Islington: this bustling and super vibrant borough of London is home to world-class theatres, captivating museums and galleries just waiting to be discovered. But that’s not all, as Islington actually boasts more eateries than days of the year thanks to the diverse population and cultural identity!
With so many restaurants to choose from, you might find it hard to pick which of the many vegetarian or vegan restaurants in Islington you want to visit. Thankfully this shortlist will help you discover six of the finest vegan restaurants in Islington, places where they serve up exceptional plant-based food.
You’ll find that some restaurants on this list specialise in British classics with a vegan twist, whilst others offer super inventive, internationally inspired dishes.
So let’s dive into these six exceptional vegan restaurants in Islington, and find your ideal breakfast, lunch or dinner destination!
The Six Best Vegan Restaurants in Islington: Food Worth Waiting For!
1. Mildreds
Located just a short walk from both Kings Cross Station and St Pancras International, Mildreds is the go-to spot for some globally inspired vegan food before embarking on any trip.
Sit back and enjoy some great breakfast and coffee (or fresh juice) while reading your book in this super relaxed, laidback spot. Established since 1988, Mildreds features a sleek décor and has incorporated pops of colour in their light fixtures and funky neon sign. You can also choose a seat on their snug outdoor patio which is perfect for warm sunny days.
Whether you’re craving some internationally inspired cuisine, decadent desserts, or just want to enjoy some handcrafted cocktails with friends, this vegan restaurant in Islington caters to all.
We also think Mildreds is your best bet when it comes to an early vegan breakfast in Islington as it opens earlier (at 9am) than many other vegan restaurants in Islington.
Some great breakfast choices here include their Whipped Avocado Toastie which is topped with omega seeds. But if you like something sweet for breakfast, we highly recommend their Wild Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes – it’s a real treat on the eyes!
The all-day menu which is served from 11am also packs a punch with delicious fare like their Amba Chick’n Kebabs comprising of mango marinated plant chick’n, salada, pickled red cabbage and red shaata.
We’ve got to sneak in a comfort food recommendation as well, and that’s the Korean Fried Chick’n Burger which is one of Mildreds most popular dishes. This burger with a Korean twist combines a soft brioche bun with perfectly cooked vegan chick’n and delicious toppings like kimchi, herb mix and gochujang mayo.
This restaurant also serves a large selection of desserts, does a weekend brunch, has a good drinks selection and does seasonal specials – what’s not to like!
Mildreds is open from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 11pm and on Sunday from 9am to 10pm.
Address: 200 Pentonville Rd, London N1 9JP
2. Rudy’s Vegan Diner
How does classic American comfort food served in a quintessential American diner sound? Sounds super Instagrammable right?
Well you’re in for a treat here as this diner doesn’t only offer amazing hearty meals, but you can also buy a selection of plant-based ‘meats’ at their vegan ‘butcher’ which you can take home. Simply put, Rudy’s Vegan Diner has brought a touch of America to Islington’s dining scene.
Before we get to the mains, you’ve got to start with their ‘Dirty Fries’ which are topped with vegan chilli-non-carne, cashew nut cheeze sauce, jalapeños and served with a side of Slaw and Corn chips. Tasty!
As for those mains, some of the most popular dishes here include their ‘Dirty Dogz’ which consists of a vegan hotdog, caramelised onions, sauerkraut and – of course – it’s not a complete hotdog without the classic mustard and ketchup!
As an American themed restaurant, obviously Rudy’s does burgers. And the tastiest burger here is arguably the ‘Destructor Chick’n Burger’ which includes a juicy patty, baycon, cheeze, onions, lettuce, slaw, pickles and either BBQ or spicy sauce.
Rudy’s Vegan Diner is open from Monday to Thursday from 12pm to 9:15pm, Friday from 12pm to 9:30pm and on weekends from 11am to 9:30pm.
Address: 206 Upper St, London N1 1RQ
3. Tofu Vegan
Located on Upper Street, just a few minutes walk from picturesque Camden Passage and Regents Canal, Tofu Vegan offers classic Chinese cuisine with a vegan twist.
This down-to-earth vegan restaurant in Islington has minimal, yet modern decorations. But some of the best features of this place has to be the ambient lighting, super appealing bar area and of course the creative dishes that will leave you impressed – especially the generous portion sizes.
It’s a plus to know that the chefs here are from different regions of China, including Sichuan, southern China and the northeastern Dongbei region. The result is a restaurant which creates dishes with a unique fusion of several regional flavours.
Do note that you’ll find dishes on the menu mentioning ‘chicken’, ‘duck’, ‘fish’ or even ‘lamb’, but rest assured that all of these are just mock meats and prepared with only plant-based ingredients.
This 100% plant-based Chinese restaurant lives up to its name thanks to the outstanding tofu prepared in-house, as well as their array of mock meats, dim sum, hot pots and many more. Some of the dishes that keep customers coming again and again are their Steamed Tofu & Mushroom Dumplings, Vegan Kimchi Chicken & Tofu Stew and Sizzling Fried Tofu in black bean sauce.
Tofu Vegan is open from Monday to Saturday from 12pm to 11pm and on Sunday from 12pm to 10pm.
Address: 105 Upper St, London N1 1QN
4. OmNom
Sleek, modern, vibrant and super appealing food are what make OmNom stand out in Islington’s dining scene. And that’s why we just had to include this spot on our list of vegan restaurants in Islington.
This restaurant serves both vegan and vegetarian dishes, but it doesn’t just stop at the dining table! Omnom’s ethos revolves around conscious eating and conscious living, and that’s why they’re part-restaurant, part-yoga house.
Sure Omnom does excellent Indian dishes, but if you’re looking for a place that goes beyond good grub, Omnom also has a wellness space upstairs where you can attend meditation and yoga classes.
But if you’re just here for the food, you’ll find a super aesthetic restaurant on the ground floor where you can dig into 100% plant-based dishes inspired by the East.
Talking about food, menu items on the menu are vegetarian, but you can just ask the super accommodating staff for a vegan version of the same dish.
Some of the best vegan options (on request) here include their Chick’n Butter Masala or the Namaste Special Dosa prepared with grated paneer, desiccated coconut, roasted cashews & raisins. Another great vegan dish here is their fragrant Jackfruit Biryani prepared in a clay pot with whole spices, nuts and herbs – the best Biryani in Islington in our eyes!
Omnom is open from Tuesday to Sunday for lunch from 12pm to 2:30pm and for dinner from 5pm to 10pm.
Address: Islington Square, 116N Upper St, London N1 1QP
5. The Gate
Situated near Sadler’s Wells Theatre and operating since 1989, The Gate has definitely mastered globally inspired vegan and vegetarian dishes.
The buzzing atmosphere at this super sought-after spot keeps regulars coming back for more thanks to the inventive dishes, friendly team, contemporary décor and nice selection of adult beverages. We love the upscale setting they’ve created with the sleek wooden floors and loads of seating options. That includes bar stools where you can watch the bartenders do what they do best!
We think you’ll be blown away by the excellent menu here that has mostly vegan dishes including their Heritage Tomatoes & Feta prepared with vegan feta with chimichurri.
Some of the other top dishes include the super decadent Home Made Gnocchi prepared with semidried tomato, asparagus, smoked baby artichoke, creamy truffle sauce and Jerusalem artichoke crisps.
Another great pick is The Gate Beetroot Burger which consists of a delicious beetroot and bulgur wheat patty topped with applewood smoked cheddar, bbq oyster mushroom, garlic aioli, pickled cabbage and served with green leaf salad.
Vegans usually have to stick to the same desserts when dining out (sorbet again anyone….). But at The Gate, you have to leave some space for desserts as you’ll get to dig into desserts that are rarely prepared with vegans in mind.
Two vegan dessert favorites here include their Sticky Toffee Pudding which is served with honeycomb ice cream and caramel sauce, or how about some delicious Tiramisu served with Tia Maria mocha cream! With such fantastic vegan desserts, it should come as no surprise that The Gate made our list of the best vegan restaurants in Islington.
The Gate is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 5pm to 10:30pm and on Saturday from 5pm to 9:30, but is closed on Mondays. So make your way down for some of the best vegan food in Islington.
Address: 370 St John St, London EC1V 4NN
6. HealthyWealthy
Just a short walk from the Caledonian Park Clock Tower, HealthyWealthy is the perfect stop for re-energizing with good and super affordable plant-based food.
This hole-in-the-wall has an unpretentious and relaxed feel and they definitely let their food do the talking. HealthyWealthy is very passionate about plant-based, cruelty-free and sustainable practices and that’s why they only choose quality-fair trade products and locally sourced fresh ingredients.
Yet despite sticking to those ethics, they still manage to serve up not just some of the cheapest vegan food in Islington, but some of the cheapest in London!
This vegetarian and vegan restaurant in Islington specialises in buffet style food and has a few Thali options, as well as a few side dishes. So why not get stuck in and try a rich variety of Indian dishes with loads of flavours.
We highly recommend their buffet as you’ll get to try so many authentic delicious dishes and it’s always good it’s 100% vegan and won’t break the bank.
This vegan restaurant in Islington is open from Monday to Saturday from 11am to 9pm.
Address: 10 Brecknock Rd, London N7 0DD
