Have you been struggling to find decent vegetarian food in the capital? Or are you a carnivore who has been under the impression that veggie food is nothing but carrot sticks and hummus? From hippy cafes in Camden to refined raw food dining in the East End, there’s bound to be something to tempt your tastebuds, no matter how big your predilection for meat is.
Central
Mildred’s is one of the best restaurants for taking your non-veggie friends; how can they complain when offered mushroom and ale pie or sweet potato and cashew nut curry? Rather than attempt to replicate meat dishes they use vegetables to their full potential; for example, artichokes are lightly chargrilled and served with a citrusy garlic mayonnaise, and their take on tagine is a fragrant pot of aubergine, olives, chickpeas and apricots served with pomegranate yogurt. Vegan dishes are clearly marked on the menu, which changes frequently. The restaurant’s chic interior draws the crowds in as it’s usually very busy and they don’t take reservations, but you can always have a vegan-friendly drink at the bar first.
Tibits is a self-service restaurant where you pay according to the weight of your plate. There are hot and cold dishes which are mostly non-vegan, but if you’re not avoiding animal products there is heaps to choose from. There’s healthy stuff like quinoa salads, risottos and daals, and the stodgier pasta salads, samosas, Thai curries, and vegetable sausage dishes. There are desserts too, although these can be a bit hit and miss - a pineapple and coconut tiramisu that tasted nothing like the Italian original made a brief appearance one season. They open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and have a small if very decent selection of cocktails and wine too.
Otarian is the fast food option. This American chain (where else) does burgers, tacos, wraps, curries, meal combos and desserts, available to eat in or take away. They use mushroom, lentil and spinach for the burgers, beans, rice and Cheddar for the tacos, and sweet potato, Brie or spicy vegetables for the wraps. Desserts include crumble, pannacotta and crème brûlèe. You might find their carbon comparison publicity (they compare the carbon footprint for each item on their menu to the energy used at a typical fast food place) a tad tiresome, but it’s the ideal place if you want a quick filling fix, although there aren’t many vegan choices.
Beatroot is the vegan’s favourite. It’s unfussy and dishes are simple, but portions are huge, freshly made and cheap. So if you like Shepherd’s Pie, pasta bakes, vegetable hot pot and moussaka this is the place to come - a large (read enormous) serving is just £6.20. All their cakes are vegan too, including flapjacks, chocolate cake and bakewell slices. Eat in or grab a box to take away.
