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World Guide to Vegetarianism

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London

England

Vegetarian Organisations:

London Vegans


• Meetings on the last Wednesday of every month (except for December) at Millman Street Community Rooms, 50 Millman Street, London WC1 (entrance through alleyway adjacent to 38a). From 18h30 to 21h30. Regular trips to restaurants and monthly walks.

Greater London - Information Centre for VegSoc UK


James Milton, 19 Newlands Quay, London E1 9QZ
Tel: 0171 702 3495


Greater London - Vegan Society (UK) Local Contact,

Jon Fitter, 26 Elizabeth Road, S.Tottenham, London N15 5LG


Greenwich, Information Centre for VegSoc UK

G.Pryce, 58 Eaglesfield Road, Shooters Hill, London SE18 3BU
Tel: 0181 317 1424


West London - Vegetarian Social Club, independent group

Mrs E.Moore, 23 Sutherland House, Marloes Road, London W8 5LG

Wholefood stores:

Health & Diet Centre, 243 Muswell Hill Broadway N10

Tel: 0181 444 7717

• 10% discount to VegSoc UK members

Countryside Wholefoods,

90 Aldermans Hill, Palmers Green N13
Tel: 0181 882 2799

• 5% discount to VegSoc UK members, excluding special offers

Health & Diet Centre, 31 Tranquil Vale, Blackheath SE3

Tel: 0181 318 0448

• 10% discount to VegSoc UK members

Central London Vegetarian Restaurants:

Country Life, 18 Heddon Street W1R 7LE Tel: 0171 434 2922

• Open until 9pm on Tues,Wed,Thurs, and Sunday; 3pm on other days; closed Saturdays. The best vegan food in London for the price. Help yourself buffet - a plate of food is about #4.95. Honey occassionally used.

The Wren at St. James, 35 St. Jermyn St. SW1 (near Picadilly Circus)

Tel: 437-9419

• Mon-Sat 8am-7pm, Sun 10am-4pm. A wonderful cafe in part of a beautiful old church. The Wren is on St. Jermyn, but you can see the church just across from the Royal Academy of Art on Picadilly Street, just down from Picadilly Circus. Very tasty food and deserts in a beautiful spot.

North London Vegetarian Restaurants:

Bibaqc, 2-4 Gillespie Road, Highbury, N5 1LN, (0171) 704 0088

• Mainly vegan Indian food. Near Highbury tube station.

Diwana Bhel Poori House, 121 Drummond Street, NW1 2HL, (0171) 387 5556

(2nd location in West London). Near Euston tube station.

• The food is good and cheap. Mostly South Indian (Madras area) dishes but they also have Gujarati (north-west India) dishes. Open noon-11:40pm.

Chutneys, 124 Drummond Street, NW1, (0171) 388 0604

• Food mostly from the Gujarat region of India. Good vegan choices. The lunchtime buffet is extremely good and cheap at #3.95 plus drinks (if required). I think 'lunchtime' extends quite late into the afternoon and the buffet is 'Eat as much as you like'. Open Mon-Fri noon-2:45pm & 6pm-11:30pm. Near Euston station.

Indian Veg Bhel Poori House, 92-93 Chapel Market Angel, Islington,

N1 9EX, (0171) 837-4607. Near Angel tube station.

• Quality Indian vegetarian food at rock-bottom prices. All-you-can- eat for #2.95. Open noon-3pm & 6pm-11:30pm.

Mexican Buffet, Fludd(?) Street (Down from the Royal Free Hospital

at the bottom of the vale of health.)

• All you can eat for 5.95 (but you have to buy a drink) Loads of veggie items though not much for vegans. The chef/owner used to be at the cafe royale and the food is very very good. Booking is advisable but it doesn't make much difference.

Milward's Restaurant, 97 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16,

(0171) 254-1025

• Family restaurant specializing in continental cuisine. They aim to be treated like a normal local bistro - vegetarian plus fish.

Rasa, 55 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16

Tel.: 0171 249-0344

• Vegan-Friendly Indian food. Spectacular service. Delicious South Indian vegetarian food. Non-smoking.

The Raj, 18 Camden High St, London NW1

Tel.: (0171) 388 6663.

• Indian. Fantastic buffet, 12h00-15h00 (12h00-23h30 weekends) Cost: a mere £3.95, all you can eat. Beat that!

Sabras, 263 High Road, Willesden Green, NW10 2RX, (0181) 459 0340

• Multi-award winning vegetarian Indian restaurant & take-away. An extensive menu with something (surely!) for everyone. Prices very reasonable. Open 12:30pm-3pm & 6pm-10pm. Closed Mon.

Surya, 59-61 Fortune Green Road, NW6 1DR, (0171) 435 7486

• Authenthic Indian food including many specialties. Mindbendingly delightful. Open 6pm-11pm. Also noon-2pm Fri-Sun. 3 course meal around #11. Main course around #6.

Rani, 3 Long Lane, Finchley Central N3 2PR,

Tel: 0181 349 4386/2636

• Indian Vegetarian Restaurant, menu by fax or post

  12.15-15.00  &18.00-22.30 (closed some lunchtimes)
  Vegan-Friendly.  Considered to be the best Indian Vegetarian
  

  restaurant in London. A bit pricey. Dairy dishes are clearly marked. No eggs are used. Vegan wines served.

Suruchi, Theberton St, N1

• Indian vegetarian restaurant

Ravi Shankar Restaurant, 2 locations:

133-135 Drummond Street, NW1, (0171) 388 6458. Near Euston station.
422 St. John Street, Islington EC1, (0171) 833 5849. Near Angel
tube station.

• Reasonably good. Open Mon-Sun noon-11pm.

The Cafe Vert,

Jackson Lane Centre, Archway Road, (opp.Highgate Tube) London N6 5AA
Tel: 0181 348 7666

• Vegetarian Cafe & Takeaway, lunch & evenings

Indian Veg Bhel Poori House,

92-93 Chapel Market Angel, Islington, N1 9EX,
Tel: 0171 837-4607.

• Near Angel tube station. Quality Indian food at rock-bottom prices. All-you-can-eat for #2.95. Open noon-3pm & 6pm-11:30pm.

Vegetarian Cottage, 91 Haverstock Hill, NW3. Tel: 0171 586 1257

• Tue-Sun? Vegetarian-/Vegan-Friendly Chinese. Principally vegetarian

  Chinese restaurant with some fish/prawn dishes.  Fantastic
  

  soya/tofu texturised 'meat replacement' dishes such as

  'Prawn Toast'.  Special menu at weekend lunch times with about 5
  vegetarian/vegan courses for around #5-#6.  Fantastic value.
  

South London Vegetarian Restaurants:

Cordon Vert, 136 Merton Road, Wimbledon, SW19 1EH, (0181) 543 9174

Near Wimbledon tube station.

• Veggie-bistro - pasta, rich stews, curries, nut roasts, Indonesian dishes & sauces. Unique & interesting starters & puddings. Cosy deco-kitch interior. Menu changes daily. At least 2 vegan options. Daily special #5.30. Open Tue-Thu noon-10pm, Fri-Sat noon-11pm, Sun noon-3pm.

Fungus Mungus, 264 Battersea Park Road, SW11 3BP, (0171) 924 5578

• Open 6-12 Mon-Fri, 12-12 Sat/Sun. Fair priced, excellent food.

Health Place Cafe, 17 Strutton Ground, SW1, (0171) 233 1701

• Home made food & organic vines & beers. Linked to health-food shop. Open 9am-9pm Mon-Fri, but Mon-Tue 5pm-9pm women only. #16 for 2 people including wine.

Wilkins, 61 Marsham Street, SW1P 3DP, (0171) 222 4038

• Popular lunch spot. Summer outdoor seating. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am- 5:30pm.

Windmill, 486 Fulham Road, SW6 5NH, (0171) 385 1570. Near Fulham

Broadway tube station.

• Very friendly. Candle-light evenings. Fires in winter. Daily menu includes a vegan choice. Open noon-11pm.

Kastoori, Upper Tooting Rd, SW17

• Indian vegetarian restaurant

Pierre Lapin, 86 Broadway, SW19 1RH. (0181) 543 1800

• Open noon-3pm, 6-11pm. Lively, friendly and reasonably priced.

Heather's Cafe Bistro, 190 Trundleys Road, London SE8 5JE

Tel: 0181 691 6665

• Vegan and Vegetarian Buffet, only 7.50 UKP

Cafe Pushkar, 16c Market Row, Brixton

Tel: 0171 738 6161

• Brixton's Vegetarian Cafe, lashings of delicious vegan food. 10% off for Vegan Society members. Open daily except Wed & Sun 9-5

Tea Rooms des Artistes, 697 Wandsworth Road, Clapham SW8 3JF

• member of VegSoc UK Food & Drink Guild

Shahee BelPoori, 1547 London Road, Norbury, London SW16,

opp. Norbury BR station.
Tel: 0181 679 6275

• exotic vegetarian & vegan restaurant, 100 varieties, plus childrens menu, South & North Indian Food.

The Whole Meal Cafe, Streatham

• Good food, if you don't mind a little noise while you eat.

Cafe Fish, 39 Panton Street, London, SW1. Tel: 0171 930 3999

• Mainly a fish restaurant (and, apparently, an excellent one at that) but with several vegetarian options on the menu which are always good.

Institute for Contemporary Arts, The Mall, SW1

Tel: 0171 930 3647

• until 9pm weekdays. Vegetarian-friendly cafeteria-style cafe in the ICA, convenient for West End. Always one vegetarian main course, plus salads. Wholesome portions. Trendy bar area. Entrance with "ICA day pass" unless you are a with a member (costs about #1.50).

The Carrot Cafe of Camberwell - a workers co-operative,

53 Denmark Hill, southwark SE5. Tel: 0171 703 7336 or 0171 733 2035

• opening March 1996 - 9am-6pm tues to sun. Vegan. We are in the process of establishing an ethically sound form of feeding folk. Our aim is to provide food for humans (mind, body and soul), including access, in a deprived area of London, to the WWW. We are trying to avoid borrowing money from ethically unsound sources and therefore any donations would be grate fully accepted. Please come and see us when we open: 8-).

South London Wholefood stores:

Court Farm Granaries, 89 Mottingham Road SE9

Tel: 0181 857 0857

• 10% discount to VegSoc UK members

Health & Diet Centre, 5 Jerdan Place, Fulham SW6

Tel: 0171 385 0015

• 10% discount to VegSoc UK members, excluding bread and special offers

Health & Diet Centre, 151 Putney High Street, SW15

Tel: 0181 788 0944

• 10% discount to VegSoc UK members

East London Vegetarian Restaurants:

Cherry Orchard, 241-245 Globe Road, Bethnal Green, E2 0JD,

(0181) 980 6678. Near Bethnal Green tube station.

• Vegetarian & vegan food from a variety of traditions and cooking styles (French, Italian, Middle Eastern, Indian). Fast counter service at lunch time. Candle-lit table service in the evenings. Attractive & secluded garden in the summer. Open Tue-Fri noon-3pm & 6:30pm-10:30pm, Sat noon-10:30pm. Closed Christmas to New Years. Book ahead.

Thai Gardens, 249 Globe Road, E2 0JD. Tel: 0181 981 5748

• Serves fish and vegetarian food only. Excellent, spicy Thai food.

  Very good service.  Not far from Bethnal Green tube station.
  

Cranks, several locations:
Unit 31, The Circle, Broadgate, EC2
13-15 Leadenhall Market, EC3
5 Cowcross Street, Smithfield, EC1
43 Leather Lane, EC1

• "Since the early sixties Cranks has pioneered the boom in wholefood vegetarian cooking and continues to use only the best wholefood ingredients. The wholemeal flour from which the breads, biscuits, pastries, and cakes are freshly baked each day, is stone ground and organically grown, as are many of the grains, seeds, and pulses. Honey, molasses, and raw sugars are used for sweeteners, and all eggs are free-range. All fresh fruit and vegetables are carefully selected and whenever possible these are organically grown. We are committed to using these ingredients with integrity to produce high quality wholefood that is both natural and delicious. Cranks restaurants and take-aways are built using natural materials and hand-crafted objects which complement our food and make Cranks a refreshing oasis in this busy world." Cranks are the UK Vegetarian Society's first corporate members.

The Place Below, St. Mary-le-Bow Church, Cheapside, EC2V

Tel: 0171 329 0789

• Mon-Fri. Lacto-Ovo. In the basement of the St. Mary-le-Bow

  church.  It is a cafeteria style with table seating.  There
  

  are desserts but no alcohol.

East London Wholefood stores:

Friends Foods Ltd, 83 Roman Road, Bethnal Green E2

Tel: 0181 980 1843
- 10% discount to VegSoc UK members, on food only.

West London Vegetarian Restaurants:

Country Life, 1B Heddon Street (off Regent Street), (0171) 434 2922

• Vegan. 7th Day Adventist restaurant. Closed Saturdays.

Yours Naturally, The London Ecology Centre, 45 Shelton Street, Covent

Garden, WC2E 9MJ, (0171) 497 0079. Near Covent Garden tube station.

• Very vegan. Meal for less than #5. Lots of snacks, salads, and savouries, most under #2. Blackboard menu changes daily. Serve organic beer. Live music on weekends. Take-away service. Open Mon- Sat 10am-9pm.

Blah Blah Blah, 78 Goldhawk Road, Shepherds Bush, (0181) 746 1337.

Near Shepherds Bush tube station.

• 50's style vegetarian cafe. Serves capuccino and 3-course meals on purple floral tablecloths. The lights are old 50's sputniks from a movie studio. A jukebox plays 50's & 60's hits. Great food but the trifle is apparently "disgusting". Open Mon-Sat 8am-11pm, Sun 10am- 11pm.

Food For Thought, 31 Neal Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9PK,

(0171) 836 0239. Near Covent Garden tube station.

• Small cheerful restaurant. Has a quick self-service counter for take-aways. Imaginative & interesting main courses & salads. Menu keeps changing. 3 courses for about #5. Summer open Mon-Fri 8:30am- 8pm, Sat noon-8pm. Winter open Mon-Sat noon-8pm.

Govinda's, 9-10 Soho Street, (0171) 437 3662

• Hare Krishna vegetarian restaurant.

Greenhouse, 16 Chenies Street, WC1E 7EX, (0171) 637 8038. Not far from

Euston Square tube station, but another station is probably closer.

• Informal friendly wholefood vegetarian restaurant with counter service. Very popular at lunchtime and early evenings. Candle lit in the evenings. Wide range of vegetarian dishes. Vegan dishes may be limited. (Some say the choices are poor but OK). Everything prepared daily using organic (where possible) and wholefood ingredients. Main course #3.15. Open Tue-Fri 10am-10pm, Sat 1pm-8:30pm, Mon 10am-6pm.

Mandeer, 21 Hanway Place (off Tottenham Court Road), W1P 9DG,

(0171) 323 0660 or (0171) 580 3470. Near Tottenham Court Road tube
station.

• One of the most renowned vegetarian/Indian restaurants with an exclusive and romantic atmosphere in the evenings. The owners are lifelong vegetarians and have been carefully and consistently serving authentic excellent food for over 25 years. The array of dishes is impressive and vegan dishes are included in the menu. Try a business lunch, a take-away, or a relaxed evening meal. Open Mon- Sat noon-3pm & 6pm-10:30pm. Reservations advised.

Seasons, Harcourt Street, W1, (0171) 402 5925. Near Edgware Road tube

station.

• NOW CLOSED??? CAN SOMEONE PLEASE VERIFY THIS?
• Recently opened vegetarian restaurant. Provide quality food made from the best & healthiest ingedients. Clean, pleasant, trendy. Soup #1.20, main meal #3.20-#3.55, sweets #1.20-#1.50. Open Mon-Sun 8am-10pm.

Shan, 200-202 Shaftesbury Avenue, WC2H 8JL, (0171) 240 3348. Near

Leicester Square tube station.

• Authentic (Indian) Gujarati vegetarian restaurant using fresh ground spices and vegetable products from Uganda, Kenya, etc. Daily menu changes. Big big menu. "Probably the most economical & good value restaurant in the UK". People with special dietary needs welcome. B&B available. Closed Sunday. Booking advised.

The Gate, 51 Queen Caroline St., Hammersmith, W6 9QL, (0181) 748 6932.

Near Hammersmith tube station.

• Set in the studio of artist Sir Frank Brangwyn. The restaurant is large, airy, and full of large plants. Exhibitions of colourful paintings and Mexican wall rugs. The Indo-Iraqi chef offers Eastern, Middle Eastern, and international cuisine. Located upstairs in a house. Very relaxed atmosphere. Live music Fri & Sat nights. Poetry on the last Wed of every month. Dining in the courtyard in the summer. Open Tue-Fri noon-3pm, 6-10:45pm Sat-Mon.

ZZZ's Cafe, 238 Gray's Inn Road, WC1, (0171) 278 5391

• Busy lunchtime cafe on border of West End & City. Good variety of salads. Menu changes daily, always includes vegan choices. Self service, sandwiches prepared while you wait. Gets crowded at lunchtime. For best selection of food, arrive before 1pm! Eat well for #2.50-#4.50. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-4pm.

Cranks, several locations:

8 Marshall Street, W1V 1LP, (0171) 437 9431
11 The Market, Covent Garden, WC2E 8RB
9-11 Tottenham Cr Road, W1
17-19 Great Newport Street, WC2
8 Adelaide Street, WC2
23 Barrett Street, W1

• See description in the East London section.

Byblos Restaurant, 262 Kensington Hish Street, W8. (0171) 603 4422

• 10% discount to Vegan Society UK members.

Mildreds, 58 Greek St, W1. (0171) 494 1634

• Open Mon-Sat noon-11pm. Small, friendly. Cafe & take-away. Good prices. Vegan-friendly, but some fish on Fridays.

Bunjies, 27 Litchfield Street, WC2

Tel: 0171 240 1796

• folk cellar - coffee house, delicious vegetarian specialists, licensed open Mon-Sat 12-11.45pm, music every night from 8.00pm

MNG, 35-36 Greek Street, London W1

Tel: 0171 734 2721/437 0292

• "the oldest and finest Chinese restaurant in Soho/theatreland. Over 25 vegetarian dishes starting from 3 UK pounds.

La Reash Restaurant, 23/24 Greek Street, London W1V 5LG

• member of VegSoc UK Food & Drink Guild

Carnevale, 135 Whitecross Street EC1Y 8JL Tel: 0171 250 3452

• Mon-Fri 10am-11pm. Vegan-Friendly. Mediterranian. The food is of excellent quality at very reasonable prices by London standards (about #10 for a three course meal). The wine list is well chosen.

Raw Deal, 65 York St. at Wyndham Place, W1H

Tel: 0171 262 4841 Underground: Baker St.

• Mon-Fri. Lacto-Ovo. Vegan-Friendly. Cafeteria style restaurant

  with table seating.  Desserts are available but alcohol is not.
  

Sri Siam, 14 Old Compton Street, W1V 5PE. Tel: 0171 287 8775
• Expensive Thai restaurant in the heart of the West End. Has a vegetarian menu, approved by the Vegetarian Society. Beautifully

  presented food in elegant surroundings.  Booking essential.
  

West London Wholefood stores:

Cornucopia Healthfoods, 64 St.Mary's Road, Ealing W5

Tel: 0181 579 9431

• 10% discount to VegSoc UK members

Vegetarian Accomodations:

Barrow House, 45 Barrow Road, Streatham Common, SW16 5PE,

(0181) 677 1925

• Luxurious quiet non-smoking accommodation for visitors to London. 15 minutes by train from Victoria station. Wholefood B&B. Highly recommended - location, pricewise and for vegans.

Mrs Poynter's Vegetarian Guesthouse,

102 Arthur Road, Wimbledon Park, SW19 7DT
Tel: 0181 946-0902

• Pleasant family house. Very close to tube station. 2 rooms, with basins & kettles, shared bathroom. 3 course breakfeasts. Every effort is made to comply with visitors' needs. Vegans catered for. Two large family dogs in residence. Children & dogs welcome. Book ahead. B&B #14. During Wimbledon, #20.

Near Wimbledon, B&B

Tel: 0181 540 0622

• Vegetarian or Vegan breakfast, friendly family home, 2 minutes to station