You'll find vegetarian restaurant Oliveira Kitchen in a great spot, just a short walk from Old Street, on the way to Shoreditch High Street station. Chef-owner Emerson Amilio de Oliveira draws on his Brazilian and Italian heritage, creating dishes that show how much vegetables have to offer.
The restaurant itself is a calm, serene space - expect wood panelling, smart wooden table tops and plenty of plant life. Wooden palettes have been cleverly repurposed as suspended platforms, from which plants hang over the restaurant. As well as two floors of tables, there's also a neat bar area with some seating.
The menu at Oliveira Kitchen is not just vegetarian, it is also soy-free - Oliveira believes that flexible and vegetarian diets are about making the most of what nature provides, and that is exactly what you'll find on his menus. Guests are given the choice of an a la carte menu or a tasting menu, where Oliveira has arranged a selection of dishes that represent the restaurant.
The a la carte regularly delves into Oliveira's upbringing in Brazil, but there are other influences too. Starters include a vichyssoise of petit pois with ravioli, as well as 'faux gras' - a vegetarian take on fois gras made with nuts and wild mushrooms, and served with piccalilli and toasted sourdough. Mains are focused around displaying produce in its best light, with dishes like salt-baked roots, served with smoked sea salt, sunchoke sauce, maca and maize mousse and tamarillo escabeche, and grilled asparagus with carrot mousse, cauliflower hash brown and confit baby tomatoes.
If you're still holding some room for dessert, options are equally intriguing - try the black truffle creme brulee with porcini ice cream if you're feeling adventurous!