These are exciting times for the vegan dining scene, as veganism is at an all-time high. In 2022, vegans represented 4% of the UK population. Larger restaurant chains are adding plant-based food to their menus, and there is a rise in independent specialists. The introduction of apps has created greater accessibility to the vegan sector.
As a longtime vegetarian and vegan for the last five years, living with a devout meat eater presents a challenge in deciding where to eat. Fortunately, vegetarian lasagna, green salad, or mushrooms on toast for brunch are out. Enter a world of plant-based food that is appealing in taste, texture, aroma, and presentation. You do not have to be vegan to enjoy the best vegan brunch in London.
The Best Vegan Brunch and Breakfast in London
Now there is a wide array of vegan restaurants. Here is our guide to five of the best vegan brunch and breakfasts in London.
1. Mildreds – Brunch in Soho
In 1988, Mildreds opened its first restaurant in Soho. It started a success story of plant-based restaurants serving globally-inspired food with an edge. They created food that could excite vegans and vegetarians about dining out.
100% plant-based Mildreds also features in our Brunch in Covent Garden, and the Soho diner is just as highly-acclaimed.
Midreds serves a daily breakfast until 11 am. On the menu is a Harrisa V’egg Bap with scrambled tofu, spinach and dill for £7.00.
The Banana Butterscotch pancake is also available and comes with roasted hazelnuts and maple cream, priced at £11.00.
Mildreds brunch menu is available on weekends and bank holidays until 3 pm. The menu is 100% plant-based, with tasty choices such as:
Whipped Avocado Toast for £8.50.
Another tasty brunch option is the Almuerzo for £14.00 which consists of scrambled tofu, corn fitters, avocado dip, salsa roja and a black bean mole served with blue corn tortillas.
If you want to experience vegan food that offers a surprising taste explosion. Mildred’s vegan brunch in Soho is a must-visit.
Mildreds Soho branch:
Address: 45 Lexington Street, London, W1F 9AN
Telephone: 0207 494 1634
Related: Vegan Bakeries in London for Delicious Plant-Based Treats
2. Tendril – A Mostly Vegan Restaurant
Founder and Chef Rishim Sachdeva opened Tendril after taking up the Veganuary Challenge. Originally a self-confessed ‘hardcore carnivore,’ Rishim wanted to test and reward his skills as a chef by creating flavourful dishes to fulfil his meat cravings. The outcome was a resounding success and resulted in the opening of Tendril.
Tendril sources the freshest ingredients according to the best available. Therefore the menu may change daily. Two-weekend brunch menus are available from 12 pm, a taster menu and an A L’Carte menu.
The brunch taster menu has seven dishes for £33.00 per guest. Seven possibilities could be Smoked aubergine with pumpkin seeds and pomegranate, Blackened cauliflower with tamarind ketchup, and Squash toastie with tamarind ketchup, Kimchi, and a herb salad, finishing with a Tiramisu.
Options from the A L’Carte menu might be:
- A small plates choice is Crispy Beetroot Bao with a hoisin glaze and crispy shallots for £8.00
- Large plate options include a Blackened Cauliflower, fritter, tamarind ketchup, and pitta bread for £16.00.
- And to finish with a dessert of Sticky Toffee Pudding, glazed prunes, and bay leaf custard, at £6.50.
Tendril offers one of the best vegan brunches in London. It is fantastic for vegans and vegetarians and showcases how tasty mostly vegan dishes can be for sceptical meat eaters.
Address: 5 Princes Street, London, W1B 2LQ
Telephone: 07842 797541
Email: [email protected]
3. KIN Cafe – A Plant-Based Paradise
KIN’s ethos is to promote the protection of our planet through sustainability and cruelty-free methods. Kin Cafe opened to enable people to experience just how mouth-watering vegan food can be.
KIN does not display menu prices online, but reviews say portions are generous and delicious for the price. However, if you prefer to know before arrival, call ahead for the latest prices.
There is a limited menu, as KIN uses fresh, seasonal ingredients. However, the brunch menu includes two brunch specials, one vegan and one vegetarian, which can also be plant-based. The choices are:
The KIN Weekend Deluxe is available as vegetarian or vegan. Both options include grilled pepper, mushroom, kale, asparagus, avocado, hollandaise sauce and sourdough bread. The vegetarian has poached egg, and the vegan has sesame tofu and vegan hollandaise.
The KIN Benedict is the same as the deluxe but without pepper, mushrooms and kale.
Some cocktails on the brunch menu are a Bellini, prosecco and peach pureé or a G&T made with organic gin and tonic.
KIN also have an all-day menu where you can enjoy a KIN Breakfast of potato hash, mushroom, avocado, spinach, tomato halloumi bean and egg or tofu. It can be vegan or vegetarian.
Also on the all-day menu are Vegan Waffles or Pancakes with all the trimmings.
Visitors to KIN consider the cafe to serve one of the best vegan breakfasts in London. The service comes with a smile and is in a relaxed setting.
Address: 22 Foley Street, London, W1W 6DT
Telephone: 020 3589 5185
4. The Vurger Company – Indulgent Vegan Food
The vision was simple, to make vegan fast food accessible to everyone. The Vurger Company has made it a reality and a hugely successful one. In 2016, they started with a market stall, pop-ups, and festivals before opening a vegan restaurant in Shoreditch in 2018. Today, they have restaurants in London, Brighton, and Manchester.
An extensive burger or vurger menu is served from 12 am – 9 pm and is 100% plant-based.
The Brunch Vurger for £9.95. An all-vegan burger of a pork-style patty with vegan smoked gouda, hash browns, vegan bacon, and egg with their baconnaise sauce.
Another authentic option is the Auburger for £8.75. A patty made from aubergine, chickpea, tempeh, and chipotle topped with cheese, gherkins, onions and chipotle mayo.
A New York Melt at £9.95 is another delicious option with a beyond-meat burger, cheese and all the trimmings.
As with most fast-food burger restaurants, various options of fries and drinks are available. However, their milkshakes are a particular hit, with monthly specials like a Jammie Dodger.
Protecting the environment is high on Vurger’s priorities, and they have recently won an award for ‘Best Sustainable Fast Food Brand.’
If you are looking for a vegan brunch in Shoreditch, Vurger has an excellent reputation as one of the best vegan restaurants in London serving the best vegan brunch burger.
Address: Unit 9, Richmix, Avant Garde, Cygnet St, London E1 6LD
Telephone: 020 3222 0049
5. We Are Vegan Everything – WAVE
Friends Cat and Steph had a passion for vegan cuisine. They wanted to create a haven for vegans and non-vegans to relax and dine comfortably. WAVE was the answer. They have two branches, one in Stoke Newington and the other in Hackney.
Open from 8.30 am Monday – Saturday and 10 am on Sunday, WAVE is a perfect place to start the day with a vegan breakfast in east London.
The menu has a ‘Smalls’ section for a light-bite breakfast choice. Try the Mushroom Roll filled with the WAVE marinated mushroom mix and wrapped in gluten-free puff pastry for £4.00.
Another light breakfast choice is the ‘Save the Salmon’ Bagel at £7.00. A Norri marinated carrot with creem cheeze and watercress on a toasted bagel.
The main menu has some good breakfast options if you feel more peckish.
The Brekkie Bowl for £13.00 comes with scrambled tofu, tomatoes, hummus, kale, bbq beans, avocado and toasted focaccia.
Try the Raspberry Pancakes for £10.00, topped with Cashew ice cream, raspberries, syrup, and cinnamon, described as Mwah (informal for a kiss).
WAVE can get busy as it is a popular venue for a vegan brunch in London. The cafe is in a Hackney sidestreet, just a two-minute walk from the station. It is quiet from the hustle and bustle, tastefully decorated, with a spacious interior and a small, pleasant outside seating area.
Address: 11 Dispensary Lane, Hackney, E8 1FT
Telephone: 07734 253401
Tips for Choosing a Vegan Restaurant
Choosing a vegan restaurant is far easier than it used to be. Restaurants are much more aware of cooking plant-based dishes. The internet is also a great help, often displaying menus and highlighting which meals are suitable and which can be vegan.
- Check the menu. The easiest way is to look at the diner’s website or social media.
- Read reviews. These days there are online reviews which help you get a feel of the place and an idea of the quality of ingredients.
- Call ahead. Vegans follow a plant-based diet for many reasons, so your requirements may vary. You might prefer to clarify if the restaurant cooks meat and vegan food on the same grill or cook in butter or oil.
- Check the restaurant’s understanding of a vegan diet. In the past, I have been offered fish as an alternative. The restaurant thought it was a vegan option since it was not meat.
- Lactose intolerant. Eating establishments are aware of the importance of allergy requirements, such as nuts and gluten and lactose intolerance. The restaurant might cater to people with dairy intolerance. A vegan diet is naturally lactose-free.