According to HappyCow, London has been named the most vegan-friendly city in the world for four years, so it’s no surprise that countless restaurants are revolutionising the plant-based dining scene around the city. From award-winning tofish and chips to Michelin-starred, fine-dining French cuisine, there’s something for every type of diner. Here are our recommendations for vegan restaurants to try in London.
(WA = Wheelchair Accessible)
Image Courtesy of Tofu Vegan
Tofu Vegan
First up on our top picks of vegan restaurants to try in London is Tofu Vegan. Chinese cuisine has a reputation for being quite seafood and meat-heavy, but not here. These guys have revolutionised Chinese fare and crafted a menu for vegans and vegetarians. Most of the dishes you’ll find here are made using mushrooms, tofu or ‘fake’ meat and aims to celebrate the delicious plant-based dishes you’ll find all over China. Expect things like deep-fried tofu with salt and Sichuan pepper, spring rolls with ear fungus and kimchi, and chick’n and tofu stew.
Tofu Vegan | Islington, Golders Green and Spitalfields | ££ – £££
Image Courtesy of Holy Carrot
Holy Carrot
This iconic vegan restaurant in the heart of Belgravia has earned a well-deserved, slightly prestigious reputation amongst plant-based diners and is one of our favourite vegan restaurants to try in London. They’re big on using ethical and seasonal produce prepared mindfully without any added preservatives and additives. The menu is inspired by global cuisine, featuring dishes like vegan “seafood” platters, truffle celeriac risotto and smoked aubergine carpaccio. Just a heads up that the service isn’t particularly amazing here but we think the tasty food makes up for it.
Holy Carrot | Belgravia | ££ – £££
Image Courtesy of Purezza
Purezza
Purezza is the UK’s first vegan pizzeria, based in buzzy Camden, offering a range of delicious vegan Neapolitan pizzas, pasta, raw dishes and fresh salads. They started intending to make plant-based Italian dishes without compromising on flavour, and they’ve nailed it. They prioritise sourcing their produce and ingredients locally, working with nearby businesses to ensure everything is as fresh as possible whilst supporting the local community. Their sourdough pizzas are topped with plant-based cheese and a selection of vegan ingredients, like “pepperoni” with chilli-infused agave, black truffle with roasted “pancetta” and a range of small plates like their famous fluffy sourdough bites filled with melted vegan cheese. It’s also an excellent spot for gluten-free diners, as 98% of their menu is gluten-free.
Purezza | Camden | ££ – £££ | WA*
(*There are two steps at the front of the branch, but they have a ramp that they can put in place to ensure that the restaurant is fully accessible. There’s also an accessible toilet located on the ground floor.)
Image Courtesy of Unity Diner
Unity Diner
Unity Diner has consistently been one of our top vegan restaurants to try in London. This non-profit vegan diner and cocktail bar, close to Liverpool Street, serves a menu of mouth-watering plant-based dishes. All of their profits go directly towards animal rights works, including the opening of Surge Sanctuary, an animal sanctuary they opened in 2020. Their fish and chips have people talking around the country; they’re made with beer-battered tofu served with mushy peas and chunky chips.
Unity Diner | Spitalfields | ££ – £££ | WA
Image Courtesy of Mallow
Mallow
Mallow is another vegan restaurant from the masterminds responsible for the legendary Mildred’s chain (another must-visit vegan restaurant in London). They focus on minimal waste practises here and have crafted a menu inspired by flavours worldwide, made with seasonal, sustainable ingredients sourced from small, specialist producers and local businesses. Here you can enjoy dishes like porcini chestnut croquettes with truffle aioli, kimchi dumplings with gochujang dip and fennel sausage with soft herb polenta and caraway creamed cabbage. It’s also known for its sleek and sophisticated interiors, which make for the perfect setting for a special occasion or date night.
Mallow | Borough Market and Canary Wharf | £
Image Courtesy of Stem and Glory
Stem and Glory
Stem & Glory is another one of the restaurants bringing a fresh, contemporary take on vegan cuisine to London. This multi-award-winning plant-based restaurant serves an eclectic menu, so it’s easy to find something for every palette. Expect kimchi pancakes, bang bang broccoli and Korean ‘fish’ tacos served with wasabi mayo. They also have a drool-worthy dessert menu, with delights like raw raspberry cheesecake, almond and pear crumble and glazed crème brûlée.
Stem and Glory | Barbican and Liverpool Street | ££ – £££
Image Courtesy of Mildred’s
Mildred’s
Mildred’s is one of those must-visit vegan restaurants to try in London; first opening in 1988 on Soho’s vibes Greek Street, they now have a few restaurants dotted around the city (in Camden, Dalston, King’s Cross and Covent Garden.) It’s Mallow’s older sister, run by the same owners, with many of the same principles at its core. They serve a 100% plant-based menu in a laid-back setting inspired by international food, like chipotle cheese nachos, shiitake tempeh noodles and Nashville hot chick’n. It’s an iconic restaurant amongst vegan diners in London.
Mildred’s | Dalston (WA), Covent Garden, Soho, King’s Cross (WA) and Camden (WA) | ££ – £££
Image Courtesy of Gauthier
Gauthier
It’s a pretty big thing when a fine dining, Michelin-star restaurant announces they’re going completely vegan, but they are just one step ahead. Chef Alexis Gauthier transformed his award-winning menu into an entirely plant-based one, meaning vegans can also relish the French fine dining experience that has made a name for itself over the years in London. They serve delicious tasting menus designed to change the expectations of fine dining cuisine, featuring dishes like Jerusalem artichokes with hazelnuts and chives, roscoff onion with parsley and sea lettuce, and chocolate pear ‘mirrors’.
Gauthier | Soho | ££££
Plant Power Vegan Food Tour
Grab a spot on London’s only vegan food tour! With your trusty tour guide, you’ll roam Camden’s top plant-based eateries, trying the likes of tasty dim sum, crunchy fried chicken that would 100% pass for the real thing, and a popular pizza spot with the creamiest of mock mozzarella. Even if you’re not vegan or vegetarian, this is a fun way to experience incredibly tasty food you wouldn’t usually order.
Plant Power Vegan Food Tour | Camden | £££
We have heaps more recommendations for vegan-friendly restaurants in our Casual Tourist Guides, which make it super easy to skip the touristy stuff and only visit the restaurants, museums, cafes and other spots that locals LOVE (and often gate keep from tourists like you!) If you want to easily explore London like a local without spending days of your life trying to work out what’s worth going to and what isn’t, get our Casual Tourist Guides.
Pin this…
