Its veggie food on the menu today! Given some people may not be convinced, but in addition to sometimes being a healthier alternative to meat dishes, vegetarian recipes involve more than arranging a few vegetables on a plate and can be really tasty and imaginative creations, especially if you know what to cook and how to use the ingredients at your disposal. Furthermore, London is a very diverse and cosmopolitan city thus there are an array of vegetarian options available from all different cultures and backgrounds which I have thus included in our top 5 vegetarian restaurants in London list.
1. Sagar – Vegetarian Indian Restaurant
This restaurant offers a wide selection of South Indian vegetarian and vegan dishes including starters, soups, curries, main dishes, pizzas, a special selection of chowpatis and fresh bread, and desserts etc. containing various Indian spices, herbs and other vegetables. Many are vegetarian by religion in India and for this reason they have a wide assortment of dishes and cooking techniques which is reflected in the delicious and varied menu that is available in this restaurant. The food is fairly simple but really tasty and the portions are quite generous whilst being very reasonably priced at the same time. Furthermore, they have special lunchtime and dinner meal deals, the service is excellent, the restaurants very pleasant and they are very well located (Convent Garden, Hammersmith and the West End) thus making Sagar a really good choice for going out to eat.
2. Maoz falafel café – Vegetarian fast food chain
Located on Tottenham court Road it is a small café that specialises in making falafel and is the perfect choice if you’re out and about in London. The food on offer is strictly vegetarian as it comprises mainly falafel in home baked pitta bread, in addition to the salad and the sauces that are all prepared fresh every day. There are different menu options including the falafel pitta, chips or a salad box, and the beauty of this restaurant is that you can make your own sandwich by adding whatever you choose from the complimentary salad bar which offers an array of salad ingredients and sauces to complete your falafel pitta. The service is quick as it is a vegetarian restaurant chain, the food fresh, and it is a healthy and affordable alternative.
3. Gourmet Burger Kitchen – Burger Restaurant
Ok so it’s a bit of cheat, it’s not a vegetarian café; however we had to include this in our favourites list because the Gourmet Burger Kitchen sells the most delicious variety of vegetarian burgers that we have ever tasted! They make classic burgers as well as create some really innovative and tasty combinations that are just yummy. They do not use any meat alternatives and just use fresh ingredients in their vegetarian burgers which they make to order. In addition, they offer quite a nice selection so vegetarians are unusually spoilt for choice and if you don’t see a burger that you fancy you can make your own. In addition, they offer a small selection of salads and side orders, as well as sauces which they make from scratch in the kitchen. Averaging at around eight pounds a burger, they are slightly pricey but the portions are generous and the food of excellent quality. Finally, this restaurant is quite easy to find as there quite a few dotted around London namely Convent Garden, Ealing Broadway, South Kensington, Earls Court, Notting Hill, Baker Street, Soho, Brunswick, Chiswick etc. so you’re sure to find one. Check out the picture of the veggie camembert burger, looks good doesn’t it?!
4. Bonnington Café – Vegetarian café with a twist!
It is a small, special vegetarian café located in Vauxhall. It is quite difficult to find but its well worth it. Given that it is a community project run by a collection of cooks, the food does vary from day to day, so some days it may be strictly vegan whilst others it could be Indian, Chinese, and Italian to Medieval inspired. Regardless of this, one thing is certain it is an extraordinary place and the food is always lovingly homemade by the variety of member cooks that incorporate their own style into the cuisine on offer everyday. Furthermore, the food is very reasonably priced (starters 3 pounds and mains 7) and the ambience a laid back one with a friendly bohemian feel. This café will offer you a unique experience as it is probably unlike any other eatery in London.
5. Inspiral Lounge – Vegetarian-vegan café/bar
Inspiral Lounge is a vegetarian-vegan café located in Camden, in the heart of London and if green is your bag then this is your thing! It is a small but cosy looking and pleasantly decorated bar-café that practically draws you in with its tasty looking food on display in the window. Similarly, there is a very relaxed, laid back and environmentally conscience atmosphere. The variety of food on offer is suitable not just for vegetarians and vegans but wheat intolerant diners as well, and a lot of it is either raw, organic, or seasonal. In addition, they offer a nice selection of organic cocktails, beer, fruit beer, and wine. Finally, they have musical performances in the evening, and at night it’s especially nice when they light up the bar with candles. Meat eaters may not be convinced but let me assure you the food and drinks on offer are satisfying, yummy and the best thing of all will leave you feeling healthy! Plus the café bar affords a nice view of the canal. If I have convinced you then I would suggest you head down to this café-bar during the week as it does get quite busy during the weekend and as far as finding it, it’s quite central and you can’t miss it, it has a huge wooden tree gracing the front!