By After years of unfair (and often unrequested) criticism, vegan cookbooks top the Amazon best-seller list and more and more vegan restaurants are popping up in the capital. Thankfully, those who forgo meat and dairy no longer need fear having that line from Notting Hill about believing "fruit and vegetables have feelings" thrown back in their face (stuff you, Richard Curtis).
This year more people than ever before are taking part in Veganuary, a month without meat, fish, eggs or dairy products. This shift comes as people in their droves try to change their lifestyle for health, ethical or environmental reasons.
So whether you are trying meat-free for the month or looking to explore the plethora of spots finally catering to your diet, here are the best vegan restaurants London has to offer.
Farmacy
Bursting with foliage on well-heeled Westbourne Grove, Farmacy is a slice of sunny Los Angeles from the extensive juice menu (superfood smoothies and syringe shots) to the oh-so-stylish interior. But the food is what really impresses, which uses vegan substitutes that really don't leave you missing the 'real thing'. Try the Mexican grain bowl with purple potato and guacamole, or the brown rice macaroni in a truffled ‘cheese’ sauce.
Farmacy, 74 Westbourne Grove, London W2 5SH
Temple of Seitan
Whilst vegans are more than catered for when it comes to leaves and chickpeas, the fast food options have been seriously lacking. Until, that is, Hackney spot Temple of Seitan threw open their doors and offered East London everything from 'chicken' burgers (made using vegan substitute seitan) to mac 'n' cheese, and all with a side of piousness. Come for the cool name, stay for the Temple Burger with 'bacon' and ranch mayonnaise.
Temple of Seitan, 10 Morning Ln, London E9 6NA
Deliciously Ella
Picking up the slack where other lunch spots are letting London's hungry vegan population down, Deliciously Ella (of cookbook fame) has opened a string of delis in London. In addition to a selection of daily salad items including roasted sweet potato, corn bread and coleslaw, customers can order hot dishes to have in or takeaway. Our personal favourite breakfast PB&J bagel with sweet raspberry chia jam or the lunchtime yellow curry. We would also advise pocketing a peanut fudge slice, made with natural sugar, for that 4pm slump.
Deliciously Ella Deli, 18-20 Weighhouse Street,London, W1K 5LU
Club Mexicana
With the taco trend showing no sign of stopping, you can now indulge in your favourite Mexican street-food without straying from veganism. Club Mexicana's menu offers delicious treats such as tacos with chipotle potatoes and kale salad or the cult favourite jackfruit pancake with avocado salsa verde. Dirty, delicious and all without breaking the rules.
Various KERB market locations and Dinerama in Shoreditch
NAMA
This small stylish spot in Notting Hill expertly creates raw food dishes that maximise health benefits but still taste delicious. The raw vegan pizza will make you temporarily forget your love affair with mozzarella and the courgette pasta and vegetarian burrito taste as good as you feel eating them. Best of all raw food is surprisingly filling. You don't need to go raw forever just take a day off and glow with how zen you feel.
NAMA, 110 Talbot Road, London W11 1JR
Wulf And Lamb
Despite the slightly naff mantras of 'friends who prey together stay together' Wulf and Lamb really deliver when it comes to their menu. The Sloane Square spot serves up dishes such as an open burrito with sautéed ackee, black beans and red rice and their vegetable burger, with cashew aioli comes with a delicious house sauerkraut.
Wulf and Lamb, 243 Pavilion Rd, Chelsea, London SW1X 0BP
Itadaki Zen
Vegetarian doesn't normally spring to mind when you think of traditional Japanese cuisine. Instead we are used to maki rolled stuffed with thick slices of fish or doughy duck gyoza. Itadaki Zen disagree somewhat and for this reason are Europe's first vegan and organic Japanese restaurant. Menu highlights include the marinated peanuts with udon noodles, seaweed rolls with shiitake mushrooms and their light spring rolls which can be order grilled to digest more easily.
Itadaki Zen, 139 King's Cross Rd, London WC1X 9BJ
Haunt
Whether it's the jackfruit wings with bourbon BBQ sauce or their crispy cornbread bites with whipped maple butter, we bet you won't miss meat at this 100% vegan Stoke Newington spot. If your tooth is a little sweeter, head down for brunch where they serve a stack of fluffy pancakes and an amazing brioche bread 'n' butter pudding.
Haunt, 182 Stoke Newington Road, N16 7UY
