London doesn’t just have vegan options-it has a whole ecosystem built around them. Walk through neighborhoods like Hackney, Peckham, or Camden, and you’ll find cafés serving jackfruit tacos, vegan fish and chips made with oyster mushrooms, and cashew-based cheesecakes that taste better than the dairy version. But this isn’t just a trend. It’s a movement shaped by people who care about animals, the planet, and their health-and it’s growing faster than most city planners expected.
Why London Became a Vegan Hub
In 2019, London became the first city in the UK to declare a climate emergency. That same year, the number of people identifying as vegan in the UK jumped to over 600,000. By 2025, that number had doubled. But here’s the thing: most of those people aren’t living in isolation. They’re clustered in cities, and London became the epicenter.
It’s not just about food. It’s about access. The city has over 120 dedicated vegan restaurants, plus another 400+ mainstream eateries with full vegan menus. Supermarkets like Tesco and Sainsbury’s now carry plant-based meats from brands like Beyond Meat and Oatly, and even corner shops stock vegan milk in cartons labeled “oat,” “soy,” or “almond.”
What made the difference? A mix of policy, culture, and grassroots energy. The City of London introduced vegan lunch programs in public schools. NHS doctors started recommending plant-based diets for managing type 2 diabetes. And social media-especially TikTok and Instagram-turned vegan food into something visually exciting, not just ethical.
The Heart of the Movement: Vegan Communities
There’s no single vegan club in London. Instead, there are dozens of local groups that meet weekly. In Brixton, the Vegan Brixton Collective runs monthly potlucks at community centers. In North London, Plant-Based Islington organizes clean-up walks followed by vegan brunches. These aren’t just social events-they’re support networks.
One woman I spoke with, Priya, moved to London from rural Wales. She struggled to find vegan food at first. “I felt like I was the only one,” she said. Then she found the London Vegan Meetup group on Facebook. Within two weeks, she was helping organize a food drive for homeless shelters that served only plant-based meals. “Now I know 30 people who’ve become family,” she told me.
These groups don’t just eat together. They advocate. They’ve pushed for more vegan options in hospitals, pressured chain restaurants to remove egg from their breakfast menus, and even convinced Transport for London to offer vegan meal vouchers on Oyster cards for low-income residents.
Top Plant-Based Restaurants You Can’t Miss
Not all vegan food is created equal. Some places are just salads with tofu. Others are culinary experiences. Here are five that stand out:
- Mildreds (Soho & Camden) - Open since 1997, this is where London’s vegan scene began. Their jackfruit curry and vegan “chicken” tikka masala are legendary. Don’t skip the chocolate brownie.
- The Gate (Islington) - Upscale, elegant, and packed with flavor. Their beetroot carpaccio with cashew ricotta and black garlic dressing is a dish people drive across town for.
- Redemption (Shoreditch) - A juice bar turned full-service restaurant. Their “Bacon & Egg” breakfast-made with tempeh, black salt, and aquafaba-is so convincing, meat-eaters ask for seconds.
- Farmacy (Notting Hill) - Think healthy fast food. Their vegan burgers use beetroot and mushroom patties, served with sweet potato fries and house-made cashew mayo.
- Wulf & Lamb (Brixton) - A vegan butcher shop and restaurant rolled into one. They make seitan sausages, plant-based pâté, and even vegan cheese wheels aged for 60 days.
These aren’t just restaurants. They’re destinations. People book tables weeks in advance. Tourists come to London specifically to eat here. And locals? They bring their non-vegan friends to prove plant-based doesn’t mean boring.
How to Eat Vegan on a Budget
Yes, some vegan meals in London cost £20+. But you don’t need to spend that much. The city is full of affordable options.
Check out Veganuary pop-ups at local markets like Borough Market or Greenwich Market. You can get a full vegan burger, fries, and drink for under £8. Or hit up The Vegan Kind Supermarket in Clapham-they sell ready-made meals for £4.50 that last three days in the fridge.
Many community centers run weekly vegan meal programs. In Tower Hamlets, the East London Vegan Kitchen serves a hot three-course meal for £3.50. No questions asked. Just show up.
Even supermarkets are helping. Aldi’s “Plant-Based Range” includes vegan sausages, burgers, and ready meals priced lower than their meat counterparts. You can eat well without breaking the bank.
What’s Changing Right Now
The vegan scene in London is evolving fast. In early 2025, the city approved a pilot program to install 50 new “vegan food hubs” in underserved areas. These are small kiosks with hot meals, fresh produce, and nutrition info-targeted at neighborhoods with high rates of diabetes and heart disease.
Supermarkets are adding QR codes to vegan products that link to videos showing how they’re made. One brand, Planted, even lets you scan their vegan chicken to see the carbon footprint saved by choosing it over real chicken.
And there’s new legislation coming. By 2026, all new public buildings in London must include at least one fully plant-based meal option in their cafeterias. That’s not a suggestion. It’s a law.
Why This Matters Beyond Food
Choosing plant-based in London isn’t just about what’s on your plate. It’s about reducing emissions. Livestock farming accounts for nearly 15% of global greenhouse gases. In London, if every resident skipped meat one day a week, the city would cut its carbon output by 1.2 million tons annually.
It’s also about health. A 2024 study from King’s College London found that people who ate mostly plant-based meals had 23% lower risk of heart disease and 31% lower rates of type 2 diabetes compared to meat-eaters. The NHS now includes plant-based diet plans in its weight-loss and diabetes programs.
And then there’s the animal welfare angle. In 2025, the UK banned live animal exports. That change didn’t happen because of protests alone-it happened because enough people stopped buying meat and dairy. London led that shift.
Getting Started
If you’re new to vegan living in London, start small. Try one vegan meal a week. Use the HappyCow app to find nearby spots. Join a local meetup group. Visit a farmers’ market and ask for samples.
You don’t need to go full vegan overnight. You just need to begin. And in London, you’ll never be alone in that decision.
Is vegan food expensive in London?
Not necessarily. While some upscale vegan restaurants charge £20+, there are plenty of affordable options. Supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl sell vegan meals for under £3.50. Markets like Borough and Greenwich offer full vegan meals for £6-£8. Community kitchens serve hot meals for as little as £3.50. You can eat well on a budget.
Are there vegan options outside central London?
Yes. Every borough has vegan-friendly spots. Places like Croydon, Walthamstow, and Lewisham have dedicated vegan cafés and grocery stores. Even smaller towns like Enfield and Bromley now have at least one solid plant-based restaurant. The HappyCow app filters by area, so you can find options no matter where you are.
Can I find vegan food at chain restaurants?
Absolutely. McDonald’s, Burger King, and Pret A Manger all have full vegan menus in London. Starbucks offers oat milk lattes and vegan pastries. Even Pizza Hut and Domino’s have vegan cheese options. Chains are responding to demand-London’s vegan population is too big to ignore.
How do I find vegan events or meetups?
Check Facebook groups like London Vegan Meetup or Vegan Brixton Collective. Eventbrite lists weekly vegan pop-ups, cooking classes, and film screenings. The Vegan Society UK also hosts monthly events in central London. Most are free or low-cost.
Is it easy to shop for vegan groceries in London?
Very. All major supermarkets carry plant-based milk, meat alternatives, and vegan cheeses. Specialty stores like The Vegan Kind Supermarket and Veganz offer a wide range of organic and specialty items. Even corner shops in areas like Peckham and Hackney now stock oat milk and vegan snacks. You won’t have to hunt for basics.
If you’re thinking about making the switch, remember: you don’t need to be perfect. You just need to show up. And in London, the table is already set.