Alter. is a vegan restaurant with a difference. Based in Whitechapel, east London, located inside the Leman Locke Hotel, Alter. aims to prove that plant-based menus can be inventive, tasty and – most importantly – refuse to hinge on the use of faux meat.
Alter. draws inspiration from different cultures to create an innovative menu of street food-style plates without simply recreating already well-known dishes, but with dairy or meat substitutes.
Dishes are mostly made up of smaller plates which are designed to be shared, giving you an excuse to try as may concoctions as possible. Highlights from the menu include salted watermelon and coconut miang khams, khao-soi noodle laksa with oyster mushrooms and charred jordan cabbage with kolae coconut curry.
The drinks menu is full of on-trend options including a healthy selection of natural wines, with a special section for skin contact. There’s also a list of carefully curated house cocktails which have been developed with influences from east asia. The yuzu sake negroni mixes yuzu sake, vault vermouth and Campari, while a Tokyo Manhattan is a delicious-sounding blend of scotch whisky, plum sake and vault vermouth.
Like the food, the space is modern and refreshing with a light, lofty feel. Floor to ceiling windows mean that the restaurant is full of natural light in the day and has interesting views of city life to watch while you dine. Minimalist décor mixed with industrial touches lets the menu do the talking and creates an easy, informal feel that’s perfect for catching up with friends.