Watford – a charming town brimming with rich history, captivating theatres and museums and even award-winning nature preserves. But it doesn’t just end there as Watford also has an excellent selection of vegan and vegetarian restaurants that are just waiting to be explored!

From well-established eateries to hot newcomers to Watford’s dining scene, one thing for sure is that the diverse choices will leave anyone impressed!

So whether you’re an early bird on the search for an incredible breakfast, or fancy a relaxed lunch, brunch or dinner around some nutritious and wholesome vegan or vegetarian dishes, this town has it all!

friends around table full of food
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Six Exceptional Vegan &Vegetarian Restaurants In Watford: Food Worth Waiting For!

1. Crispy Dosa Restaurant

A purely vegan and vegetarian restaurant specializing in South Indian dishes serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in a lively atmosphere.

For those who are a fan of Indian food, especially South Indian specialties, then Crispy Dosa Restaurant will be a great choice for some of the best authentic cuisines you can get your hands on in Watford!

Located within walking distance from Waterfields Recreation Ground, this restaurant is an exclusively vegan and vegetarian spot perfect for refueling during your adventures. This lively restaurant has both a mix of modern decor, as well as a touch of traditional Indian pieces that add to its charm.

When it comes to their menu, it might be overwhelming when choosing due to the large variety. But we’re here to help you find what dishes earn Crispy Dosa its excellent reputation!

So from their Chef Recommended Starter, one of the popular vegan choices is the Chilly Mushroom which consists of fried mushrooms, onions, green chillies, green chilli paste and scallions. As for a vegetarian pick, we recommend their Tandoori Paneer Tikka which is prepared with cottage cheese cubes, traditional spices and finally grilled to perfection in their tandoor oven.

If you’re new to South Indian cuisine, a dosa is essentially a thin pancake made from fermented batter of both ground black lentils and rice. For a unique and moreish flavor, we recommend the vegan Nilgiri Masala Dosa from their Special Dosa section on their menu. This dosa is packed with a delicious mint coriander and green chili chutney and mashed potato masala.

As for vegetarians, their Paneer Manchurian Dosa from their Chef Recommended Sosa section is a popular choice among regulars. This dosa is packed with cottage cheese cubes, cooked in an oreiental style sauce and sprinkled with coriander.

Crispy Dosa Restaurant is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 10pm and on weekends from 9am to 10pm.

Address: 136 High St, Watford WD17 2EN

naan
Photo for illustrative purposes only: Unsplash+/Levi Meir Clancy

2. The Wellbeing Cafe

An exclusively vegan cafe serving nutritious dishes packed with superfoods for a filling and wholesome breakfast or lunch. They also host hot yoga classes – a great way of relaxing after a long day.

Whether you’re an early riser with a big appetite or want to enjoy lunch or a few light bites in the afternoon, The Wellbeing Cafe is an amazing option for a casual bite in a relaxed atmosphere.

This cafe on our list of vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Watford is the go-to spot for locals to grab some nutritious food, enjoy some refreshment thanks to the antioxidant-filled fresh juices and smoothies, and socialize! One thing for sure is that you won’t feel left out here as it’s super easy to make new friends and share common interests.

Talking about common interests, The Wellbeing Cafe also hosts hot yoga classes. So why not join to stretch and relax after your Watford adventures or just to test your skills?

When it comes to the food, expect plenty of superfoods incorporated in their plant-based dishes, as well as loads of flavor. We recommend going for their Toasted Sourdough With Pesto, Cherry Tomatoes & Basil Oil for a filling breakfast.

As for lunch, their Creamy Pesto Pasta which is prepared with roasted chili cherry tomatoes and creamy pesto sauce is a must-try. Their Sandwich Baguette is also a tasty pick as it consists of hummus, roasted peppers, mixed salad leaf and a balsamic glaze.

Drop by for some of their sweet and savory delights too as their Carrot Cake and Lemon Drizzle Cake are incredible treats for a quick pick-me-up. Pair that with an Almond Milk Latte or The Golden Goodness Smoothie which is prepared with mango, pineapple, banana, coconut and turmeric powder for the ultimate mid-day treat!

This cafe is open on weekdays from 8:30am to 6pm and on weekends from 9:30am to 1pm.

Address: Unit T, Penfold Trading Estate, Imperial Way, Watford WD24 4YY

Chef holding a plate of spaghetti
Photo for illustrative purposes only: Unsplash+/Pablo Merchan

3. The Florist Bar & Restaurant Watford

A stunning eatery and bar for an incredible dining experience, Sunday roast, or fragrant cocktails. Enjoy an even livelier atmosphere during live music or satisfy you late night cravings as they’re open as late as 1am on some days of the week!

Situated close to Watford Palace Theatre, a bowling alley and a cinema theatre, The Florist Bar & Restaurant is a great place to grab some delicious food, super creative and fragrant cocktails and even enjoy fun live music!

This super spacious restaurant and bar has some of the most appealing decors with an aim to create a sensory world, thanks to the very delicate and intricate touches that the flowers and cherry blossoms add to the space.

So whether you’re looking for a fun space to catch up with friends for brunch, a more intimate dinner with your loved one or simply want a relaxed Sunday roast, The Florist has plenty of comfortable seats and areas to choose from. From a light and bright space, to a dimly lit area and even a super photogenic space with a light pink phonebooth, you’ll definitely find a setup that will suit your liking.

Although not solely vegan or vegetarian, this eatery does serve loads of plant-based and vegetarian dishes from the starters, mains, sides and desserts.

When it comes to starters, you’ll find loads of vegan choices on their menu and a must-try is their Bang Bang Cauliflower topped with spring onion and chilli. Another great choice for sharing are the Crispy Mushrooms which are coated with polenta and served with truffle mustard mayo.

As for mains, if you want a creative dish that’s full of flavor, we recommend going for the Vegan Meatball Hanging Kebab which is roasted in marinara sauce. Another delicious main is their Plant Based Burger which is topped with vegan cheese, chilli jam, crispy mushrooms and truffle mustard mayo.

End the night with a bang thanks to the super indulgent desserts on offer here and one of the vegan choices is their Raspberry and Almond Frangipane Tart which is served with vegan vanilla ice cream and raspberry coulis.

For a vegetarian dessert, the bestseller is always their Build Your Own Cookie Dough and The Maltesers Cookie Dough has the perfect combination of crispy from the honeycomb texture of maltesers and fudgy brownie.

They also serve incredible brunch and Sunday roast which both vegans and vegetarians can enjoy along with friends. The Florist Bar & Restaurant is open Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 10am to 11pm and on Friday and Saturday from 10am to 1am.

Address: 65-67 High St, Watford WD17 2DJ

vegetarian burger with lettuce and onions
Photo for illustrative purposes only: Unsplash+/Maryam Sicard

4. Cassio Lounge

A contemporary lounge with a charming outdoor patio, as well as a separate section on their menu for vegan, gluten free and vegetarian options.

This next pick on our list of vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Watford is a spacious modern lounge with beautiful hanging lights indoors and large windows that open right onto the outdoor patio.

Cassio Lounge serves a globally inspired menu which is not be exclusively vegan or vegetarian, but includes a large selection for vegan, gluten free and vegetarian diets. With a large menu to choose from ranging from tapas, sandwiches, salads, burgers, brunch items, to tempting mains, we’re sure you’ll find something to suit your taste.

They serve some delicious breakfast items that are served all-day and one of the popular vegetarian choices is the Big Veggie Breakfast which consists of veggie sausage, cheddar & sweetcorn fritters, greens & peppers, hash browns, baked beans, slow-roasted tomato, button mushrooms, eggs and toast.

So if you’re visiting for lunch, brunch or dinner, make sure to get your hands on their Halloumi Burger which consists of crispy crumbed halloumi, hummus, flame-roasted peppers, tomato, red onion and chipotle chilli jam. Another excellent pick is the Pappardelle con Funghi which is prepared with handmade fresh pasta ribbons with chestnut and portobellini mushrooms in a porcini truffle sauce, topped with veggie parmesan and parsley.

The brunch section has more vegetarian options than vegan ones, but you can still enjoy a filling meal by going for their Mexican Superbowl which is prepared with ingredients like black bean, sweetcorn salsa, edamame guacamole, roasted sweet potato with pomegranate molasses, spicy rice, wild rocket and chipotle tomato salsa.

For those with a sweet tooth, a great vegan option is their delicious Chocolate & Raspberry Torte. As for vegetarians, a super indulgent pudding is their Victoria Sponge Cake.

Cassio Lounge is open Sunday to Thursday from 9am to 11pm and Friday and Saturday from 9am to 12am.

Address: 57-29 High St, Watford WD17 2DJ

Photo for illustrative purposes only: Unsplash+/Maryam Sicard

5. Radharani’s Vegetarian Restaurant

A laidback restaurant serving 100% vegetarian Indian dishes that are full of flavour, aromas and spices.

Located close to both Bhaktivedanta Manor and Hare Krishna Temple, Radharani’s Vegetarian Restaurant is a down-to-earth eatery specializing in Indian cuisine.

Since this unpretentious restaurant serves purely vegetarian and vegan fare, get ready for some of the best Indian dishes in town ranging from popular street food, classic mains, savoury snacks, burger bites to decadent Indian sweets.

Some of the popular street food among locals are the Supreme Bhel which is prepared with a mix of crisp wafers, spiced chickpeas, potatoes, flat rice and drizzled with chutneys and masala, as well as their Samosa Chaat which consists of their signature samosas broken into pieces, topped with creamy yogurt, green chutney and tamarind sauce.

As for mains, we recommend their Palak Paneer which is prepared with homemade cottage cheese, cooked with spinach and fresh spices. Pair that with their creamy Makhani Daal which is made with black lentil and red kidney beans in a mildly spicy, buttery and cream rich gravy for a winning combination.

And for those who want something a little more in line with a burger, but don’t want to miss our on the taste and flavours of those famous Indian spices, then the Vada Pav is an excellent choice! This dis is India’s version of a burger incorporating deep fried spicy potato patty stuffed in a bread roll and served with chutneys.

Radharani’s Vegetarian Restaurant is open during weekdays from 10:30am to 6pm, Saturday from 10am to 7pm and on Sunday from 10am to 8pm.

Address: Bhaktivedanta Manor, Dharam Marg, Hilfield Ln, Radlett, Watford WD25 8EZ

Samosa
Photo for illustrative purposes only: Unsplash+/Meir Clancy

6. Tarboush Lebanese & Mediterranean Cuisine

Tarboush is an excellent pick for some of the best Lebanese and Mediterranean in town around some traditional decor and great service.

We’re yet to meet someone who’s not a fan of Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine, especially with the excellent selection of vegan and vegetarian dishes to choose from.

Walk into this restaurant and immediately get a feel of the Mediterranean thanks to the beautiful traditional decor incorporating North African ceiling lamps and pops of colour in every corner. We think you’ll love the laidback atmosphere here, making it that much better for sitting back and grabbing a shisha during the evening.

Tarboush has got to be the go-to spot among locals, as well as visitors for the large array of salads, starters, mains, and even mezzes.

Although not solely vegan or vegetarian, you’ll find many dishes to choose from even though the mains section is quite limited for vegans and vegetarians. But one thing for sure is that the mezza, salads and bakery items are more than enough to keep you fueled during your day.

For some vegan mezzes, we recommend their Baba Ghanouj, also known as Moutabal which is a mix of smoked aubergine, tahini and lemon juice. Another great cold mezza is their classic Vine Leaves which are stuffed with rice, tomatoes, spices and olive oil.

As for a vegan hot mezza, the must-try is their Moussaka which is the Middle Eastern version of this famous dish and consists of fried aubergine, baked tomatoes, chick peas, peppers, garlic and onions.

Tarboush is open Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 12pm to 11pm, and on Friday and Saturday from 12pm to 12am.

Address: 57 Market St, Watford WD18 0PR

plate of falafels
Photo for illustrative purposes only: Unsplash+/Pablo Merchan