PETA recognizes London as one of the most vegan-friendly cities in the whole world, so there’s no need to be stuck at home munching alone if you follow a VEGAN diet. We’ve rounded up some of the best eateries across the capital, MANY OF WHICH HAVE STOOD THE TEST OF TIME, and since the list could go on and on, let us know on Facebook or here in the comments about places we should try. Let’s start at the top OF THE MAP…

NORTH LONDON

1. CLUB MEXICANA NW1

Meriel Armitage and Luke McLaughlin run these vibrant and chia-seed free vegan meccas in Camden Market and EC2A, as well as London’s first 100% vegan pub, The Spread Eagle in E9. The menus in Club Mexicana are 100% vegan – tacos, chick’n wings, cheeze fries and gallons of house-made guac. The pulled jackfruit burritos are the perfect gobble-and-run lunch options. Instagram @clubmexicana

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2. MILDREDS, NW1

Established in vibrant Soho in 1988, Mildreds are London favourites with restaurants opening in Camden, Kings Cross and Dalston. For your vegan and vegetarian friends, the Mildreds Cookbooks would make thoughtful gifts.  The halloumi with chargrilled aubergine, harissa and tahini burger is high on my agenda when I visit. Oh and I’d save room for the chocolate and hazelnut brownie with salted caramel sauce and ice cream (pictured above). Instagram: @mildredsrestaurants.

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3. MANNA, NW3


ANOTHER LONDON INSTITUTION, MANNA HAS BEEN SERVING VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN DISHES SINCE 1995 IN PRIMROSE HILL (AND IF YOU ARE IN LA, FIND THEIR SISTER RESTAURANT MANNA CUISINE). THE VEGAN WINE LIST IS REALLY GOOD, INCLUDING AN AWARD-WINNING WHITE FROM SEDLESCOME WINERY IN EAST SUSSEX. I APPRECIATED THE TRANSPARENCY OF THIS RESTURANT – READ ABOUT THEIR VEGETABLE SUPPLIER ORGANICLEA ON THE BLOG. RESTAURANTS LIKE THIS WILL STAND THE TEST OF TIME BECAUSE THEY AREN’T GIMMICKY. TAKE NOTES, NEWBIES…! FOLLOW ON FB: MANNA-RESTAURANT.

SOUTH LONDON

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4. PICKYWOPS, VARIOUS LOCATIONS INCLUDING SW6 AND SE15

100% VEGAN AND A NAME THAT THE KIDS WILL LOVE TO SAY, PICKYWOPS IS A BYOB PIZZA COMPANY IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS ACROSS SOUTH LONDON. THEY OFFER 6 DIFFERENT KINDS OF BASES FOR THEIR PIZZAS INCLUDING TUMERIC, HEMP AND SPIRULINA AS WELL AS VEGAN TWIXX BARS WHICH I HAVE TRIED TO MAKE LOTS OF TIMES AND ALWAYS FAILED – GLAD I CAN GET MY FIX AT PICKYWOPS! INSTA ACCOUNT @PICKYWOPS

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5. CAFE VAN GOGH, SW9

THIS NON-PROFIT VEGAN CAFE/ RESTAURANT HAS A LOYAL FOLLOWING FOR GOOD REASON. As a social enterprise, Cafe Van Gogh reinvests its profits back into dedicated programmes that share THEIR expertise with THE local community through on-the-job training AND food nutrition workshops. VAN GOGH USED TO LIVE AROUND THE CORNER AND HE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE LOVED THE INTERNATIONAL CUISINE ON OFFER AT A DECENT PRICE. @CAFEVANGOGH01 ON INSTA.

EAST LONDON

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6. FED BY WATER, E8

With a home-made cheese list that will make you salivate in the street, Fed By Water in Dalston is for you. We will forgive some of the dodgy dish names (Berries Cheese Fake anyone?) and instead focus on the authentic, gluten-free, dairy-free Italian sharing platters and the promotion of a MediterRanean, alkaline diet. THEIR LIVELY INSTAGRAM IS @FEDBYWATER

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7. ESSENCE CUISINE, EC2A


Essence Cuisine is a RATHER STUNNING plant-based restaurant ON LEONARD STREET in the heart of Shoreditch, with the most vibrant dishes and artistic styling. the restaurant interior was designed by Swedish architect Andreas Bozarth Fornell, known for his work with Acne Studios and Sandro – this place will appeal to the minimalist diner. EATEN TOO MUCH CHOCOLATE LATELY? treat yourself to the green goddess superfood smoothie bowl – Avocado, Spinach, Spirulina, Banana, Strawberry, Lime, Ginger AND Apple Juice. follow on instagram @essence_cuisine

WEST LONDON

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8. LEGGERO, W1D

Gluten-free Italian food…it’s not a dream. ‘Leggero’ is the Italian for light and this Soho restaurant serves diverse GF versions of  traditional Italian dishes including carbonara and tiramisù with flavors as close to the originals as possible. No eggs are needed for this pasta. Hemp and sorghum are mixed with basil to create silky pastas. The gluten and sugar-free red velvet cupcake has a cult following. Instagram: @leggerolondon

PHOTO CREDITS: @GLUTENINTERRUPTED / @GLUTENFREEFINDSINLONDON

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9. ETHOS, W1W

I’VE JUST GOT BACK FROM BRAZIL, WHERE “KILO’ RESTAURANTS ARE ALL THE RAGE; YOU LOAD UP YOUR LATE WITH ALL THE DELICIOUSNESS YOU CAN MANAGE TO CARRY AND PAY FOR YOUR GRUB BY THE KILO. THAT APPROACH HAS BEEN TAKEN BY THE TASTE-MAKERS BEHIND ETHOS IN EASTCASTLE STREET.  THE VEGAN AND GLUTEN-FREE AFTERNOON TEAS ARE ESPECIALLY LOVELY – WHO DOESN’T WANT TO NIBBLE ON FLOWERS? FOLLOW THEIR COLOURFUL INSTAGRAM @ETHOSFOODS

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10. ITADAKIZEN, WC1

THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND THIS RESTAURANT IS WONDERFUL – TAKE A MOMENT TO READ THE WEBSITE BEFORE YOU VISIT TO GET A SENSE OF THE PROCESS, WHICH PRIORITISES HEALTH AND HAPPINESS THROUGH NUTRITIOUS FOOD. EACH DISH IS PREPARED FROM SCRATCH AND NOTHING IS WASTED. THEY ARE ALSO THE FIRST JAPANESE VEGAN AND ORGANIC CATERER IN EUROPE…I WANT TO THROW A PARTY JUST TO HAVE THEIR DELICIOUS, DELICATE CREATIONS. FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM @ITADAKIZEN

SO PEOPLE, WHERE HAVE WE MISSED? LETS GET TALKING ABOUT THE BEST PLACES TO NIBBLE OUR WAY THROUGH VEGAN DELIGHTS IN LONDON TOWN!

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