Déjà Vu’s Veganuary Guide
Veganuary is back and is more popular than ever, especially in London. More and more people have chosen not to consume animal products this month & the likes of KFC and Costa have even jumped on board, using the month to launch new vegan products. Environmental issues and global warming are more obvious than ever, which may explain the sudden rise in plant-based eating/choices.
To make the transition even easier for you, we have compiled a list of our favourite picks in London for Veganuary 2020:
Best Vegan Restaurants
It is great to see restaurants that are typically non-vegan creating plant-based dishes specifically for Veganuary, however there are a number of vegan and vegetarian restaurants in London doing it year-round. With their sole focus on plant-based and cruelty-free dishes at all times, they are bound to have come up with some of the best offerings.
Neat Burger, Mayfair: Busting the myth that vegan food has to consist of celery sticks, kale and hummus, Neat Burger offers ethical, sustainable and delicious vegan fast food. Backed by vegan A-Lister Lewis Hamilton and using the widely-praised Beyond Meat patties, this Mayfair spot is perfect for those days when you just need something a little naughty. Choose from a concise yet delicious menu including burgers, hotdogs, tater tots and dairy-free milkshakes.
Bubala, Spitalfields: This is the perfect date-night or celebratory spot during Veganuary. With an all vegetarian menu (most of which are vegan or can be made vegan), this dinky dining room specialises in Middle Eastern sharing plates inspired by the cafes of Tel Aviv. Picture oyster mushroom skewers, romanesco cauliflower and fried aubergine in date syrup. Delish!
By Chloe, Covent Garden: Plant-based British comfort food classics head up the all-Vegan menu at this edgy, fast-casual venue. By Chloe was one of the first plant-based disruptors in the UK restaurant industry when they landed from the States in 2018 & their menu imitated popular British dishes so accurately - their tofu fish and chips honestly would have fooled me! On January 25th 2020, they are even throwing a ‘Veganuary Wellbeing Rave’ where you can enjoy a silent disco alongside their usual mouthwatering food offerings.
Tell Your Friends, Parsons Green: Creative vegan chow. Tell Your Friends have created a full menu of vegan dishes, using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Everything is ethically sourced & their mission is to provide delicious & nourishing fare, showcasing the wide variety of meat-free options available. The menu is by no means designed exclusively for vegans, with 'chicken' bites, burgers & 'fish' and chips aimed at attracting carnivores, pescatarians and veggies alike.
Wulf & Lamb, Chelsea: Despite the name giving off distinct carnivorous images, Wulf & Lamb is indeed animal-free, with an all-vegan menu. Housed on a cute cutaway street by Sloane Square, this restaurant is well-suited to the Chelsea crowd. The fare is creative and well-executed; offerings include chilli non carne, chargrilled broccolini & wulf pie. But don't confuse plant-based with non-indulgent - cakes are brought in from vegan artisan patisserie Ruby's and include triple chocolate cupcakes and pistachio donuts.
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This blog post would turn into more of a dissertation if we were to delve into detail about all our favourite plant-based restaurants in London, so we have listed more of our favourite perma-vegan spots below:
Ethos Foods, Fitzrovia: buffet style vegetarian and vegan dishes
Farmacy, Notting Hill: healthy, non-indulgent plant-based dishes
Humble Pizza, Chelsea: a plant-based perspective on the world’s most popular meal
Mao Chow, Hackney: all vegan, Chinese-inspired dishes. And BYOB!
Rogue Vegan, Dalston: Caribbean and Creole wholefood options
We are Vegan Everything (WAVE), Hackney: Guilt-free Bali-inspired healthy vegan menu
The Canvas Cafe, Spitalfields: Vegan meals, freakshakes, cookies and cakes!
Kalifornia Kitchen, Fitzrovia: Laidback vibes and delicious dishes
Young Vegan’s Pizza Shop, Bethnal Green: Vegan pizza and pies
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Best Vegan Roasts
When I first began eating plant-based, one thing I found really hard to kick the cravings for was a good old Sunday Roast. There really is nothing better on a cold Winter’s day or to try and combat the hangover you’re nursing from one-too-many last night. Luckily, we have compiled a list of the best vegan roasts so you don’t need to skip this luxury this Veganuary (or ever again).
The Elgin, Maida Vale: Enjoy a hearty mushroom and spinach wellington with all the trimmings - roast potatoes, seasonal veg, a vegan yorkshire pud and lashings of gravy.
The Windsor Castle, Kensington: Try their signature nut roast with veggie gravy and roast potatoes.
The Jolly Butchers, Stoke Newington: Despite the name, The Jolly Butchers offers a number of vegetarian and vegan options. Choose their nut roast with green beans, carrots, broccoli, roast potatoes, a big fat yorkshire pud and gravy for a real vegan feast.
Aragon House, Parsons Green: A deliciously indulgent plant-based roast in the heart of SW6. Enjoy vegetable wellington with mushroom gravy, braised red cabbage, carrot and swede puree, roast potatoes and parsnips and spring greens.
The Crown & Anchor, Brixton: South West London’s answer to a plant-based Sunday Roast. Choose from a vegan nut roast or a veggie spinach, mushroom & goat’s cheese wellington - with all the trimmings, obviously.
The Talbot, Dalston: This classic pub in the heart of N1 offers a different vegan Sunday dish: mixed bean sausages. Served with all the trimmings of a regular roast, these hearty sausages are the perfect combo with gravy and veg.
Roast, London Bridge: This stunning spot beside Borough Market is perfect for a cosy Sunday meal. Roast offers a grilled romanesco cauliflower steak with lemon jam, capers and parsley in place of the regular slow-cooked meat in your roast dinner, and it does not disappoint.
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Veganuary Events and Special Dishes
It is great to see a large selection of non-vegan restaurants creating dishes specifically for Veganuary, and even hosting events to celebrate the popular movement. We have listed a few of our favs below:
Patty & Bun, Multiple Locations: Perhaps the most exciting thing about Veganuary for me - Patty & Bun have created permanent plant-based versions of three of their most popular burgers, in conjunction with this.uk. This one is for the meat-loving vegans out there.
Roma Pizza, Brick Lane: Known for its thin and crispy pizza, Roma is serving vegan versions of its four vegetarian pizzas this January. To further sweeten the deal, anyone buying a vegan pizza, will also receive a free lemon granita. Win win!
SpiceBox, Walthamstow: This vegan Indian street-food style restaurant has added brunch to its weekend lineup. Enjoy dosa waffles, spicy jackfruit beans, crispy bombay potatoes, kerala fried ‘chick’n’ & chai-spiced banana.
The Rooftop at Trafalgar, St James’: Enjoy spectacular views of Trafalgar Square while munching on vegan cheese fondue. Made with almond milk, vegan cheese, tahini and white wine, this bubbling pot of deliciousness is a must-try!
Counter Culture, Clapham: This locals’ favourite in the heart of Clapham Old Town is going all vegan for January (and February and March) - that’s right, every dish! Chef Andy Hogben of vegan concept Alter has created an entirely vegan menu for the venue, which includes the likes of shiitake and garlic wonton dumplings, Malay laksa and crispy roti & sweetcorn chaat.
Kricket, Brixton: One of my absolute favourite spots is going all vegetarian for January - so not quite totally Vegan - but with lots of vegan dishes on offer! In their quest to highlight the versatility and excellence of vegetables, dishes such as keralan fried mushrooms, makhani butternut squash, sesame raita sweet potato and hyderabadi baby aubergine take centre stage.
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Vegan Sweet Treats
If, like me, the hardest part about Veganuary is ditching the dairy (i.e. chocolate, ice cream, donuts, all your fav snacks…) don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Personally I don’t believe a Veganuary guide is complete without pointing you in the direction of your next sugar fix…
Nora and Nama, Camden: An artisan vegan bakery in North London. All products are baked and prepared on-site in Camden Market - cakes, confectionery and delicious plant-based hot drinks.
Udderlicious, Covent Garden/Islington: Arguably THE best ice cream in London. Udderlicious has two locations: Covent Garden & Islington. The ice cream is made on-site using seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients & the 'flavours of the month' are inspired and scrumptious. There are always at least 5 or 6 vegan options too. Whether you need a midday shopping-relief cone or a late-night-fix, udderlicious is the spot.
La Gelatiera, Stratford: With daily-changing flavours to reflect seasonal variations, you never know what you might find at La Gelatiera. Some of our vegan favourites include Sicilian pistachio, dark chocolate with chilli, coconut sorbet and alphonso mango sorbet. This spot really is worth a visit.