What are the top-5 vegan date locations in London? Simplicity, conversation, and just the right amount of affection: that is what most people want on a first date. But ensuring you strike the right balance between impressing your date, and not overwhelming them can be difficult.
Imagine this. You have established that perfect balance – only to discover your date does not consume animal products. But you can stop searching for a last minute, not-so-reliable back-up plan.
We have you sorted.
Here are five plant-based spots to enrich your dating life in London.
Mildreds
With restaurants in Soho, Camden, Dalston and Kings Cross, this vegetarian-vegan eatery was established in 1988 – when vegetarian food was grey and boring. The team behind Mildreds describe themselves as internationally inspired, striving to change the preconceived idea of plant-based being dull.
Dinnertime at Mildreds consists of candles and jazz music, and with a selection ranging from curries to burgers, and dumplings to chilli tofu: your date will be absolutely spoilt for choice.
Recommended dish:
Sri Lankan Curry: sweet potato coconut curry, roasted cashews, pea basmati rice, tomato coconut sambal
Side of tender-stem broccoli, lemon miso
Purezza
With Neapolitan-based pizzas and lab-grown alternatives, Purezza describes themselves as “Plant Pioneers”. Since 2015, this restaurant has been revolutionising Italian cuisine by showing people what plants can do when swapped in for traditional ingredients.
Their branch in London has just undergone renovation, and with arrays of fairy lights and cosy seating – you cannot go wrong with bringing your date here. But if they turn out not to be a fan of pizza, Purezza has you covered – with pasta bowls, salads, and a naughty range of rich desserts to please them too.
Recommended dish:
The One and Only Parmigiana Party: red tomato base with smoked mozzarella, aubergine parmigiana, crumbled sausages, topped with a dusting of nutritional yeast
Mother Works, followed by a stroll along River Lee
Now entering their fourth year of business, this Hackney Wick café is not only 100 percent plant based, but it strives to serve all its produce eco consciously too. Because it is bustling full of studious workers throughout the week, the ideal date here would take place on a sunny Sunday brunch.
A soft playlist compliments their relaxed environment: it is clear Mother Works’s team love what they do – and this love is reflected in their food too. With their café located on the Lee canal, take your date for a stroll and wait for the sun to set. They will not be disappointed.
Recommended dish:
Sandwich of the Day: Try the beetroot carpaccio, rocket, “cheese” and basil pesto one. Served between two slices of fresh sourdough, Mother Works proved sandwiches do not have to be boring.
Peanut Butter Booster Smoothie: you can have this as a dessert, or not, but it is highly recommended. Ingredients: oat mylk, banana, peanut butter, maca, cacao nibs, dates.
Camden Market and picnic on Primrose Hill
First stop: Magic Falafel
A market rich in plant-based options, Camden is perfect when your date is not much of a “restaurant-type” person. Falafels are a renowned vegan-favourite, and Magic Falafel only serves three different dishes – ensuring that each of them is perfectly crafted for its customers. Pop your food in a bag, take a short walk along Regent’s Canal, and sit atop one of the best viewing-points of London: Primrose Hill.
Recommended dish:
Pita Falafel: fresh veggies, falafels, homemade hummus, tahini, pickled veggies and a selection of sauces – stuffed inside their fluffy pita bread.
Second stop: Naked Dough
Raw cookie dough started as a trend in the US. Jen and Hannah spotted a gap in the UK market for this and are now one of the most successful cookie dough businesses in London. Not everything on the menu is vegan, but the select few that are will definitely leave your date wanting more.
Recommended dish:
Vegan Cookies and Cream: rich, chocolaty dough – grab two spoons and a cup of this and give your date the sweet end it deserves.
https://www.naked-dough.co.uk/
Honey and Co., and wander round Regent’s Park
Middle Eastern food is secretly one of the most naturally vegan-friendly cuisines. While Honey and Co. do not have any outright vegan claims on their website or social media, their restaurant welcomes vegans with open arms. A neat eatery situated just behind Great Portland Street, Honey and Co. is renowned for its fresh, authentic food that could only be found in a Middle Eastern home.
Round the corner from Regent’s Park, the date can be extended with an exploration of Queen Mary’s Rose Gardens. But if flowers don’t particularly fascinate them, bring your leftovers along to the Boating Lake to put a smile on some of the inhabiting wildlife of Regent’s Park – there is nothing more romantic than competing with cute squirrels and ducklings for your date’s attention.
Recommended dish:
Request the vegan sharing breakfast
