruit laab, roast 'duck' curry and and the signature red curry – or rumour has it that they'll soon be running cooking classes...
20. Cookies And Scream
Holloway Road
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Prepare to have your mind blown, because the sweet treats at Holloway's Cookies'n'Scream are so outrageously good that you won't believe they're free from both animal products and gluten. There are, obviously, cookies, as well as brownies, pies, donuts, and 'Scream' shakes, where the brownies and cookies are blended up with ice cream and milk and topped with sauce. Yes, really. We tried the dense, melty, cookie-dough-like peanut butter pie once and it was so good we subsequently went back to try everything else we could get our hands on. And good news for Arsenal fans, too: it's open longer on match days.
21. La Gelatiera
Crouch End, Covent Garden and Stratford
La Gelatiera's award-winning Sicilian Pistacchio sorbet
Trust us, this is some of the best vegan gelato you’ll find in London. Even though not all of the options are vegan-friendly, the ones that are are really, really great.
By using both carefully selected ingredients and artisanship, the award-winning La Gelatiera has concocted a wide range of options that even the snobbiest of gelato fans won’t be able to turn their noses up at. Choose from light and refreshing coconut sorbet, decadent dark chocolate with a hint of Calabrian chilli and nutty sicilian pistacchio sorbet. Although, if you fancy one of the fluffy vegan waffles on the menu, you’d better move fast, as rumour has it they almost always run out. N.B.:The gelato does melt quickly - perhaps don’t wear your favourite white tee for this one.
22. Crosstown Doughnuts
Marylebone
Great news, you no longer have to wait until the weekend to get your sourdough doughnut fix, because Crosstown has a whole store entirely dedicated to vegan doughnuts in Marylebone. What's more, all the drinks are entirely vegan, too. There's no dairy on site, but you're still be able to enjoy your coffee and other hot drinks made from a variety of dairy alternatives, including soy, oat, coconut, cashew and almond milk.
23. Dolcetta
Fitzrovia
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Veganuary really doesn’t have to be all about veg, veg and more veg; at Dolcetta, you can enjoy piles of fresh cream filled cannoli, encased in a crunchy biscuit shell, dunked in dark chocolate and coated in chopped pistachios. Now if that doesn’t satisfy your vegan sweet tooth, we don’t know what will.
It’s an Italian artisan bakery with a difference thanks to founder Lexi Galli, who adapted her tried-and-tested family recipes for the next gen of dessert fiends, this time round, bar the eggs and dairy. There’s a myriad of sweet bonbons for customers to enjoy, from cupcakes, to meringues, to amaretti, to biscotti, all of which are totally vegan. Yum.
24. Doughnut Time
Various locations in London
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In the mood for something sticky, fluffy, sweet, syrupy and lusciously doughy? It’s time you got down to Doughnut Time, then, with 16 stores located in London. And, did you know: nearly half of the 16 doughnuts available in the parlour’s line up are suitable for plant-based peeps. Vegan flavours include lemon drizzle with a blueberry pie filling, a Lotus Biscoff doughnut with a vegan caramel glaze and chocolate chip cookie dough ring. No, you’re drooling.
Be prepared for major heart-eyes because Doughnut Time also offers two-hour courses at the world’s first Doughnut Academy in a small pocket of Soho. You can also learn how it’s deliciously-glazed sweet treats are created, and have the chance to decorate a bespoke doughnut of your own. Anyone else obsessed with the punny doughnut names? Foodism favourites include ‘Ice Ice Bae Bae’, a rolo-topped ‘Hans Rolo’, ‘Stranger Rings 2.0’ and biscoff-stuffed ‘David Hassel-Biscoff’. What’s not to like?
25. Black Milq
Various locations in London
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Pastel-coloured scoops, golden shards of sesame brittle and thick slabs of soft serve sandwiched between pistachio and coconut cookies is the vibe of one of London’s most talked about ice cream parlours. What makes it even more unique is the fact it’s vegan.
Established in 2017, founder Natalie Slack serves plant-based ice cream made from a cashew nut milk and coconut base. The products were inspired by a trip to NY, where she fell in love with a bowl of black sesame ice cream so much, she decided to make her own at home. After testing out hundreds of flavours and production processes in her kitchen in south London, she set up shop at Hackney Downs Vegan Market. Now she stocks vegan restaurant Wulf & Lamb and plant-based café Palm Greens with some of her signature ice creams.
Foodism loves citrus chocolate orange, sweet honeycomb and pine nut, spiced cinnamon and walnut and salty miso caramel & pecan.
