London’s culinary scene is positively bulging with vegan restaurants at present, illuminating just how popular the plant-based way of life has become in recent years. Restaurants galore are popping vegan goodness on plates, from jackfruit tacos to plant-based fried “chicken” – and who knew vegan Mac ‘n’ cheese tasted so darn good? Farmacy, we’re talking to you! Look, there must surely be a reason Michelle Pfeiffer hasn’t aged a day over 30 and, well, then there’s Zac Efron and Queen B. Without further ado, here are some of the best vegan restaurants London has to offer:
Farmacy
Vegans, listen up, because you’d be a buffoon not to tick this restaurant off your list. Quite literally a sanctuary for catering to all your plant based needs, Farmacy is the brainchild of Camilla Fayed opening in 2016 on Westbourne Grove between Notting Hill and Bayswater. The menu and concept was undeniably ahead of its game when it came about a few years ago, with a smorgasbord of seasonal, nutritional and sustainable flavours on offer.
Fast forward a fair few years and Farmacy really plays into the 21st century trope of experimental flavours and vegan food advancement, championing alternative and lesser-known flavours including CBD cocktails and an adaptogenic latte made with reishi, chaga, ho shu wu, maca, vanilla protein powder and coconut milk. Also expect vegan curry and some of the more moreish Mac ‘n’ cheese going.
Where: 74-76 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill, W2 5SH
Website: www.farmacylondon.com
Kalifornia Kitchen
Instagrammable? Tick. CBD craze locked down? Tick. Food goals? Tick. Blimey, sounds like Kalifornia Kitchen has got it all, plus the name is darn sexy too. Emanating whizz, bangs and wops of millennial vibes inside, this groovy pink restaurant is a real go-to for a CBD latte, tacos of dreams and a setting fresh out of an influencer’s Insta feed, and we adore it! Opened by influencer Loui Blake, the new Bloomsbury venue delves into the mantra of ‘healthy is sexy,’ using the power of plants, sustainability and innovative dishes to make up their vibrant menu that consists of an abundance of vegan delights.
Where: 19 Percy Street, Bloomsbury, W1T 1DY
Website: www.kaliforniakitchen.co.uk
Filth
Is this the best vegan burger in London? Well, a quick Google later and it seems general consensus is that it is exactly that! The filthily good food found at Filth is the creation of Gizzi Erskine and Rosemary Ferguson who’ve had the Beckham’s frequent their vegan eatery to grab a slice of the action. Ingredients are sourced from independent suppliers and local producers with packaging being ever so eco-friendly and the cocktails being some of the most raved about around. What’s more, you’re (apparently) ticking off three of your five a day eating this burger so everyone’s a winner. Bap-tastic!
Where: 13 Bethnal Green Road, Hackney, E1 6LA
Website: Find More Here
By Chloe
The award-winning, fast-casual restaurant that is by CHLOE, whose first international restaurant is in Covent Garden, has a menu that includes burgers, sandwiches, fresh pastas, daily-baked sweets (Sweets by CHLOE), dairy-free ice cream (Chill by CHLOE), Mac ‘n’ cheese and a whole load more. By Chloe were pretty darn revolutionary when it came to the intro of CBD oil too, launching the Feelz by Chloe food in a partnership with CBD lifestyle brand, Toast. If you’re after the Instagrammable then this is where to head.
Where: Drury House, 34-43 Russell Street, Covent Garden, WC2B 5HA
Website: eatbychloe.com
Redemption Bar
If there’s a vegan eatery that has your back it’s Redemption Bar, the key being in the name. This eatery was actually founded to provide an alternative to a hangover-inducing night out and has grown ever since. Sugar-free and wheat free food with an alcohol-free bar is what you’ll find as you redeem yourself at Redemption. Why not banish that hangover with a dose of sweetcorn and red pepper pancakes instead of Netflix and popcorn? Their drinks are delicious too; we’re talking Komucha everywhere, smoothies including green is the new black and hot drinks in the form of the blue butterfly pea latte, packed with antioxidants and anti inflammatory properties.
Where: 6 Chepstow Road, W2 5BH
Website: www.redemptionbar.co.uk
Tell Your Friends
Remember Lucy Watson from Made in Chelsea? The former reality star with a Marmite personality is a passionate vegan and foodie who has written her own vegan cookbooks and owns a popular restaurant with her sister, fellow vegan and former MIC star, Tiffany Watson. Tell Your Friends opened in May 2018, which seemed like a natural progression for Lucy after her successful cookbooks, and whose father is the executive chairman of the successful City Pub Company. The menu is constantly changing but when we went they had options like a bean burger, mac’n’cheese and a Buddha bowl with quinoa, sticky tofu, sweet potato, avocado, pak choi and greens, with sweet sesame sauce.
Where: 175 New King’s Road, Fulham SW6 4SW
Website: www.tellyourfriendsldn.com
Deliciously Ella
Instagram sensation Deliciously Ella was bound to grab herself a restaurant at some point and by George are we glad she has – and a vegan one to boot! The deli provides the opportunity to create your own delicious vegan bowl, or choose from dishes such as Tuscan bean stew, cauliflower and red lentil dhal with brow rice and seasonal falafel.
Where: 18-20 Weighhouse Street, W1K 5LU
Website: www.deliciouslyella.com
Club Mexicana
A real example of how London’s vegan food scene has colourfully expanded is Club Mexicana. The food is Mexican and rave-worthy dishes include homemade corn tortillas and pulled jackfruit with pico de gallo, pink onions, and salsa verde. Lesser known ingredients are used in the tacos, nachos and burritos are they’re “ooft” tasty. Our highlight has to be the nachos with guacamole, red pepper queso, pink onions, pickled chillies, salsa and chipotle chilli oil.
Where: Dinerama: 19 Great Eastern Street, Hackney, EC2A 3EJ, The Spreadeagle: 224 Homerton High Street, Homerton, E9 6AS & Netil Market,13 - 23 Westgate Street, E8 3RL
Website: www.clubmexicana.com
Temple Of Seitan
Fried chicken and burgers? Who knew they could be vegan?! Yet, it’s now a “thing” and Temple Of Seitan do them oh so well. You can get your plant-based fried “chicken” with gluten-free organic coleslaw or try their Mac ‘n’ cheese, as pictured. Who said a trip to the junk food shop post night-out was unhealthy after all?!
Where: 10 Morning Lane, E9 6NA
Website: www.templeofseitan.co.uk
LELE's
LELE’s food is so gorgeously enticing that we’d probably spend more time taking photos of it than actually eating it. Having said that, you have to go! LELE’s Clapton café is all about healthy bowls, ferociously moreish French toast and they even run a vegan patisserie tea one Sunday a month that’s so worth going to.
Where: 50 Lower Clapton Road, E5 0RN
Website: www.leleslondon.com
Check out some of the best places for vegan junk food here
