The Mexican bowl is one of Farmacy's standout dishes © Farmacy
Londoners and tourists alike are spoilt for choice when it comes to food in the capital, and plant-based dining is no exception. Vegan-friendly restaurants in London are plentiful, and whether you’re in the mood for an indulgent burger, dinner on a budget, something to celebrate a special occasion or world-food fusion, look no further. Here’s a list of 11 top vegan-friendly restaurants in London that will satisfy your plant-based palette. Bon appétit!
Farmacy, Notting Hill
Farmacy offers a varied menu that will hit the spot whether you’re after breakfast, lunch or dinner. This modern restaurant is decked out with white walls, a stylish bar in the centre of the room, and an array of leafy plants. The menu is inspired by cuisines from around the globe: main-course staples include the chef’s curry, pad Thai and a Mexican bowl that's delicioso, while fab brunch options range from avocado toast and pancakes to decadent waffles and healthy juices. If you're after something more inventive, go for the artichoke pizza or truffled mac and 'cheese', both of which are great for sharing.
atis, Old Street
This modern outfit on bustling Old Street is the perfect place to pop in to for a moment of serenity while you pick up a vibrant salad bowl, bursting with flavour and goodness. Choose from the extensive, seasonal menu or make your own salad bowl, picking and choosing from the very long salad bar at atis. Complement your meal with a tumeric latte, or a kombucha – which they have on tap! The open kitchen means you can watch the chefs at work while you wait, as well as get a delicious waft of whatever's being cooked up. We highly recommend the 'habibi tahini' bowl.
Redemption Bar, Shoreditch
Redemption Bar proves that sugar-free and alcohol-free don’t mean boring. The daytime menu features tasty brunch and lunch options, and fantastic smoothies (if salted caramel is your thing, go for the caramel crack shake). There are fewer options for dinner, though each dish packs a delicious punch, and you'll be amazed by how far the jackfruit tacos resemble pulled pork. The restaurant itself has a modern, stylish vibe; look out for the angel wings painted on the side of the building, offering a perfect photo op. Redemption has other locations including Covent Garden and Notting Hill.
Wild Food Cafe, Covent Garden
Wild Food Cafe has a down-to-earth vibe, with long wooden tables, pale pink walls and exposed bricks painted white. It’s a canteen-style restaurant with an open kitchen, making it casual and friendly. The dishes are as fun as the decor, with extra effort expended on presentation: each plate is pure eye candy, from the raw pizzas to the vegan burger with a lime green bun. If you’re looking for brunch there’s a separate weekend menu, and they’ve recently opened a second restaurant in Islington.
Mildreds, Soho
In an 18th-century townhouse in the heart of Soho, Mildreds ticks all the boxes: great location, comfy environment and most importantly, really good food. It’s surprisingly airy thanks to a skylight at the back of the long, narrow dining room, while quirky pictures line the cream walls. Sit back with a vegan cocktail and soak up the buzz. The exciting menu experiments with world flavours, from jerk tofu with coconut rice and mango slaw to mushroom and ale pie with mushy peas and fries. Another option is to order a couple of the delicious starters and share. Other locations include Camden, Kings Cross and Dalston.
Miranda Cafe, Crouch End
Our list of the best vegan-friendly restaurants in London takes us to Miranda Cafe, a comfortable spot with high ceilings, wooden floorboards and exposed brick walls. The copper pipe lighting that runs along the ceiling brings warmth to the atmosphere, as do the lush, leafy plants that are dotted about the place. The staff are super-friendly, serving great food whatever the time of day: the brunch pancakes are insanely good, while lunch and dinner options include burgers, hearty salads and a good selection of mains. The vegan hot dog served with roast potatoes is a standout.
The Waiting Room Coffee Bar, Deptford
Venture to the vibrant neighbourhood of Deptford to enjoy the vegan spoils of The Waiting Room, a down-to-earth coffee shop with rustic wooden decor, artfully arrayed with old-fashioned pictures and quirky trinkets. Don’t let its low-key vibe fool you: their vegan brekkie and lunch options mean business, as does the coffee. The cosy atmosphere is complemented by friendly service, and hearty vegan bagels and hot dogs that are delicious and reasonably priced. Deptford has turned into a vegan hub and nearby The Full Nelson and Hullabaloo are also great vegan options.
The Gate, Angel
The Gate is an elegant spot that’s perfect for those seeking a more fine-dining experience, with high ceilings and an inviting open fire. Before you know it, you’ll be relaxing into the tasteful atmosphere with a glass of vegan wine (or champagne, if you like bubbles), before tucking into inventive dishes served with second-to-none presentation. The artichoke terrine is a solid starter choice and the aubergine teriyaki a favourite main, though it's hard to go wrong with any choices here. The desserts are excellent too: the peanut butter brownie with vanilla ice cream is a particular high point. Other locations include St Johns Wood, Marylebone and Hammersmith.
Wulf and Lamb, Chelsea
Fittingly located in upmarket Chelsea, Wulf & Lamb is a stylish venue, with large windows making for a chic yet bright and breezy atmosphere. Whether it’s glistening sunlight shining down on your hearty Tex Mex salad, or the sound of raindrops making your pulled jackfruit Wulf pie even more satisfying, this place always delivers. Special mention goes to the delectable sourdough pizzas, and if you’ve room for dessert look no further than the red velvet cake.
Tibits, West End
Tibits is an airy, modern restaurant with a buffet-style island in the middle of the room, serving up heavenly vegan and veggie food. There’s plenty to choose from, with a regularly changing menu of global favourites: highlights might include tofu au vin or a flavoursome Indian potato curry. A big plus is having the freedom to sample many different types of dishes. It’s ‘pay by weight’, so once you’ve loaded up your plate, have it weighed, pay and let the feast begin! Note that on Tuesdays, all the food options are vegan, and other days at least 80% of the choices are plant-based too. A second Tibits can be found Bankside.
Amrutha Lounge, Earlsfield
Looking for tasty food and generous portions? Small yet charming Amrutha Lounge in Earlsfield is a must-visit. Minimalist decor, wooden tables and a terra cotta tiled floor gives the place a relaxed Mediterranean vibe. Warm staff provide excellent service, guiding you through their plant-based menu. The £15 tasting menu option will bring a feast of delicious Asian curries, crunchy salads and spicy sauces, and they’ll top up your favourite dishes on request. It’s a BYOB so if you’re in the mood for a tipple, come prepared.
Vegan Nights, Brick Lane
Although our final entry isn’t a restaurant, it’s definitely worthy of a spot on the list. Vegan Nights describe themselves as a 'plant-based party': a ticketed event with a festival feel that takes place once a month on a Thursday. Featuring 40+ street food and dessert stalls paired with a lively line-up of DJs, it's the ideal event for anyone with an appetite to socialise over some delicious vegan grub. The sheer variety of vegan street food available is impressive, from enormous burgers, ‘chicken’ wings that even have a false bone in the middle, to arancini balls, Thai classics and a lot more.
London's other vegan highlights
With such an abundance of good-quality vegan-friendly restaurants in London, there are plenty of other spots that are also worthy of recognition.
British bakery chain Greggs caused a storm when they launched their vegan sausage roll in January 2019, coinciding with Veganuary, a yearly event that encourages people to go plant-based for one month. And in January 2020 they launched a vegan steak bake. If you are in the mood for quick and dirty vegan-friendly food, give it a go: they're actually really good!
On the topic of bakeries, Ms Cupcake in Brixton is definitely worth shouting about. It’s a quirky, independent vegan bakery offering mouth-watering cupcakes, amongst other sweet treats.
This article was published June 2019, last updated January 2020.
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