London's best vegan-friendly restaurants

Take a walk through the busy streets of central London’s Soho and chances are you’ll have a shopping-list length of vegan dishes to try within the hour. In only a few years, London’s plant-based dining scene has completely transformed, with an ever-growing list of restaurants proving that plant-based dining can be as delicious – and even more so – than omnivorous eating. Avocado toast might be perfect, but we all know that there’s much more to herbivorous food than just that – as much as we love a classic favourite.  

Given that many restaurants now serve all manner of plant-based creations, getting lost for choice is inevitable. Luckily, our rundown of the best spots to check out in London – including swanky ice creams, fantastic afternoon teas and heartwarming curries – should give you all the inspiration you need for your next meal.

Sanderson’s fabulous vegan afternoon tea is one of the most imaginative to be found in London. Its fun menus are hidden inside pretty vintage books and feature such treats as Tweedle Dee orange and peanut butter cupcakes and Alice’s mango and mandarin “Drink Me” potions. Don’t be put off ordering classic loose-leaf teas too though – even they are presented in royalty-decorated teapots with paper crowns...

Vegan hangout Farmacy is the place to be for healthy plant-based food. The restaurant, which boasts an inviting interior and friendly staff, offers a great selection of organic food, including earth bowls, loaded mushroom tacos with guacamole, and chocolate chip waffles with homemade nutella-coconut ‘yoghurt’. Wash everything down with one of their famous ‘syringe shots’ or house specials. 

This Covent Garden-based hidden gem is only a short walk away from UCL’s campus, and well worth visiting. Pick a window table on the second floor and you’ll be able to gaze out at the pretty view of Neal’s Yard as you dine on their plant-based creations. You will want to try their Blueberry and Vanilla Cheesecake before you leave – sweet-toothed Londoners love it. 

For alfresco dining, look no further than the Shoredich branch of this ever-popular Indian eatery, a favourite among spicy food-loving herbivores thanks to its diverse vegan-friendly dishes. Dine on ‘sausage’ naan rolls with vegan cheese, spiced chickpea curries and vegetable samosas as you relax in the vintage-style veranda. 

Check out popular food blogger Ella’s vegan deli for some healthy but delicious foods to satisfy your appetite. You’ll find numerous plant-based dishes to choose from at her stylish café, including hot bowls, homemade pancakes and fresh salads. Just make sure to save space for some of her moreish fudgy brownies afterwards... 

Mildreds 

If you’ve a craving for international food, you’ll definitely want to add Mildreds to your radar. The restaurant serves creative vegan dishes, including Lebanese chick'n – a plant-based concoction served with chargrilled aubergine, pomegranate pistachio salad, red pepper tahini, garlic soya yoghurt – and pita bread. Other highlights on the menu are equally indulgent, with Sri Lankan curry and gochujang stir fry also making a feature. 

Want the fun night out but not the hangover? Redemption’s your place. This fully vegan bar is popular with health-conscious foodies for its great food and drinks, which are all alcohol, sugar and wheat-free. The menu includes a brilliant selection of unique nibbles – think nut cheese boards, soft blue corn tacos and a Vietnamese summer roll platter – plus bigger meals and a fantastically long list of drinks. 

Make the most of the last few weeks of ice-cream weather in London by heading over to plant-based gelato spot Yorica!, which serves a multitude of non-dairy ice cream flavours, including gooey vanilla cookie, banoffee, and popcorn and caramel, as well as vegan waffles topped with soft serve ice-cream.  

No list of vegan-friendly food spots would be complete without the king of comfort food – the Greggs’ vegan sausage roll. This scrumptious roll has reached legendary status as one of the most rowed-about sausage rolls in the history of sausage rolls, with arguments between customers over who would get last-remaining rolls and heated Twitter discussions only adding to its growing reputation.