Unity Diner (a London vegan carvery to help animals)
Unity Diner (London) is a unique restaurant, that offers fast food throughout the week (burgers, kebabs etc), then on Sunday transforms into a delicious vegan carvery, where you can enjoy your choice of roast ‘roast chicken or cider-braised pork’. Or if preferred, a mushroom and lentil Wellington.
Along with all the trimmings (vegan Yorkshire puddings, beer-battered Brussels sprouts, maple-glazed parsnips and carrots, vegan cauliflower cheese and lashings of gravy!
Where is Unity Diner?
It’s located in Spitalfields, a lively area of London’s East End, known most for its market, but also home to many artists and musicians.
The nearest tube stops are Aldgate East (a 4 minute walk) or Liverpool Street (an 8-minute walk).
Who Founded Unity Diner?
Unity Diner was founded by a group of friends, interested in animal welfare. One is Earthling Ed, who you may have heard of if you are vegan (he writes books and often has polite conversations on YouTube with other people, gently arguing his cause for plant-based food).
Who do Unity Diner Profits Help?
This is where Unity Diner is unique. As after paying for rent, staff and ingredients, profits help Surge Sanctuary, where farmed animals (who were either neglected, abused or due to be killed for meat) enjoy the rest of their lives in peace in 18 acres of countryside.
How wonderful is this? You get to enjoy vegan roast pork or a vegan cheeseburger, and your pennies help to fund hay, feed and shelter for rescued pigs and cows!
You can also buy bales of hay at the website, or set the sanctuary as your choice at easyfundraising. This means that whenever you buy a product or service from participating retailers, a percentage goes to the sanctuary, at no cost to you (and does not affect loyalty points).
Does Unity Diner Accept Cash?
No. This is because modern bank notes are a mix of plastic and animal fats, and Unity Diner does not wish to support this. Many people now use cashless payments anyway since the pandemic, so just be sure to bring your card.
Did Unity Diner Not Close Down?
It did close down, due to rising rents in London (which has happened with many restaurants, it was nothing to do with being vegan). But after it closed, the response was so supportive, that a mix of funders and adjusted rents, means it opened up again. Yeh!
Why Would Anyone Eat ‘Vegan Meats?’
Some people criticise others for eating faux meat and fish. But the truth is, in a country of 60 million people, there is not enough land for people to eat free-range (and millions of others choose not to eat animal products anyway).
Likely you don’t agree with factory farms. So in this case, everyone needs to eat less meat (even those who eat it). And as long as it’s made with natural ingredients (and no palm oil), what you eat is your own business. In fact, many town planners are now refusing permission for new Mcdonald’s restaurants, due to concerns for public health and protecting independent eateries.
It would be nice if everyone lived on lentil soup, but that’s not going to happen! So fast food chains like Unity Diner fill the gap, for those who are resident or visiting London, and fancy a double bacon cheeseburger, with fries on the side!
And instead of harming animals, this diner is helping to rescue the animals, who end up in sanctuaries, due to the fast food meat industry.
What About Fast Food Litter?
This is a real problem with many fast food joints. But Unity Diner is plastic-free, and only ever uses compostable packaging and straws. Just deposit in the nearest bin, to biodegrade away!
Unity Diner Menu Offerings
Apart from the Sunday carvery, on other days, Unity Diner transforms back to a vegan fast food restaurant. Some of the goodies served include:
- New-York-style Dog with Onions, Ketchup and Mustard
- London Cheeseburger or Shoreditch Cheese Steak
- Tofish Bites with Unity Tartar and Chilli Lime Calamari
- Pigs in Blankets with Mulled Apple Cider Sauce
- Tempura Prawns in Thousand Island Dressing
- Lava Lavash Kebab!
- Black Forest Waffles and Christmas Trifle
- Unity Pear and Nettle Cider
- Wines and mocktails
- Deep-Fried Yorkshire Sundae!
Support Vegan Options at Fast Food Chains?
You can if you want (Unity Diner only has one branch). But be careful if you’re vegan. KFC fries its chips in animal fat (as does McDonald’s in some countries abroad). And Burger King fries its vegan bacon whoppers on the same grills as meat, which rather defeats the point.
If you love your fast food, instead try one of the many recipes online to make your own vegan versions:
