From cult Soho pioneers to Michelin-approved tasting menus, London’s plant-based scene has never tasted better.
Around 26 million people — more than the combined populations of London and New York City — went vegan last January, according to Veganuary.
Once dismissed as a fleeting fad or a substandard compromise, veganism has decisively outgrown its hair-shirt reputation. Plant-based food is now bolder, more inventive and more delicious than ever.
London, as ever, is leading the charge. Across the capital, chefs are no longer content for vegan dishes to be ‘just as good as’ their meat-heavy counterparts. In many cases, they’re better.
Offering everything from refined tasting menus to fiery fusion cooking, these restaurants show just how far plant-based dining has come.
Read more: What happens to your body week-by-week when you go vegan for Veganuary
Mildreds
Few names are as synonymous with vegan dining in London as Mildreds. First opened in Soho in 1988, it’s long been a trailblazer, quietly shaping the capital’s relationship with plant-based food long before it became fashionable.
The restaurant went fully vegan in 2021, under the guidance of creative director Sarah Wasserman, without losing an ounce of its original spirit. The menu is playful, globally inspired and unfailingly generous, with bold flavours at the forefront.
Expect comfort dishes that prove Mildreds is still pushing forward rather than resting on its legacy, such as burritos drenched in salsa roja, soul-soothing Sri Lankan coconut curry and hearty forest mushroom pies oozing with rich gravy.
Locations: Soho, Camden, Covent Garden, Victoria, King’s Cross and Canary Wharf
For more information or to book, visit Mildreds.
Read more: How to stick to a plant-based diet in January and beyond
Gauthier
Alexis Gauthier’s move to plant-based cooking was nothing short of seismic. A French chef at a Michelin-starred restaurant for more than a decade, Gauthier removed all animal products from his menus in 2021 and went on to show that fine dining and veganism are not only compatible, but mutually enriching.
At his London outposts, seasonal tasting menus change throughout the year, drawing on his South of France roots and an uncompromising commitment to quality.
Guests can choose between a longer Grand Dîner or a shorter Petit Dîner, both showcasing meticulous technique and a deep respect for produce — citrus in winter, asparagus in spring, tomatoes in summer, black truffle in autumn.
Locations: Soho and BFI Southbank
For more information or to book, visit Gauthier.
Read more: ‘I tested vegan recipe kits to see if they could deliver easy weeknight nutrition — here’s my honest review’
Mallow
Mallow may have begun life as Mildreds’ younger sibling, but it now stands confidently on its own, with sites in Borough Market and Canary Wharf. The restaurant champions seasonal British produce, layered with global influences, and a menu that changes regularly to reflect what’s freshest.
Much-loved dishes such as the tiramisu French toast and the chick+n burger remain, while new additions ensure there’s always reason to return.
For newcomers, the Market Menu offers a smart introduction, showcasing the kitchen’s breadth in one sitting.
Locations: Borough Market and Canary Wharf
For more information or to book, visit Mallow.
Tangra
For those craving heat and high drama, Tangra delivers. Specialising in Indo-Chinese cuisine, the restaurant balances deep respect for tradition with fearless innovation.
In the heart of Soho, Tangra has become a go-to for punchy flavours, from nutty spinach and kale salads to cult favourite Kung Pao Chick’N.
It’s vibrant, fiery food that refuses to tone itself down simply because it’s plant based.
Location: Frith Street, Soho
For more information or to book, visit Tangra.
Tofu Vegan
Few restaurants have inspired such online devotion. Tofu Vegan has built something of a cult following among vegans, vegetarians and omnivores alike, thanks to its uncompromising take on regional Chinese plant-based cooking.
Drawing on culinary traditions from Sichuan, Canton and Dongbei, the menu is expansive and richly spiced.
Highlights include bubbling hot pots, handmade wontons and generous platters of dim sum — dishes that feel celebratory rather than restrictive.
Locations: Islington, Golders Green, Spitalfields, Charlotte Street and Gloucester Road
For more information or to book, visit Tofu Vegan.
Feature image: Mildred’s
