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Perfectly-crisped roast potatoes, fluffy Yorkshire puddings, oodles of vibrant vegetables and lashings of gravy. Add some meat to the mix and you've got the perfect roast dinner, right? We beg to differ.
Vegetarian and vegan roast dinners have much to bring to the party too. From supreme nut roasts to rich mushroom wellingtons, crispy tarts to meat substitutes good enough to fool even the most ardent of carnivores, there's plenty to keep the capital's meat-free munchers content of a Sunday. Here's where to get your vegan and veggie roast dinner fix in London. If it's the traditional, meaty roast you're after, you'll find the best roast dinners in London here.
Vegan Roast Dinners in London
Cafe Van Gogh, Brixton
Serving 100% vegan cuisine, this south London cafe and not-for-profit not only whips up fantastic vegan fare, but also works with local charities to provide employment and training opportunities. Doing good while you eat good sounds like win-win to us. The nut and chickpea wellington with all the trimmings is the closest you'll get to a classic here. Otherwise, it's a chance to eat creative with the likes of beetroot dahl or the signature Van Gogh burger, complete with cucumber pickles and 'bacon' dusted fries. Extra Yorkshire puds and gravy? Don't mind if we do.
Cafe Van Gogh, 88 Brixton Road, SW9 6BE
Manna, Primrose Hill
Clocking in at over 50 years old, Manna might just be London's oldest vegetarian and vegan restaurant. That's a long time to perfect the ultimate vegan roast dinner, and by jove it's done it. The pastry-wrapped vegetable wellington is a stunning example of the dish: moist on the inside, crisp on the outside and teamed with Yorkshires, seasonal veggies and a tidal wave of gravy. It runs out nearly every week, so make sure to book ahead. And if your stomach can handle a bit more, round off proceedings with a generous vegan cheese board.
Manna, 4 Erskine Road, NW3 3AJ
The Oval Tavern, Croydon
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A mere ten minute stroll from East Croydon station, The Oval Tavern is a much-loved local boozer and all-round roast dinner winner. If you've got a mixed group of carnivores and vegans, this place will hit the spot with both vegan and veggie roast dinner options alongside their usual meat offerings. The Mediterranean nut, pepper and aubergine loaf is worth the journey alone. That's before we've even got to the garlic-roasted potatoes, fluffy swede mash and the side of live jazz that's reliably served up of a weekend too. Cosy, family-friendly and with local brews on tap, Sundays just got even better.
The Oval Tavern, 131 Oval Road, CR0 6BR
The Old Queens Head, Islington
Tatty chesterfield sofas, wood-panelled walls and a warmly-lit bar welcome you into this Islington boozer. There's quirk here in spades. While Saturday nights are reserved for cocktails and dancing, Sunday afternoons are all about the roast lunch. If you're nursing a sore head (or just an empty stomach), the pub's mushroom wellington with smoked gravy and olive oil-crisped potatoes is a welcome sight indeed.
The Old Queens Head, 44 Essex Road, N1 8LN
The Hogless Roast, Hackney Wick
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If you're looking for a speedy plant-based roast on the hoof (excuse the pun), head to The Colour Factory food court in Hackney. This is the home of The Hogless Roast, who whip up juicy roast 'pork' sandwiches, smoked to barbecuey perfection then loaded with apple sauce and stuffing inside a vegan brioche bun. They've even mastered the art of vegan crackling. Sure, it's not traditional. But who needs tradition when you've got vegan flavours this good?
The Hogless Roast, The Colour Factory, 8 Queen's Yard, E9 5EN
The Windsor Castle, Kensington
Vegan nut roast is on the menu at this beautifully preserved, wood-panelled Victorian pub. It's a marvellous spot to hunker down for a cosy afternoon, alternately dozing and snacking in front of an open fire. If almond and walnut roasts aren't floating your boat, the Sunday menu throws up a couple of extra vegan treats. Glazed celeriac, loaded veggie nourish bowl or pickled onion burger with Scotch bonnet sauce? Heck yes. And for dessert... vegan chocolate caramel ganache.
The Windsor Castle, 114 Campden Hill Road, W8 7AR
The Lighterman, King's Cross
It's always a pleasure to find a Sunday lunch menu that retains a selection of mains alongside the roasts. Even more so when there are vegan options to whet your appetite. The Lighterman, a slick pub next to Regent's Canal, is one such spot. Roast-wise, a mushroom and spiced beetroot wellington takes centre stage, slathered in a portobello mushroom sauce. But if that doesn't tickle your fancy, cast your gaze to the mains where a vegan cheeseburger, squash salad and veg-heavy superfood bowl (avocado or vegan feta optional) all vie for attention.
The Lighterman, 3 Granary Square, N1C 4BH. Also available at the Broadcaster (White City) and the Arber Garden (Fitzrovia)
The Talbot, Dalston
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Don't forget to book in advance if you want to guarantee a table to sample The Talbot's vegetarian Sunday roast. The popular gastropub serves up ever-changing specials. Recent choices include a mixed bean 'sausage' cassoulet and vegan-friendly quinoa-stuffed cabbage leaves. Trimmings come as standard, but make sure you keep an eye out for their delectable salted caramel tart. It's 100% vegan, absolutely scrumptious and comes with raspberry coulis on top.
The Talbot, 109 Mortimer Road, N1 4JY
The Bull and Gate, Kentish Town
Mismatched furniture, high ceilings, industrial lighting and quirky portraits covering every inch of the walls — The Bull and Gate is a feast for the eyes as well as the mouth. But all eyes will be on the vegan nut roast when it arrives, packed full of chestnut, pumpkin, candied beetroot, and the ideal vessel for some added sage and onion stuffing. Serious brownie points are awarded for those vegan Yorkshire puddings. Just make sure you ask for them especially, as they don't come as standard.
The Bull and Gate, 389 Kentish Town Road, NW5 2TJ
Vegetarian Roast Dinners in London
The above pubs and restaurants serve scrumptious vegetarian roast dinners too. But if you're after some veggie inspiration without forgoing the dairy, here are some extra meat-free marvels for you.
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Dream veggie food at Vaulty Towers
Craving vegan food but not fixed on a roast? Check out the Really Happy Chicken menu at Vaulty Towers in Waterloo, packed with 100% vegan chicken dishes. Start by sinking your teeth into Korean sticky wings, extra (vegan) and buttery buffalo wings. Move on to a Big Burger, heaving with Chick 'n patty, hashbrown, cheez, and bacun — or plump for the indomitable Satay Burger. It's be rude not to order a side of Tater Tots or garlic butter fries.
There's even dessert — unctuous tiramisu, Biscoff brownies and churros to choose from. And need we say it again — it's all vegan!
The Really Happy Chicken menu is available at Vaulty Towers, daily.
Roast, Borough
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Did you know there's an entire restaurant dedicated to roasted food in Borough Market? Ok, the restaurant name is a giveaway, but it's important to cut to the chase when there's roasties on offer every day of the week. A soya, mushroom and truffle-cauliflower wellington leads in both flavour and style, although the tomato and vegan feta salad hits the spot for more refined diners. Don't go expecting rustic decor and roaring fires. Roast is a pretty classy affair, all linen tablecloths and floor-to-ceiling windows. The price matches the upmarket surrounds but, hey, it is Borough Market.
Roast, The Floral Hall, Stoney Street, SE1 1TL
Crown and Anchor, Brixton
There are no pretentious airs and graces at this Brixton pub. Just a great beer selection, chilled vibes and not one, but two vegetarian roast dinners on offer. The choices are similar to what you might expect — spinach and tofu wellington or sweet potato nut roast — but the former is gluten-free and the latter can also be made vegan on request. Hats off, Crown and Anchor (and thanks for the option of extra cauliflower cheese on the side).
Crown and Anchor, 246 Brixton Road, SW9 6AQ
The Jolly Butchers, Stoke Newington
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Any London pub with 'butchers' in the title probably doesn't fill vegetarian diners with much hope when it come to roast dinners. But let us stop you there, for the jolliness to be found at this butchers isn't just for carnivores. A marvellously tangy leek and stilton wellington gets top marks from vegetarians, while the vegan nut roast comes with all the trimmings you could hope for (besides a Yorkshire pudding, alas). Little vegans can enjoy their very own kid-sized nut roast for £8.50. If you're looking for an excuse to hang around, the gargantuan range of real ales should keep you well-steeped for hours.
The Jolly Butchers, 204 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 7HU
The Marlborough, Richmond
After a day's deer-spotting in Richmond Park, a friendly pub with a cracking beer garden sounds like a mighty fine option. Make that day a Sunday and The Marlborough will throw up another treat: some of the most ginormous Yorkshire puds you've ever seen. The baked vegan wellington is crammed with mushrooms, butternut squash and spinach. Your pooch can even join in the fun as The Marlborough is dog-friendly too.
The Marlborough, 46 Friars Stile Road, TW10 6NQ
The Gate, various locations
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An old-timer on London's veggie scene, The Gate is somewhat of an institution. Londonist's Joanne Gould says that the restaurant mini-chain "describes itself as Indo-Iraqi Jewish food with French and Italian influences... We describe it as yum". It's a fair assessment. The weekend brunch menu is a cornucopia of veggie delights and home to the restaurant's pumpkin, parsnip and chestnut-stuffed wellington. While technically not on a Sunday roast menu, it gives you the chance to round off your meal with a slice of vegan mandarin cheesecake.
The Gate, locations in Marylebone, Hammersmith and Islington.
Know any other vegan or veggie roasts that deserve a mention? Comments below.