London Vegan Restaurants

By Cameron, London Vegan Pledge Buddy 2009, 2010, 2011; now mentor for the Vegan Easy Challenge back home in Australia. 

I'm an Antipodean vegan who has spent far too much time investigating London's vegan havens. Initially motivated by compassion, my veganism has extended over time from protest to celebration. 

London is one of the best cities in the world for vegan epicureans. With over 160 vegetarian restaurants, all of them with vegan options, you can go to a new one every week for three years, and by then a few more will have opened up.

The best online source to explore which vegan friendly restaurants are in your area is Vegan London, and for London and beyond there is the wonderful Happy Cow, though be warned it can sometimes get out of date so ring first. If you prefer a book you can read through and take with you, Vegetarian Guides are great too. You can also have a look at my review of the best Vegan Restaurants in London.

Diwana, Drummond Street © Copyright Stephen McKay;
licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

London has so many vegan friendly restaurants, that I might classify my favourites into two categories. First is the day to day places, offering inexpensive good food. Beatroot in Soho, you fill up a box from the selection of tasty dishes and pay for the size of the box. Drummond St in Euston has three Indian all you can eat buffets, and having tried them all many times I couldn't decide if I like Diwana (above) or Ravi Shankar better. VitaO in Soho is great; you purchase a plate and then fill it as high as your engineering skills will allow. 222 in West Kensinton has an all you can eat buffet that is amazing value. I'll finish with Maoz falafel, the cheapest of all these and simply just fantastic falafel.

Saf cocktail

Now the more upper market places. Manna in Chalk Farm, London's oldest vegetarian restaurant, now fully vegan: just amazing. SAF above Wholefoods in South Kensington, again a must visit place. Itadaki Zen, organic Japanese in Kings Cross – what more do you need to know. Mildred's and Tibit's, both in the Soho area, are places you can take your most discerning friends.

Hope you enjoy checking out the great restaurants in London, and realise how lucky you are to live in one of the best places in the world to find delicious and interesting vegan food.

You can read more by Cameron on his website at camerongreen.org.

7-day Meal Plan Part Two: Lunch

Compiled by Clare from fairfoods.org.uk, caterer at the Vegan Pledge 


7 easy lunch ideas

1 - Vegetable spring rolls, samosas and onion bhajis with dipping sauce. These items are usually vegan but check the packaging to make sure.

2 - Hummus, avocado and salad sandwich.

3 - Jacket potato with baked beans and salad. Also look out for other suitable fillings such as sweetcorn or veggie chilli. These are available from most cafes, or buy from a shop and make your own if you have access to kitchen.

Photo by fairfoods.org.uk

4 - Super salad... Greens, beans, and sliced salad veg tossed with bottled dressing or some oil, tamari and lemon juice or vinegar. Make it extra-special by adding avocado, toasted nuts or seeds, fresh or dried fruit, or grated vegan cheese.

5 - Vegan cheese, pickle, sliced apple and lettuce sandwich.

6 - Vegetable Indian meal and rice. These are available from most supermarkets – check the ingredients. You will need access to a microwave or oven.

7 - Toffuti cream cheese on bagels. Add cucumber or other salad.