For the last seven years we’ve vacationed in England, visiting family and friends. The last three times we’ve opted to split our time between our home city of Derby, and London. Who can resist the sights and sounds of a big city? Especially when the vegan food in London is so varied and amazing! In a previous post I shared all the vegan food we ate in Derby, so today it’s London’s turn!
Fantastic Vegan food in London
First I want to say a BIG thanks to Bob who had done some research before our trip this year and found a couple of great new places for us to try. A few of these we’re favorites from previous visits, revisited. However new places are popping up all the time, and more mainstream restaurants are offering vegan menu items. In the Derby post I share some pubs and restaurants that have vegan option so make sure to check that out! There are so many places to get vegan food in London. Big city life is good for Vegans!
Wagamamas
As we’d already tried Wagamamas in Derby we were eager to try it again and found one near our apartment, on the opposite side of Kensington Gardens. Located in an old victorian building the decor inside is a stark contrast to the exterior. Bob had the Yasai katsu curry and I had the Kare Burosu: shichimi coated silken tofu and grilled mixed mushrooms on a bed of udon noodles within a curried vegetable broth. Finished with pea shoots, carrot, chilli and coriander. It’s a hearty meal and perfect for gloomy grey weather that’s prone to happen in the UK. I thoroughly enjoyed the broth and all the veggies. Definitely packs some heat too! With so many Wagamama locations it’s easy to find vegan food in London, and throughout the UK.
Afternoon tea @ Cafe Forty One
When we booked our VRBO in Bayswater (North of Hyde Park) the first thing we did is search for vegan food in london around our flat. Would you believe there is a Vegan French Patisserie on the same street? Cafe Forty One is set inside La Suite West and offers vegan afternoon tea! We couldn’t resist and booked a table before we even left the USA!
Starting with some non-alcoholic fizz, we were off and rolling. They offer a wide range of tea and coffee. I opted for peppermint, and absolutely loved the clear teapot. That’s actually something I’ve missed in the USA, teapots! The food came on a beautiful glass cake stand, and boy what an assortment! On the bottom was a selection of gourmet sandwiches. The middle tier held some of the most delicate and delicious french patisseries including pineapple cake, and meringue.
The top tier was a firm favorite with both of us as it had plain and raisin scones. Accompanied with homemade berry compote, vegan honey and clotted “cream”. Seriously so delicious! It’s pricey, but if you’re vegan or looking for a special treat, Cafe Forty One is worth a visit.
Norman’s Coach & Horses
In 2017 on a google search for Vegan food in London, I happened upon Norman’s Coach & Horses. London’s first vegetarian and vegan pub! No brainer, we HAD to go try it. From the exterior it looks just like any other London Pub, even the inside is deceivingly “normal”. Including a couple of pub cats chilling on the chairs. It’s not until you look at the menu that you realize that it’s cruelty free!
They have a few veganized pub favorites on the menu but what caught our eye is their famous signature dish, Tofush and Chips. It’s tofu wrapped in seaweed, marinated in lemon and battered in a vegan beer batter served with peas, chips and vegan tartar sauce. Hearty, delicious, and well worth the trip if you’re in the heart of London.
What the Pitta
Bob had a list of places he wanted to visit in London and all of them were food related. One that he found on instagram was What the Pitta in Camden. I have to say when it comes to finding good vegan food in London, my hubby is the best! This small vegan restaurant was great. We had the Doner & Chips box, with the Turkish Pizza (lamacun). So tasty! We sat at the window and the selfie lighting was A-MAZING.
222 vegan cuisine
Another favorite from 2017 was 222 Vegan Cuisine. We are fond of their delicious vegan lunch buffet. Everything is 100% vegan and nothing is ever deep fried or microwaved. Safe in the knowledge that it’s all good healthy plant based foods we fill up on that buffet! Seriously good food, well worth a stop by, and definitely try the buffet lunch.
Mildred’s
Another place Bob found on his vegan food in London search was Mildred’s. After seeing their food on instragram I was drooling to try it. We started with beers (naturally) and hummus with pitta. The Black Isle Goldeneye was the BEST beer we had the whole trip. As craft beer connoisseurs that’s no simple statement!
Bob opted for the wood roasted mushroom and ale pie, with minted mushy peas, and fries. As always we sample a little of each others meals and this pie was super tasty. Initially thought it was going to be similar to one we’d tried from Waitrose but this was way nicer!
I enjoyed my chicken burger (mock chicken, iceberg lettuce, garlic aioli, tomato, red onion, brioche bun) with sweet potato fries. Serious sinfully good. Speaking of sinful, how about this dessert: Peanut butter, caramel, dark chocolate swirl brownie, with vanilla ice cream, and sugared peanuts. Holy Moly!
Battered
I swear Bob did all the legwork this trip, another amazing find of his was Battered in Ely’s yard. If you’re craving good old fashioned fried chip shop food this place is heaven! I had the “classic” line up of Vish, chips, mushy peas and homemade tartare sauce! Bob opted for battered pie and chips. Yes, battered pie! It was all amazing. Thankfully we’d walked a heck of a lot on our trip to balance out the calories! Well worth it though because this was deep fried heaven.
Greenwich Market Vegan Churros
Another firm favorite from our 2017 trip is the Greenwich Market vegan/Brazilian churro stall. Imagine a Disney churro, filled with chocolate sauce. Sweet treat on our final day in London. Highly recommend these. Especially for churro lovers, or anyone with a donut craving.
So that about wraps up our favorite places to eat vegan food in London. Not an extensive list by any amounts but we ate in the flat to offset the all the delicious vegan meals out. Otherwise we’d have easily put on weight during the trip! Seriously, whatever you are craving it’s so easy to eat vegan food in London. Highly recommend trying out some of the places and food options.
Questions
- Have you been to London?
- What’s your favorite tea?
- Do you prefer to eat in or out on vacation?
Ifeoluwa Anani
I’m not vegan but these foods looking super yummy! I would love to try the mushroom and ale pie
Di Hickman
I heard that it’s available in some UK supermarkets?
Prajakta
I am vegan and I loved this post! The food looks so delicious. I love guacamole…can have it with almost everything. 🙂
Di Hickman
Guacamole should be a staple for every vegan IMO 😉
Melanie williams
OMG what a fab list! Love the look of the vegan churros, 222 and that Vish and chips looks super scrummy too xx
Di Hickman
Honestly I thought I’d put on 10lbs when I got back! lol! Too much good food!
Sarah
I’ve never been to London, but hope to get there someday and have the chance to try out some of these fabulous foods! Normally I have a harder time eating out on vacation due to allergies, but I sure don’t mind watching my husband enjoy a great meal!
Di Hickman
Yep it can be tough with allergies. We had a challenging time at a company dinner recently.
Christa
All of this food looks delicious! I’m in London at least once a year. This list will be so helpful! It can be difficult for me to find vegan food while traveling.
Di Hickman
Oh heck yeah vegan food in London is super easy to find now!
Flossie McCowald
I love London (though I haven’t been there since my honeymoon a decade ago) but all these locales are new to me, and the food looks incredible. I just finished my lunch but you have me hungry again!
Di Hickman
hahaha don’t you hate that about food posts! Always hungry lol!
Jazmin Williams
I’m going to London in just under 3 weeks! I love afternoon tea so will check out Cafe Forty One. 222 also looks really good. I love how mainstream veganism is becoming now.
Di Hickman
Yep so many places offering vegan food!
Becca Wilson
Sticking to a diet can be so hard when you are traveling. I love doing my research before I go somewhere to see where the restaurants are that cater to what we are doing as a family. This is such a great list for those that are on the vegan diet.
Di Hickman
Yep research is key!
April Marquadt
This all looks so delicious! I need to try some of these next time I visit London.
Di Hickman
Yep, so many great options in London!
MAYSZ
The food looks yummy and delicious! I’ve never visit London yet. I hope someday if there’s an opportunity. Love your post!
Di Hickman
I’ve been exploring lots of places this year!
Josefine
Haven’t been to London, I just wish someday. When on a vacation, would definitely love to eat out and taste the local food. Food is one of the best things about traveling to new places.
Di Hickman
Totally agree!
Jennifer
I’m not vegan but those pasteries looked absolutely delicious!!!! I wish I could go try them. YUM
Di Hickman
They were tasty indeed!
Stephanie
I was in London over 10 years ago but didn’t have a lot of time. We were only there for two days so didn’t have much of a chance to check out the local cuisine. I don’t drink tea, but I remember my sister asking for iced tea and they didn’t even know what to make of that request because they never serve tea cold there!
Di Hickman
Hahaha yep cold tea is NOT a thing in the UK. Imagine our surprise the first year we visited the US to ask for tea and end up with cold iced tea. I’ve grown to like it now, but boy that was a shock!
Kate Loves Travel
Ooh, I’m definitely going to check some of these place out the next time I’m in London… which will be fairly soon hopefully!
Di Hickman
Probably a few years till I make it back!
Natalie
These look so good! I wonder how gluten-free options would be. Looks like a fun trip with good food!
Di Hickman
Always have to ask regardless of dietary choice. A few of the places had GF though!