Vegans rejoice! The festive season is upon us and we are no longer left with dried-out nut roasts while our mates boast about their tasty turkey feasts. Why? Because London has been bloody good to us, with restaurants upping their game and serving everything from meat-free roasts to crimbo calzones, comfort food classics to healthy bowls bursting with flavour. This year we've got even more plant-based plates to choose from, so we've rounded 'em all up to create the ultimate guide to London's very best vegan Christmas menus.
The Faux Turkey: Club Mexicana at The Spread Eagle
Club Mexicana’s residency at The Spread Eagle is sleighing even more this year. Feast upon a faux turkey roast dinner with 'crackling' wrapped around it, vegan bacon and heaps of mouthwatering trimmings, including a deep fried twist on the humble sprout. To finish? A gooey sticky toffee pudding and boozy whipped cream.
Turkey is no longer exclusive to meat-eaters as Club Mexicana proves.
The Chic Noël: Gauthier Soho
On the hunt for a Christmas menu with a dash of je ne sais quoi? Look no further than Gauthier Soho, whose le grand menu Français de Noël is chic and festive. The nine-course feast is an investment of £90 with plates such as the Suffolk carrot tartare, Christmas glazed fondant celeriac and roasted pineapple, with ‘fauxmage’ to round off.
Looking for a taste of French opulence? Enter Gauthier Soho.
The Healthy One: Stem + Glory
For those who don’t fancy being stuffed this Christmas (we can leave that for the turkeys), Stem + Glory give you all the yuletide cheer you need without too much indulgence. Alongside a traditional roast, guests can enjoy a wholesome City bowl of chickpeas and spiced veggies, an avocado and beetroot taratare, and a bar full of vegan cocktails that are fresh and festive.
You can always count on Stem + Glory for a bold bowl of goodness.
The Continental Trip: The Gate
The Gate are giving us a taste of the Continent this Christmas, before we bid our EU sisters a fond farewell. The local fave is championing hearty plates of three-onion vol-au-vents, wild mushroom and truffle arancini, and classic Christmas pud. However, it’s the aubergine schnitzel with dauphinoise potato that’s really got us verliebt (that’s ‘in love’ in German).
Stuff your face with EU plates before you'll need a visa.
The Winter Warmer: The Belle Vue
Baby, it’s cold outside… so cosy up in a pub with a hearty plate of grub this festive season. The Belle Vue’s chestnut, butterbean, chickpea and cumin strudel, finished with grilled king oyster mushroom, sautéed greens and Jerusalem artichoke puree, is sure to give you a warming sensation. Finish with a mulled wine and let the yuletide joy wash over you.
Stuff your face with strudel in cosy settings.
The Festive Pizza: Purezza
Missed out on your chance to try Purezza’s mince pie dough balls last year? Well now you can get your chops around those gorgeous little balls of dough and sticky fruits as they make a mighty return. They’ve also brought back another Christmas cracker, their famous calzone stuffed with a full festive roast dinner and wrapped in stone-baked dough, drool.
A roast dinner in one bite? Anything is possible at Purezza.
The Latin American: Paladar
While Christmas dinners are full of nostalgia, they can sometimes veer on the bland side...not at Paladar though. Adding an extra dash of Latino flair to their seasonal specials, the menu includes roast aubergine and fried beans with salsa negra and maya hummus, plantain crisps with guacamole, and corn churros with chocolate and ancho chilli sauce.
Paladar are heating things up this Christmas.
The Riverside Retreat: The Lighterman
The Lighterman is one blooming beautiful spot for a Christmas feast, with its modern aesthetic, chic interiors and canal-side dining. If you're seeking dinner with a view, explore the restaurant's menu of vegan-friendly plates including a hearty-sounding chestnut, pumpkin & cranberry Wellington, brussels sprouts, roast carrots and gravy.
Dinner with a view? These guys have got you sorted.
The Crimbo Burger: The Vurger Co.
No Christmas round-up would be complete without a burger, and there's no better place to grab a festive veggie bun than The Vurger Co. This year, they're stepping things up a notch with the Crackin Christmas Vurger made up of a sweet potato, chestnut and sage stuffing patty, maple-glazed cabbage sauce, crispy parsnip tails and house made baconnaise.
We all know stuffing is the best part of a Christmas dinner...
The Full Shebang: Tell Your Friends
Not only is Tell Your Friends giving you a delicious full-blown veggie roast this Christmas, but they’re also donating £1 per order to Animal Rescue Kefalonia… 'tis the season after all. So you can tuck into your festive dinner of celeriac tart, roasted seitan and trimmings, classic pud, skinny prosecco and mince pies, all while knowing your money is going to good use.
This Christmas feast will satisfy cravings for a good cause.
Hungry for more? Sink your teeth into our selection of London's best vegan restaurants here.
