A few short years ago had someone asked you to recommend a good vegan restaurant in London you would have been hard-pressed to answer. The plant-based movement was viewed as niche and difficult to maintain with most restaurateurs concluding there simply wasn’t a market for it.

Well, how times have changed. World Vegan Month (November) was established in 1994 by The Vegan Society, with Veganuary following a decade later, and 2024 is expected to be the movement’s biggest year yet – with restaurants and retailers quick to offer menus and products to meet the growing trend. Suffice it to say, if you’re looking to try out the plant-based lifestyle this year, it should be a breeze. Here’s our guide to the best vegan restaurants and plant-based menus in London.

Acme Fire Cult, Dalston

Acme Fire Cult – the live-fire restaurant in Dalston from chefs Andrew Clarke and Daniel Watkins – will kick off the first month of 2024 in plant-based style offering a vegan five-course feast from 3 January. The set menu is cooked entirely on the restaurant’s outdoor grill and features classic dishes – including its signature coal roast leeks with pistachio romesco – alongside new seasonal specials. Think smoked beetroot with black garlic and vegan creme fraiche, fermented squash hummus, Tandoori celeriac with chickpea puree and green chutney, and chocolate ganache with boozy prunes. Wash it all down with fresh vegan beers brewed on-site at neighbouring 40FT Brewery, such as the clean and crisp Disco Pils, and Deep: 40FT’s take on a dry Irish stout. 

Abbot Street, E8 3DP, visit acmefirecult.com

Lilienblum, Shoreditch

Mediterranean restaurant, Lilienblum, is set to transform Veganuary into a carnival of vibrant flavours this month, offering diners the chance to explore the world of plant-based gastronomy with a range of diverse dishes. Limited-edition vegan creations include smoked aubergine and tahini, leek sashimi, and the popular whole roasted cauliflower. Finish with Lilienblum’s unique take on baklava or vegan malabi: coconut milk pudding with strawberry perfume. Pair your Veganuary delights with Lilienblum’s exclusive Dry January sodas, featuring flavours of apricot and rose, and mango and honey. 

80 City Road, EC1Y 2BJ, visit lilienblum.co.uk

Mildreds, across London

Since opening in Soho 35 years ago, Mildreds has become London’s go-to plant-based restaurant group, with five locations spanning Soho, Covent Garden, Dalston, Kings Cross and Camden. In celebration of Veganuary this year, Mildreds has curated a Caribbean-inspired menu featuring traditional spices and flavours found in Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Puerto Rico.

Available until 31 January, The Caribbean Edit includes plantain tostones with lime sour cream and mango chow, brown-stew marinated chick’n skewer served with rice and peas and coconut mango slaw, as well as a Trini corn soup made with roast pumpkin and peppers and lime pickled onions. Those after a vegan brunch can indulge in the churro French toast: a brioche loaf with spiced rum anglaise, cinnamon sugar, chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream. Pair with Mildreds’ selection of low and no cocktails, which have also been created to complement the dishes – don’t miss the Caribbean Sunrise with blush spiced rum, pineapple, lime and peychaud’s bitters. 

Visit mildreds.co.uk

Decimo, Kings Cross

Decimo at The Standard, helmed by Michelin-starred chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias and therefore famous for its delectable Spanish-Mexican, has launched a dedicated vegan set menu bound to delight those partaking in Veganuary. Available until the end of the month, the menu features tempting plant-based sharing dishes such as flamed beetroot, artichoke and pardina lentils and its famous pan con tomate, alongside Sanchez-Iglesias’ renowned tacos: think sweet potato and black beans in fluffy corn tortillas, tatemada, salsa verde, salad and plenty of lime juice. 

The Standard, 10 Argyle St, WC1H 8EG, visit decimo.london

Mallow, Borough and Canary Wharf

Mildreds’ little sister, Mallow, opened in Canary Wharf and Borough in 2021 and has followed in its sibling’s footsteps to create a Veganuary menu for plant-based pundits to enjoy until 31 January. Serving four special pan-Asian dishes for the month, inspired by the colourful world of fireworks, the menu mirrors the excitement and artistry of a firework display. Expect mango passion golgappi with charcoal chaat masala and passion tiger milk; black sesame shiitake toast with charcoal brioche; and a delectable pumpkin khao soi served with fried plantain and pickled greens. To round off the meal, enjoy a light and creamy ube parfait with pandan coconut anglaise and sample the non-alcoholic Coastal Spritz with Pentire aperitif and artisan skinny tonic.

Visit mallowlondon.com

Bōkan, Canary Wharf

Bringing a fine dining concept to Veganuary, Bōkan's team of experienced chefs has created an indulgent, seven-course vegan tasting menu to be enjoyed alongside its resplendent views over the capital. Spread over three floors, Bōkan 37 is the award-winning AA Rosette restaurant situated on the 37th floor but it's well worth taking the lift up an extra floor or two for a ripple on the bar and rooftop terrace.

For Veganuary, executive chef Robert Manea’s seven-course vegan tasting menu (£99 per person) showcases plant-based produce at its best. The vibrant menu offers picture-perfect plates from start to finish with highlights including delica pumpkin soup with golden croutons and winter truffle and black trumpet risotto, before finishing with a rich blackcurrant, timur pepper and chocolate tart.

Floor 37-39, 40 Marsh Wall, E14 9TP, visit bokanlondon.co.uk

Los Mochis, Notting Hill

Image: Lateef Photography

Los Mochis champions Baja-Nihon cuisine by pairing the vibrancy of Mexico with the elegance of Japan resulting in a vibrant mix of flavourful tacos, sushi and ceviche. Throughout January, Los Mochis’ decadent 10-course vegan tasting menu (£85 per person) will comprise an assortment of some of the restaurant's most popular vegan dishes, including its guacamole superfood (pumpkin, sunflower, pomegranate, sesame and chia seeds) and the Bang Bang cauliflower which oozes the flavours of smoked paprika, chipotle mayo, bang bang aioli and coriander cress dressing.

2-4 Farmer Street, W8 7SN, visit losmochis.co.uk

En Root, across London

Enjoy healthy, home-cooked Indian food at vegan restaurant En Root all year round. With bustling eateries in Clapham, Peckham and now Brixton (at the iconic Ritzy Cinema), menu highlights include the Raja wrap, filled with rainbow salad, pakora and daily dhal, and the Don Dada Platter — a delicious sharer of coconut curry, golden rice, saag aloo and plantain served in traditional ‘thali’ style.

Visit enrootldn.co.uk

The Spread Eagle, Hackney

This is the best London pub for plant-based feasting. It became the capital's first fully vegan pub in 2018, so you can trust the team here knows a thing or two about seasonal, sustainable food. Putting an innovative twist on pub classics and creative plant-based dishes, this locally-sourced menu provides an exciting mix of comfort and exploration that could entice even the fussiest of eaters. With a selection of big and small plates, visitors can choose from a series of veggie-packed dishes including a hearty roasted stuffed pepper with quinoa and sun-dried tomatoes, or a quintessentially British pie and mash, as well as oat risotto with wild mushroom broth and blackened corn ribs doused in lime.

Homerton High Street, E9 6AS, visit thespreadeaglelondon.co.uk

Pied à Terre, Fitzrovia

The Michelin-starred Pied à Terre in Fitzrovia has long been applauded for the care it takes in catering to vegetarian and vegan diets. Founded in 1991 it currently holds the title of longest-standing Michelin-starred restaurant in the UK, with current executive chef Asimakis Chaniotis bringing his Greek influence to the restaurant's classic French cooking. While the menu isn't purely plant-based, its vegan tasting menu is regularly voted one of the best in the business, with highlights including oven-roasted celeriac 'scallop', smoked Italian artichoke vegetable ragu and charcoal crackers with 'shamembert'.

34 Charlotte Street, W1T 2NH, visit pied-a-terre.co.uk

Gauthier, Soho

Helmed by eponymous chef Alexis Gauthier, who has been vegan since 2016, Michelin-starred Soho restaurant Gauthier is another London fine dining favourite offering something a little more special for those choosing to go plant-based. As of 23 June 2021, the restaurant became 100 per cent plant-based, marking quite the departure from the usually meat-and-dairy heavy dishes found in the French gastronomy stable. Choose between a five- or eight-course tasting menu filled with intriguing dishes such as marinated tempeh and popcorn, British black truffle berlingot with light dashi cream and celeriac dauphinois with sweet and sour grapes.

21 Romilly Street, London W1D 5AF, visit gauthiersoho.co.uk

Club Mexicana, across London

With outposts in Soho, Shoreditch and Brixton, Club Mexicana has filled the taco-shaped hole in London’s vegan scene with its commitment to big flavours, quality ingredients and absolutely no chickpeas. Ever. Having started life as a street food operation, Club Mexicana opened its first permanent restaurant in August 2020, and now offers a more extensive menu of nachos, tacos, burritos and cocktails – all of which are completely vegan. Start with the loaded nachos (topped with, queso, ground ‘beef’, guacamole, salsa, pink onions, pickled jalapeños, chipotle oil and chilli-lime salt) before moving on to the classic Al Pastor taco or barbecue short 'rib' burrito. A frozen margarita is also a must.

Visit clubmexicana.com

Purezza, Camden

Vegan pizza: not the oxymoron you might think thanks to the culinary wizardry happening over at Camden’s Purezza. The UK’s first fully vegan pizzeria now also has locations in Bristol, Manchester and Brighton thanks to the simple reason that its pizza is great. And we don’t mean great for vegan pizza, we mean great for any pizza. It helps that Purezza’s chefs develop all their ingredients, including a signature brown rice mozzarella, cashew cheese, coconut cheese and sourdough base, in-house giving them the freedom to curate a menu that spans everything from a simple margherita to a lavish black truffle and pulled pear and blue pizza. There’s also a range of vegan dough balls, dips and desserts available, including a salted caramel brownie you won’t believe is dairy-free.

45-47 Parkway, NW1 7PN, visit purezza.co.uk

Patty&Bun, across London

While not technically a purely vegan restaurant, another of London’s fast-casual comfort food favourites turning its hand to plant-based fare is the ever-popular Patty&Bun. Its core line-up of vegan burgers – from the Smokey Robinson with a plant-based patty, caramelised onions, vegan bacon and smokey mayo, to the Hot Chic with This Isn’t Fried Chicken patty, pickled cucumbers, and smoked garlic aioli – and sides include Impossible 'Chicken' Nuggets, 'brisket' loaded chips and milkshakes.

Visit pattyandbun.co.uk

Norma, Fitzrovia

Fitzrovia-based Sicilian restaurant Norma will be going the whole, ahem, hog during Veganuary with a slew of vegan options on both its a la carte and tasting menus. Taking its cues from the restaurant's classic Italian fare, the menus will boast dishes including roasted whole broccolo Romanesco, heritage carrot crudo with pomegranate and aubergine parmigiana.

Especially for Veganuary, Norma's Giovann Attard has partnered with award-winning chef and author Max La Manna to launch an exclusive plant-based, low-waste five-course menu from 5-31 January. Inspired by the Sicilian flavours for which Norma is known, star dishes include roasted carrot raviolo with beetroot cream and crispy capers, courgette involtini with almond ricotta and winter tomato and coconut panna cotta with citrus sorbet.

8 Charlotte Street, W1T 2LS, visit normalondon.com

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