London is fast becoming one of the most vegan-friendly cities on earth, not far behind Berlin (officially the best place to live if you live on plants!) This cosmopolitan city of around 8 million people also has a strong multicultural ethos, so a lot of the food is internationally-influenced, although you’ll still find it easy to find a vegan afternoon tea!
Vegan London is a beautiful guide to 80 plant-based friendly cafes, restaurants and food stores. Discover creative twists on classic dishes, fusion cuisine and tempting desserts. Includes afternoon tea in Knightsbridge and falafel in Shoreditch. Also read An Opinionated Guide to Vegan London (fine dining to vegan cheesemongers)
Vegan London is a great site that contains lots of info on where to eat, where to stay, where to shop and what to do if you’re living or visiting the city. From shoes to catering to social groups, it’s all here. There’s even a jobs board, if you would like to work for or recruit vegans! Also check out The Little London Vegan for more recommendations.
The Third Estate (Camden) is one of the few vegan shoe shops in the city. If you prefer to try on shoes in person instead of ordering online, here is a shoe shop to suit, without plastic. Everything is ethically made and there are regular sale bargains to be had!
- VE Kitchen (Clapham) is a casual vegan diner that is also plastic-free. Run on green energy, it delivers in electric vehicles and offers live jazz music every Sunday. Food includes everything from mac and cheese and burgers, to hot dogs, fries and shakes.
- Black Cat Cafe (Hackney) is another little gem. Proud to be indie in a sea of coffee chains, the food here is good solid affordable nosh – like NY bagel-style cream cheese and lox, deli sandwiches with seitan turkey or chickpea tuna, burritos and a rotating soup menu.
- Holy Carrot is a vegan restaurant in swanky Knightsbridge. Open seven days a week, it focuses on ethically-sourced seasonal produce, prepared in a mindful manner. The menu includes a plant-based ‘seafood platter’ and vegan crab cakes, along with Sunday Brunch and delicious desserts like caramel sponge cake and Sicilian lemon tart. You can even enjoy a vegan afternoon tea!
- The Spread Eagle is London’s first vegan pub, and is also zero waste. The seasonal menu includes free foraged foods and the meals replicate pub classics and British desserts. Popular on the menu is the East End classic pie & mash, plus there is a Ploughman’s Board and sticky toffee pudding for afters. Served with 14 draught vegan beers, small batch wines and a tequila sour (using aquafaba ‘vegan meringue’ made from the leftover brine water from canned chickpeas!)
Vegan Burgers in London
Neat Burger was co-founded by racing driver Lewis Hamilton, and uses sustainable proteins like peas, corn, rice, quinoa and chickpeas to produce naturally coloured burgers flavourd with a secret spice blend. The menu includes a range of burgers, Neat Dogs, salad bowls, fries, nuggets, nachos and shakes. All packaging and cutlery is made from compostable sugar cane and cornstarch. The entire menu is climate-labelled, so you can see the positive impact and . Find branches at Oxford Circus, Finsbury Park, Soho, Camden and Westfield Stratford.
Unity Diner (Spitalfields) is a non-profit founded by campaigner Earthling Ed, using profits to help fund Surge Sanctuary, which rescues barnyard friends from abattoirs. The menu includes burgers, beer-battered ‘tofish & chips’, plus plant-based versions of calamari, pork steak, southern-fried drumsticks, fries, donuts and waffles. Nearest tube stations are Aldgate East (4 minute walk) and Liverpool Street (8 minute walk), with all cups, containers and straws biodegradable (staff uniforms are ethically made with organic cotton and eco inks).
The Vurger Co (Shoreditch & Canary Wharf) is working with top Welsh chef Gaz Oakley now developing recipes, cooked in rapeseed oil (collected and turned into biofuel – all waste is also composted). The menu includes a wide range of burgers (with vegan cheese), fries, salad bowls and creamy shakes. Burgers are gluten-free but ask for gluten-free buns, if needed. The company’s cookbook The Vurger At Home has 80 recipes (including ‘the perfect burger’ and homemade shakes).
Meet a London (vegan) Butcher!
Rudy’s Vegan Diner is one of England’s first vegan butchers! Located in Islington and Selfridges Food Hall, you can also order these meat-free burgers and giant seitan hot dogs to your door. You’ll also find pastrami-packed Reuben’s sandwiches and dairy-free milkshakes. Keep fake meats away from pets, due to toxic ingredients.
A Luxury Vegan London Cakery!
Rubys of London offers gourmet cakes, cupcakes, doughnuts and more, all made with wholesome ingredients and delivered fresh across the city. In beautiful colours, these are expensive but good enough for weddings.
