14 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 Knightsbridge.
Since arriving on the scene in 2021, the restaurant has been delivering on both the flavour and interiors front. Simply put, the interiors are beautiful. They’re rustic, neutral and take vegan dining up a notch. The menu focuses on using ethically sourced and seasonal produce, mindfully preparing ingredients. All of their dishes are proudly free from preservatives, refined sugars, gluten and additives, but promise not to compromise on flavour.
Urban Retreat, 2-4 Hans Crescent, Knightsbridge, SW1X 0LH
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 Wassarman.
The menu is comprised of dishes such as porcini chestnut croquettes with truffle aioli and vinaigrette; sweet potato roast pepper laksa; fennel sausage with herb soft polenta and caraway creamed cabbage; and crème brûlée with liquorice cherries and bourbon snap.
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.
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
Farmacy
Since opening up in 2016, Farmacy has become one of London’s go-to destinations for healthy seasonal eating. Whether you’re vegan or not, their dishes are packed with all of the important nutrients, with ingredients grown on their own farm or sourced from local, sustainable and environmentally friendly suppliers.
From brunch to afternoon tea, cocktails to main menu dishes, there really is something for everyone. We love their high tea, packed with savoury treats including Mediterranean quiches and smoked carrot lox sandwiches, and sweet treats such as coconut macaroons with naturella and popcorn caramel cookies.
74 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill, W2 5SH
www.farmacylondon.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); kark Moo Tip Prink Khing (vegan pork crackling stir fry with red curry and fine beans); 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 pumpkin and olive tarts; tofu crab and sesame roll; and 3D flank ‘bourguignon’ en cocotte.
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.
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 squash with berbere butter, flamingo peas and pomegranate; glazed aubergine with carrot romesco and date; and braised greens with spiced tomato butter, panisse and green mandarin salsa.
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 two London locations 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 Four Seasons, 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
Plant Hub
Another pizzeria, this time it’s Plant Hub on Mare Street in Hackney. This little restaurant is entirely plant-based and gluten-free, and serves up some of the best pizzas in the area using local and seasonal ingredients.
Head down to tuck into the likes of the Bianca, a crushed potato, roasted onion, ‘notzarella’ finished with ‘parmezan’, crushed black pepper and truffle oil pizza; or the Etna with chilli flakes, red pepper, turnip tops, chestnut mushroom and EVO oil.
49 Green Lanes, Newington Green, London N16 9BU
www.plantclub.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 ‘saltfish’ totones; brown stew oyster mushroom fried dumplings; curry ‘goat’ with rice and peas, Caribbean fried cabbage and fried ripe plantain; and Caribbean fried ‘chicken’ with Jamaican gravy.
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 celeriac terrine with remoulade and cherry harissa; white bean spread with chilli and garlic; and cauliflower massaman with plums.
UNTIL 31.01.2023
5 PRINCES STREET, W1B 2LQ
WWW.TENDRILKITCHEN.CO.UK
Eat of Eden
Caribbean inspired dishes, veganised. Eat of Eden, located in Brixton and Lewisham, brings a slice of the balmy Caribbean to London, serving up quality dishes packed with natural fats, plant-based protein and tons of flavour.
Head down for lunch and choose between the Eden Platter, a mix of their most popular dishes from dumplings to fritters, mac pie to black rice, or pack in one of their stews for a winter warm up.
Brixton & Lewisham
www.eatofeden.co.uk
If you can’t get enough of our food recommendations, check out our guide for the best vegan fast-food alternatives