Guide to the best vegetarian restaurants in London

One of the most acclaimed vegetarian enterprises in the world, The Gate restaurants have been promoting healthy living for over 30 years. You can find favourites from all over the world on the menu, from katsu curry and tortillas to beetroot burgers and homemade gnocchi. The elegantly decorated original location in Hammersmith also has a verdant secret garden tucked away in the back.

The chef founder of Oliveira Kitchen strives to showcase nature’s bounty through innovative vegetarian cuisine with a less devastating environmental footprint. You can expect an eclectic array of global dishes, reimagined into vegetarian versions using fresh, organic produce, seasonal ingredients and exclusively-foraged rarities, along with a wide array of organic wines to pair with your meal.

The vegetarian and vegan menu at the Sagar restaurants around London draws on the culinary heritage of Udupi, the centre of vegetarian cuisine in South India. You can choose from different curries, authentic thalis, freshly made breads, lentil pizzas and the famous masala dosa pancakes that originate in the above-mentioned region. The drinks are vegetarian as well, including the wines.

A casual eatery serving veggie and vegan takes on international favourites, Miranda Café often gives its dishes a South American twist. Furnished with assorted vintage chairs and tables, as well as potted plants all over, it has a cosy vibe in which to enjoy your breakfast or specialties from around the world such as Israeli laffa, the South Carolina hot dog or the kimchi burger.

A popular veggie choice, Bubala's Middle Eastern feasts have been a mainstay of Spitalfields and Soho for quite some time now. The vegetarian menu is top-notch, with new delights constantly stealing the limelight from old favourites. Expect the likes of halloumi with black seed honey, falafel, fried aubergine and labneh, all vegetarian-friendly. You can also get the Bubala Knows Best tasting menu and let the experts take charge.

Shayona’s menu is made according to saatvic vegetarian principles, harming no living beings in the preparation of the dishes and using no garlic, onions or other foods that provoke aggression according to Ayurvedic teachings. The elegant eatery is situated within the grounds of the remarkable Neasden Temple and also offers a lunchtime buffet.

If you’re looking for vegetarian food in Stoke Newington, Rasa’s bright pink façade is hard to miss. Well-known among London veggies, the restaurant has devoted its menu to South Indian vegetarian cuisine that nourishes and pleases the senses. You can choose from various Keralan snacks and treats, for example dosas, curries and rice dishes, or order the vegetarian or vegan feasting menu.

The Persepolis Restaurant is the eatery within the Persepolis corner shop, which sells Middle Eastern food, cookware and more. There are various daily specials to try, as well as shareable mezze platters, an assortment of Iranian sweets, spiced hot drinks and more. The affordable tasting menu takes you from starters to dessert, and the entire menu is, of course, vegetarian.

Fitzrovia's Rovi is not a vegetarian-only restaurant, but even its meat and seafood dishes seem to be playing second fiddle to the vegetable offering. Famed chef and restaurateur Yotam Ottolenghi focuses on veggies here, using fermentation techniques and cooking over fire to emphasise the flavours and the characteristic Mediterranean freshness of his restaurants. 

Unexpectedly, the live-fire Acme Fire Cult concept puts veggies at the heart of its custom grill and menu. The owners’ first permanent venture, a collaboration with Dalston’s 40FT Brewery, has quickly become one of the hottest (heh) new spots in London. Aubergines, potatoes and other assorted veg is prepared using fermentation and grilling techniques from all over the world, with the carefully sourced meat and seafood providing support instead of being the main act.

The Michelin-starred Galvin La Chapelle uses seasonal produce and traditional techniques in preparing its French haute cuisine. The offer at this elegant restaurant in Shoreditch includes vegetarian and vegan tasting menus with dishes such as coffee & Amalfi lemon risotto, pickled girolles & buffalo mozzarella, or Wye Valley green asparagus, miso, parmesan & summer black truffle. Wine pairing is available as well.

Across the canal from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Silo serves an innovative zero-waste menu that changes regularly, but always has plenty to offer vegetarians. The chefs use exciting ingredients like Corra Linn cheese, shiso, whey and koji porridge, showcasing Silo’s commitment to reusability and recycling in the food as well, not just the furnishings.

Famed for raw, um, everything, Japanese cuisine isn’t usually at the top of the list for vegetarians, but the simple Koya noodle bars, which specialise in udon, definitely make the cut. Serving food throughout the day, their various noodle dishes come with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, for example the cold udon with cold sauce and vegetable tempura.

Jason Atherton’s relaxed Michelin-starred venue serves contemporary European cuisine in a convivial setting. There’s a choice of set menus available, including a vegetarian tasting menu with dishes such as heritage carrot tart or San Marzano tomato, goats curd mousse, toasted barley and sunflower seed sauce. Pollen Street Social also offers a range of cocktails and a wine list full of bottles from around the world.

Flat Earth Pizzas is a pizza restaurant that is widely acclaimed for its sustainability practices. Their expertise lies in creating meat-free pizzas that feature heritage grains and ingredients sourced locally. The restaurant's unique topping combinations, such as house kimchi, Somerset mozzarella, cheddar, egg, beetroot crumb, and tomato passata, ensure that customers never have to sacrifice flavour for their dietary choices. Moreover, the cosy atmosphere of this neighbourhood spot, where small plates and weekend brunch dishes are also available, makes it an ideal destination for a relaxed dining experience.

Neighbourhood restaurant My Village Café serves completely vegetarian food in Camden Town, with plenty of vegan choices. It's an informal spot decorated like a Mediterranean taverna. Expect light all-day food like wraps, salad plates, and hot and cold mezze. This place also has a private dining room and a secluded garden.

Lively all-you-can-eat buffet Indian Veg has been open in Islington since the 1980s. As the name suggests, it's all about vegetarian Indian cuisine, with a buffet of over 30 classic dishes. What's on the menu is constantly changing. The vibrant restaurant is decorated with colourful and no-nonsense pro-vegetarian slogans.

Opened in 1979, Govinda's pioneered vegetarian restaurants in London. It's a simple and straightforward spot offering affordable meals with no meat or fish. The various thalis on offer are popular here but you can also choose from the à la carte menu featuring Indian and European options. The goal here is so serve food that's delicious as well as nutritious and that comes without cruelty.

Indian restaurant Jai Krishna serves veggie and vegan dishes in a humble setting with no bells or whistles. This local restaurant serves generous portions of homemade food at budget-friendly prices, including a wide range of curries, paneer dishes, and desserts. Meals here are also affordable because diners are welcoming to BYOB.

South London restaurant Trinco opened in 2023 and serves modern Tamil Sri Lankan food. The menu is completely vegetarian-friendly – expect seasonal and sustainable small plates, curries, and sides. Drinks options include cocktails, beer, and a diverse wine list. The restaurant space is trendy and bohemian with soft colours and leafy plants.