If you have some sort of special dietary requirement, you will already be an expert at examining menus with due diligence. Those who choose to eat a vegan diet will know this all too well, never knowing if food is only vegetarian and having limited options in what they can eat in restaurants.
It’s particularly refreshing when a restaurant makes the bold decision to go completely vegan, ensuring meat-free dining is both simple and unquestionably delicious. London is the perfect place for vegans and has even been awarded the most vegan-friendly city for the fourth year in a row.
Here’s our list of the top vegan restaurants in London, which will make you want to book a train to London Kings Cross station for a weekend there in no time.
Tofu Vegan
Tofu Vegan has been the talk of the town recently, having been mentioned on social media and visited by a number of food bloggers. The whole menu is plant-based and inspired by flavours from Chinese cuisine. Here, you’ll experience an amalgamation of sweet, spicy and savoury that will leave your tastebuds feeling satisfied.
Even the carnivores of your friendship group will devour the food unaware of the lack of meat – we recommend the twice-cooked ‘fish’, with its incredibly crisp batter and umami taste.
Mallow
Being surrounded by butchers and steakhouses would usually scare off any potential vegan businesses, but not this one. Borough Market’s first plant-based restaurant is influenced by Middle Eastern, Japanese and Indian cuisine, and is dedicated to producing low-waste dishes.
From the suppliers they work with to the ingredients used, Mallow champions a conscious perspective of cooking and has paved the way towards a better future. The leftover food is also given to charities and food banks in the local area.
Gauthier
For those wanting a fine-dining experience with vegan food, Gauthier is the perfect place. Created by Michelin-starred French chef Alexis Gauthier, the restaurant wasn’t a surprise when the critically-acclaimed chef turned vegan in 2018.
The eight-course ‘Grand Dîner’ tasting menu here has been a success with diners of all dietary requirements and has made headlines with its Faux Gras jar, made from mushrooms, shallots, lentils and walnuts.
Lele’s
Not all plant-based establishments advertise the fact that they follow a strict vegan regime. It’s sometimes refreshing when a place simply provides a cosy backdrop to eat some delicious and cruelty-free food, such as Lele’s.
The cosy café is home to a small daytime menu of sandwiches and brunch classics, including a full English with a dose of spicy kale. What’s even better is their evening menu, which is designed by Italian founder Valentina, who uses her expertise and heritage to create delicious and vegan Italian food. You must try their carbonara with tofu pancetta or the caponata. Essentially, this is a great place to eat without even releasing it’s vegan!
