The Best London Vegan Guide: Restaurants, Shops, & More

What city is your favorite? For me, I think London will always be at the top of the list and not just because of its amazing vegan food, which this guide will help you find, but for its incredible charisma and charm.

If this is your first-time visiting London get ready to be a little overwhelmed (but in the best way). It is a giant, fast-paced city filled to the brim with just about everything you can imagine, and it’s one of those cities where you can have serious FOMO.

I have been there multiple times, I even lived there for a couple of months, and there are still things that I want to see and do. Keep that in mind when planning and wearing yourself out trying to fit everything in — it’s just not possible.

This vegan travel guide to London has just about everything you need to plan the most fantastic trip — loads of vegan restaurant recommendations, high tea spots, clothing shops, sweets, things to do, and MORE! If you’re feeling anxious about traveling as a vegan, check out my vegan travel tips!

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Is London Vegan-Friendly?

OMG! Heck yes! London is one of the most vegan-friendly cities in the world — it is so easy to be a vegan in London. You will be spoiled (and maybe a little overwhelmed – consider a vegan food tour to get the local scoop) with all of the choices from chic high tea to street eats and everything in between! Some say there are well over 1,000 vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants in London!

Must Try Vegan Restaurants in London

This vegan travel guide to London just scratches the surface of the amazing food the city has to offer — you could spend a whole year just eating (well maybe not a whole year but you get my drift)!

One more tip, if you’re looking for another vegan-friendly city to visit, don’t miss Brighton! It’s only an hour from London, and I have the best vegan travel guide to Brighton to help you plan!

Mildred’s

There are five locations throughout London
They claim to be the best vegan restaurant in London, I have to say I just might agree! If I wasn’t writing about food, I might have made multiple stops here. The menu is a mix of globally-inspired vegan dishes like spinach gyoza, kebabs, tacos, and much more! They’re open all day, including breakfast during the week and brunch on the weekends (don’t miss it)!

Plants by DE

18 Weighhouse St, Mayfair, London W1K 5LU, United Kingdom
The brand behind this modern plant based café was originally started as a recipe blog by one woman and has now grown into a healthy eating empire — cool, right? The veggie forward menu is a great mix of healthy and indulgent and features abundant salads, crispy fritters, and more. They are also one of the many spots that have an amazing daily breakfast menu in London!

Mallow

1 Cathedral St, London SE1 9DE, United Kingdom
Located inside Borough Market, this boho-chic spot serves veggie-forward dishes inspired by cuisines from around the globe. All of their dishes focus on seasonal and sustainable ingredients and they aim to be as low waste as possible. This spot is also run by the same people behind Mildred’s, so if you love Mildred’s you’ll most definitely love Mallow. They are also open for breakfast all week!

Itadaki Zen

139 King’s Cross Rd, London WC1X 9BJ, United Kingdom
The best spot for affordable vegan Japanese cuisine — Itadaki was also one of Europe’s first vegan Japanese restaurant! It’s also located inside King’s Cross, a great place to stop if you’re coming into town or going.

Holy Carrot

2-4 Hans Cres, London SW1X 0LH, United Kingdom
This vegan restaurant is cooking up an inventive menu that would even fool meat-eaters. They’re open for lunch and dinner and brunch on the weekends — if you plan to visit on the weekend make reservations. Oh, and you just might want to order the Sexy Tofu — it’s delicious and sexy!

The Vurger Co.

Multiple locations throughout London
If you’re gluten-free and have been getting left out in the cold with vegan junk food, then come here! This vegan fast-food joint has an epic lineup of burgers, mac-n-cheese, fries, and more. But the best part is almost everything can be made gluten-free too!

WAVE (We Are Vegan Everything)

11 Dispensary Ln, London E8 1FT, United Kingdom
This charming little vegan café in Hackney has an incredible breakfast/brunch lineup, especially if you’re gluten-free. This was the only spot in London that I found a vegan and gluten-free sausage roll! Aside from gorgeous pastries and pancakes they also have a great coffee lineup. If you’re a coffee fan, don’t miss the salted coffee!

Purezza Camden

45-47 Parkway, London NW1 7PN, United Kingdom
This is hands down the best place in London for vegan and gluten-free pizza! These creative pizza pies are whipped up with various amazing toppings — roasted pancetta, truffles, house-made cheeses, and so much more.

Farmacy

74-76 Westbourne Grove, London W2 5SH, United Kingdom
This farm-to-table spot creates gorgeous veggie-forward dishes with ingredients grown on their farm in Kent. Everything is also made without refined sugars, additives, or chemicals.

Stem & Glory

60 Bartholomew Cl, Barbican, London EC1A 7BF, United Kingdom
This vegan spot has a terrific menu of globally-inspired fare, and it’s almost all gluten-free friendly! The dishes are all veggie-forward, from the mushroom scallops to the Korean fish tacos!

Wulf and Lamb

243 Pavilion Rd, Chelsea, London SW1X 0BP, United Kingdom
Chic little spot with two London locations. Their menu features globally-inspired vegan eats like Bao, coconut curry, and more. I heard rave reviews about their mac-n-cheese, you might want to check it out!

DAUNS

77 Wentworth St, London E1 7TD, United Kingdom
Vegan Swedish meatballs? Say no more! This cozy, modern spot is the first vegan Scandinavian-inspired vegan restaurant in London; making it the only place where you’re going to find veganized Swedish delicacies. In addition to meatballs, you’ll also want to check out their classic open face Scandi sandwiches (smørrebrød), Swedish hot dogs, weekend brunch specials, and more!

Gauthier Soho

21 Romilly St, London W1D 5AF, United Kingdom
Run by Michelin-starred French chef, Alexis Gauthier, who shortly after going vegan made Gauthier’s entire menu plant-based (to the delight of vegans)! For something extra special don’t miss their nine-course tasting menu, you won’t be disappointed!

Vegan & Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in London

Almost all of these spots are vegan or vegetarian with the exception of Farm Girl. I included it because they have terrific vegan breakfast options!

Farm Girl

Multiple locations throughout London
Hip vegan-friendly brunch and lunch café — don’t skip the pancakes (they’re gf too!).

Plant Club

49 Green Lanes, Newington Green, London N16 9BU
The only vegan and gluten-free Italian restaurant in London! If you’re craving creamy pasta, chewy house-made pizza, or even focaccia, (seriously, it’s gluten-free!) come here.

Black Cat Café

76A Clarence Rd, Lower Clapton, London E5 8HB, United Kingdom
A great spot for a vegan burger, sandwich, slice of cake, or all of the above! They also have heartier options like shepherds pie, seitan steak, and moussaka — a great place to find a little bit of everything.

The Spread Eagle

224 Homerton High St, London E9 6AS, United Kingdom
The first fully vegan pub in London with traditional British eats, including the iconic Sunday roast (veganized, of course)!

En Root

5, Ascot Parade, Clapham Park Rd, London SW4 7EY, United Kingdom
Indian-inspired vegan delights — go with friends and get a sharing platter!

Genesis Plant Based Alchemy

144 Commercial Street, Spitalfields, London E1 6NU
Chic diner with creative comfort fare with a twist — kimchi fries, beer-battered banana blossom burgers, and much more.

The Gate

Locations in Marylebone & Islington
Delicious vegetarian and vegan food with French and Italian influences.

Neat Burger

Multiple locations throughout London
Mouth-watering vegan burgers, fries, milkshakes, and more!

Temple of Seitan

43 Parkway, Camden Town, London NW1 7PN, United Kingdom
Vegan comfort food at its finest! Dive into Nashville hot chicken, Temple Wings, tots, and so much more goodness.

Veggie Pret

Three locations in London — Canary Wharf, Broadwick Street, and Broadway
These three Pret locations are full vegetarian! They offer vegan pastries, snacks, salads, and sandwiches for breakfast and lunch! There are regular Pret locations that do have a few vegan things but for the best options, you have to check out these three veggie locations!

Vegan and Vegan-Friendly Bakeries & Ice Cream in London

You didn’t think after looking at all of those amazing vegan and vegan-friendly restaurant in London that there wouldn’t be dessert, right? After breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you’re going to want to check out these amazing vegan bakeries and ice cream spots!

Humbledough (The Afterschool Cookie Club)

Unit 33, Boxpark, 2-10 Bethnal Grn Rd, London E1 6GY
Using the delicious vegan soft serve from DAPPA, Humbledough creates epic cookie dough sundaes, ice cream cookie sandwiches, or a combination of both! What’s even better is everything is gluten-free!

Cookies & Scream

130 Holloway Rd, London N7 8JE, United Kingdom
A vegan and gluten-free bakeshop specializing in all things delicious — cookies, pies, donuts, brownies, and even milkshakes!

Vida Bakery

139 Brick Ln, London E1 6SB
This charming bakery is known for its irresistible vegan and gluten-free cakes and cupcakes in a variety of fun flavors, from red velvet to rainbow and everything in between.

Ruby’s of London

11 Durnford St, London SE10 9BF, United Kingdom
Absolutely gorgeous cupcakes, brownies, cakes, and more! They also do special orders for weddings and other occasions.

Arapina Bakery

8, Little Thames Walk, London SE8 3FB, United Kingdom
Adorable vegan-friendly bakery with so many delicious things — donuts, pancakes, cakes, cookies, and more! There are multiple locations throughout the city that specialize in different items so be sure to check out their website.

DAPPA

Ely’s Yard, 91 Brick Ln, London E1 6QL, United Kingdom
Outrageous creamy vegan ice cream creations — soft serve sundaes, milkshakes, and more.

Crosstown Marylebone

5-6 Picton Pl, London W1U 1BL, United Kingdom
An amazing vegan donut shop in London! You’ll be in a sugar coma with their selection of donuts but they also have house-made ice cream and occasionally other sweets!

Knead A Little Love

253 Bethnal Grn Rd, London E2 6AH
This bakery started with epic vegan donuts from the back of a bike during the pandemic! Luckily for its customers, it was able to grow into a cute café in Shoreditch and expand its offerings to include vegan pastries, sausage rolls, brownies, and more.

Doughnut Time

Multiple locations throughout London
This vegan-friendly donut shop always has multiple fun vegan options like the David Hasselhoff filled with Biscoff buttercream and topped with caramel buttercream, or stay traditional with an icing-covered sprinkle donut!

Spots for Vegan Afternoon Tea in London

Afternoon or high tea is a British tradition but never vegan-friendly unless you visit these awesome spots!

Farmacy

74-76 Westbourne Grove, London W2 5SH
This is the only vegan restaurant in London with an afternoon tea option! It features vegan and gluten-free cakes, sandwiches, pastries, and more.

The Egerton Hotel

17-19 Egerton Terrace, London SW3 2BX
This gorgeous hotel in Knightsbridge offers guests the opportunity to sample the best of Britain with its afternoon tea experience. They offer vegan and gluten-free options but need a 24-hr. notice.

The Ritz London

150 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1J 9BR
Another fancy spot for vegan afternoon tea in London! The traditional tea service comes with 18 different types of tea, champagne, desserts, and sandwiches. The vegan option isn’t publicized on their website, but they are able to accommodate it as long as the booking is at least 48 hours in advance.

Vegan & Vegan-Friendly Shops in London

If you’re in search of new shoes or maybe a cute handbag while you’re in London, then you’ve got to check out these ethical shops.

The Third Estate

27 Brecknock Rd, London N7 0BT
The only fully vegan shoe and clothing shop (that I could find) in London! The vegan shop has been selling animal-free and sustainable men’s and women’s fashions since 2005 (the store first opened in Leeds). This is the perfect place to find some creative kicks, a new bag, or maybe just a tee to take home!

69b Boutique Sustainable Style

69b Broadway Market, London E8 4PH
This vegan-friendly clothing shop focuses on stocking sustainable fashion brands, many of which focus on using recycled materials to make their designs. The store carries brands like VEJA and Matt & Nat.

Pipoca Vegan

224 Brixton Rd, London SW9 6AH
This vegan spot in Brixton is part vegan restaurant and part zero-waste store! The store carries a complete vegan lineup of bulk food, beauty products, small gifts, and more. After shopping, head next door for delicious vegan South American and Caribbean inspired eats.

Vegan-Friendly Hotels in London

These are just a couple vegan options! If you’re looking for more suggestions, check out — 11 Beautiful vegan-friendly hotels in London! Also, one note, don’t get too caught up in staying in one area over another — mass transit is extensive, making it really easy to zoom around the city.

Hilton London Bankside

London’s first luxury vegan hotel suite. Everything in the room, from the pillows to what’s inside the minibar, is made with vegan-friendly products. The room was created in partnership with The Vegan Society. Aside from the vegan treats in the mini bar, guests can also enjoy an in-room vegan menu. The hotel is a five-minute walk to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the Millenium Bridge, and Tate Modern.

Book Your Stay

Temple Lodge Club

This charming Georgian B&B was once the home of artist Sir Frank Brangwyn and today welcomes visitors for a peaceful stay in Hammersmith, West London. All the food they serve is vegetarian and organic, with options for vegans and others who have dietary concerns. It is only a few minutes’ walk to the Hammersmith underground and bus station, which will get you quickly into the heart of London.

Book Your Stay

La Suite West

This elegant Victorian-style hotel is located on a quiet street outside Hyde Park. The plant-based restaurant, Café Forty-One, is the hotel’s main dining, serving daily breakfast, brunch, and afternoon tea and desserts. The hotel is close to both Bayswater and Queensway underground stations and only a short walk to Oxford Street and Knightsbridge.

Book Your Stay

The Best Time to Visit London

Some may disagree, but I feel there isn’t a bad time to visit the city. Well, maybe the dead of summer just because of the crowds. The spring and fall are beautiful, and the weather is mild. The winter isn’t as bitter as it can be in the States; it is gray and sometimes rainy but manageable for sightseeing.

Two beautiful things to see in the winter (December/January) are the Christmas Markets and NYE fireworks (to get up close to the fireworks, you must buy tickets, more on that later). Something to consider when booking your trip.

9 Things To Do in London

#1 Enjoy vegan cheese and wine at La Fauxmagerie

This is London’s only vegan cheese shop! If you’d like to sample pungent blue cheese, creamy goat, savory feta, and loads of others, you must come here. The shop is open Wednesday – Sunday, offering guests the opportunity to peruse all of their creations along with others made in the UK, but for the best experience, you need to make a reservation and visit The Cellar.

Just below the cheese shop are their wine and cheese tasting room. The Cellar offers eight different cheese tastings that are paired with a selection of vegan wines and beers (if you’d prefer to forgo the alcohol, no worries. They have non-alcoholic options too). The cheese plates are served with a selection of jams, veggies, and regular or gluten-free bread.

#2 Go to the theatre

With 39 theatres in the city, there isn’t a shortage of musical theatre! We got a chance to see Wicked at The Apollo Victoria Theatre — it was great! There are also lottery or rush ticket deals the same for certain performances, just ask at the box office.

#3 Check out some of London’s amazing markets!

London is home to some of the world’s best markets! Whether you’re interested in antiquing or eating yourself silly, there are plenty of options here! A few of my favorites include:

Borough Market

Located next to The London Bridge and is full of all types of food (including vegan food!) — everything your taste buds could want. We found terrific Indian food, crepes, and more.

Portobello Market

Located in the chic neighborhood of Notting Hill and is one of the largest antique markets in the world. Aside from antiques, you will find produce, clothing, street food, and more!

Camden Market

Practically takes over the Camden Town Neighborhood! It’s home to more than 1,000 exciting shops, cafes, food vendors, bars, and more! But, one unique stop just next to Camden Market is the Buck Street Market — it’s London’s first eco-market. At Buck Street, you can find vegan pastries, smoothies, and more at The Clean Kitchen, enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine at Antojitos, or enjoy greasy vegan junk food at Bad Vegan. On top of the awesome vegan eats, all of the food produced here is converted back into energy for the national grid!

Old Spitalfields Market

Is set in a Victorian-era market hall and is home to mainstream shops along with independent boutiques, food vendors, and more. For vegan-friendly shopping, check out Inspitalfields, which sells sustainable, handmade products from local artists, and for food, stop by The Polka Dot Bakery and/or Merkamo Ethiopian.

Covent Garden

Was once a fruit and vegetable market; today, it is home to iconic British brands, popular shops, restaurants, and the antique-filled Apple Market. For vegan finds, you won’t have to look too far. Grab a scoop or two of gelato from Venchi Chocolate & Gelato, maybe a soft baked cookie from Ben’s Cookies, and after that, you’ll probably want a cup of tea, so don’t miss Whittard’s on the lower level. Just outside of the market, you’ll also find vegan and cruelty-free perfumes at Floral Street Fragrances.

Colombia Road Flower Market

Is one of London’s oldest flower markets. Colombia Road shuts down and is over flowering with fresh cut blooms, cacti, potted plants, and more. The market is every Sunday and for the best selection and lightest crowds (it’s popular), go early — it opens at 8 AM.

The Seven Dials Market is one more stop while you’re in the Covent Garden area. This market is an indoor space to bring together London’s bustling street food shops and pop-ups. It’s also home to the vegan Mexican hot spot, Club Mexicana.

#4 Take in a show at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

This is a reconstruction of William Shakespeare’s circular theatre, which was destroyed by fire. You can still take in a show in the theatre and experience it as the audience would during Shakespeare’s time! For a mere £5, you can purchase a groundling ticket (ground floor, standing ticket) and be right in the action.

#5 Take a walk in Hyde Park

The largest of the four Royal Parks — covering 350 acres, it’s a great place to stretch your legs, rent a boat, or take a nap. Many special events and activities happen throughout the year. While wandering around, stop by Speaker’s Corner and see what people are debating or publicly speaking out against.

#6 Capture Instagram-worthy shots at Sky Garden

A great place to get a full view of the city and enjoy three stories of beautiful gardens. There are also two restaurants and a bar. The views and gardens are free, but you do need to book tickets ahead of time. Oh, and if you need to capture more views of the London skyline, a second fantastic place to visit is the Shard — the tallest skyscraper in London!

#7 Check out Big Ben and The Houses of Parliament

Probably the most famous landmark in London, a trip isn’t complete without hearing Big Ben chime. Interesting fact, Big Ben’s chimes have rarely stopped; even during WWII, when a bomb struck the commons, Big Ben kept going. Tours are available to see the inner workings of the UK Parliament.

#8 Say Meow to cute kitties at Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium

London’s first cat café is the perfect place to take a sightseeing break and make a furry friend! The café is home to a mix of permanent furry residents and kitties looking for their fur-ever homes. While giving out chin scratches, check out their vegan-friendly café menu, which offers vegan cupcakes, scones, and cake, along with coffee, tea, and even meowgaritas!

One important note, you do need to make a reservation before you visit — these kitties are popular!

#9 BONUS idea! — at the holidays, check out the beautiful lights, markets, and NYE fireworks show

I’m not one for big NYE celebrations, I am usually in bed by 10 pm, but something was special about bringing in the new year with 100,000 other people on the Thames. The city is also aglow with beautiful lights and festivities — it is an enjoyable experience and a great way to welcome the new year. You must have tickets for the fireworks, and you’ll have to be quick; they go fast.

A Few More Things To Do in London

• Check out the Churchill War Rooms
• Take a picture on Abbey Road
• Get a bird’s eye view on the London Eye
• Learn some history on a walking tour
• Visit St. James Park and its Pelicans
• Stroll through the beautiful Kew Gardens
• Consider a day trip to Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath

How to Get Around London

Getting from Heathrow to The City Centre

Getting around with public transportation is so easy. If you’re coming from Heathrow airport to the city center, you have a few options — train, bus or taxi. With the train you have two options — a one-way ticket to zone 1 on the tube is £5.60 if you pay with an Oyster Card or contactless payment, if you pay in cash it is £6.70.

You can also take the Heathrow Express which will give you nonstop service to Paddington Station, the ticket is about £25 (you can save a little money if you book well in advance). The Heathrow Express is a 15-minute train ride, whereas the tube will take about an hour to get to central London.

National Express runs bus service from Heathrow to the Victoria Coach station, a one-way ticket averages about £6 – £10. It will take about an hour.

Lastly, a taxi/Uber is about £60 (depending on the time of day, I’ve seen prices close to £100!) and will take around roughly an hour, depending on traffic. Taking either the tube or train is your best option for cost and efficiency. It’s also really easy — you don’t have to leave the airport, just follow the signs to the baggage claim and from there you will see signs to the underground and other transportation.

Do I Need a Visitor’s Oyster Card or Travel Card?

I used to suggest that people consider a Visitor’s Oyster Card or a Visitor’s Travel Card. Now that the TFL (Transport for London) caps daily and weekly fares, that’s not my first suggestion but first let’s look at both options.

Visitor’s Oyster Card

A Visitor’s Oyster Card works exactly like a regular Oyster Card. The only difference with the Visitor’s Oyster is that you can pre-order it, and it is delivered to your home before your trip; it’s also a little cheaper than picking up a regular Oyster Card at a Tube station. Both allow you to add cash to the card to pay for fares on the bus, Tube, tram, DLR (Docklands Light Railway), London Overground, and National Rail services within the London travel zones.

While you can add as much or as little to the card as you want, there is a non-refundable fee — the Visitor’s Card is £5 (plus shipping), and if you buy a regular one at the Tube station it is £7 — that is equivalent to multiple trips on the Tube!

Travel Card

The other option is a Travel Card, a paper ticket that you also pre-purchase and have mailed to your home (they are also available for purchase at ticket machines and visitor center’s in London) . It allows unlimited travel on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground, and National Rail services within the London travel zones for 1, 2, or 3 days. The pass ranges from £16 for one day in zones 1 – 4 to £68 for 3 days in zones 1 – 6.

What Should You Choose?

If you’re going to be doing a heavy amount of travel using public transit throughout zones 1 – 6, you may want to consider the Travel Card, but I wouldn’t advise getting a Visitor’s Oyster Card because using contactless payment is just as efficient and will save you the £5+! Aside from being just as efficient as using the Oyster Card, fares are also capped daily and weekly using contactless payment.

Contactless payment can either be Apple or Google Pay or simply using your chip-enabled credit card at the station entrance. The key is that you must use the same method of payment for each swipe to be capped; otherwise, you will be charged the regular daily rate, which can get quite expensive!

What Did I Choose & How Much Did I Spend?

During my last visit, I used contactless payment the entire time. The most I paid in a day was $15 (approximately £12), including a trip from Heathrow and another within central London. Over the entire non-consecutive 7-days that I spent in London I spent $62 (approximately £50) which is much less than the travel card options. A travel pass for that duration would’ve run me about £68.

The daily fare cap within zone 1 is £8.10, and if you’re going all the way to zone 6 (where Heathrow is located), it is £14.90 — so if you compare the daily fare cap to the travel card prices, you can start to see why buying one might not be the best for you.

Looking for Other Vegan Travel Help?

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