25 of the best vegetarian restaurants in London

A few years ago, a list of the best vegetarian restaurants in London would have been pretty short compilation, so attached were we all to meat and fish. In recent years, interest in vegetarian food has grown for a number of reasons, whether that be a desire to eat more healthily, or to lessen the environmental impact of intense livestock farming. As a result, London is now home to a burgeoning vegetarian and vegan restaurant scene, supported by dedicated vegetarian resaurants, but also by lots of excellent restaurants that now offer innovative vegetarian and plant-based menus. 

Meat-free menus have come a long way. Instead of something boring or lacking in flavour and texture, vegetarian diners can expect flair, creative combinations and carefully considered dishes. Say goodbye to boring salads and bean burgers, and hello to cauliflower shawarma, aubergine schnitzel and oyster mushroom skewers.

There are many chefs to thank for pushing the boundaries of vegetarian cuisine to where it is now, but this journey isn’t over. In fact, vegetarian food is only getting better and more exciting. Many previously meat-eating chefs have made the switch and enjoy the new challenge and more restaurants than ever now offer special menus for vegetarians and vegans, with cooking that is just as creative and dynamic as it is for meat-eaters.

Lots of London's veggie set are on the casual end of the restaurant spectrum, serving easy going plant-based food that you could eat everyday. That said, there are lots of places now where vegetarians can go for a celebration - these critically-acclaimed restaurants are constantly pushing the boundaries of vegetarian cuisine. In fact, some are so impressive that even the most avid carnivores are making reservations there. So, whether you’re a full-time meat denouncer, or just looking to cut down on the amount of meat and fish you eat, there’s something for you in our round-up below. 

To make things easier we’ve divided the restaurants into different categories, so no matter what type of vibe you’re looking for, you’re bound to find one you love. From fancy London vegetarian restaurants to more relaxed spots, there’s a little bit of everything on offer for our plant-loving pals. So, next time you're thinking "where are the good vegetarian restaurants near me?", just come back to this list!

Special occasion vegetarian restaurants in London

Sure, most of London's fine dining elite stick to the trad staples like butter, cream, meat and fish, but there are some special spots around the capital that deliver top class experiences based on veg alone! See below for our top picks.

Tendril, Soho

What: Tendril has brought a whole new level of vegetarian dining to London’s food scene since it first opened as a pop-up in 2021. Now with a bricks and mortar site, chef Rishim Sachdeva and team turn out exacting plates of veg-forward dishes. The majority is actually plant-based, with the odd addition of a lovely piece of cheese to finish things off nicely, for instance. With brunch, lunch and early-bird menus, there’s something for everyone here. To get the full experience though, we’d recommend the tasting menu which changes seasonally but might include starters or beetroot, black garlic and smoked paprika – for instance – and mains of salt and pepper celeriac terrine with a mustard dressing and chive oil.
Where: 5 Princes Street, W1B 2LQ
Book now: Tendril

The Ritz, Mayfair

What: For a celebratory occasion, you really can’t get much better than The Ritz. That majestic, historic dining room has an atmosphere like nowhere else, and the quality of the cooking is right up there with the very best in the country. That includes the restaurant’s vegan and vegetarian menus, which combine classic French technique with some smart flavour combinations (for example, cornish celeriac with lovage and truffle, or tarragon gnocchi with smoked onion and chicory).
Where: The Ritz Hotel, 150 Piccadilly, W1J 9BR
Book now: The Ritz

The Dysart Petersham, Richmond

What: The thoroughly underrated Dysart Petersham is easily worth the trip out to picturesque Richmond - this striking Tudor revival building dates back to 1904, and still features the original flagstone flooring and lead-lined windows. Meanwhile, head chef Kenneth Culhane cooks some of the most technically brilliant food in all of London, including an outstanding vegetarian tasting menu that includes, at the time of writing, dishes like marinated white beetroot with English autumn truffle and crispy sushi rice, aged rice risotto with ceps and garden herbs, and a ‘chaud froid’ hend’s egg with Pedro Ximenes and maple syrup.
Where: 135 Petersham Road, Petersham, TW10 7AA
Book now: The Dysart Petersham

Farmacy, Notting Hill

What: Its deceiving line-up of burgers and ice-cream sundaes is perfect for carnivores looking to ditch the meat and dairy, as Farmacy is actually entirely vegan. (We know this round-up is all about vegetarian restaurants, but we couldn’t help but include it.) The juicy burgers are made from millet, black bean and mushroom so you can enjoy all the taste with zero guilt.
Where: 74-76 Westbourne Grove, W2 5SH
Book now: Farmacy

Lyle’s, Shoreditch

What: Special occasion dining can prove tricky if you’re vegetarian, but thankfully Lyle’s has a dedicated menu for non-meat-eaters, and it’s a stellar one at that. As is the way with many of London’s best restaurants, the billing here does change with the seasons, but starters might include preserved tomato toast or white asparagus and salsify, before moving on to mains such as artichokes with butter beans and fennel. For £85 we think this Michelin starred experience is well worth its price-point.
Where: 56 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6GY
Book now: Lyle’s

The Gate, Hammersmith and Islington

What: The Gate's two sites in Hammersmith and Islington are both aesthetically-pleasing, and the menu is equally well presented. Whichever location you visit, you can look forward to an excellent selection of internationally inspired vegetarian food - we recommend the wild mushroom risotto cake, and the spicy, bean-stuffed tacos.
Where: 370 St John Street, EC1V 4NN; 51 Queen Caroline Street, W6 9QL
Book now: The Gate Islington, The Gate Hammersmith

Mildreds, Various locations

What: Mildreds has been going strong since the eighties and now has five locations across London. The menu is both interesting and comforting thanks to dishes such as mock tandoori chicken slathered in a flavoursome tikka marinade, and its beetroot and white bean burger with pickled red cabbage, gherkins and aioli, served in a brioche bun.
Where: Various locations across London
Book now: Mildreds Soho

Casual vegetarian restaurants in London

The steep rise in folks choosing a vegetarian or vegan diet has meant an explosion of new plant-based restaurants that are as suited to quick, weekday lunches as they are to evenings out with friends. We’ve rounded up our favourite casual vegetarian restaurants below (and a couple of vegan-only eateries too)

Wulf & Lamb, Chelsea and Marylebone

What: Stylish Wulf & Lamb serves easy-going plant based dishes from breakfast to dinner, taking inspiration from far and wide across the globe. Morning service kicks off with anything from pancakes with scrambled tofu harissa muffins, and during the day there’s a huge amount of choice, from salad bowls to creamy plant-based pasta dishes, burgers and miso aubergine bao buns. There’s a solid cocktail list too, and both sites have nice little terraces to enjoy London’s sunnier days.
Where: 243 Pavilion Road, SW1X 0BP; 66 Chiltern Street, W1U 4EJ
Book now: Wulf & Lamb Chelsea; Wulf & Lamb Marylebone

Mallow, London Bridge

What: From the team behind Mildreds, Mallow follows a similar blueprint, making full use of produce from nearby Borough Market to produce fresh, colourful plant-based dishes. The low-waste menu goes to great lengths to make the most of every bit of produce, resulting in dishes that are as innovative as they are tasty (the cauliflower chaat with coriander yoghurt is a particular favourite). With menus covering everything from breakfast to dinner and a bar upstairs, Mallow ticks every box.
Where: 1 Cathedral Street, SE1 9DE
Book now: Mallow

VE Kitchen, Clapham

What: If there’s one thing vegetarian and vegan restaurants sometimes lack, it’s variety. At VE Kitchen, however, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Instead, you’ll find a plethora of plant-based plates, including soup, snacks, salads, rice bowls, risottos, pastas, burgers and desserts. On top of this, there’s a great selection of cocktails and juices and even an alfresco terrace out front.
Where: 39 Northcote Road, SW11 1NJ
Book now: VE Kitchen

Bubala, Spitalfields and Soho

What: You can’t talk about vegetarian restaurants in London and not mention Bubala. This uber-trendy restaurant is entirely veggie, and most of the dishes also happen to be vegan and gluten-free. We recommend going for the set menu, which features highlights like laffa bread, labneh with confit garlic and za’atar, and of course the famous charred oyster mushroom skewers.
Where: 65 Commercial Street, E1 6BD; 15 Poland Street, London W1F 8QE
Book now: Bubala Spitalfields, Bubala Soho

Sagar, various locations

What: When it comes to maximum flavour and satisfaction for minimum cost, there’s nowhere better to dine than Sagar – the South Indian vegetarian restaurant that tops many a list of the best vegetarian restaurants in London. Diners can look forward to decent, dependable regional dishes including curries, fluffy rice, home-baked breads and outstanding dosa.
Where: Various locations across London
Book now: Sagar

Kin Cafe, Fitzrovia

What: Despite the Fitzrovia location, Kin Cafe has a laid-back approach to dining. With a simple menu of cooked breakfasts and burgers, as well as a few dishes that add spice to the menu such as the chickpea curry, the Kin cafe is a welcome change of pace for the Fitzrovia dining scene.
Where: 22 Foley Street, W1W 6DT
Book now: Kin Cafe

Buhler and Co., Walthamstow

What: Just a short walk away from the William Morris Museum, Buhler and Co acts as the perfect spot for breakfast with sumptuous options such as crispy halloumi with ripe green avocado. The coffee is also exceptional, as are the bloody Marys. Buhler and Co acts as the perfect, cosy spot for plant-based diners in north London.
Where: 8 Chingford Road, E17 4PJ
Book now: Buhler and Co.

Rasa N16, Stoke Newington

What: Bright and bold in every sense, Rasa N16 has been a favourite among vegetarians since opening over 20 years ago. Keralan chef Das Sreedharan’s menu specialises in the meatless cooking of the Nair community, so expect to find an array of dishes far removed from the usual curry-house repertoire, such as pimped-up poppadums, crispy dosa and a variety of punchy homemade pickles and chutneys.
Where: 55 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0AR
Book now: Rasa N16

Vegetarian-friendly restaurants in London

Happily, restaurants that don’t offer decent vegetarian options are now few and far between, but we think these ones are especially great for groups containing both vegetarians and meat-eaters

Berenjak, Borough & Soho

What: Years after opening, bookings are still hard to come by at Berenjak, which is a testament to just how fantastic this restaurant is. There are a host of delicious vegetarian dishes on the menu, ranging from mezze-style dips and small snacks right through to a load of sides and salads that can easily be teamed up into a meal. We love the aubergine - cooked over coals and dressed with whey and walnuts, but the aubergine stew with black lime is delicious too. Team it up with saffron rice with salted butter and you're onto a winner.
Where: 1 Bedale Street, Borough Market, SE1 9AL; 27 Romilly Street, W1D 5AL
Book now: Berenjak Borough; Berenjak Soho

ROVI, Fitzrovia

What: Ottolenghi describes ROVI as a restaurant with vegetables at its heart, and each piece of produce is carefully handled to extract maximum flavour. Dishes are often cooked over fire for a lick of the grill, while fermentation is commonly employed too, to add a little funk to the menu. If you’re looking for a signature taste of what the kitchen here can do head straight for the veggie Jerusalem mixed grill served with Baharat onions, pickled, pita bread and tahini sauce – it’s heaven.
Where: 59 Wells Street, W1A 3AE
Book now: ROVI

Berber & Q, Haggerston

What: When we mentioned cauliflower shawarma before, we were talking about this one from Berber & Q. Healthy and hearty, this stand-out dish has become super-popular since being introduced it to the menu – and with good reason. A whole roasted cauliflower is given the star treatment with a shawarma-spiced butter, tahini sauce, pomegranate molasses, dried rose petals, pine nuts and parsley.
Where: 338 Acton Mews, E8 4EA
Book now: Berber & Q

Acme Fire Cult, Dalston

What: The term ‘live fire cooking’ often conjures images of ribs, steaks and burgers. At Acme Fire Cult, however, the menu is mostly vegetarian - and what a menu it is. Experience clever creations like aubergine with sourdough mole and hazelnut; coal roast celeriac with mushroom, kelp XO and white bean miso; or smoked potatoes with tahini mayo and seed rayu. Since the restaurant is housed in a brewery, we recommend washing it all down with some of 40FT’s delicious beer.
Where: Abbot Street, E8 3DP
Book now: Acme Fire Cult

Edo Izakaya, Islington

What: This cosy Islington izakaya has a handful of excellent veggie options on the menu, so no-one feels left out. Get stuck into a tasty slab of miso aubergine, vegetarian sushi rolls and agedashi tofu in tempura sauce, before ordering as many of the mushroom bao buns as you can fit in your belly. The cocktail offering is excellent too. 
Where: 154 Old Street, EC1V 9BW
Book now: Edo Izakaya

Bala Baya, Southwark

What: Israeli chef Eran Tibi’s brainchild is a homage to his roots. We recommend heading to this buzzy restaurant with a group and feasting on the lavish vegetarian set menu. Journey through various staples like fiery tahini, Levantine olive mix, grapes with feta, hummus and blackened aubergine, before moving to the larger plates. These include king oyster mushrooms, cauliflower steak and cabbage, each laden with unique toppings like pomegranate molasses, preserved lemon mayo or pistachio relish. Finish with a burnt babka, served with morello cherry compote and creme Anglaise.
Where: 229 Union Street, SE1 0LR
Book now: Bala Baya

Best vegan restaurants in London

Vegan restaurants are, naturally, also great for vegetarians! We've got a whole separate list of the best vegan restaurants in London, but here are a few of our faves to bear in mind. 

Jam Delish, Islington

What: This vegan Caribbean joint in Islington has been a smash hit since opening in 2020, despite the challenges presented by lockdown. Just a five minute walk from Angel station, the entirely vegan menu is packed with massive flavours, whether it’s brown stew with oyster mushrooms and fried dumplings, or the crispy grilled aubergine with Caribbean pepper sauce and coconut yoghurt. The cocktails are ace too, making this a must-visit for vegans in the capital.
Where: 1 Tolpuddle Street, N1 0XT
Book now: Jam Delish

Gauthier Soho

What: One of the most respected vegan restaurants in London, Alexis Gauthier has made it his mission to show what can be achieved with vegetables, and the results are staggering. The restaurant inhabits three floors of a stunning Soho townhouse, and offers a seasonal menu of exquisite vegan food, including dishes such as marinated tempeh with popcorn and corn veloute, and celeriac dauphinoise with grapes, parsley cream and red wine sauce.
Where: 21 Romilly Street, W1D 5AF
Book now: Gauthier Soho

Itadaki Zen, King's Cross

What: Organic and vegan Japanese restaurants aren’t ten-a-penny, but Itadaki Zen in King’s Cross is one such eatery. The menu is made up of sushi, tempura and tofu dishes aimed at healing the body, so you could just walk out feeling full and in better health than you were when you walked in.
Where: 139 King's Cross Road, WC1X 9BJ
Book now: Itadaki Zen

222 Vegan Cuisine, West Kensington

What: Despite its out-of-the-way location on a less-than-picturesque stretch of the North End Road, this longstanding vegan restaurant has endured thanks to its low-fat, low-salt, non-GM and mostly-organic food. Dishes range from the likes of soup and mezze to seitan stroganoff and tofu cheesecake, and the buffet lunch is well worth a punt.
Where: 222 North End Road, W14 9NU
Book now: 222 Vegan Cuisine

Looking for restaurants free of animal products entirely? Check out our guide to the best vegan restaurants in London.