London's best restaurants for vegans
Who knew vegan grub could taste so good?
These days, it's all about the veganism... probably the fastest growing culinary trend since somebody suggested that Jeff "Hot Dog" Jones shove his sausage into an abnormally long bread roll.
We've put together a list of what we think are London's best vegan restaurants; they include a multitude of cuisines from around the globe, using ethically sourced ingredients and assembled by some of the capital's most talented and inventive chefs. And the results are mouth-watering.
So read our list, then put on your sandals (only joshing) and get down to one of London's best vegan eateries.
The chefs at Down to Earth create gourmet dishes with raw food, in other words it’s been cooked at temperatures lower than 48 degrees centigrade. Dishes like the lasagne made from courgette slices with cashew nut “béchamel”, are full of flavour and very pretty to look at too.
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Although Vanilla Black is a vegetarian restaurant, there is a separate menu for vegans. The only meat-free restaurant in London to be recommended in the Michelin Guide, this is the most haute cuisine option you’ll find in the capital.
Saf
Vegetarian
High Street Kensington W8 5SE
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Saf’s food fuses global influences to make things like smoky aubergine ragout with a rosemary socca pancake, and vegan versions of tiramisu and chocolate roulade. Most of it is raw food, andith dishes are elaborate and flavoursome.
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Itadaki Zen take sustainability very seriously, as the furniture and many of the items that make up the décor have been rescued or hand-made. Grains, seaweeds and pulses feature prominently on the menu; the cuisine is Japanese, so expect vegan sushi, noodles and tempura, and diners are encouraged to take leftovers home to avoid wasting any food.
This co-operative café has a rota of chefs that is constantly changing, as does the menu. It’s vegetarian but one night of the week is reserved for vegan food. It’s also one of London’s cheapest eateries, with all main courses priced at £8, and a BYOB policy with no corkage fee that also helps keep costs down.
greenz
Vegetarian
5 Station Rise SE27 9BW
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Wholesome and healthy versions of old favourites like lasagne with a rich lentil-based béchamelare on offer at this tiny, cosy restaurantwith extremely friendly staff. There is no booze, but they do have virgin mojitos and mango lassis.
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At lunchtime they have a buffet service; in the evening there is a more conventional à la carte with things like mushroom and spinach raclette, and seitan stroganoff.
42° Raw
Vegetarian
6 Burlington Gardens W1S 3EX
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This simple cafe is located within the Royal Academy, and is the second site for the Danish company. They only serve plant-based foods, cooked below 42 degrees as the name suggests, and with no added sugar or preservatives.
