Best vegan restaurants in Bristol: 12 spots you need to try

Ask anyone who lives in Bristol and they’ll tell you - Bristol is a fantastic city for vegan food, easily one of the best places to be vegan in the UK. You may think we’re exaggerating, but it’s true, and what’s more, it makes sense - this traditionally liberal, environment-conscious and progressive city has been well ahead of the vegan curve for years now, so it’s no surprise that there are exceptional vegan options all over the city.

We’re not just talking about your standard plant-based burgers and whatnot - a few of the city's vegan hot spots are genuinely among the best restaurants in Bristol. Take the innovative waterside small-plates at Root, for example - Rob Howell’s clever, plant-focused cooking has quickly become a Bristol favourite, with tables in the shipping container-turned restaurants becoming rather hard to come by. The same can be said of Poco Tapas, which serves a dedicated vegan and vegetarian 'root to fruit' set menu for £38 per person.  

That said, Bristol does a pretty great plant-based burger too. Om Burger is the place for burgers and dirty fries (although it's currently delivery only), or check out the original Oowee Vegan on Baldwin Street, home of the sneaky clucker burger and waffle fries that we just can’t stop eating.

Bristol has plenty more to offer too, including vegan cafes, Persian vegan mezze and contemporary plant-based cuisine, all at typically affordable prices. One thing is for sure, vegans in Bristol have their pick of good places to eat, and it won’t hit you too hard in the wallet either.

So, want to know where to find the best vegan food in Bristol? Scroll on down and remember, you can book a table simply by clicking on the book now links.

Fi Real

What: On the hunt for tasty and totally vegan Caribbean food? Fi Real promises you won't miss the meat thanks to its vibrant and varied menu. There's so much to choose from, be it jerk tofu and spicy kale, okras and butter beans, or a delicious ital stew. Wash it down with a homemade juice - think carrot, lemon, lime and ginger - to up your daily veg! 
Where: 57 West Street, BS2 OBZ 
Book now: Fi Real

Pastan

What: With sites in Barcelona, Bristol and London, Pastan has the vegan answer to all our favourite pasta dishes. Take 'Napoli', for example, which is based on the beloved Puttanesca. Instead of anchovies, Pastan use a rich, umami olive paste, along with capers and plenty of chilli. If you've got room for dessert, you can even get your hands on a vegan cheese board, washing it all down with a glass of Limoncello.
Where: 53 Prince Street, BS1 4QH 
Book now: Pastan Bristol

VX Bristol 

What: VX believes the only way to get more people to eat plant-based food is by giving them alternatives they can't say no to, a mission they've stayed committed to since 2015. From burritos, croissants and doughnuts, to epic 'monster shakes', cheesecakes and sandwiches which are bursting at the seams, you'll be totally spoilt for choice - and you won't believe it's all vegan. 
Where: 123 East Street, BS3 4ER
Book now: VX Bristol

Poco Tapas

What: A champion of nose-to-tail and root-to-fruit cooking, Poco Tapas is understandably popular in Bristol, with a serious cult following that often packs out the restaurant. Menus change regularly so you can come back here often and eat an entirely new menu. Not only that, the seasonal root-to-fruit set menu is available as vegetarian or vegan, and at £38 a head, it’s pretty good value for some really excellent cooking.
Where: 45 Jamaica Street, BS2 8JP
Book now: Poco Tapas

The Thali Café

What: The Thali Cafe has long been supplying Easton residents with great vegan and vegetarian India food, both in the colourful restaurant and via takeaway in tiffin boxes. The Thali isn’t exclusively vegan, but about half the menu is suitable for vegans, making this a great option if you’re in the area. Grab a bowl of chana masala chickpea curry and some fresh chapatis off the tava grill and walk away happy.
Where: 64-66 St Marks Road, BS5 6JH
Book now: The Thali Café Bristol

Root

What: Don’t underestimate what you can whip up in a cargo container - Root in Wapping Wharf is unquestionably one of Bristol’s very best restaurants. Root isn’t strictly vegan, but chef Rob Howell presides over a menu that shines a light primarily on plant-based dishes like tempura spring onions with sweet chilli; jerk carrots with apricot ketchup; and roast beetroot with fermented honey and walnut butter. Matching the foodie line-up is an enterprising drinks list with strong green connections – as you might expect in Bristol.
Where: Unit 9 Cargo 1, Wapping Wharf, BS1 6WP
Book now: Root

Flow

What: Bristol is a great city for vegan basics - burgers and the like - but Flow fills a niche for those looking for more diverse, innovative plant-based cooking. The menu is designed for sharing, and it is dictated by the seasons, making the most of top-quality fresh produce. You can expect smart dishes like aubergine with sesame, pickled kohlrabi, tahini and peaches, and forest mushrooms with fino sherry, jacket potato gnocchi and blackcurrants.
Where: 8a Haymarket Walk, BS1 3LN
Book now: Flow

Cafe Kino

What: Vegan cafe, vegan deli and community hub, Cafe Kino is the beating heart of Stokes Croft, stocking a load of plant-based goodies and serving some cracking vegan breakfasts, burgers and desserts into the bargain. Kino started life as a vegan caterer, but these days the cafe runs as a not-for-profit - there’s even an event space downstairs that hosts workshops and music events.
Where: 108 Stokes Croft, BS1 3RU
Book now: Cafe Kino

Om Burger

What: From the team behind Burger Theory comes Om Burger - a vegan joint that applies Burger Theory’s innovative approach to plant-based fast food. That might sound a bit cliche, but Om’s burgers and loaded fries have been a big hit in Bristol since it first landed in Stokes Croft. Om Burger is currently only available for delivery, but we would recommend the Mac 11 with burger sauce, chipotle mayo and crispy onions and the kimchi loaded fries.

Koocha Mezze Bar

What: A long time fan favourite on Cheltenham Road near Montpelier, Koocha’s vegan mezze dishes are beloved by Bristol’s knowledgeable vegan community. Koocha was the city’s first exclusively vegan restaurant, and it remains one of the most popular in Bristol. The colourful interiors are nice too, and you can get takeaway via Deliveroo and Uber Eats.
Where: 203B Cheltenham Road, BS6 5QX
Book now: Koocha Mezze Bar

Eden Cafe Clifton

What: In amongst the towering Georgian mansions and quaint streets of Clifton, Eden Cafe does a good trade in breakfast burritos, full English breakfasts and sourdough sandwiches. The menu is regularly changing, and there are always a variety of special blend lattes to choose from. This is also one of the few places in Bristol that serves a dedicated vegan afternoon tea, complete with cocktails and prosecco if you so choose.
Where: 10 Waterloo Street, BS8 4BT
Book now: Eden Cafe Clifton

Oowee Vegan Baldwin Street

What: Oowee Vegan Baldwin Street is ground zero for this beloved vegan fast food chain, which also has a couple of successful outlets in London now. There’s plenty on the menu to satisfy anyone, but we’re suckers for the fried chick’n burgers (especially the Flamin’ Hot Clucker) and the waffle-like dirty fries are a must-order too.
Where: 65 Baldwin Street, BS1 1QZ
Book now: Oowee Vegan Baldwin Street

Planning a trip to nearby Bath? Check out our roundup of all the best restaurants in Bath, or get an early bus and grab a table at one of Bath’s best brunch spots.