Where To Eat During Veganuary

Plants By De 

Ella Mills – the founder of Deliciously Ella – launched her first restaurant last year with her husband. Open from breakfast through to dinner, everything is made in house – from the team’s own cultured vegan butters to cashew crème fraiche and fermented sriracha mayonnaise. This month, diners can choose from dishes like king oyster mushroom scallops with parsnip purée and bacon; pumpkin velouté; spaghetti with a chestnut and red wine ragù; and barley risotto made with Jerusalem artichokes, roasted spiced squash carpaccio and crispy kale. Those with a sweet tooth will love the chocolate torte with crème fraîche and roasted hazelnuts.

18-20 Weighhouse Street, Mayfair, W1K 5LU

Visit DeliciouslyElla.com

Neat Burger

You’ve probably spotted Neat Burger and its Insta-worthy interiors all over social media. We were most excited to hear it’s launched a new menu for 2022 across all sites. This month, diners can try a selection of mains, salads, sides, desserts and drinks, as well as the signature Neat Burger featuring a double Neat Meat Patty and plenty of toppings. You can also choose from cheeseburgers, ‘Chick’n Burgers’, a ‘Filet-No-Fish’ or burger bowls for something lighter. Add on a side of tater tots with vegan cheese or a vegan milkshake topped with Biscoff or Oreos.

Various sites

Visit Neat-Burger.com

Alter

For pan-Asian vegan food, book a table at Alter. Set on the top floor of Leman Locke hotel in Aldgate, this hidden gem recently reopened its doors with a new menu. There are no meat substitutes here – instead, head chef Andy Goodwin has created dishes made entirely from plants and vegetables that are big on flavour. Designed for sharing, highlights from the small plate menu include shiitake and yellow bean dumplings with kelp broth; charred cabbage with coconut curry; and oyster mushroom noodle laksa. 

15 Leman Street, Aldgate, E1 8EN

Visit AlterLDN.com

Holy Carrot 

On the ground floor of wellness destination Urban Retreat, Holy Carrot specialises in plant-based fine dining. In addition to the all-day menu which features seasonal dishes made with local produce, the restaurant has teamed up with conservationists Seaspiracy (the same team behind Netflix’s documentary) to create a ‘Seafood Platter’ made entirely from vegetables. Available until the end of January, the platter includes calamari made with palm hearts and buffalo sauce; ‘tuna’ maki rolls created with cauliflower rice and tomatoes; ‘crab croquettes'; and black rice tartare with ‘tomato tuna’ and a spicy mayo. There’s also a vegan take on fish and chips with a fillet made from tofu. A fifth of profits from each platter will go to Seaspiracy’s fight for aquatic life. 

2-4 Hans Crescent, Knightsbridge, SW1X 0LH

Visit HolyCarrot.co.uk

Where The Pancakes Are

Where the Pancakes Are uses seasonal ingredients to make fluffy pancakes and crepes, juices and mocktails. This month, there are six vegan pancakes on offer, made using organic rice and buckwheat flour, soy milk and chickpea water. The ‘Boulder Breakfast’ features smashed avocado, roasted cherry tomatoes and portobello mushrooms; the ‘100 Baby Greens’ has cumin, chilli, pumpkin seeds, and a lime and coriander butter; and the ‘Hummingbird’ is topped with cinnamon poached pineapple, vegan cream, pomegranate and flaked coconut. Add on a cold-pressed green juice for extra vitamins.

7 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, W1T 1RG

Visit WhereThePancakesAre.com

Mao Chow Express

The team behind Chinese restaurant Mao Chow opened an outpost at Boxpark Shoreditch last month. Traditional takeaway favourites have been adapted with plant-based ingredients – think prawn toast, Cantonese beef fried rice and dan dan noodles. Diners can also choose from fluffy bao buns filled with barbecued ‘pork’ (made from OmniPork’s vegan substitute), dumplings in chilli oil, crispy cauliflower in a sweet and sour sauce, and crispy seaweed. If you’re local to Shoreditch, you can also order it on Deliveroo.  

Boxpark Shoreditch, 2-10 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6GY

Visit Mao-Chow.com

City Social

For Michelin-starred dining, book a table at City Social on level 24 of Tower 42. The plant-based menu features classic Italian dishes with a modern twist, created by award-winning chef Jason Atherton. Menu highlights include courgette risotto with woodland mushrooms and basil; warm truffle salad with violet artichokes, coco beans and bitter leaves; trofie pasta with cavolo nero pesto; and dark chocolate pavé served with raspberry sorbet. There’s also an extensive selection of low-intervention and vegan wines to choose from.

Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street, EC2N 1HQ

Visit CitySocialLondon.com

Fatt Pundit

Fatt Pundit has sites in Soho and Covent Garden. Fusing Chinese and Indian cuisines, most of its dishes can be adapted for vegetarians or vegans, and are packed with flavour thanks to rare Asian spice mixes. Meals usually begin with ‘momos’ (steamed vegetable dumplings), followed by small dishes like popcorn cauliflower, sticky sesame vegetables and crispy veg fritters. We like the sound of the new chilli ‘mock chicken’ with celery, Szechuan chillies and mixed peppers. You can even ask for a vegan version of Fatt Pundit’s signature sizzling brownie with hot chocolate sauce for dessert.

77 Berwick Street, Soho, W1F 8TH; 6 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, WC2E 7NA

Visit FattPundit.co.uk

Adesse At Selfridges

After a few months’ delay, Adesse at Selfridges finally opens this month. Set on Selfridges’ second floor, the restaurant from award-winning chef Matthew Kenney will serve imaginative interpretations of traditional dishes, including jackfruit ‘crab cakes’; beetroot carpaccio; celeriac rostis with apple, fennel and sour cream; and plant bowls packed full of seasonal veggies. When it comes to desserts, we love the sound of the chocolate and salted caramel crunch; and lime parfait with avocado and spiced macadamia.

400 Oxford Street, West End, W1A 1AB

Visit Selfridges.com

V Burger

Honest Burgers has opened a vegan outpost in Covent Garden. V Burger serves plant-based burgers, sauces and sides, including plant-based versions of the brand’s classic ‘Honest’, ‘Tribute’ and ‘Chilli’ burgers. You can also choose from the ‘Buffalo’ made with a fried Chick’n breast, buffalo sauce, Applewood Vegan cheese, and ranch mayo; a teriyaki-style plant burger; and the ‘Pesto Chick’n’ burger topped with basil pesto and vegan mustard mayo. Classic burgers can pimped with This Isn’t Bacon rashers and ‘bacon ketchup’, and all burgers come with Honest’s signature rosemary salted fries.

17 Garrick Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 9BL

Visit HonestBurgers.co.uk

Mei Ume 

Mei Ume has created its first vegan menu. The Asian restaurant, which specialises in Chinese-Japanese fusion food, has a main dining room, sushi bar and a private dining room for special occasions. Expect small plates like steamed mushroom dim sum dumplings, vegetable gyozas and tempura vegetables. Sushi lovers should opt for the cucumber, avocado, or asparagus hosomaki, before moving onto the ‘Vegan Ma Po Tofu’ made with Szechuan sauce and Chinese radishes, or a selection of stir-fried noodles. 

10 Trinity Square, Tower Hill, EC3N 4AJ

Visit MeiUme.com

Comptoir Libanais 

Lebanese chain Comptoir Libanais has reintroduced its Mezze Monday menu. Diners can choose from dishes like smoked aubergine baba ghanoush with tahini; spicy falafel balls; vegan cheese samboussek (a traditional Lebanese pasty); homemade hummus with tahini and lemon juice; spiced Lebanese potatoes with garlic, lemon and sumac; and slow-cooked vegetable tagine with couscous. Add on a selection of pickles and a classic tabbouleh made with quinoa, salad, mint, and an olive oil dressing. 

Various sites 

Visit ComptoirLibanais.com