Meat is out, plant power is in. At least, that’s what some of London’s coolest restaurants are starting to suggest. If you’d taken a trip to London a decade ago, you likely would have found a few vegan options for a passable lunch or a mediocre dinner, but you would have struggled to find a wide range of great dishes.
Nowadays, the scene is entirely different: as well as its classic hits like Buckingham Palace and Kew Gardens, London has firmly made a name for itself as a vegan dining hotspot.
In true London form, the capital city wasn’t prepared to stop at simply adding a few vegan-ified favourites to its standard menus.
Spanning Soho to Shoreditch to Southwark, a growing number of incredible vegan brunches, sustainable afternoon teas, organic patisseries and more are filling the stomachs of London’s plant-loving population.
London’s vegan scene has something for everyone: from the staunch meat eaters who can now feast upon plant-based pizzas, through to the Michelin-starred set menus and the animal-product-free mouthwatering desserts.
12 Best vegan restaurants in London
| # | Name | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mildred’s | Best overall |
| 2 | Farmacy | Best value |
| 3 | Cafe Van Gogh | Best sustainable |
| 4 | Stem & Glory | Best crowd pleaser |
| 5 | The Gate | Best seasonal menu |
| 6 | Gauthier Soho | Best fine dining |
| 7 | Manna | Best organic |
| 8 | Itadaki Zen | Best Japanese |
| 9 | Purezza | Best pizza |
| 10 | 222 Vegan | Best varied |
| 11 | Cafe Forty One | Best afternoon tea |
| 12 | Pied à Terre | Best Michelin star |
Mildred’s: Best overall vegan restaurant in London
Mildred’s was serving vegan food long before the rest of London caught on with the trend and, as the city’s number of vegan restaurants continues to grow, Mildred’s remains at the forefront with a range of unbeatably delicious dishes. Perfectly hitting the midpoint between comfort and style, Mildred’s is unpretentious and welcoming, promising good food that arrives in large portions with a colourful variety of ingredients.
There’s no cuisine-based discrimination here, which makes choosing between Korean fried chicken, apricot harissa and hummus, and tamarind pad Thai something of a challenge. That’s a challenge that becomes even harder when you realise that Mildred’s categorically doesn’t offer anything less than spectacular on the menu. And Mildred’s long history in the capital means it’s had plenty of time to spread its wings. If you’re feeling peckish, you’ll find branches in Soho, Camden, King’s Cross and Dalston.
Address: 45 Lexington St, Soho, London W1F 9AN Opening days and hours: Daily, 11am - 10pm Price range $$ Website: www.mildreds.co.uk
Farmacy: Best value vegan restaurant in London
Notting Hill’s Farmacy takes any remaining notion of ‘boring’ vegan food and transforms it with a variety of innovative dishes that’ll please everyone. Combining west London charm with a menu that’s entirely sustainably sourced, Farmacy is almost always bustling with life from those popping by for a quick brunch right through to latecomers enjoying classic favourites like lasagne, curries and burgers.
While some of London’s vegan restaurants focus entirely on healthy dishes and others go all out with vegan-ified junk food, Farmacy sits right in the middle. It’s a crowd pleaser of a restaurant where you can dig into mac and cheese, mezze bowls and deliciously moreish desserts without even realising your food is entirely plant based. ‘Farmaceutical’ teas and caffeine-boosting coffees ensure you’re suitably hydrated no matter what time your food arrives.
Address: 74-76 Westbourne Grove, London W2 5SH Opening days and hours: Daily, 12pm - 9pm Price range $$ Website: www.farmacylondon.com
Cafe Van Gogh: Best sustainable vegan restaurant in London
Vegan comfort food doesn’t always come in the form of huge, dripping burgers and endless piles of golden fries. Sometimes it comes in the form of Brixton’s Cafe Van Gogh; a not-for-profit vegan restaurant with a warm atmosphere and dishes that are certifiably good for the soul. This is a place that makes you feel good on the inside, not just from the incredible dishes you’re enjoying but also for the social good that Cafe Van Gogh seamlessly streamlines into every area of business.
This restaurant strives to be zero waste, refuses to use single use plastic and composts all of its coffee cups and takeaway containers. Which is good to hear, as those takeaway boxes start to mount up once you’ve realised almost everything on the menu needs trying. Saturday brunch is an especially popular time for Cafe Van Gogh, where you’ll find Londoners coming together to enjoy blueberry pancakes, scrambled tofu and the famous Full English — vegan style.
Address: 88 Brixton Rd, Vassal, London SW9 6BE Opening days and hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 4pm, 5pm - 9pm, Sunday 12pm - 4pm Price range $ Website: www.cafevangogh.co.uk
Stem & Glory: Best crowd-pleaser vegan restaurant in London
If there’s one thing Stem & Glory is known for, it’s texture. This comes beautifully in silky smooth baba ganoush, crispy, rosemary-dusted roast potatoes and fresh, crunchy crudités that bite with a satisfying snap. Stem & Glory is the result of not one but two successful Crowdfunding missions: both designed to promote the idea of simultaneously delicious and healthy meals that are entirely plant-based.
The best meals here are enjoyed sitting outside on the terrace, eyeing up the plates around you as you struggle to choose just one. Whatever you decide, it’s important to leave room for dessert. A range of Instagram-worthy dishes will have your mouth watering while you’re still waiting for your main course to arrive. The stars of the show here are known best as raspberry cheesecake or chocolate and hazelnut torte. Choose one and prepare to stare enviously across the room when you see someone ordering the other.
Address: 60 Bartholomew Cl, Barbican, London EC1A 7BF Opening days and hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 12pm - 10pm Price range $$ Website: www.stemandglory.uk
The Gate: Best seasonal vegan restaurant in London
Presentation is key at The Gate, one of London’s oldest vegan restaurants that’s been serving up veggie-friendly dishes since 1989. The Gate relishes in the fact that we eat with our eyes before our taste buds. Delicate and chic while remaining moreish, tasty and filling, The Gate gently incorporates fine dining techniques with an entire menu that’s free from meat and fish.
The menu changes here throughout the year, making best use of seasonal favourites that combine old classics with a modernised twist. Dishes like Avocado and Beetroot Tartare and Shimeji Mushroom Ceviche effortlessly replace the need for seafood using techniques that elevate flavours far beyond anything traditionally on a vegan menu. Those wanting to step it up a notch can sample the Prosecco Menu or can work their way through the extensive wine list.
Address: 87 Allitsen Rd, St John's Wood, London NW8 7AS Opening days and hours: Daily, 11am - 9:30pm Price range $$$ Website: www.thegaterestaurants.com
Gauthier Soho: Best vegan fine dining restaurant in London
Gauthier is tucked away in a charming Georgian townhouse in an oasis away from the hustle and bustle of traditional Soho. This suave French restaurant is a top hit for the capital city’s vegans and those looking for a premium plant-based menu. Previously catering for omnivores too, Gauthier has recently become 100% vegan and offers a stunning, Michelin starred menu that you’ll admire before food even comes your way.
Unlike some restaurants where vegan offerings pale into comparison to their meat or fish-based siblings, the vegan menu at Gauthier Soho leaves no room for comparison. Faux Gras and Carrot Tartar will easily fool you into second guessing the ingredients of your meal. Further down the menu, treats like Autumn Truffle Tortellini and Plum Opaline will have you considering why a meat-based dish is even really necessary in modern times. And, all of this is enjoyed surrounded by beautiful, minimalistic decor and chic ambiance.
Address: 21 Romilly St, Soho, London W1D 5AF Opening days and hours: Friday - Saturday 12 - 2:30pm, Thursday - Saturday 5 - 10pm Price range $$$$ Website: www.gauthiersoho.co.uk
Manna: Best organic vegan restaurant in London
Manna originally launched as London’s first vegetarian restaurant, before making the change to an entirely plant based menu in recent years. Its vegetarian roots primed Manna as a top spot for Londoners seeking a meat and fish-free dinner, and its head start pushed it into the forefront of the city’s vegan scene. And that’s where it’s stayed ever since. Manna perfectly fuses the gap between comforting, hearty meals and those that patiently wait for a series of carefully curated Instagram snaps.
The food spans almost the entire globe, from Indonesian satay to Mexican jackfruit taquitos and rainbow salads. Gentle lighting, a soft atmosphere and ingredients reminiscent of your favourite homemade dishes ensure Manna is always busy. It’s also a brilliant spot for those with other dietary requirements, with gluten free breads and focaccia and a choose-your-own-dish selection for any specific needs.
Address: 4 Erskine Rd, Primrose Hill, London NW3 3AJ Opening days and hours: Tuesday - Friday 6:30 - 10:30pm, Saturday & Sunday 12pm - 11pm Price range $$$ Website: www.mannalondon.co.uk
Itadaki Zen: Best Japanese vegan restaurant in London
You might typically associate Japanese food with sushi, fish sauce and any other seafood-based ingredients but Itadaki Zen does things a little differently. Expect all of the flavours of typical Japanese dishes with none of the animal products: Itadaki Zen is authentic from start to finish with the small exception of its plant-based focus. Fresh ingredients are key here and come in ever-changing colours and styles.
A special “veg of the day” inspires a range of new dishes, which are served up in hearty portions that you’ll struggle to finish. One of the many delights at Itadaki Zen is this notion of surprise: as well as developing firm favourites, there’s also the chance to discover new ways of cooking with mushrooms, garlic, miso and a huge range of sauces. Bring the sushi lover in your life and prepare to walk out, transformed, after discovering that some of the best sushi you’ve eaten is in fact fish-free.
Address: 139 King's Cross Rd, London WC1X 9BJ Opening days and hours: Tuesday - Saturday 6 - 10pm Price range $$ Website: www.itadakizen-uk.com
Purezza: Best vegan pizza restaurant in London
The uninitiated will assume that any good pizza must come with dairy cheese. Purezza begs to differ. The original vegan and plant-based pizza restaurant with branches starting to pop up all over England, Purezza’s hearty atmosphere, ingenious toppings and unforgettable pizza result in a gloriously cheerful evening.
A quick look at Purezza’s pizzas and you’ll spy nothing out of the ordinary. A closer look, a couple of bites of oozing cheese, slightly blackened crust and colourful toppings, and you’ll be none the wiser about each pizza’s ingredient makeup. This restaurant prides itself on its variety of fake-meat-so-realistic-you’ll-question-it toppings, from pulled BBQ pieces to meat-free nduja and shaved seitan. Sides like dough balls with stringy melted cheese and garlic bread add the finishing touch to a plant-based, sustainably sourced carb feast.
Address: 45-47 Parkway, Camden Town, London NW1 7PN Opening days and hours: Daily, 12pm - 10pm (11pm on Saturdays) Price range $$ Website: www.purezza.co.uk
222 Vegan: Best varied vegan restaurant in London
222 Vegan is without a doubt the underdog in London’s vegan restaurant scene. This understated, unassuming spot is hidden away in West Brompton, serving up a range of artistically prepared dishes for those who brave the journey to the west. But taking that journey is more than justified, once you’ve sampled the rich flavours and interesting textures on the menu.
Despite sitting further away from London’s usual crowd, 222 Vegan books up quickly with those who visited once and quickly became big fans of everything available here. Some of this never-ending love comes from the restaurant’s cosy atmosphere: those who’ve eaten a handful of times know of Ben, the owner, and his team, on a first name basis. The same familiarity extends to the kitchen, which uses fresh, natural ingredients and techniques that preserve nutritional value. Everything here is low-fat, low-salt, non-GM and organic where possible. It’s also incredibly tasty.
Address: 222 North End Rd, West Kensington, London W14 9NU Opening days and hours: Daily, 12pm - 3:30pm, 5:30 - 10:30pm Price range: $ Website: www.222vegan.com
Cafe Forty One: Best vegan restaurant in London for afternoon tea
Cafe Forty One is London’s only plant based hotel restaurant and is famous for its incredible vegan desserts. Say goodbye to fruit platters and half-hearted biscuits because Cafe Forty One confidently puts all of that to bed with flower-adorned final courses that make use of ingredients like coconut cream, homemade Nutella and spice-tea infusions to ensure all of the flavour and none of the animal ingredients.
Those desserts are just part of the offerings available at Cafe Forty One’s afternoon tea. Here, you can dig into any number of plant-based pastries, mini sandwiches and other afternoon tea favourites on an entirely vegan menu. Coronation jackfruit, tofu mayo and cream cheese replace traditional afternoon tea staples with vegan-friendly options that are just as delicious. Cafe Forty One is an alcohol-free restaurant but serves a huge range of mocktails, Seedlip gins, kombuchas and artisan soft drinks.
Address: 41, 51 Inverness Terrace, Bayswater, London W2 3JN Opening days and hours: Daily, 7am - 5pm Price range: $$$ Website: www.lasuitewest.com
Pied à Terre: Best vegan Michelin-star restaurant in London
Wave goodbye to the notion that Michelin-starred dining is reserved only for omnivores. Pied à Terre, in London’s Fitzrovia, promises not only some of the finest vegan food you’ve ever eaten, but also some of the best food you’ve ever eaten — full stop. The Vegan Feast here is a menu that you’ll savour in your memories long after you’ve finished savouring each course.
Its colourful dishes, iconic mastery and glamorous atmosphere make it more than worthy of its two Michelin stars and its long list of awards adds an extra layer of reassurance to the meat eater who would never usually branch out with a purely plant-based feast. Pied à Terre fuses French dining with a dash of Greek culture, bringing in a hunter-gatherer approach that ties the whole thing together into an experience that you’ll struggle to find elsewhere. Recently awarded the “Number 1 Vegan tasting experience in the UK“, it’s an unmissable spot for vegans and omnivores alike.
Address: 34 Charlotte St, London W1T 2NH Opening days and hours: Wednesday - Saturday, 12pm - 8:30pm Price range: $$$$ Website: https://www.pied-a-terre.co.uk
Frequently asked questions about the best vegan restaurants in London
Some of the best vegan restaurants in London are Stem & Glory, Gauthier Soho and Mildred’s. Our full guide details all of the best vegan restaurants in the British capital city.
London is home to incredible Michelin star vegan restaurants like Gauthier Soho and Pied à Terre. Check out our full guide to read the best vegan restaurants in London.
London is very vegan friendly and you’ll find a range of plant-based dishes throughout the capital. Read our guide to discover the best vegan restaurants in London.
Tesco is widely regarded as the best supermarket in the UK for vegan food.
