Recent figures estimate that 3.5 million people in the UK now identify as vegan and with one-third of Brits trying to cut down on meat too, there is a clear shift towards plant-based eating. January has been dubbed ‘Veganuary’ by a charity inspiring people to try veganism for the month, and with more options than ever in terms of eating out, there’s never been a better time to give it a try...
1. The Meet
15-16 Lendal Terrace, Clapham, London SW4 7UX
London’s latest vegan hotspot is The Meet in Clapham, which is using all the latest meat-free alternatives alongside herbs and spices to transform familiar meaty dishes into unexpected vegan comfort food, such as What a Mess – a black bean, plantain and jackfruit chilli served with chips and vegan cheese, topped with vegan labneh and salsa. There are entirely plant-based cocktails on offer too, such as an Amaretto Sour made using Ms Better’s Miraculous Foamer, which provides the creaminess of egg white without the egg.
2. BabaBoom
Battersea Rise, Clapham
Nearby in Battersea, London’s coolest kebab makers, BabaBoom now offer vegan versions of its coal-fired cauliflower and broad bean falafel kebabs and they truly are to die for! They're passionate about food and they know how to cook it - you won't regret eating here!
3. The Cinnamon Kitchen
4 Arches Lane, Battersea Power Station, SW11 8AB
Whilst Battersea Power Station’s contemporary Indian hotspot, The Cinnamon Kitchen has a four-course vegan tasting menu. So, if you're looking for vegan Indian cuisine that's truly delicious then you should look no further. The venue is jaw-dropping and there's even an open kitchen.
4. Amrutha Lounge
326 Garratt Ln, London SW18 4EJ
In Wandsworth, the friendly Amrutha Lounge cooks up what it describes as ‘vegan soul food’ lovingly prepared on the premises every day. Tuck into kale salad, crispy pakoras and ‘tofish’ (a vegan alternative to fish) in a sesame seed batter with fresh herbs, peanut satay sauce and sweet chilli.
5. The Wicked Vegan
14 Hildreth St, Balham, London SW12 9RQ
Over in Balham, The Wicked Vegan has a mouthwatering selection of vegan ‘junk food’ – we’re talking burgers, wraps and shakes all made from scratch and specials such as deep-fried jackfruit wings and vegan mac and cheese.
6. The Retreat Kitchen
16 Hill Rise, Richmond TW10 6UA
Richmond Hill is something of a vegan destination these days; cosy café The Retreat Kitchen offers an entirely plant-powered menu and is great for breakfast – try the egg-free chickpea omelette or vegan sausage sandwich. Further up the hill is stylish yoga retreat bhuti and its entirely vegan café; its delicious ‘bhuti bowls’ are filled with the likes of curried cauliflower, miso-glazed mushroom and even ‘bacon’ bits, which are in fact coconut flakes baked with salt and spices to produce a flavour and consistency that’s remarkably like the real thing.
7. Tide Tables
2 The Arches, Richmond TW9 1TH
The popular Tide Tables under Richmond Bridge, and nearby sister Hollyhock Café, are both strictly vegetarian and offer plenty of vegan choices too, including some very tempting cakes. Richmond’s Ivy Café also has a separate veggie menu featuring avocado and tomato cocktail and sweet potato Keralan curry, which both tick the vegan box.
8. Oliveira
469 Upper Richmond Rd W, London SW14 7PU
SW London’s newest vegetarian hotspot is Oliveira in Sheen, which boasts modern and creative vegan dishes such as jackfruit curry and grilled breadfruit skewers with peanut and chilli sauce and crispy zucchini fritters. Over in Barnes, The Bull’s Head pub has teamed up with local vegan kitchen Little Mouse to create a vegan menu, with dishes such as a smoked chipotle and black bean burger, and dark chocolate coconut tart for pud.
9. Hummingbird Bakery
3 The Quadrant, Richmond TW9 1BP
For a sweet treat to round off the day then Richmond’s Hummingbird Bakery now offers vegan versions of its trademark American-style cupcakes, or you can pop into to GAIL’s for a vegan chocolate muffin, washed down with vegan hot cocoa. It seems veganism has never tasted so good.
10. The Stable
12, 8 Kew Bridge Rd, Brentford TW8 0FJ
Think that veganism means pizza is out? Well, you can think again thanks to The Stable in Brentford which boasts four vegan pizzas to choose from, such as ‘The Good Life’, covered in roasted courgette, aubergine and red and yellow peppers with onion, vegan mozzarella, fresh basil and chilli flakes.
11. The Gate
51 Queen Caroline St, Hammersmith, London W6 9QL
The Gate in Hammersmith has been creating innovative vegan and vegetarian food since 1989 and its a la carte menu still features mouth-watering vegan dishes such as miso-glazed aubergine, crispy marinated tofu and red Thai curry. It also has a special Sunday roast menu, with the wild mushroom and tarragon roasted stuffed onion served with mash, spinach and lashings of Madeira sauce.
12. 222 Vegan Cuisine
222 North End Rd, Hammersmith, London W14 9NU
Nearby in West Kensington is 222 Vegan Cuisine where chef Ben and his team create their 100% vegan menu from scratch, with tempting dishes such as seitan stroganoff, made with cashew cream, mushrooms, caramelized onions and strips of seitan – a protein-rich chicken alternative made from wheat gluten.
13. Venn Street Market & Fat Gay Vegan
Every Saturday - Venn St, London SW4 0AT
Last year, popular vegan blogger Fat Gay Vegan teamed up with Clapham Common’s Venn Street Market, and there’s now a great selection of vegan street food and produce on offer every Saturday, from homemade vegan cheeses to delicious doughnuts and more.
14. Ms Cupcake
408 Coldharbour Ln, Brixton, London SW9 8LF
Finally, if you’re in need of a sweet (vegan) treat then you’ll find London’s first entirely vegan bakery Ms Cupcake in Brixton, or you can pop into to GAIL’s for a vegan chocolate muffin, washed down with vegan hot cocoa.
