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21 best vegan restaurants in London, according to our plant-based foodies
London is one of the best places in the world for vegan restaurants. Despite some stalwarts of the scene having recently shuttered (RIP Café Van Gogh, you will be missed), almost everywhere in town – from McDonald’s to The Ivy – will serve hungry meat-avoiders a plant-based dish. But you know that we can do better than that.
Increasingly, options aimed at groups with mixed dietary requirements are popping up – cool, grown-up restaurants where the fact that the menus cater to veggies or vegans is standard. These spots, best represented by London-born chains Bubala, Hoppers and Dishoom, are opting to pass on the hemp-based interiors in favour of a more modern, convivial vibe.
Fine-dining-wise, Guathier and Pied à Terre are old faithfuls for world-class meals in the capital, while upstart AngloThai has made the deliciousness of its vegan tasting menu a founding tenet of its philosophy. These spots are so good that anyone would wonder why we all had to suffer the indignity of unmarinated tofu for so long.
There are, of course, plenty of vaunted establishments that haven’t quite made our shortlist. Those who love a fakeaway are still well-served by the city’s most casual eateries (a nod here to King Cook Daily, Temple of Seitan and The Waiting Room), while the die-hard sandal-wearing, lentil-loving crowd will love London’s laidback vegan cafés (take a bow, Black Cat and Eat of Eden). But below, we’ve rounded up the funnest and most foodie-friendly plant-based dining experiences in the city, so anyone, vegan or otherwise, can enjoy a delectable meal.
What’s the difference between a plant-based and vegan diet?
Vegans eliminate all animal products, including meat, dairy and even honey. By contrast, a plant-based diet implies a focus on consuming whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains and seeds. The phrase “plant based” is normally used by restaurants to indicate that all of the ingredients in their food may not be certified as vegan but do not include any animal products – for instance, some items may be processed with animal products, but not contain any.
How many vegan restaurants are there in London?
In 2022, London was crowned the most vegan-friendly city in the world with a whopping 400 vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants across the capital – so, despite some much-loved spots closing since then, it’s still safe to say you’re spoiled for choice around here.
What are vegan-friendly restaurants?
This is when the restaurant caters to vegans while also serving meat- or dairy-based dishes, whether through a separate menu or a mark on the main menu.
Are there any Michelin-star vegan restaurants in London?
Yes. Plates in Shoreditch is the only entirely plant based restaurant in London to currently have a star. Pied à Terre and AngloThai are not entirely vegan but both have impressive vegan menus and stars. Gauthier previously held a star and is still an amazing fine dining restaurant. We go into more detail about some of these restaurants below.
