Do You Have Anything Vegan?

Need a great cup of coffee and a vegan snack? TOAST has got you covered. With multiple locations around London, you’ll find one near you. We hit the one in Maida Vale, got two Americanos (I add way too much sugar do not judge me), a slice of chocolate chip banana bread and a blueberry tart bar (not sure that’s the exact name of it but that’s what I’m calling it). TOAST has a great vibe inside. Perfect place to bring your laptop and get some writing or work done or meet a friend to chat it up. Life’s short, go get TOAST-ed.

Address: Multiple locations – check website.

Website: TOAST

Attention all Cookie Monsters:

EVERY. SINGLE. COOKIE. IN. THIS. CLUB. IS. VEGAN.

We were heading out of Coal Drop Yards toward Kings Cross and there it was like a beacon in the night (even though it was middle of the afternoon) drawing us to it. Walked up to see display with green leaf on first cookie, then second, then third… The woman behind the counter utters the best sentence ever, “ALL our items are vegan.” Did we mention they have shakes, too? They have shakes, too. There. We mentioned it. Did we also mention they take 20% off if you buy 4 or more? Go get you some cookies. Chomp chomp chomp.

FYI – They have same day delivery service in London and next day delivery everywhere else.

Address: 6 LOCATIONS – check website

Website: AFTER SCHOOL COOKIE CLUB

This may be our new favorite place – yes – it’s that good, no, it’s that GREAT, and we are not overhyping it here.

Jim took me on an early Valentine’s secret dinner to OLIVERIA KITCHEN where they have a full vegetarian/vegan menu. Everything on it can be made to order vegan, so you and your friends are covered. This place is the definition of ‘swank,’ super modern in style and decor. And the owner/head chef Emerson Amélio de Oliveira could not be more friendly, hilarious, and thoughtful if he tried. He personally greeted us at our table to welcome us.

OK, let’s get to it and talk food: The flavors, textures, and visual styling of plates are outstanding. Menu is broken down into:

SNACKS – we tried the BREAD & BUTTER and JACKIES – both delicious;

STARTERS – we had the CERVICHE, SPAGHETTI, and LADY QUAIL – it was a real toss up as to which was our fave. For Jim it was definitely the LADY QUAIL, for Steve it was the SPAGHETTI;

MAINS – we split the MISS MUFFET AND THE CORNISH SMUGGLER – which had grated black truffle and if you’re not a black truffle fan, we aren’t meant to be lifelong friends who one day trade kidneys.

What more can we say? GO. EAT. ENJOY.

Address: 80 Paul St

Website: OLIVERIA KITCHEN

We were out and about right off the Elizabeth line at Liverpool St, when we were both craving a cup o’ Joe and something sweet and we happened upon this place. It’s in the heart of the financial district, a lot of fancy dressed working people. Coffee was super strong and the vegan carrot cake and double chocolate cake delivered. Great place to people watch while you caffeine and sugar it up.

Address: 85 King William St (multiple locations – check website)

Website: ATTENDANT COFFEE ROASTERS

Recently traveling to the Phoenix area, VEGAN & VINE came recommended to us from a friend and my mom also heard about it on a radio show. To clarify: my mom heard about the creme brulee (apologies to any French readers for the lack of punctuation) on the radio show, which is pictured above and let me say does not disappoint. I asked our server, who happened to be the co-owner, if they used aquafaba (OK fine, I’ll admit I said ‘chickpea water’ haha) to mimic the egg/creme texture and her eyes went huge, “How do you know that??” was her response. I shrugged and said, “M’yeh, I know some stuff” (I don’t know how to change a tire but I know about aquafaba).

Also pictured above:

• Mac ‘n Cheese – which was delicious although a penne noodle not a macaroni noodle and if I’m being 100% honest here was more like a cream sauce pasta dish than a classic mac ‘n cheese – but still DELICIOUS;
• Caesar Salad – so so SO GOOD – right balance of flavors and great crunch factor;
• Chicken Fried Steak and Fries – FAVORITE DISH of the evening – covered in spot-on gravy.

We buffeted it and ate family-style so we could all get a taste of everything. Restaurant interior is super modern with brick and concrete and metal style. And finally, the co-owner could not have been sweeter. She really makes it feel like you’re at home having a meal with friends and family.

Give VEGAN & VINE a go, you will not be disappointed.

Address: 502 E Thunderbird Rd

Website: VEGAN & VINE

Apulia is a region in Italy but this here delicious spot feels more Greek-inspired. With a bunch of vegan choices, it’s a perfect spot for a cup of coffee and a snack or if you’re really hungry, plenty of choices to fill you up.

We split the FALAFEL WRAP – it had a nice red pepper flake kick to it – and the JACKET POTATO – a UK classic. Located on a quiet side street away from the crowds shopping two blocks away, enjoy yourself at this local neighborhood favorite.

Address: 69 Upper Berkeley St, London

Website: LA MESSERIA

Quoting right from BUBALA’s website: ‘Our food is playful and champions the humble vegetable.’

So Jim’s BFF Hillari sent us a gift card to BUBALA for Christmas. We figured they would have a few vegan or veggie items. We arrived to this super-packed place to find out the entire menu is vegan and vegetarian. They even have a vegan tasting menu and because it’s the holidays, a vegan holiday tasting menu. They also have an a la cart menu where you can pick from small to larger shared plates. Tons of options – YES – we LOVE tons of options, don’t we?

We enjoyed the PICKLE PLATE – which included pickled mushrooms, LAFFA BREAD, HUMMUS with burnt butter and pine nuts, SMACKED CUCUMBERS, TAHINI & CHILI CRUNCH – which our server recommended after we asked him what his favorite dish on the menu is (we do this everywhere we go cause who knows better than the people who work there, right?), and a few more plates. Everything tasted amazing especially accompanied with the wine we ordered.

We’ll be going back.

Address: 15 Poland Street, SoHo (multiple locations – check website)

Website: BUBALA

Day trip to Bath with our pal, Ruthie, to explore the ancient Roman baths and we get off the train and need a bite. Ruthie jumps on her phone and finds this gem lickity-split: PLANT. EAT. LICIOUS.

Let’s start with this: It’s a little tricky to find but if we can do it so can you. It’s behind a building, down some stairs, in a lower ground space. A nicely sized, well laid out, modern space with plenty of seating inside and out. Staff is super friendly, pricing is reasonable, and options are plenty:

Jim had the TEMPEH TOAST – Smoked tempeh, humus dip, seeded bread with salad piled on top. He loved it.

Steve had the THERE WON’T BE MUSHROOM LEFT – partly because he appreciates a good pun – so tasty with mushrooms over butter bean dip and miso sauce, crunchy crisps of potato shavings on top of toasted bread. YUM.

Ruthie had the soup of the day – a zucchini blended something – and it came with homemade croutons on the side and not already in it which is big points in all our books.

Adventuring to Bath? Dive into this place when you’re there.

Address: Basement, Chapel Arts Centre, Bath

Website: PLANT. EAT. LICIOUS.

WE.

LOVE.

THIS.

PLACE.

Funky, fun atmosphere, super friendly staff, beyond well-priced items, and way tasty eats make UNITY DINER our new fave place for any meal of the day. And best of all? Every meal you eat here helps support their animal sanctuary. Help animals by not eating animals – LITERALLY.

Our favorites include:

• FRIED CALAMARI – they nail the flavor but more importantly the texture – spot on
• PHILLY CHEESE STEAK – perfect mix of sauces and flavors
• MIXED BERRY CHEESECAKE – Yum. That is all.

And yes, GET THE FRIES. When you do, ask for a side of vegan mayo to dip em in with some ketchup.

Address: 60 Wentworth St, London (multiple locations – check website)

Website: UNITY CAFE

VEG BOX is in a super easy to find location, a block off of the Baker Street Underground. Great dining area, great staff, and great food. We’ve gone here a few times and the menu has changed with the seasons – not much – just a few rotations of items and dishes.

Jim’s Choice: BURGER ROYALE & FRIES – it’s their own patty and was more veggie than meaty – which I prefer.

Steve’s Choice: Sometimes an around the world of all sides is the perfect meal. Last time we went, I had the TEMPURA BROCCOLI in this spicy orange sauce, MUSHROOM WRAPS with an amazing plum sauce, and the OLIVE OIL & GARLIC FLATBREAD.

Funny story from Steve: I wanted to get the SPAGHETTI CARBONARA but I was like, ‘Am I THAT hungry tonight?’ ’cause it sounded filling. I opted for my sides extravaganza and then as we were leaving we walk by this table of two women, BOTH of them are having their own bowls of the CARBONARA. I stopped and I said, “I almost ordered that! Is it good?” In unison, they both go, “SO. GOOD.” And then one asked me what I got and I said I did all sides and she goes, “I love to do that – you get a little bit of everything.” Great minds.

Address: 136 Marylebone Rd, London

Website: VEG BOX