London: 6 of our favourite plant-based restaurants
If, like many Brits, you dabble with the idea of Veganuary each year but don’t fancy cooking this weekend, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together a curated list of some of the best plant-based restaurants in London, from classic pub style to set menu, covering a range of options to suit your price point and choice of cuisine. The first three on the list are rena restaurants, but we’ve added a few extra which are well known for their quality, innovative menus, and just happen to be on our rena watch list.
1. Holy Carrot
First up we have one of the newer restaurants in town, Holy Carrot. Based in the Notting Hill neighbourhood of West London, not only does the food presentation make you say wow, but the interior is also designed to perfection with its modern look and earthy tones throughout. The menu is of course entirely plant-based, with seasonal ingredients sourced from a range of small-scale producers and foragers.
With a focus on open flame cooking, many dishes also utilise homemade ferments and pickles (think kimchi and vegetable preserves).
Their desert menu, which includes creations like “Matcha Tiramisu” will almost certainly tempt even the most savoury of individuals. Oh and just in case it matters, all deserts are refined sugar free, so you can even go guilt free eating these.
Key facts: W11 - Notting Hill / open flame cooking / low waste menus / natural and biodynamic wine
Price: ££ - small plates from £11, large from £13.50
2. The Spread Eagle
As London's first fully vegan pub, The Spread Eagle defies the norm and shows the art of the possible when it comes to pub food. With a focus on pub classics, you'll be pleased to know their signature pie & mash is a must-try, featuring a rich mushroom and ale filling topped with flaky pastry. As a veggie myself, it's the Sunday menu that seals the deal - with three roast options to choose from - Wellington, herb-crusted celeriac, and their seasonal special, each served with all the traditional trimmings (including Yorkshire puddings).
The vegan philosophy goes beyond just the food, with all drinks carefully selected. From local craft beers to natural wines and innovative cocktails, everything behind the bar is 100% plant-based. Based on Homerton High Street, this quintessentially British corner pub provides sustainability in everything they do, from their locally-sourced ingredients to their zero-waste initiatives.
Key facts: pub classics / seasonal & minimal waste kitchen
Price: ££ - little plates from £8, large from £15
https://www.thespreadeaglelondon.co.uk/
3. E D I T
E D I T - Mare St, Hackney
Next up is E D I T, known for its thoughtfully designed interior and circular design concepts (think reclaimed materials, upcycled furniture, and zero-waste principles woven throughout the space). The menu focuses on seasonal British produce using a root-to-fruit approach (a term you'll probably hear more of as restaurants embrace zero-waste cooking), helping to reduce food waste and maximise flavour in every dish.
Their innovative tasting menu changes regularly with the seasons, featuring creative plates like salt-baked celeriac with foraged herbs and preserved lemon, or their signature dessert utilizing every part of the fruit - from skin to pip. If you are still drinking, you're in for a treat - dishes are paired with a fine selection of low-intervention and local wines, beers, ciders and cocktails selected by the in-house sommelier.
The restaurant itself is a masterclass in sustainable design, with adaptive re-use and minimal intervention evident in every corner. From the reclaimed tabletops to second hand furniture, E D I T proves that luxury dining and sustainability can go hand in hand.
Key facts: E2 – Mare St / tasting menu / circular design interior
Price: £££ - tasting menu from £65
4. Mallow
Pic: Mallow - Oyster mushroom anticucho
With two options to choose from in Borough Market and Canary Wharf, Mallow is an excellent option for any deferred Christmas lunches or client "meetings" this Jan. As the sister restaurant to the acclaimed Mildreds, Mallow brings a sophisticated yet relaxed approach to plant-based dining. The menu draws inspiration from global cuisines, featuring standout dishes like their charred king oyster mushroom skewers (pic right) and their innovative take on sticky toffee pudding.
The Borough Market location offers a vibrant atmosphere with views of the market's historic architecture, while the Canary Wharf site provides a more contemporary setting with waterside views. Both locations pride themselves on their creative cocktail menu and extensive wine list featuring organic and biodynamic options.
Key facts: Borough Market & Canary Wharf / global inspired menu / creative cocktails
Price: ££ - small plates from £9, mains from £16
5. Gauthier Soho
Pic: Gauthier
Housed in an elegant townhouse in the heart of Soho, Alexis Gauthier's flagship restaurant represents the pinnacle of plant-based dining in London. After transforming the previously traditional French restaurant into a fully vegan establishment in 2021, Gauthier has continued to push boundaries with his innovative eight-course tasting menu known as the “Grand Dîner“.
The restaurant offers an intimate dining experience, with two restaurants rooms, a wine cellar and private dining areas, with each dish presenting a masterclass in technique and presentation. The famous 'faux gras' – a plant-based take on foie gras – demonstrates the kitchen's commitment to creating ethical alternatives to classic French cuisine without compromising on flavour or experience.
Key facts: Soho / fine dining / tasting menu only / intimate setting
Price: £££ - 8 course menu £95 per person, wine pairing additional £75
https://www.gauthiersoho.co.uk/
6. Mildreds Covent Garden
Pic: Mildreds
Last up we have a true London favourite, Mildreds. Mildreds has been serving vegetarian and vegan food since 1988, long before plant-based eating became mainstream. The Covent Garden branch maintains the welcoming, bustling atmosphere that made the original Soho location so popular, while offering a prime central London location perfect for pre-theatre dining or meeting friends.
The menu features a mix of crowd-pleasing comfort food and more adventurous dishes, from their legendary mushroom and ale pie to Korean fried chick'n. In January however, they have a special Veganuary menu, taking inspiration from Los Angeles - think Mexican tortilla, cactus and ferments!
Key facts: Covent Garden / casual dining / comfort food
Price: ££ - starters from £7, mains from £14
https://www.mildreds.com/covent-garden/
So….
Let us know what you think - we’d love to hear from you.
Written by Lauren
