Where to Eat.... the best vegetarian and vegan cafes and restaurants in London ..... Last updated21st January 2012
Although there are over 100 vegetarian restaurants and cafes in the London area, we list below those that cater well for vegans and where you can get great vegan food.
Extensive details and reviews of vegetarian cafes and restaurants in London and elsewhere in the world can be found at HappyCow.net
This sign denotes that all the food served in the cafe or
restaurant is vegan, but they may serve cows milk for hot drinks. Those entries with a green background are 100% vegan. (NB The cheap Chinese/Thai buffets have no longer been designated as vegan since they became independent and we have not been able to verify if all the food is vegan)
VANTRA
11-13 Soho Street, London W1D 3DJ. Tel: 020-7287-6060
(tube: Tottenham Ct Rd) www.vantra.co.uk
Organic healthy vegan food; buffet, a la carte and takeaway
Open: Mon - Sat 12noon - 11pm, Sunday 12 - 8pm
Vegan organic restaurant with organic bar and cuisine. Area for hosting performers and events. Seats 90 . Eat in (buffet or a-la-carte) or takeaway. Also raw and living foods. Also Vespresso Bar and Cocktail Bar. Licenced (vegan wines)
VITAO
74 Wardour Street, Soho, London W1F
0TE. Tel: 020 7734 8986 (tube: Tottenham Ct Rd, Leicester
Square)
www.vitaorganic.co.uk
Organic
healthy vegan food;
Buffet & a la Carte;
juice bar;
separate raw menu
Monday - Saturday 12 am to 11 pm
Sunday 12 am to 9 pm
Sister restaurant to Vantra. Vegan restaurant. Buffet and a la carte. Prices start at about £5 going up to about £10
They also have a raw & living foods menu. Eat in or takeaway.
This is quite a small restaurant so not the place to stay for a few hours, but well worth visiting as it's really healthy food. 5% discount on production of your Viva! supporter card
BUFFET V
40 New Oxford Street
off Charing Cross Road, London WC1A 1EP Tel: . (tube: Holborn, Tottenham Ct Rd)
Vegan Buffet
Thai / Chinese /
One of a number of Chinese/Thai buffet restaurants in London offering cheap veg*n food Price about £6.50 plus 10% service or £3.50 for a takeout box.
TAO
40 Great Windmill Street, London
W1D 7LY. Tel: 020 7287 3730 (tube: Piccadilly Circus)
Buffet
Thai / Chinese
open daily
One of a number of Chinese/Thai buffet restaurants in London offering cheap veg*n food Price about £6.50 plus 10% service or £3.50 for a takeout box.
VEG
33 Old Compton Street, Soho, London W1D 5JU. Tel: 020 7734 1407 (tube: Tottenham Ct Rd, Leicester Square)
Buffet
Thai / Chinese
open daily
One of a number of Chinese/Thai buffet restaurants in London offering cheap veg*n food Price about £6.50 plus 10% service or £3.50 for a takeout box.
CAI CAFE
32 Goodge Street, London W1T 2QJ. Tel: 0207 6374819 (Tube : Goodge St)
Buffet
Thai / Chinese
open daily
One of a number of Chinese/Thai buffet restaurants in London offering cheap veg*n food Price about £6.50 plus 10% service or £3.50 for a takeout box.
SAGAR 17A Percy Street, off Tottenham Ct Rd, LondonW1T 1DU Tel:020 7631 3319 (Tube: Goodge Street, Tottenham Court Road) www.gosagar.com/
A branch of four vegetarian Indian restaurants in and around London. They have a separate vegan menu. A La carte. Good size portions. Massive dosas.
MAOZ FALAFEL
CAFE 43 Old Compton Street, London W1D
6HG.
Tel: 020 7851 1586 (tube: Leicester Sq; Tottenham
Ct. Rd.)
Falafel/
Salad
Open Mon-Fri 11am to 1am: Fri - Sat 11am - 2am: Sun 11am - 12midnight
Vegetarian cafe specialising in falafel. Falafel, plus help yourself salad bar, from about £3.00. We understand that all the falafel and salads are vegan apart from the coleslaw and the optional mayonnaise. Eat in or take away.
Check out the web page of the parent company : www.maozusa.com/
This small cafe/takeaway is located in the heart of Berwick Street , where there is a market most days. Food is served in cardboard cartons rather than on plates. Plenty for vegans (just ask the assistant which items aren't vegan!). Price of carton, containing a mixture of hot and cold dishes such as vegetable stir fry, curry, salads etc, is:Small £4.20 Medium £5.20 Large £6.20. Has some vegan cakes.
MILDREDS
45 Lexington Street, London W1F
9AN. Tel: 020 7494 1634 (tube: Oxford Circus; Tottenham
Court Rd.) www.mildreds.co.uk/
Salads/Burgers/
Hot Dishes
Open 12 noon till 11pm Monday to Saturday
A very popular vegetarian retaurant. They don't take bookings, so arrive early.
Many vegan dishes, which are clearly marked, including veggie burgers, salad, falafel, stir fries. Vegan desserts include double chocolate pudding and tofu cheesecake.
TIBITS
12 - 14 Heddon Street, London W1B 4DA Tel 020 7758 4110 (Tube: Piccadilly Circus) www.tibits.co.uk
Vegetarian Buffet
Vegan items clearly labeled (pay by weight )
Mon - Wed 09:00 am - 10:30 pm
Thurs - Sat 09:00 am - midnight
Sun 11:30 am - 09:00 pm
Located just off Regents Street, between Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus. Tibits offers a range of vegetarian and vegan salads and hot dishes. All items are labeled to indicate if vegan or contains dairy etc. They have at least one vegan dessert.
You pay according to the weight of your plate.
Very clean, nicely decorated restaurant. And the food tastes great. Large seating area downstairs and can sit outside in nice weather. The restaurant is a sister restaurant to the Hiltl restaurant in Switzerland, which is the oldest vegetarian restaurant in Europe..
ZILLI GREENCLOSED DOWN (temporarily?)
41 Dean Street,
London W1D 4PY Tel 020 7734 3924 (tube: Tottenham Court Rd; Leicester Sq) www.zillirestaurants.co.uk/green/
Gournet vegetarian food. Buffet lunch option. Fusion of Italian and other food from across the world.
Open 12 - 11pm Mon - Sat, from 1pm on Sundays
Gourmet vegetarian restaurant in the heart of London. The restaurant is owned by Aldo Zilli, who isn't yet vegetarian. The head chef at the restaurant is however vegan. Vegan items clearly marked on the menu. Very good selection of vegan mains and vegan desserts including vegan icecream and tofu cheesecake. The restaurant is very popular so suggest you book.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
31 Neal Street, Covent Garden, WC2H
9PR. Tel: 020 78369072.(tube: Covent Garden; Leicester
Square)
Salads
Hot dishes
Open daily til about 8pm
Small yet atmospheric long-established vegetarian cafe. The standard vegan meal is stir-fried vegetables on rice plus one or two other vegan mains.They have vegan scones and usually a vegan crumble for desserts. Vegan options are clearly marked. It's small so you may need to share a table with strangers! I enjoy the food here, but once you've eaten you really need to vacate your table due to shortage of space.
Indian /
Pizza /salad Beware - non-vegan ghee added to many items
Closed Sundays
Self service vegetarian cafe run by the Hari Krishna organisation. Indian buffet ( rice, dahl, salad and bean dish) . Salads. No egg, garlic or onions used. Sometimes have vegan fruit cake. Have been told by someone who used to work there that they add dairy ghee to many items including the rice so check with the manager
Central London ( Euston/ Bloomsbury/ Kings Cross areas)
London's first vegan Japanese restaurant and takeaway. A little on the pricey side. However if you're a Viva supporter you get 10% off entire menu. 20-30% off set menus for groups of five or more
Vegan shop selling all sorts of vegan things (inc shoes and cupcakes). Grab a coffee and a sandwich or a cake to eat there or takeaway.Seating area downstairs.
Short walk from Euston Station. Buffet lunchtimes, a-la-carte rest of time. Need to ask waiters which items have dairy. Good selection for vegans.
THE VEGETARIAN PARADISE
59 Marchmont Street, London WC1N 1AP Tel: 020 7278 6881 (tube: Russell Square)
Indian
Don't have opening times
Located opposite Alara Healthfood Shop. Bhel Poori House - lunchtime buffet £4.95. Evening a-la-carte.
Only been there twice at lunchtime. Buffet was very tasty and consisted of three curries (was told they are all vegan), dhal, rice , bhajis, salad, popadom, chutneys, plus naan bread.Was initially told that the naan bread was vegan, then when I double checked was told it had a little butter in it. They may not fully understand what "vegan" is!
ALARA Health Food Store 58-60 Marchmont Street, London, WC1N 1AB Tel: 020 78371172 (Tube: Russell Square)
Health food shop
with vegetarian takeaway
seating outside
Don't have opening times
Has a vegetarian takeaway and salad bar. Vegan items clearly marked. Outside seating only.
GLOBAL FUSION at Brunswick Shopping Centre Market Tel: 020 8252 4066 (tube: Russell Square) http://www.globalfusion.co.uk/
breads/fritters
Saturdays only
Market stall. Amazing vegan breads (such as banana bread and other fruit breads) as well as vegan vegetable fritters.
HEALTH FOOD CENTRE
11, Warren Street, London W1T 5LG. Tel: (020) 7387 9289 (Tube: Warren Street)
Health Food Store Sandwiches / Indian/ salad
small eating area outside
Open Mon-Sat til 6.30
Health food store with Indian food and salads to take away or eat outside. Also lots of veggie sandwiches
Central London (City and East End)
SAFrestaurant &bar
152-154 Curtain Road, Shoreditch London EC2A 3AT Tel: 020 7613 0007 (Tube: Old Street) www.safrestaurant.co.uk
Organic /Vegan /
Mostly Raw /Gourmet/
licenced
Coffee/Tea/Cakes starting at 10:00am - Lunch 12:00pm-3:30pm - Dinner 6:00pm-11:00pm - Bar food & drinks 12:00am - till late
Sundays for Veg. Roast 12:00pm-4:00pm - Dinner 6:00pm -11:00pm
Gourmet vegan & living foods restaurant and bar. A little pricey. Worth visiting
INDIAN VEGETARIAN BHELPOORI HOUSE
92-93 Chapel Market, N1 9EX. Tel 020 7837 4607 (tube: Angel)
Very Cheap & Tasty
Indian Buffet
Open daily
At about £4.50 for an all you can eat buffet, this must be the one of the cheapest vegetarian Indian meals in London.
We love the fact that it has brown rice as well as white, and that on the drinks menu there are non-dairy lassis (in three flavours) - mango is my favourite. If you're into cheap, tasty, vegan food then this is a great place to eat.
One word of warning - one of the curries/salads may contain milk or yoghurt (but not always) so check with the waiter. Also the green chutney contains dairy. Worth visiting
VEG
11 Islington High Street,
N1 9LQ Tel 0207833 9399 (tube: Angel)
Buffet
Thai / Chinese
Open daily
One of a number of Chinese/Thai veg*n buffet restaurants in London offering cheap food. Price about £6.50 plus 10% service or £3.50 for a takeout box. They have been found to use some non-vegan items in their dishes!
HOXTON BEACH FALAFEL - lunchtime market stalls
Whitecross Street Market, Islington, London EC1 Also at
Goodge Place, London W1T www.hoxtonbeach.com
Falafel
Mon-Fri only
Takeaway
CAMDEN TOWN & CHALK FARM
MANNA
4 Erskine Rd, Chalk Farm, London NW3 3AJ. Tel 020 7722 8028. (Tube: Chalk Farm) www.mannav.com
Possibly the oldest vegetarian restaurant in London. Vegan and organic wines and beers served. A popular restaurant, with excellent food nicely presented. Worth visiting
Chinese buffet and cakes plus juices and smoothies.
12 - 9pm Monday - Saturday
Small vegan cafe. In addition to the pay-what-you-like buffet there is vegan burger or vegan fish and chips and other items on the menu. Nice vegan cakes.
Monday to Thursday 10:00 - 22:00; Friday to Saturday 10:00 - 2:00 (late); Sunday 10:00 - 23:30
Vegan cafe in the heart of Camden Town, with lots of vegan and raw food choices. Wonderful cakes. Fantastic vegan icecream. Order from the counter and take a seat overlooking Camden Lock. Live music in evenings so can be noisy. Worth visiting
VEGCamden Town
6 Kentish Town Road, London NW1 9NX Tel 020 7284 4004 . (tube: Camden Town)
Buffet
Thai / Chinese
open daily
One of a group of Chinese/Thai buffet restaurants in London offering cheap veg*n food and lots of fake meats. Price about £6.50 plus 10% service or £3.50 for a takeout box
Vegetarian restaurant / bar with vegan choices which are clearly marked on the menu. Tapas style - ie chose from a number of small dishes eg houmous or Tex Mex dips. We very much recommend their tofu cheescake. Live music most nights They have a bar.
ALCHEMY Cafe & Juice Bar
Unit 101, Stables Market, Chalk Farm Rd., Camden, London NW1 8AH Tel: 0207 2676 188 (Tube: Camden Town, Chalk Farm) www.alchemycentre.co.uk
International
cafe and juice bar
currently (Jan 2011) only offering teas, cold drinks, and a selection of chilled snacks
FALAFEL QUEEN Camden Lock, West yard - near the boats, Camden Town, London NW1
(tube: Camden Town)
Falafel humus
and salad
If you fancy having a wander round Camden Market while eating a falafel and pitta and chips then visit Falafel Queen
HA HA VEGGIE BAR
Camden Lock Market, Chalk Farm Rd., Camden, London NW1(entrance opposite from Castleh. Rd) (Tube: Camden Town)
Falafel
and burgers
Open daily
Vegan falafels and veggie burgers. Small seating area inside
GOLDERS GREEN
TAO
20 - 22 Golders Green Road, London NW11
8LL Tel 07919 195050(tube: Golders Green)
Buffet
Thai / Chinese
Open Mon-Thu 12pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 12pm-10:30pm; Sun 12:30pm-10pm
One of a group of Chinese/Thai buffet restaurants in London offering cheap veg*n food and lots of fake meats. Price about £5.50 - £ 6.50 plus 10% service or £3.50 for a takeout box . Similar to other cheap Chinese/Thai buffets
TABOON
17 Russell Parade, Golders Green, London NW11 9NN. Tel: 020 8455 7451 (tube: Brent Cross)
Falafel
closed Saturdays
Kosher vegetarian cafe specialising in Falafel (in white or wholemeal pita) with help-yourself salad bar. The falafel is very good.
FINCHLEY
RANI
7 Long Lane, Finchley Central, London N3
2PR. Tel: 020 8349 4386.(tube: Finchley Central) www.rani.uk.com/
Indian A La Carte
& Buffet
Daily 6pm to Last Order 10pm.
Daily Buffet 6.30pm to 9pm Arrival.
(Buffet close 10pm)
Sunday Lunch Buffet 1pm to 2.30pm Arrival
(Buffet close 3.30pm)
Our favourite Indian Vegetarian Restaurant. Gujurati cooking. Comprehensive menu. Dairy and wheat free dishes clearly marked. No eggs are used at all. The food tastes great.
Choice of A la carte or buffet - our recommendation is go for the buffet. Perhaps the best bhel poori in London. The buffet changes daily and typically includes their bhel poori, three hot starters (eg samosas, pakooras), plain and savoury rice, bread (eg pooris or chapatis) and various curries and chutneys. The buffet also includes salad and sometimes a dessert (fruit salad and two other items). Prices vary - check website or call them for more details.
Excellent Chinese vegan restaurant. Buffet lunchtimes £5.95, including brown rice and noodles plus 10+ other dishes (curry, etc.)
Dinner a la carte - either a set meal from £14 per person or choose items from the extensive menu of 83 vegan items. Many items on menu contain tofu or soya immitation meats, eg soya prawns, soya duck etc. No MSG is used. Vegan desserts. Worth visiting
This has been recommended to us. South Indian cuisine. We are informed that they know what vegan food is.
EDGWARE
LOVING HUT (Formerly called Mr Man)
236 Station Road, Edgware, Middx HA8
7AU. Tel: 020 89053033.(tube: Edgware) www.vegmrman.com/
Buffet/A La Carte
Chinese
Mon, Wed, - Fri 12 noon - 2.30pm / 6.00pm -10.30.
Sat - Sun 12 noon - 3pm / 6.00pm -10.30.
Buffet every lunchtime apart from Tuesdays, and in evening Mon, Wed, Thursday. Closed Tuesdays
Vegan Chinese vegetarian restaurant. Inexpensive Vegan Buffet available lunchtimes £5.90 -£6.90) and some evenings. A-la carte menu also available in evenings with Chinese and Japanese menu (vegan sushi!) plus vegan burger and vegan fish & chips. Takeaway menu also offered. Buffet price: £5.90 - £6.90 per person. They also have an "all-you-can eat from the menu" in evenings for £12.99. Lovely food. Worth visiting
FINSBURY PARK
JAI KRISHNA
161 Stroud Green Road, N4
3PZ Tel: 020 7272 1680 (tube: Finsbury Park)
Indian
noon-10.30pm Mon-Thur, Sun; noon-11pm Fri, Sat.
vegetarian Indian food, very cheap and bring your own wine (small corkage charge).Main courses £4.90-£13. Set lunch £5.90
STOKE NEWINGTON
GLOBAL FUSION at Stoke Newington Farmers Market
St Paul's Church, Stoke Newington High Street N16 7UY Tel: 020 8252 4066 (tube: Dalston Kingsland; rail: Rectory Road) http://www.globalfusion.co.uk/
breads/fritters
Saturdays 10.00 - 2.30pm
Amazing vegan breads (such as banana bread and oth fruit breads) as well as vegetable fritters.
6:00pm to 11:30pm. Saturday Lunch 12:00pm to 3:00pm Dinner 6:00pm to 11:30pm Sunday Lunch 12:00pm to 3:00pm Dinner 6:00pm to 10:45pm
Indian vegetarian restaurant. Part of a chain, but other restaurants not vegetarian
BODEGA 50
Corner of Allen Road and Shakespeare Walk, Stoke Newington N16 Tel: xxx xxxx xxxx ( rail: Stoke Newington)
Vegetarian Coffee shop with vegan cakes, samdwiches and snacks
Hours TBA:
Newly opened. This has been recommended to us, but we haven't been there yet.
HARROW
YUMMY V
55 Station Road, Harrow HA1 2TY Tel: 020 8861 6632 (tube:Harrow on the Hill; Harrow and Wealdstone) www.yummyv.co.uk
Chinese
Tues - Sat: 12.30pm - 2.30pm
5.30pm - 10.30pm
Sun: 5 -10pm
Chinese vegetarian, seems to be mostly vegan
SAKONIS
5 / 8 Dominion Parade, Station Road, Harrow HA1
2TR Tel: 020 8863 3399 (tube: Harrow on the Hill)
www.sakonis.co.uk
Indian
Quite a lot of the food is vegan but you'll need to check with the waiter which items are vegan is as It's not clearly labelled. Not my favourite of the Indian Vegetarian restaurants but handy if you happen to be in Harrow
Rotis and wraps £3.50, sandwiches, rolls. Choose from vegan cheese, sausages, bacon, chick pea or veg fritters, roasted mixed veg, curried chick peas, curried veg, seasoned tofu and pumpkin, sprouted seeds and salad. Soup of the day £3-4. Organic raw veg and sprouted seeds platter £4.50.... and lots more
Very nice restaurant situated overlooking the Thames (sit downstairs for best views). Extensive range of dishes, 75% vegan. Booking advised to avoid disappointment. Vegan & Vegetarian Society members get a 10% discount
Brand new vegan restaurant in SouthEast London with lots of choices. Breakfast, lunch and dinner - and wonderful vegan cakes. The restaurant is small (more like a cafe) so booking recommended.
EAST DULWICH
INDIAN MISCHIEF 71 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich SE22 8EP
Tel: 020 8693 1627
Indian
TBA
Everything suitable for vegans is already marked on the menu (about 90%!). Vegan wines also marked.
NEW CROSS
NATURA @ Goldsmiths Students' Union First floor, Goldsmiths College Students Union, New Cross SE14 6NW
Tel: xxxxxxxxxx http://naturacafe.co.uk/
Vegetarian and vegan
9am to 6pm Mondays to Fridays
New veg*n cafe. Although it's at Goldsmiths College, we understand you don't have to be part of the college to eat here.
Coffee shop with sandwiches and cakes:: all food is vegan
Mon-Fri 7.30am - 5.30pm; Sat: 9am - 4.30pm
Sells vegan cakes and muffins etc from Manna Cakes , and offers sugar-free and gluten-free options. They also make sandwiches and sell a range of fruit and veg and essential products
Enjoy tea and homemade cakes while you chat and work. The cafe is open for cooked lunch from 12 for healthy, food that won't cost you the earth
GREEN BORDERSCURRENTLY CLOSED
476 High Road, Leytonstone, London E11 3HN Tel: 020 8539 0941(Tube: Leytonstone) www.greenborders.co.uk/
Coffee shop and health food store
please check the website for opening times
new friendly vegan & eco-friendly shop 'n cafe has opened up in
Leytonstone, stocking a variety of vegan friendly products, snacks, food
and some great fairtrade-organic coffee and wines.
222 RESTAURANT
222 North End Rd, West Kensington, London W14
9NU Tel: 020 7381 2322 (Tube: West Brompton, West Kensington,
Fulham Broadway) www.222veggievegan.com
Vegan restaurant
International cuisine
Open daily. Buffet 12:00-15:30.
Dinner a la carte 17:30-22:30
Wonderful vegan restaurant . Lunch buffet £7.50 to eat in (or £5.50 take away). Friendly staff and a nice place to spend a lunch or an evening. Licensed. Worth visiting
One of a branch of four vegetarian Indian restaurants in and around London. They have a separate vegan menu - just ask for it. A La carte. Good size portions. Massive dosas.
One of a chain of Chinese/Thai buffet restaurants in London offering cheap vegan food Lots of fake meats. Price about £6.50 plus 10% service or £3.50 for a takeout box . It has been reported that this restauarnt uses genetically modified oil!!!
MR FALAFEL
Units T4/5 Shepherds Bush Market, Uxbridge Road W12 8LH Tel077989 06668 (tube: Shepherds Bush Market) http://www.mrfalafel.co.uk/
Palastinian Falafel
Monday - Saturday 11am - 6pm
All items are suitable for vegans apart from the cheese
Health Food Store with Organic salads
and hot dishes to eat in or take away
see website for opening hours
Vegan items clearly marked throughout the store. Salad and hot food counter is mainly vegetarian with lots of vegan options. Pies and soups may contain meat but are clearly labelled.
StarbucksThere are a number of them scattered throughout central London:sell a falafel vegan wrap/panini.
Starbucks and all the other main coffee-shop chains (eg Nero, Costa etc) offer soya milk in addition to cows milk.
PIZZA RESTAURANTS - Warning!
Many vegans wrongly assume that all pizza without cheese is vegan. In some pizza restaurants in the UK the pizza base or the tomato sauce contain dairy or other animal-derived ingredients. Also, pasta dishes are often made using egg pasta! A summary of the main pizza restaurants follows.
Pizza Expresshave written to us (see letter) to confirm that that their pizza bases are suitable for vegans, as is their tomato base which is simply fresh tomatoes, salt, pepper and fresh basil. They state it is important for you to mention how strict your diet is to the manager on duty, so as the chef can implement all necessary procedures to avoid cross contamination. (We further understand that on request the dough balls, bruschetta and garlic breads can be made without dairy ingredients, substituting olive oil instead).
Ask Restaurants (ASK) have confirmed that that their Margharita, Mushroom, and Vegetariana pizzas (ordered without cheese, of course!) are suitable for vegans.
Dominos Pizza have a number of vegetarian pizzas listed on their website but the pizza bases contain milk!
Pizza Hut: they have reformulated their pizza bases - Pan and Italian bases are suitable for vegans providing that the
pizza
toppings you order do not contain cheese and meat products. (per email from them dated 30th November 2010)
________________
If you know of a vegan restaurant that isn't listed, or a vegetarian restaurant that caters well for vegans, then please contact us.
This sign denotes that all the food served in the cafe or
restaurant is vegan, but they may serve cows milk for hot drinks.