There are now many more choices for the vegan diner when it comes to eating out. Fear no longer the menu where the only appealing options are pasta bake or stuffed peppers. Sure, established restaurants, such as Mildred’s, are still going strong, but what follows is a round up of places you might not necessarily know about already. It’s always good to have options.

The Vegan Menu at SushiSamba

No one would blame you for thinking that a sushi restaurant bar might be a poor choice for the vegan diner. At this hugely popular restaurant with a view however (it’s in East London’s Heron Tower) there’s a whole separate vegan menu. You’ll find a selection of nigiri and maki, plus a limited but interesting menu of large and small plates to share. The aubergine with mustard miso is excellent. Order two to avoid arguments. sushisamba.com

Vegan Afternoon Tea at Bake-a-boo

To find vegan cakes is one thing, but a whole afternoon tea? There can’t be many of these knocking about. Scones come with coconut cream and jam, there’s a selection of dairy and egg free finger sandwiches, chocolate cupcakes, muffins (obviously all vegan), plus chocolate dipped strawberries. Tea comes with soya milk. www.bake-a-boo.com

Vegan Options at Leon

For vegans on the go, the Leon chain has a few great options. The ‘Leon Gobi Lunchbox’ for example contains spiced sweet potatoes and cauliflower, with chilli, ginger and coconut milk. There’s also a quinoa salad with semi-dried tomatoes, peas, cucumber, herbs and pomegranate. They do a few salads, plus fries and spiced corn. It’s not a massive range, but it is interesting. leonrestaurants.co.uk

Image Credit: Leon

Sagar

South Indian food is an excellent choice for the vegan diner, and Sagar have a huge range of suitable dishes on the menu. There are gently spiced, steamed idli (rice dumplings) with coconut chutney and tomato ketchup, pani puri that burst in your mouth, magnificent, papery dosa and super satisfying uthappams (flat rounds made from lentils) which come with various toppings, sambar and chutney.

Oli Baba’s Meat Free Levantine Cuisine

This street food stall serves some of the best Levantine food in London. Expect dishes such as roasted cauliflower with citrus tahini and garlic lentil salad, plus some truly excellent hummus. They also make excellent falafel, soups, and veggie additions like date-glazed carrots. They’re super-friendly and will probably tweak their existing salad boxes to make them vegan - if you ask very nicely, of course. olibabas.com

Wholefood Heaven

These guys serve their signature, award-winning ‘Buddha bowls’ from a stall at Whitecross Market. In each bowl you’ll get massaman curry with potatoes, pineapple and soya, steamed seasonal greens, kimchi and carrot pickle, organic rice and organic seeds. It’s also gluten free. Eat it and feel Zen. www.wholefoodheaven.co.uk

The Everybody Love Love Jhal Muri Express

Angus Denoon travels the country making dishing out jhal muri from his gorgeously festooned van, so splashed with colour it makes you happy just to set eyes on it. Inspired by his travels in Kolkata, Angus now recreates the food of the streets on UK soil, and he describes his jhal muri as ‘the great leveler’. It consists of roasted rice, channa dal, peanut and sev. There is tomato, cucumber, ginger, coriander, chilli for freshness and there is spicing and sourness in the form of chaat masala, garam masala, yellow lime and tamarind sauce. It’s an explosion of textures and flavours, and it just happens to be vegan. www.streetfoodkolkata.com

Image Credit: The Everybody Love Love Jhal Muri Express

Horn OK Please

The bhel puri at this street food stall on Brick Lane is very popular. It’s made using sev (small pieces of crunchy noodles), potatoes, tomatoes, to types of chutney (green and tamarind), red onions, and fresh coriander. You’ll also find a modern twist in the form of juicy pomegranate seeds. It’s a really satisfying pot full of interesting textures. www.hop.st

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