Did you know that the U.K. and Ireland are some of the most vegan-friendly European countries? The skyscraper-speckled city became the birthplace of the London Vegetarian Society back in 1888. Since then, the city’s food scene has evolved into a paradise for vegetarians and vegans alike.
London’s vegan food landscape is thriving. According to a study by the experts at B-Well CBD, Tower Hamlets offers the most diverse range of vegan businesses of all the London boroughs. With so many options, finding a suitable spot can be a mission.
Fortunately, London satisfies its ever-expanding vegan population with many plant-based restaurants, local markets, and social groups. Let this guide tease your tastebuds ahead of an indulgent afternoon in the urban jungle.
The Best Vegan Bakeries in London Near You: Map
London is sprinkled with quaint vegan bakeries that will intrigue even the non-vegan food connoisseurs to have a bite. Feed your appetite for cakes, desserts, and vegan brownies in London with a trip to one of the following recommended businesses:
1. Vida Bakery – Best Vegan Cakes
Walking past Vida Bakery without feeling tempted by the scent of freshly baked cupcakes, birthday cakes, biscuits, and macarons will be a challenge.
What began as a pop-up shop at the local markets has evolved into a pleasantly popular social spot for sweet tooths. Free from dairy, egg, and gluten, this vegan bakery features a captivating display of colourful cakes, including biscoff cake, red velvet and brownie cake, and limoncello cake.
Address: 139 Brick Ln, London
Phone: +44 20 7739 1399 0
2. Floozie Cookies Bakery – Amazing Vegan Cookies
Pastry Chef Kimberly Lin is the woman behind the Floozie Cookies Bakery brand. Nibble on one of her handmade “Stuffed Cookies” and choose from a variety of flavours such as Cinnamon Crunch, Double Chocolate Chunk, Pecan Pie, and P&J.
Gluten-free choices are available, and it’s worth stopping by just to check out the limited edition monthly special. Be sure to try one of the lip-smacking beverages, too.
Address: 15B Covent Garden Market Building, Covent Garden
3. Lola’s Cupcakes – Excellent Vegan Cupcakes
Happiness has been oozing out of Lola’s Cupcakes since 2006. Tuck into a smores layer cake here, nibble on gooey chocolate brownies, or build your own cupcake box.
Next-day delivery is available, but it’s a good idea to pick up your beautifully packaged treats in-store, since everything is handmade with impressive attention to detail.
Address: 14-18 Neal St, London WC2H 9LY, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7240 4249
4. Crosstown Marylebone – Vegan Doughnuts
Doughnut lovers will be in their element at this place. After licking the sugar off your lips, you’ll likely reach for another one.
So delicious are this bakery’s plant-based doughnuts that many customers choose to stock up with a pack of six or 12. Glazes and fillings are made with a blend of coconut butter, silken tofu, dairy-free dark chocolate, and oat milk.
Seasonal Christmas and Hanukkah boxes are available at Crosstown Doughnuts Vegan Bakery, which prides itself on making dough with chia seeds and coconut butter.
Address: 5-6 Picton Place, London
Phone: +44 20 7487 3733
5. Cafe Van Gogh – Cozy and Warm Atmosphere
A feast for the eyes and belly awaits anyone who visits this vegan bakery, which is decorated with a blue and yellow painted ceiling that was inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s The Starry Night.
Examples of customer favourites include croissant and marmalade bread and butter pudding with chocolate ice cream, crème caramel with pistachio biscotti, and for a savoury choice, celeriac schnitzel, mushroom sauce, watercress, and crispy capers. Don’t forget to snap a picture next to the spiral staircase!
Cafe Van Gogh is the to-go place for seasonal, vegan cuisine in an artistic setting. The non-profit restaurant is 100% vegan, and is also a social enterprise, meaning they do good for the community as well as your taste buds!
Address: 88 Brixton Rd, London
Phone: +44 20 3903 92320
6. Thenga Cafe – Flavors of India
Seeking some daytime decadence? If you answered “yes” then don’t miss the vegan daily set meal at Thenga Cafe.
This eatery blends Indian and European fare in an inviting setting. Tea, coffee, and juices are available for dine-in and takeaway at this cafe, which also lures in passers-by with energy balls, cakes, cookies, smoothies, and homemade masala chai tea. Expect to see a different vegan dish on Thenga Cafe’s menu each day.
With most of the mains being less than £8, it’s a nice spot to satisfy the appetite without splurging too much cash. Plus, the cafe has a light and airy space with wooden tables and chairs, making it suitable as a co-working space.
Address: 120 Cromer Street, London
Phone: +44 20 3817 9919
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7. Mooshies x Hard Rock Cafe – Vegan Burgers
Back in 2016, London saw the birth of Mooshies. Although this one is better suited to those with a savoury tooth, there’s still plenty of sweetness to be enjoyed.
Mooshies was the capital’s first Vegan burger bar. Hungry customers usher through the doors seven days a week from 12-11pm. After devouring a satisfyingly juicy vegan burger, you might want to wash it down with a Banana and walnut Ice Cream or a cocktail.
Address: Hard Rock Cafe, Great Cumberland Pl, Marble Arch, London W1H 7DL
Phone: +44 20 7479 50780
8. Cutter & Squidge – Modern Vegan Patisserie
Owned and operated by two passionate sisters, Cutter & Squidge spoils customers with biscuits, mini cupcakes, cakes, and shortbread made with locally-sourced ingredients.
Customers can peruse a broad assortment of vegan and wheat-free options, as well as egg-free and dairy-free cakes. Don’t miss the passion fruit and pistachio, vegan chocolate fudge cake, and hazelnut and chocolate chunk cookie box.
What sets this vegan bakery apart from others is that it features a “potion room” that can be hired for children’s parties, afternoon tea, or whatever tickles your fancy.
Address: 20 Brewer St, London
Phone: +44 20 7734 2540
9. Ruby’s of London
Walk through the doors of Ruby’s of London Tuesday through Sunday 9:30 am-5:00 pm and expect a nice surprise.
Vegan certified, this business specialises in gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, and sugar-free products. Be sure to try their jaffa cake brownie tower, decorated cupcakes, spiced gingerbread, oversized cookies, and donut boxes.
Address: 11 Durnford St, London
Phone: +44 20 8858 6618
10. The Shaw Cafe Vegetarian
Get a taste of nature at this friendly vegan cafe. Breakfasts, lunches, cakes, chia fruit puddings, and an assortment of other treats are offered at The Shaw Café, where everything is freshly prepared.
Satisfy your hunger pangs with organic vegan soups, artisan bread, salad bowls, and ethically sourced coffee splashed with your choice of oat, almond, coconut, or soya milk.
Address: 54 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London
11. Vegan Sweet Tooth – Italian Chef’s Market Stall
Open 24 hours Monday to Friday, Vegan Sweet Tooth is a successful business with a large Instagram presence. No animal produce is used to create the edibles at this eatery, which are available for online pickup or delivery.
Join their loyal band of followers on Instagram, and it won’t be long before you’re enticed to pick up a slice of Blueberry and Lavender Cake. No preservatives or artificial colours are used in the diverse cake selection, which includes Rose, Pistachios and Pomegranate cake, Blueberry and Lavender cake, Oreo and Chocolate cake, as well as tarts, trifle, lasagna, and pumpkin cannelloni. Vegan Sweet Tooth also hosts events on a regular basis.
Address: 2 Gilsland Rd, London, Thornton Heath
Phone: +44 7702 499689
12. The Free From Bakehouse Bakery
How about getting a little sugar rush with an award-winning Bakewell tart? That’s exactly what you’ll find at this vegan patisserie in London.
Freshly stocked with a range of heavenly-crafted cakes, such as peanut butter date caramel cake, ginger and lemon cake, and red velvet cake, this wholesale bakery also sells numerous savoury options. Plus, everything is gluten and wheat-free!
Address: Unit 6, 99-109 Battersea Business Centre, Lavender Hill, London
Phone: +44 20 3601 61990
13. Cupcakes and Shhht (Permanently Closed)
This establishment is no longer just about cupcakes! It’s still vegan and goes by the name of Waves, but the menu is limited with only a few food options available.
Having a sweet tooth seven days a week is not a problem if you live near this vegan bakery in London. The vibrant business blossomed from Camden Lock market and was established in 2012.
Cosy is the word to describe this place, where you can slump onto a cushion as you sink your teeth into a vast assortment of handmade gluten-free, raw, baked, and refined sugar-free sweet treats, including the Summer Berry Bliss cake and vegan pancake stack.
A seasonal savoury menu is also available at this vegan patisserie in London.
Address: 11 Dispensary Lane
Phone: +44 7734 253401
Planning your trip to one of the aforementioned businesses is recommended if you want to pluck the best vegan brownies in London before someone else beats you to it!
- Avoid travelling during peak hours and seek out accessible public transport options, such as the London Underground, buses, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), or Riverboat services.
- Alternatively, make the most of your afternoon by renting a bicycle.
Rise of Veganism in London
A recent report carried out by the Time Out Index discovered that 5% of Londoners follow a vegan lifestyle. Meanwhile, 20% are vegetarian and 11% are trying to reduce their meat intake. If we get down to numbers, that means more than a third of the 8.85 million people in London favour plant-based foods.
The reasons for choosing this diet are many: as of December 2021, 89% of polled consumers in Great Britain stated that they were vegan due to an ethical motivation, whereas 89% said they think the way animals are farmed and killed for food is cruel, 88% said they don’t want to eat animals or animal products, 79% made the switch due to environmental reasons, 40% due to personal health reasons, while 7% chose other, 6% were raised vegan/vegetarian by their parents/guardians, 4% because someone else wanted them to switch, and 2% for religious reasons.
The vegan diet has piqued the curiosity of registered dietitians and nutrition scientists for years. Studies into veganism have delivered promising prospects for people who suffer from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. There’s even evidence to suggest that a vegan diet can keep the heart healthy.
Written by Bethan Rose Jenkins