By Guardian readers TheGuardian
With influences ranging from Van Gogh to Asia, these vegan venues serve up arty as well as delicious food – on beaches, buses … and in an underpass
Winning tip: Bundobust, Leeds
Bundobust is fast becoming a Leeds institution for food lovers of all persuasions. Everything is veggie, and a large proportion of the menu is vegan, with an easy vegan sharing menu for two a great way in. From the okra fries dusted in black salt and mango powder (genius) to the chole dal and masala dosa, it's south Indian street food, craft beer, and Asian-inspired cocktails are a winning combo. With dishes from £4-6.50, it’s also easy on the wallet, so you can try a bit of everything.
Laura King
Flow, Bristol
Hidden away in an unassuming underpass, Flow is highly recommended for delicious small plate vegetarian but mainly vegan food. (This underpass also houses Mayflower Chinese and Sky Kong Kong, which are both worth a visit.) You could start with the extra large grissini with Scapa dip, then try the amazing local wild mushrooms in thyme pastry, wild garlic, and pickled enoki, and finish with the indulgent cacao nib cake, fudge crumb, blood orange, and crystallized chocolate. It does amazing seasonal cocktails, too.
Adrian Mackie
Kat’s Kitchen, Keswick
Vegan eateries in the Lake District are few and far between but Kat’s Kitchen is a real treasure. The vegan mac and cheese are wonderfully comforting and the full English breakfast, with its scrambled tofu and vegan black pudding, is a treat and a half. The new seitan roast dinners complement the Britishness of the rest of the menu wonderfully. It’s a quirky little cafe that sells vegan products and cookbooks, and some of the best vegan cakes I have tried.
Laura
Hug and Pint, Glasgow
Glasgow’s a competitive city when it comes to vegan food but The Hug and Pint serves some of the most interesting and flavourful food in town – vegan or otherwise. The Asian-inspired menu changes daily, but a few dishes are staples, such as the black pepper aubergine – and aubergine has never tasted this good. Dishes are very reasonably priced, around £7, and you’re encouraged to share four or five between two, which is more than enough.
Erin
Van Gogh cafe, Oval, London
This is a real gem, a non-profit business based in a beautiful old church building, and named after the famous artist who lived nearby. The cafe has a wonderful Van Gogh-esque Starry Night ceiling up a pretty spiral staircase. As a meat-eating local, I love the cafe for its delicious, inventive food and season-changing menu. It serves brilliant brunches, roasts, and specials during the week. It’s a must if you’re in the area.
Catherine
Anna-Loka, Cardiff
Having opened about three years ago, this cafe/restaurant in the Roath suburb is great for a late breakfast, lunch, coffee, and cake, or dinner. For an evening visit, the starters are from £5.50 and the mains from £11.95; the Ultimate Burger is particularly tasty and filling, and it has a kids’ menu too. A mix of very flavourful plant-based food is served (I had a delicious dish of wild rice in a roasted aubergine on my first visit) and there are fancy vegan burgers and scrambled tofu. Alcohol isn’t available but you can bring your own; charge of £2.50 corkage per head.
Elend Whitfield
The Pod Cafe, Coventry
On Far Gosford Street, this is a social enterprise serving beautiful, simple vegan food. Banh mi with homemade tofu, nourishing pod bowls of dal, vegan breakfasts with homemade Greek baked beans – the simple menu makes the most of produce from its community farm and main courses are ridiculously good value at £3. There are art events, supper clubs, and events to connect people. Opening hours are limited.
Jo Mason
Get Your Veg On, Bude
This is vegetarian and vegan street food served from a mobile yellow ochre van, by the canal in beautiful Bude. Hot, tasty food is prepped to order, using local ingredients, and includes falafel wraps, vegan burgers, Buddha bowls, and vegan chocolate cake. The toasties are enormous, and the view isn’t bad, either. Ducks and swans congregate, along with people, and there are compostable plates and cutlery.
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Dawn
V-Revs, Manchester
In Manchester’s Northern Quarter, V-Revs serves up the best plant-based burgers, hotdogs, mac and cheese and more. You can grab a “Kevin bacon” burger filled with Buttermilk fried seitan chicken, cheez, bacon, crispy onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles and vegan ranch for under £9. Whether you fancy an indulgent burger or a fresh-smashed avo salad, you can always team it up with an espresso martini topped with vegan cream and cookie crumbs.
Abbie Raven
Just FaB, Hackney, London
Just FaB is run by Fabio and his fabulous mum Myra, who cooks the most authentic Sicilian vegan cuisine (I lived in Italy for many years). Lots of Italians eat there. This is not simply an excellent and affordable vegan restaurant but is for anyone who loves excellent cooking. The quirky converted double-decker bus and location only add to the experience.
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