We asked some Londoners about their favourite vegan brunch dishes in the capital — here are the best plates in London’s restaurants.
Londoners love a brunch — and London’s eateries love to deliver a classic. Vegan fry-ups, fancy avocado toasts, signature bagels, hearty bowls, pancake stacks, smoothies and milkshakes: there’s something for every vegan out there.
And with the UK finally opening up (please still wear a mask and be careful, thank you), we asked London’s vegan community what their favourite brunch dishes are. What we got was a list that embodied the diversity of brunch menus in the capital.
Here are the best vegan brunch dishes in London, according to vegan Londoners.
All Worked Up, Blank Brixton
144 Acre Ln, SW2 5UT
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All Worked Up includes all of your standard vegan breakfast staples — avocado, toast, mushrooms, tomatoes, hash browns, baked beans and sausages. The hash browns and mushrooms have to be my favourite — herby, garlicky and homemade. So tasty! I’ve recommended many non-vegans to Blank Brixton, and they’ve loved this dish too.
Truth is, though, I love everything from Blank. Without fail, every dish is well thought out and full of flavour. The cafe’s vibe is relaxed and the staff is always so friendly and welcoming.
My partner and I love it so much that we walked there and back several times towards the end of the 2020 lockdown for a takeaway brunch — well worth the two hours and 45 minute-round trip.
Vikki Oliver, 33, legal operations
Chickpea pancakes, Black Cat
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My favourite brunch spot is Black Cat cafe in Hackney, and it’s got to be the chickpea pancake that gets me every time, even when it’s a toss-up to their mahoosive full English.
I love Black Cat because it’s unapologetically vegan and it recognises veganism is connected to a variety of other social justice issues. It makes its space available for community events and will amplify a variety of charities including community-based actions.
It made its space available to me when I was workshopping parts of my book with my co-author, and I’ve met some fantastic and like-minded people through some of the events I’ve attended there.
Emilia A Leese, lawyer and rewilder
Toasted bagel, The Waiting Room
134 Deptford High St, SE8 3PQ
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I live in southeast London. My favourite place for Sunday brunch is The Waiting Room, a vegan and vegetarian cafe on Deptford High Street. The top item is a toasted bagel — the real Brick Lane version, not the supermarket variety — with vegan sausage, onion and pickles washed down with an oat cappuccino. Other filling options include vegan pastrami and pulled banana blossom.
The cafe has a small but perfect back garden with a covered area so you can sit out amongst the pot plants — a haven from the busy high street. Brunch will set you back around £7 per person, including coffee.
Alice Grahame, writer and press officer
BBQ Ranch Chick’n burger, Mildreds
Multiple locations in Soho, Dalston, King’s Cross and Camden.
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The BBQ Ranch Chick’n burger at Mildreds is delicious. Definitely one of the best burgers I’ve had in a long time with a satisfying texture.
And the restaurant had great service too. I’ll definitely go back soon.
Evie Stannard, 24, project coordinator
For more, check out our guide to the best vegan burgers in London.
Avocado toast, The Gallery Cafe
St Margaret’s House Settlement, 21 Old Ford Rd, Bethnal Green, E2 9PL
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I visited The Gallery Cafe at St Margaret’s House for brunch with friends. The place is a non-profit community project, and it is definitely worth recommending for a number of reasons.
Not only is everything vegan, but there is also a big focus on sustainability and locally sourced produce. As a student living in London, I have definitely noticed that a lot of places like that can be quite expensive, but Gallery Cafe is affordable and feels casual and welcoming.
For my meal there, I had the avocado toast and a matcha latte. Avocado toast is a classic brunch food, and I was not disappointed. It was served on a generous piece of toasted sourdough, along with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and tomatoes.
Even though it was difficult to choose something from the wide selection of vegan pastries they offer, I also tried the almond croissant, which is one of the best vegan croissants I’ve tasted.
Iga Sokół, 21, student
Freakshakes, We Are Vegan Everything
(WAVE)
11 Dispensary Ln, E8
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The Freakshakes at Hackney’s We Are Vegan Everything (WAVE) are milkshakes with a baked good of choice — a brownie, cheesecake or cupcake, for example — on top. They are incredible and so tasty.
It’s one of my favourite brunch places. Just walking into the space, you immediately feel relaxed and at home with the Balinese decor. You almost feel as if you were on holiday. The food is as inviting and welcoming as the atmosphere. The attention to detail is seen not just in the decor, but, more importantly, in the presentation of the food. Honestly, it is art on a plate, with the use of edible flowers to tantalise the eyes and make your mouth water.
The restaurant emerged from Cupcakes and Shhht, so its desserts are insanely good. The pancakes are made fluffy and are inviting to eat. I love it when they top off the pancakes with ice cream, making it the perfect brunch treat. I’m also in love with their mac and cheese. It is so creamy, making every mouthful an experience to remember.
I can’t sing this place’s praises enough, but you just need to head on down and check it out. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Lauren Karl, personal trainer and performer
Lasagne, Farmacy
74-76 Westbourne Grove, W2 5SH
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The Farmacy Lasagne is fantastic — so satisfying and full of rich layers of filling between the lasagne sheets. The sauce was perfect.
Edward Hopkins, 29, communications director
Cheese Please charcoal burger, Bvrger
Medz Corner, 62 Kensington High St, W8 4PE
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During lockdown, I ate more at home with flexitarian friends. I once ordered plant-based burgers from Bvrger, a local restaurant. It had interesting and fun options and the vegan Cheese Please burger with charcoal bun and truffle fries were appealing.
I am not a big burger person, but these were some of the most delicious burgers I’ve had. They’re delicious, juicy, tasty, with a good balance of vegetables inside. The buns are not too big or puffy, and the whole burger is quite compact. The patty melts in your mouth, and they’re well-presented. Having tried a few options, my favourite burger remains the Cheese Please with charcoal bun.
The truffle fries were delicious too. Thin but soft, and not too salty. My flexitarian friends now ask to order from Bvrger when they decide to have vegan food.
Maria Stoica, 34, sustainability consultant
