The Best Vegan Restaurants in the UK
Until recently, the options for vegan dining in the UK were very limited. However, the growth of veganism in the UK has led to a much increased (and improved) selection of dining options.
In fact, the choice is now so big that you can choose a vegan restaurant that caters for most cuisines, tastes and price points. Here, in no particular order and chosen at random, are some of the best places for vegan dining across the UK.
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Burgers
The Vurger Co (London, Brighton)
The Vurger Co was started after co-founder Neil Potts needed to change his diet due to a chronic stomach issue. Potts and his partner Rachel took a trip to California and discovered a whole new way of eating which inspired them to want to make the best vegan burgers in London.
It appears that they have succeeded and in 2018 were voted one of the best vegan burgers in London by Forbes.
Le Public Space (Newport)
If you prefer to eat your burger in more lively, less formal surroundings, try Newport’s Le Public Space. This is not a restaurant but rather a music and arts centre which houses a fully vegan menu that includes burgers, wings and pies.
To add even more gravitas, it has been nominated for the Grassroots Venue: Spirit Of The Scene Award at the Music Week Awards 2022.
The Full Nelson (London)
Dubbed The Five Guys of Vegandom by Elle, The Full Nelson in Deptford South London is known for its off-the-beaten-track charm.
With a menu that boasts burgers with names such as Sith, Og and Fonz (along with Barbarian superhero signage), this is a vegan pub that does not take itself too seriously. Tables are at a premium – in fact sharing a table with others is encouraged – so get down early.
Mediterranean
Bubala (London)
Inspired by Eastern Mediterranean cuisine and located in perenially-hip Shoreditch, Bubala is a respected and popular vegan restaurant offering a variety of delights.
Its halloumi with black honey and potato latkes are particularly popular and has also branched out into the delivery arena with its Bubie concept. It’s worth a trip just to see if they have fixed the front door which became a key feature of Jay Rayner’s review in the Observer.
Pizza
Purezza (Brighton, Hove, Bristol, London, Manchester)
The UK’s first vegan pizzeria, Purezza opened in 2015 in Brighton.
It claims to have spent a number of years developing its ingredients (such as plant-based mozzarella) and with it has come various prizes including the Campionato Mondiale Della Pizza held in Italy where it was the first ever vegan winner.
With a growing number of locations in major cities, Purezza is leading the charge for a new type of pizza restaurant and to top it off has won the award for the most Instagrammed vegan restaurant if that’s your thing.
Japanese
Itadaki Zen (London, Shrewsbury, London)
Claiming to be Europe’s first vegan Japanese restaurant (including a site in Paris), Itadaki Zen serves a range of noodle, tofu and seaweed dishes in an atmosphere of tranquillity. You can also shop on their website and purchase items ranging from rice and tea to salt and Japanese tissue boxes. This is a genuinely Japanese vegan experience.
Chisou (London)
Based in two exclusive London locations (Mayfair and Knightsbridge), Chisou cooks to traditional, authentic Japanese recipes. Although not exclusively vegan, there are numerous options on the menu covering soups, noodles, sushi, rolls and tempura.
Those on a budget will find the fixed lunch menu more wallet-friendly but budgets of all kinds will savour the delights on show.
Indian
Prashad (Bradford)
Prashad is based in the self-proclaimed curry capital of the north, Bradford. It serves Gujurati food on a menu that is over 60% vegan.
It has such a good reputation that it was featured on Gordon Ramsey’s Best Restaurant TV programme a few years back. Its five- and seven-course taster menus are particularly popular among its visitors.
En Root (London)
Operating out of locations in Clapham and Peckham, En Root is the brainchild of cousins Nish and Harshil Modasia. Serving a range of plant-based dishes, including a ‘Full Indian’ breakfast along with smoothies and platters, En Root has even developed its own range of Gujurati-inspired sauces.
The team is also able to cater for private occasions and the colourful En-Root truck can be spied at festivals and other events across the UK.
Chakra (London)
Set across three London sites (Kingston, Barnes and flagship Kensington), Chakra is a delight for those who prefer upmarket Indian food. Although not fully vegan, Chakra offers a range of vegan options, including pani puri, paneer and black truffle kulcha.
Its move from Notting Hill to Kensington has given it a quieter, more exclusive feel and its site in Kingston by the river boasts enviable views of the Thames.
Asian
Dim T (London)
Lovers of authentic Asian vegan food could do much worse than heading to Dim T. Based on Charlotte Street in Fitzrovia, is great for lovers of vegan meat.
With vegan versions of classics such as stir-fried and sweet and sour chicken, as well as Thai and Korean dishes, there really is something for everyone here.
The Hug and Pint (Glasgow)
Situated in Glasgow’s cool West End, The Hug and Pint is a vegan eatery that doubles as a bar and music venue.
Its Far East-inspired menu changes daily with some staples such as the Black Pepper Aubergine and its live music programme includes local, up and coming as well as established artists. It’s the ideal venue for eating, atmosphere and good music.
Traditional
The Whale Tail Café (Lancaster)
A long-established café tucked away up a flight of stairs, The Whale Tail Cafe in Lancaster mixes a build-your-own breakfast menu (complete with vegan black pudding) with more solid vegan options.
Comments of the many regular and satisfied customers include fresh food, generous portions, quick service, friendly staff (as well as dog-friendly).
Mildred’s (London)
A London institution, Mildred’s opened in Soho in 1988 in small café that had previously been a S&M club (complete with padded cell basement).
Having started as a vegetarian restaurant, it is now 100% vegan and covers cuisines from across the world from hot dogs and gyozas to bao buns. Its website also has great vegan recipes as well as engaging posts on veganism.
Henderson’s (Edinburgh)
The Henderson name has long been synonymous with vegetarian cuisine in Edinburgh. However, the original Henderson’s (the UK’s longest running vegetarian restaurant) was forced to close due to Covid.
The new vegan incarnation was opened in October 2021 by Barrie Henderson, grandson of the original owner.
Its new menu combines classics from the old days (Chocolate Mousse, Lentil Lasagne) along with new versions and has stuck to its values of organic, locally sourced ingredients.
The Spread Eagle (London)
It was only a matter of time until pubs got in on the vegan act and The Spread Eagle in Hackney is London’s first and only 100% vegan pub. Serving plant-based versions of pub classics, its menu boasts pie and mash (obviously) along with burgers and ploughman’s boards.
The restaurant works with local suppliers and operates a minimal waste kitchen.
Such is their commitment to veganism that even the décor and seating is cruelty-free. Add in quiz nights, live music and fruit machines and it’s hard to tell that you’re in a pub that’s animal friendly in every way.
Award-Winning
Cosmic Kitchen (Plymouth)
Plymouth’s Cosmic Kitchen was the recent winner of TripAdvisor’s Travellers Choice Award and voted both best in the UK and third best in the world for vegan food.
Founded by sisters Lucia and Gabriela Evangelou, it describes itself as a vegan bistro with a menu that includes wraps, salad bowls, kebabs and sharers. It also has a deli takeaway and stays open until 2am at the weekends for later revellers.
The Allotment (Manchester)
Not only vegan but gluten-free, The Allotment is both PETA-recommended and award-winning. Its owner, Matthew Nutter, was named Best Chef at the prestigious Manchester Food and Drink Awards recently.
It serves seven- and ten-course taster menus as well as brunch options for weekend diners and lunch box options for local workers to combine formal and informal dining.
No. Twelve (Nottingham)
Voted Best Vegan Restaurant in the UK 2020 and Best Vegetarian Restaurant at the Midlands Food & Drink Awards, No 12 is a family-run restaurant tucked away in a converted red brick mill in Nottingham city centre.
Diners can choose from the Taster or Classics menu, both of which are designed to be shared and are partnered with a select group of wines, beers, cocktails or liqueurs.
Not deterred by the various lockdowns, the restaurant remained active by creating the ‘No. Twelve at Home’ initiative which served up produce boxes as well as Christmas hampers and also donated its profits to charity.
Fine Dining
Gauthier (London)
After a five-year transition, London restaurateur Alexis Gauthier finally converted his Michelin-starred Soho restaurant into a 100% vegan establishment in June 2021.
Although French cuisine is not traditionally identified with veganism, Gauthier has managed to realise his vision of plant-based fine dining.
The ‘Petit Diner’ menu covers seven courses while the ‘Grand Diner’ covers ten with vegan versions of indulgent food such as caviar.
If you’re not able to make a trip to the restaurant, you can order a Vegan Box from Gauthier Home which contains eight dishes which change regularly along with a wine pairing selected by the restaurant’s sommelier.
Holy Carrot (London)
Tucked away behind Sloane Street in Knightsbridge, Holy Carrot leads the way in terms of experimental vegan fine dining in the capital.
In addition to offering such delights as ‘raw red pepper burrito’, ‘kohlrabi tartar’ and ‘crispy quinoa maki’, Holy Carrot goes the extra mile and makes dishes that are free from preservatives, refined sugar, gluten and additives.
With queues out of the front door and stories of guests swapping menu notes in the toilet, Holy Carrot is very much a glamourous word-of-mouth place to eat.
Pied A Terre (London)
The longest-standing independent Michelin-starred restaurant in London and the UK, Pied A Terre is a London institution. It has long been accommodating to both vegans and vegetarians and its lunch and dinner tasting menus with up to ten courses are very popular.
The front of house team is still led by founder and owner David Moore and he believes that far from being a fad, vegan dining will be game changing.
Hopefully this has provided you with a taste of some of the range of vegan options available in different parts of the UK. This is by no means definitive; in fact we could have written numerous times over about Central London vegan options alone.
If you’re a vegan – or considering becoming a vegan – rest easy in the knowledge that there is a plethora of top quality establishments available to you and these choices will likely grow even more in the coming years.
