It seems going vegan has never been more popular with Beyonce and rapper hubby Jay-Z kick-starting the trend with a 22 day trial at the start of the year.
In fact, this tendency towards eating non-animal based dishes is so popular that some experts estimate up to 55% of the population will turn to plant-based diets by 2020, if current interest in veganism continues to grow.
For those of you who have been vegan for a long time, or for others wanting to have a go at the fad, finding good, exciting places to dine out in the capital has definitely not been piece of cake, until now.
We've done the hard work and rounded up the top 10 vegan restaurants around London. Many of them also tick off other dietary limitations too, by offering gluten and lactose-free fare. So, what are you waiting for? Time to indulge your inner saint..
LOTUS Cucina Vegan, Portobello Road
This pop-up vegan kitchen serves highly nutritious and cruelty-free food - their highlights include the all-day breakfast menu which serves a selection of great dishes including an acai berry bowl with strawberry, banana, coconut and cocoa nibs, date yogurt, a peanut butter and banana sandwich and tofu scramble with mushroom, spinach and tomatoes. YUM.
222 Veggie Vegan, Kensington
Hailed as one of London's favourite vegan restaurants, the seitan stroganoff here is a big hit — seitan, a vegetarian wheat gluten, is meatier in texture than tofu, so it makes a substantial main course. But before you start feeling too virtuous try the vegan lager, wine and pancakes for desert.
Their mission statement? To make good food which is low-fat, low-salt, non-GM and organic where possible and that is never deep-fried or microwaved.
Itadaki Zen, Kings Cross
London's first vegan Japanese restaurant and takeaway is a little on the pricey side but is definitely worth visiting for the vegan sushi. If you're a Viva! Health supporter you get 10% off, as do students. Closed all day Sunday and don't forget to press the translate button on the website.
The inSpiral Lounge, Camden
Bringing together organic raw vegan health products, this vegan café runs on green energy and features uplifting music, art and events, with an organic bar to boot.
Expect lots of "free from" and organic ingredients, locally produced, a huge selection of raw cakes with low G.I and vegan ice cream, all made in London with canal-side seating to top it off
Ms Cupcake, Brixton
Ms. Cupcake is London’s first entirely vegan bakery creating indulgent and decadent cakes regardless of what you can, and cannot eat. Here you'll find cupcakes, layer cakes, cookies, muffins, squares, sandwiches, savoury treats and much, much more. Everything is 100% vegan and lots of products are produced without wheat or gluten.
Greenz, Tulse Hill
With no animal product used in any of their dishes, the owners of this Tulse Hill restaurant serve up unusual and delicious fare, inspired by their travels around the world and their Caribbean heritage. From rotis to bean burgers and a delicious cashew nut and mushroom wellington, there are also some gluten-free and lactose intolerant options on the menu.
Black Cat, Hackney
Black Cat is a 100% vegan, not-for-profit cooperatively-run space. On a typical weekday expect a vegan soup, pie, burger, jacket potato and a chef's plate to feature, with a breakfast menu rolled out at the weekend
Cakes N Treats, Camden
Bagels, sandwiches, quiche, hot soup, cakes, cupcakes, cookies..
As well as a ready-to-eat collection of handcrafted vegan cakes, treats and drinks, they offer bagels, burgers and fantastic salads and deliver a large range of delicious vegan sweets, cakes, treats and pastries and impressive wedding cakes to order.
Loving Hut, Edgware/Archway
Vegan Dim Sum? Please do give us some. Loving Hut is currently the fastest growing international vegan fast food chain in the world. Expect all your favourite Pan Asian dishes, only 100% vegan.
With a vegan buffet available at lunchtimes and an a la carte menu in the evenings pop by for delights such as vegan sushi, vegan burger and vegan fish and chips and desserts .
Tao, Picadilly
This small vegan food buffet restaurant is close to Piccadilly Circus and offers a variety of fresh vegetable dishes and some mock meat. Cheap and cheerful, we recommend its selection of fresh fruit juices.
undefined
By signing up you agree to occasionally receive offers and promotions from Stylist. Newsletters may contain online ads and content funded by carefully selected partners. Don’t worry, we’ll never share or sell your data. You can opt-out at any time. For more information read Stylist’s Privacy Policy
Thank you!
You’re now subscribed to all our newsletters. You can manage your subscriptions at any time from an email or from a MyStylist account.