This is a moment that I have been waiting for a while now. When I reached 6 years of veganism, I realised that I’m slowly approaching a decade. Every day that goes by brings me closer to that milestone. It’s a cool milestone, and I hope to reach it. Also, it’s not often that I meet vegans who have been doing it for so long, which says something!
Nonetheless, this week I celebrate 7 years of cruelty-free living. I look back in fondness at the time that has passed. In a nut shell – I’ve learned a lot! What’s also interesting is that I still learn something new every day. Whether it’s about nutrition, ethics, or the food system as a whole, the feeling of novelty never goes away. I feel this when I try new vegan foods, or a place to eat, which is the idea of this article.
I moved to London two years ago, and I love living here. London is cosmopolitan, and quite frankly, a foodie’s heaven. Also, it’s also super vegan friendly, and I’ve experienced tons of gems that I want to share with you. To celebrate 7 years, I present this list of places that I highly recommend for everyone to try out!
Disclaimer
The order of places in this list does not indicate preference. In reality, I just thought of places that I really enjoy and think others might too. They combine different flavours, price points and cuisines.
Indian Veg
Although it’s not officially a vegan restaurant (vegetarian), I have to add it on the list. The reason it’s first is because I ate here when I arrived in London. Located on Chapel Market, Indian Veg has been around since 1985! Indian Veg is an all-you-can-eat Indian buffet with an ever-changing menu. It’s super affordable, and for the quality and portion sizes, I think it’s a steal.
It has a BYOB policy, and the staff are super friendly. The place gets busy sometimes, but the vibe is chill. Also, Indian Veg helps the local community by providing free warm meals to those in need.
Overall, I highly recommend coming here and checking it out.
Tofu Vegan
Tofu Vegan is one of those “must try” restaurants. Located in Angel, with branches in Golders Green and Spitafields, Tofu Vegan veganises classic Chinese dishes. Honestly, the taste of the food blew me away. I couldn’t find a picture on my phone but you have to believe me, the food is as advertised.
The only downside is that the portion sizes are small – considering the price. However, the menu is full of delicious dishes, so prepare yourselves to spend some time looking at it. Also, if you order rice, you can get free refills (don’t shoot the messenger if that’s not the case anymore!).
Overall, Tofu Vegan is a must in my opinion. I tried the Angel branch, but I’m sure the others are up there as well.
British Patagonia
British Patagonia is another place located in Angel (which is where I lived for 2 years). I learned about British Patagonia through my girlfriend, who is my personal food connoisseur. We tried a lot of places thanks to her so she deserves a shout out.
Anyways, British Patagonia is a café / bakery (not fully vegan) that offers artisanal pastry and speciality coffee. I’ve basically tried almost everything that they have, which says a lot.
They offer an assortment of savoury and sweet items. Recently they started making croissant stuffed ice cream, which are quite tasty. The owner (Matias) told me that the ice cream will be around till the end of September, so don’t miss it out!
Gauthier
I learned about Gauthier prior coming to London, and it was on my list for a while. So, last year on my 24th, it made sense to go there. Now, I think it’s not surprising that the name screams extravagance (such a French thing), and that’s exactly the case. Gauthier is a high-end culinary experience, located in Soho, in the heart of London.
We got the Dinner menu with a wine pairing. The waiters explained the dish to us and the wine that came along. I really enjoyed the storytelling, and how the dishes reflected seasonal ingredients and motifs. The food was very delicious. You pay for what you get, and what you get is art.
The highlight of the experience was eating a 3D printed lamb, which reminded me of Mansaf (Jordan’s national dish). It was a crazy experience because I couldn’t believe what I was tasting. It really tasted like lamb.
If you ever want to have a high-end plant-based dining experience, then Gauthier is a must!
Unity Diner
I mentioned Unity Diner in my previous blog, which you can check out here. I’ve gone to Unity Diner a few times now, and it’s a place that I enjoy going to. It’s quite reliable from a taste perspective, and I think the price point is fair.
Unity Diner is Earthling Ed’s and co project, to serve delicious and innovative vegan dishes. The restaurant’s profits helped open The Surge Sanctuary. Located near Spitafields, Unity Diner’s location is ideal for Londoners and visitors alike.
The menu is straightforward, and the food is delicious across all fronts, from starters to mains. Expect classics turned-vegan, like burgers, hot dogs, croquettes and much more.
Neat Burger
Neat Burger is a must. Honestly, I could eat there all the time if it was possible. In my opinion, Neat Burger is a truly vegan fast-food chain that serves quality food at affordable prices. I’ve tried different branches and I can confirm that the taste remains solid. Their menu is simple but varied. The stores are nice and well designed. And honestly, the taste doesn’t get much better than this.
Backed by Lewis Hamilton and Leonardo DiCaprio, Neat Burger is flying high. The chain has expanded impressively since launching in 2019, even arriving to New York and Dubai! So, if you ever come across a Neat Burger and you fancy a quick bite, then go for it!
Love Shack
I put Love Shack on the list to add variety – can’t let British Patagonia be the only café on here. Although I’ve tried different cafe restaurants in London, I really enjoyed the food at Love Shack. If you fancy a full English, then I’d highly recommend. I got their Patatas bravas too, and they were super tasty.
Located in Cambridge Heath, Love Shack has an ideal location, placing it in a very lively area. It’s also near Victoria Park, which is a plus. I like the design of the place – and let’s just say that it lives up to its name. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area!
Temple of Seitan
Temple of Seitan is a gem. I loved fried chicken before being vegan, so it was a no brainer to try Temple out. I think I might have tried almost everything on the menu (besides the wraps), so I’m confident with this pick. Temple of Seitan is very delicious. The flavours are consistent and bold, and the variety is generous.
Their burgers are also top notch, and every time I have them, I just can’t get enough. The Temple Delux is the one to look at out for, but honestly everything is tasty. My pro tip would be to try out different flavoured wings and sauces for maximum pleasure.
They have two locations, one in Camden and the other in Hackney. I only tried the Camden branch, so can’t say much about the other. But to sum things up, Temple of Seitan is a must for sure!
Jam Delish
Last but not least, I want to mention this gem of a restaurant to all you reading. I never had Caribbean food before Jam Delish, so I wasn’t sure what to except. Let me tell you that Jam Delish did not disappoint. As you can see from the picture below, we wanted to try everything!
The flavours were bold and prominent, and I was very happy with our orders. When we went, they were running their business out of a pub. Now they have their own store in Angel. Funny enough, I could see it from my bedroom window.
Regardless, this place is a must and I look forward to the next visit. Make sure to try everything if you can!
Wrap up
I hope this little list has made you to want to go try these places out. I think they’re amazing for vegans, but also non-vegans alike. I’m very happy and grateful to live a city that offers such plant-based goodness.
There are other places that I recommend like Vegan Yes, Dauns and Itadakizen, which I can write about in a future instalment. Nevertheless, the options in London are endless. I know there’s a lot more to try, so I’m looking forward to going far and wide in this big city to explore what’s out there!
What are some of your recommendations? Do let me know!
Anis