Top 10 restaurants to enjoy vegan fare in London

There was a time when being vegan was considered nothing more than a “trend” that would pass after some time. But nowadays, enjoying a plant-based lifestyle is becoming more and more commonplace.

Yes, veganism has come a long way as more and more people are becoming conscious about the quality of food that they consume. With the ongoing environmental crisis and increasing awareness of sustainable and ethical food production, eating vegan is here to stay. And it's easy to dig into tons of vegan-friendly options in dining rooms all over the world, including London.

London: The Ultimate Vegan Foodie Destination

When you think of culinary destinations, London isn’t exactly the first city that comes to mind, especially compared to other metropolises such as Rome, Tokyo, Paris or New York. However, in recent years, London has been playing catch up with its ever-evolving food culture, particularly when it comes to the plant-based dining scene. As a matter of fact, “The Old Smoke” was recently named the world’s most vegan-friendly city.

The vegan scene in London has prospered and attracts plant-based foodies from all over the world to its wide range of dining options and eateries. What’s even more impressive is the variety. Whether you’re looking for a brunch menu, Japanese dishes, Middle Eastern cooking or even fine-dining selections, you’ll surely find a restaurant in London to satisfy your cravings. On your quest for the best vegan restaurant, make sure to stay hands-free by leaving your things at a London luggage storage facility.

Top Vegan Restaurants in the City

As a vegan living in London, gone are the days when you have to avoid restaurants or settle for the same food over and over again. In fact, the hardest part about eating out nowadays is picking the perfect place to dine in. This list gives you 10 of the best vegan restaurants in London – ranging from exclusively-vegan eateries to those with a fair amount of vegan and vegetarian selections.

Mildred’s: Established in 1988, Mildred’s is one of London’s most beloved vegan restaurants and is considered an institution in the city’s vegan scene. The original branch of Mildred’s is based in Soho and has since expanded to two other locations in Dalston and King’s Cross. The restaurant is known for turning classic dishes across various cuisines into plant-based versions without compromising the taste and flavor.
Tindli: An authentic Indian Restaurant in London with excellent vegan options. Tindli is home to the culinary delights of India celebrating a blend of nostalgia and passion bringing together the best flavours of India!
Mao Chow: Mao Chow started as a pop-up restaurant that eventually settled on a permanent location along Mare Street in Hackney. What the restaurant lacks in space and size, it more than makes up for with its tasty, diverse dishes. The restaurant’s Chinese-themed menu includes items chili gong bao broccoli with peanuts, meaty veg and chive dumplings, and spicy dan dan noodles that all taste like the real thing.
WAVE (We Are Vegan Everything): Another vegan spot in Hackney that’s making waves (pun intended) is a café known as WAVE. The tropical-themed restaurant, whose name is an acronym for We Are Vegan Everything, is exactly what it says – a café that exclusively serves plant-based dishes. WAVE is also renowned for its “breakfast bowls” as well as staples such as mac and “cheese” with coconut bacon, homemade beans on toast, and their over-the-top “freakshakes.”
Farmacy: This upscale vegan restaurant in Notting Hill, which opened in 2016, is one of London’s finest and has attracted a number of loyal fans, including celebrities like Madonna. The restaurant is owned by Camilla Fayed, who has earned the moniker “queen of vegan cuisine.” Aside from promoting a plant-based diet, Farmacy also believes in eating food that will nourish the body. The eatery’s selection of healthy concoctions and dishes contain superfoods.
Genesis: This all-vegan restaurant, located in Commercial Street, takes renowned street food from different parts of the world and turns it vegan – from tacos and shawarma to poke bowls and chocolate milkshakes.
Pied à Terre: Situated in Fitzrovia is the Michelin-starred Pied a Terre, which has been around since 1993 and is largely considered a pioneer in London’s vegan fine dining scene. The luxury restaurant’s nine-course menu draws influence from French and Greek cuisine and features both vegan and vegetarian options.
Gauthier: This Soho-based restaurant, headed by vegan chef Alexis Gauthier, is another fine-dining establishment in London with a Michelin Star to boot. As a practicing vegan, Gauthier proudly announced in 2018 that he will be converting his restaurant into a purely plant-based dining spot. Gauthier offers both tasting and a la carte menus with specials that include tempeh and corn with kaffir lime and stuffed Hispi cabbages.
Itadaki Zen: This restaurant in King’s Cross owns the distinction of being the sole plant-based sushi joint in the city of London and has a client base consisting of both vegan and non-vegan customers. The Japanese-inspired menu focuses on udon noodles, as well as bento boxes containing favorites like tempura, sushi and spring rolls.
Spicebox: Even though Spicebox is fairly new to the London dining scene, having only opened in 2016, this vegan restaurant in Walthamstow has gained a cult following. The plant-based menu consists of tasty South Indian dishes, including bestsellers like dosa waffles (playfully referred to as “doffles”), jackfruit jalfrezi, Keralan Fried Chick’n, Shroom Keema and coconut ice cream.
Temple of Seitan: London’s first-ever vegan “fried chicken” shop and one of the few vegan fast food spots in the city, Temple of Seitan has two locations – one in Hackney and one in Camden. Their bestseller is the fried “chik’n”, which is made from the meat substitute seitan. Other favorites include vegan mac n’ cheese and their organic coleslaw. Temple of Seitan’s food is so good that even non-vegan customers frequently order here!