11 Of London’s Best Vegan Restaurants
Finding restaurants that serve vegan options isn’t as difficult as it once was. Even all of the major fast food chains have an option on their menu these days. Finding somewhere that thinks outside of the box and doesn’t serve up deep-fried alternatives is a little more tricky.
For those wanting something fresh, original, and completely delicious, look no further as we’ve rounded up our favourite vegan restaurants making waves in London. From all vegan Chinese restaurants to the fine dining destination from Alexis Gauthier, here’s where to dine.
The best vegan restaurants in London
Holy Carrot
Here to prove that you can do more with vegetables than just boil, steam or roast them is Holy Carrot, the innovative plant-based restaurant located in Notting Hill. The brainchild of Irina Linovich (former Vogue Ukraine fashion producer), Holy Carrot has gained a loyal following within the plant-based community and beyond. The menus are free from preservatives, refined sugars, and additives and are led by seasonal, local produce. Highlights of the menu include the signature koji bread served with chilli ragu and smoked mushroom, coal-roasted leeks, corn, almonds, aji chilli, smoked carrot, crispy celeriac, coral tooth mushroom burger, pink fir potatoes and garlic and pickle mayo.
Holy Carrot, 156 Portobello Road, Notting Hill, London W11 2EB
www.holycarrot.co.uk
Mallow
Mallow is a plant-based restaurant from the team behind Mildred’s. The restaurant focuses on sustainability, seasonality and provenance, with a menu created by Head of Food Development at Mildreds, Sarah Wasserman.
The menu is comprised of dishes such as black sesame shiitake toast with charcoal brioche and cranberry dressing; chickpea tofu with guajillo pepper cream; porcini ragu lasagna with confit garlic cream and truffle oil; and crème brûlée with saffron infused cream and poached apricots.
Interiors wise, expect a modern design with floral painted walls, marbled tables and velvet booths.
Canary Wharf & BOROUGH MARKET
www.mallowlondon.com
Tofu Vegan
Thought you hated tofu? Think again. Here to prove that tofu is as versatile as your average cut of meat is Tofu Vegan.
Here to prove that tofu is as versatile as your average cut of meat is Tofu Vegan.
The menu is entirely plant-based and centres around (you guessed it) the misrepresented block of tofu. Their dynamic team is made up of chefs from Sichuan, the Cantonese south of China and the northeastern Dongbei region, so the menu is packed with an exciting range of flavours and tastes.
A staple table order has to be the wontons in their special house sauce. Spicy and delicious, you’ll want to lick up every last speck of the sauce.
Islington, Spitalfields & Golders Green
www.tofuvegan.com
Mali Vegan Thai
Celebrating Thai cuisine to its fullest is Mali Vegan Thai, the small family-run restaurant inspired by the simple, everyday staples the owners grew up on. Located on Hogarth Place, the restaurant draws on influences from the ‘Jay’ Festival, an annual vegan event that takes place for 10 days, and brings together aromatic flavours, spices, and herbs known best in Thailand.
The humble restaurant can be found serving up dishes such as gui chai krob (crispy Chinese chive cakes served with a sweet chilli soy sauce); Sam Moo Tip Kua Prik (vegan pork crackling stir-fried with garlic & chilli); and Kao Pad Nuea Kem Tip (stir-fried rice with vegan salted beef and veg).
5A Hogarth Place, SW5 0QT
www.malivegan.co.uk
Gauthier Soho
Vegan fine dining really got elevated back in 2021 thanks to Michelin-starred French chef, Alexis Gauthier and his decision to make his popular restaurant, Gauthier Soho, into a fully vegan restaurant. Since turning vegan himself back in 2015, Gauthier began adding more and more vegan dishes onto his menu, offering an exclusive vegan fine dining experience for all to enjoy.
It was when the restaurant reopened after the 2021 lockdown that the restaurant transformed into a fully vegan eatery. Now you’ll find Gauthier’s team bringing to life refreshing modern French plant-based cuisine.
Studi Gauthier is the chef’s new culinary adventure, offering a fresh take on plant-based cooking. Think grilled delica pumpkin; tofu crab and sesame roll; and 3D marinated soy meat flank.
21 Romilly Street, W1D 5AF
www.gauthiersoho.co.uk
Facing Heaven
Facing Heaven is a new venture from the founder and culinary mind of Mao Chow. Julian Denis draws on his personal experiences, from discovering vegan cooking through the Los Angeles punk rock scene to learning the ins and outs of traditional Chinese cooking in New York.
Facing Heaven is a new venture from the founder and culinary mind of Mao Chow.
The restaurant, named after the potent Sichuanese chilli, brings an elevated take on Mao Chow’s staple Chinese flavours, coupled with Denis’ American upbringing.
It focuses on sharing plates and feasting-style family dining, centred around seasonal veggies, spices and chilli.
1A BAYFORD STREET, E8 3SE
WWW.FACING-HEAVEN.COM
Naifs
This family-run bistro in Peckham specialises in seasonal set menus, drawing inspiration across the globe from Greek mezes to Indian thalis. Every ounce of their menu has been thoroughly thought out, with dishes such as grilled courgettes with braised chard and green pea hummus, grilled pink fir potatoes with garlic aoili; fried cauliflower with smoked chilli; and grilled friggitelli peppers with tomato aioli.
Inside it’s got a home-away-from-home feel with cosy corners to lose yourself in. Head here for intimate conversations and date nights.
56 Goldsmith Road, Peckham SE15 5TN
www.naifs.co.uk
Purezza
Hailing from the seaside city of Brighton, Purezza now boasts a large location in Camden and serves up some of the best pizza in the city. And it’s 100% vegan. The pizza dough is made fresh daily and matured for 48 hours using organic wholegrain flour. They boast a whole host of delicious toppings and options.
Expect to be diving into pizzas like Veggie, topped with mozzarella, grilled artichoke, wild mushrooms, olive and smoked beets; Pepperoni & Agave with pepperoni, chillies, hemp parm and chilli-infused agave; and the BBQ Bourbon, with a white base and fable mushrooms marinated with bourbon whiskey, bbq sauce and kimchi.
45-47 Parkway, Camden town, NW1 7PN
www.purezza.co.uk
The Spread Eagle
London isn’t short of pubs but when it comes to food options, it’s often the vegan menu items that let them down. That certainly isn’t the case for The Spread Eagle, London’s first 100% vegan pub!
The east London watering hole is a pub that keeps tradition at its heart, from the classic pub interiors that are mixed with a side of modernity to the hearty grub it serves up. And their Sunday roast is no exception. Try out their beet wellington – a fun take on the traditional beef – or try the pot roast celeriac that comes with a healthy helping of potato crackling. All roasts are of course served with potatoes, roasted carrots, seasonal greens, and gravy. Not forgetting a vegan Yorkshire pud too – delicious.
224 Homerton High Street, EG 6AS
www.thespreadeaglelondon.co.uk
Jam Delish
For Caribbean classics reinvented, look to the family-owned restaurant Jam Delish. Located on Islington, it’s a favourite amongst the vegan community, renowned for taking authentic Caribbean recipes and transforming them with a veganised twist.
Set up by siblings Jordan and Chyna in 2020, the menu is so good you’ll want to order it all. Look forward to dishes such as grilled “codfish” and Jamaican gungo pea stew; jerk pepper “steak”; and Caribbean fried ‘chicken’ with Jamaican gravy.
Set up by siblings Jordan and Chyna in 2020, the menu is so good you’ll want to order it all.
1 Tolpuddle St, London N1 0XT
www.jamdelish.co.uk
Tendril
Whether you’re plant-based or are looking for something new to try, Tendril is a restaurant that’s (mostly) vegan.
Moving away from fake meats and back to a more plant focused future, menu highlights include roasted carrots with crispy rice and cherry harissa; grilled broccoli with muhammara and pickled walnut; and cauliflower massaman with plums.
Whether you’re plant-based or are looking for something new to try, Tendril is a restaurant that’s (mostly) vegan.
UNTIL 31.01.2023
5 PRINCES STREET, W1B 2LQ
WWW.TENDRILKITCHEN.CO.UK
If you can’t get enough of our food recommendations, check out our guide for the best vegan fast-food alternatives
