Veganism has become a trend towards healthy living, and its rise in popularity shows no sign of stopping any time soon. There are several reasons why people choose to be vegan. Besides, ethical objections to animal agriculture or farming, switching to a vegan diet is probably the fastest way to reduce our environmental impact.
Lauren is a lover of animals. She has a vegan YouTube channel and love taking pictures of vegan food. Meatless Movement recently asked Lauren to share with us her top picks of the best vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants in London.
Read on to find out where to eat the most delicious plant-based food in the capital.
London’s vegan food scene is so immense and exciting right now. Back in the 80’s and early 90’s I remember the distaste and disgust that was spoken about the London food scene. People would say that the food in London was bland and tasteless but now the food scene has totally transformed into a total culinary garden full of delights.
What makes me most excited is that the vegan food scene here is spreading like wide fire. It feels like every week there is a new plant based restaurant popping up. Needless to say, it is certainly an exciting time to be a vegan in London and the best thing is almost every restaurant in London has a vegan option. If I had one word to describe the London plant based food scene it would be diverse.
London being such a multi cultural city means that we are lucky to have food from everywhere and that is definitely seen in our plethora of vegan restaurants.
I have a vegan YouTube channel called Just Veganin where I go to different vegan restaurants and check them out allowing my viewers to experience the element and vibe of the restaurant. Therefore, I wanted to share some of my favourite London vegan restaurants with you all. Now get ready to salivate while I take you on this epic plant based food journey around London.
123V
123V is a plant based Californian cuisine style restaurant from the French chef Alexis Gauthier. Gauthier is a well known fine dining chef who recently turned his fine dining restaurant ‘Gauthier’ completely vegan. 123V is his second more casual plant based restaurant in the Fenwick department store on Bond Street in Mayfair. This restaurant is best known for is amazingly tasty vegan sushi and is the winner of the 2021 PETA Award for “Vegan Sushi of the Year.” The restaurant also serves burgers, salads, bowls, and quesadillas. Alexis Gauthier has such a passion and creativity when it comes to vegan food and you truly can taste it in every bit.
Dauns
This is a Scandinavian vegan restaurant which brings the best of Scandinavia right to your plate with dishes such as its open faced sandwiches and its meatballs with mashed potatoes and creamy gravy and it does a very impressive Scandinavian twist on the British Sunday Roast. I love this place because it is the only place in London for vegan Scandinavian food making it one of a kind and something different to try.
Unity Diner
Owned by vegan activist Earthling Ed. This is a non- profit vegan restaurant and cocktail bar. This restaurant has a really hip vibe to it and great food! They serve numerous vegan fish dishes, loaded fries, great vegan burgers and wonderful desserts. This restaurant doesn’t just make great food but has their profits go to animal rights works and with some of these profits they ended up creating an animal sanctuary in 2020. This restaurant is really making a difference!
Refuel Your Soul
This is vegan French Bistro with a hip heavy metal vibe. This is definitely the spot to chill at and have some of your favourite French cuisines veganised. The female head chef is so passionate about what she does and you truly taste it in the food. It is London’s only plant based French restaurant so you need to stop in.
Tofu Vegan
Tofu Vegan is hands down the best and most authentic Chinese in London and that is vegan or non-vegan. Half of their customers are non vegan that is because the flavours are so good everyone wants to sink their teeth them. As a vegan vlogger this has been the restaurant I have been back to most. It is impressive!
Mali
This is a true Thai food gold mine and is London’s only all plant based Thai restaurant. They bring authentic dishes from Thailand that I have not even seen on a non plant based menu. They have taken Thai street food and veganised it, along with having many popular Thai dishes that we know and love. Their dishes are colourful and full of flavour. If you are going for dinner definitely book before because this is a popular spot!
Cake Cult
Hands down one of the best bakeries in London and what is even better is it’s all plant based! The cookies and brownies truly work magic once they enter your mouth and everyday there are new treats to be had from donuts, to cinnamon buns, to cup cakes, to cheese and tomato pastry, to bake well tarts to milkshakes and they also do an epic afternoon tea. Your sweet tooth will get satisfied here that is for sure!
Ready Burger
Ready burger is one of the most affordable vegan meals in London. Their menu could be be described as the vegan version of McDonalds. Their burgers truly taste like those from McDonalds but the best thing is they are all plant based and the price mimics that of McDonalds making is extremely affordable.
Barkney Wick
This is an all plant based dog cafe! I personally am the biggest dog lover and it is great to have a place where me and my dog can enjoy great vegan food. For the humans they have numerous cakes, pastries, and do great things for lunch and for our fur babies they have pup cakes, pupiccinos, pawcesso, peanut butter cups, doggie beer. Now they also do an after hours bar on certain days where they serve food and cocktails and even have cocktails for dogs. This is a zero waste establishment and they also have a doggie day care. This is a dream of a place for any dog lover!
The Spread Eagle
When people think of London they think of the booming pub life that London has. The Spread Eagle is an all vegan pub and they serve the one of best plant based Sunday roasts and during the week they have a wonderful pub menu. The Spread Eagle is in East London and has a really cool and vibrant vibe. They have indoor and outdoor seating. If you are interested in one of their Sunday roasts make sure you book ahead.
Van Gogh Cafe
This is a not for profit cafe and they are a community interest company who work in conjunction with Toucan Employment to run on the job training for people with learning disabilities or mental health problems to help them build their confidence by giving them paid employment. They also have a ‘pay it forward’ scheme so someone might buy a ‘suspended coffee’ for someone with a lower income to claim it later. Honestly this cafe is doing so much good and their food is so hearty, delicious, and filling. They serve burgers, cheeseboards, rostis, desserts, and they have an epic Sunday roast.
E3 Vegan
This is an affordable vegan cafe by day but by Friday nights it turns into the UK’s first all vegan supper club. It is a seven course tasting menu and it is really impressive. It truly is a special night out and is 60 pounds for the tasting menu if you book through the website and it will definitely get your tastebuds tantalised and wanting more. The creativity from chef Marc is imaginative and unique making it a really memorable evening.
Mother
This is an organic plant based restaurant on the canal in Hackney Wick. They serve all day breakfasts and WOW the unique and creative flavour combinations they serve mixed with healthy ingredients really does get that mouth salivating. I won’t lie it is some of the most creative breakfast options I have seen and the best part is they have loads of healthy options as well. Health is wealth!
Eat of Eden
You will not leave this place hungry that is for sure as their menu is organic Caribbean Ital and European recipes and the tastes are creative and the portion sizes are generous. They also have awesome health drinks and punches … their Guinness punch was definitely something I had never had before and wanted more.They have three locations around London simply because they are that good and people want more. I won’t lie you will have a flavour explosion after you sink your teeth into this food.
Andu
Andu serves fresh high quality vegan Ethiopian dishes which are so affordable and simply delicious. The menu offers six options with either rice or Injera bread and then your choose between the traditional platter or sampler platter which both contain the 6 options. It is simple in decision making but big on flavour. Prices are between 7 and 8 pounds per person which is such a great deal especially in London.
More about Lauren
Follow Lauren on YouTube and Instagram for more of her favourite and (sometimes unique) eateries.