London Gluten Free Vegan Guide
Whether you’re vegan full time, plant based, doing Veganuary, trying to reduce your meat and dairy intake or have allergies, London is THE place for vegan food. There are so many incredible 100% vegan restaurants or places that cater amazingly well.
Combined with gluten free, you’re in trickier territory, but the capital still has you covered with some amazing options.
I've lived in London since January 2018, and have spent a lot of time conducting important research into the gluten free market (by which I mean I've eaten as much as possible). I’m also vegetarian so always on the lookout for amazing GF veggie spots. I often get messages asking for GF vegan recommendations in London, so I've put together this Gluten Free Vegan Guide to London!
It's split into brunch, dinner, and treats, so there's something for any time of the day. It was impossible to fit everything in, but I've included all my favourites.
Follow me on Instagram @the.gfg to never miss a find.
Brunch
For Venezuelan (and my favourite): Arepa & Co
If you haven't tried Venezuelan food, you absolutely must head to Arepa and Co. Arepas are naturally gluten free maize dough 'buns', stuffed with delicious fillings like black beans, avocado, and plantain. The brunch options are my personal favourite here - just look at the mix of flavours! No cross contamination concerns and totally delicious food.
Majority GF, has non-vegan options.
Location: Bethnal Green, Haggerston, SW
For Waffles: Utter Waffle
Utter Waffle is a short trip out of London, but it is worth it! ALL the waffles are gluten free except one (curse you Lotus biscoff), and it’s a difficult choice which one to have. The waffles include a vegan fried chicken waffle(!) made from oyster mushrooms and all kinds of sweet and savoury concoctions.
99% GF, has non-vegan options.
Location: Herne Hill
For Sugar Free or 100% vegan: Lele's London
Lele's is a great little local cafe that not many people know caters amazingly for gluten free. Everything is vegan, and it's the perfect spot for brunch before spending the day at Victoria Park as it's within walking distance. I can wholeheartedly recommend the pancakes, just look at them!
100% VE, has non-GF options.
Location: Lower Clapton Road
For Cooked Brunch: Leadbelly's
Leadbelly's has a 99% gluten free menu and have recently added “gluten free” markers which are always reassuring. I love their veggie and vegan cooked breakfasts - the scrambled tofu is to die for - and their lunch and dinner options are incredible too. With options such as waffles, open sandwiches, burgers, fish and chips, and even roast dinners, it's not one to miss.
99% GF, has non-vegan options.
Location: Canada Water
For Edgy 100% vegan: Love Shack
Love Shack is a great East London spot fI’mor a summer’s day or a cute place to hide from the rain. Everything is vegan and plastic free, the staff are friendly and the decor is cool and relaxed at the same time. Plus you can bring your furry friend, or just make friends with other people’s. The choc pancakes with fruit and gooey nut butter are basically chocolate cake for breakfast.
100% vegan, non-GF options.
Location: Bethnal Green
Dinner
For 100% Vegan Fast-Food: Neat Burger
Neat Burger is backed by Lewis Hamilton, and has SO many incredible gluten free vegan options. All of the fried items are safely gluten free as their panko breadcrumbs are gluten free as standard! Think veggie chicken burgers, “beef” burgers, nuggets and more.
100% vegan, non-GF options.
Location: multiple
For Indian: Dishoom
If you like Indian food, I can't speak highly enough of Dishoom. The Bombay style food includes mouthwatering dishes like black lentil dahl and the infamous (and not-to-miss) gunpowder potatoes. They now also have a full vegan menu! The staff's allergy knowledge is second to none and all dishes come with allergy markers. Get there very early or go at lunch time as there's always a huge queue, but the staff look after you it's worth the wait.
Has non-GF and non-vegan options.
Locations: Carnaby, Covent Garden, Kensington, King's Cross, Shoreditch
For 100% GF Vegan: Holy Carrot
Holy Carrot is Knightsbridge’s hot new vegan restaurant. It focuses on ethically sourced, in season food and everything we had was so fresh, full of flavour and delicious. This is not just your average aubergine-full vegan restaurant - it has a diverse menu of truly tasty GF vegan eats.
100% GF, 100% VE.
Location: Knightsbridge
For Burgers: Honest Burgers
Absolutely everything at Honest can be made gluten free, including brioche buns and onion rings! The rosemary salted chips are the star of the show, joined by the onion rings which come gluten free as standard. Honest has a special every month which always looks incredible, often in collaboration with other restaurants or brands. They also have the infamous Plant Burger in collaboration with Beyond Meat (pictured below) which is now a permanent feature and is absolutely delicious - yep, it's vegan!
Non-GF and non-VE options.
Locations: All over the place, check their website for your nearest branch
For 100% Vegan burgers: Vurger
Vurger has taken London by storm with its vegan burgers. The selection is incredible and pretty much everything can be made gluten free including mac and cheese, vegan chicken dunkers, tater tots and all of the burgers! The most recent addition is a vegan honey and mustard based burger - wow. Not one to miss if you’re veggie or vegan.
100% VE, non-GF options.
Location: Shoreditch
For 100% vegan pizza: Purezza
Purezza’s pizza bases may just be the best gluten free ones out there. Whether you’re vegan or not, it is well worth a trip to try it out! Their vegan mozzarella alternative is famous, and the gluten free options aren’t limited to Pizza. You can try everything from garlic bread to vegan lasagna. Oh and did I mention CHOCOLATE PIZZA.
100% VE, non-GF options.
Location: Camden
For 100% GF Vegan pizza: Plant Hub
Hackney’s Plant Hub is both totally gluten free and totally vegan, so a win on both fronts! When I visited a couple of years ago it was finding its feet with a mixed menu, but now it’s established as a pizzeria and the gluten free bases have rave reviews. [NOTE: pictures below property of Plant Hub]
100% GF, 100% VE.
Location: Hackney
Treats
For 100% GF and Vegan: Cookies & Scream
If you are vegan or dairy/egg free then run don’t walk to Islington to Cookies and Scream! Even if you’re not vegan, you’ll want to head over for one of their amazing milkshakes. I got a salted caramel milkshake with balls of cookie dough (!!) and it might be one of the best things I’ve ever eaten.
100% GF, 100% VE.
Location: Islington
For Vegan Doughnuts: Borough 22
If, like me, you've spent much of your gluten free life not living in London, you'll know that gf doughnuts are nearly impossible to find. Not in London! Borough 22 has your back with their amazing gluten free and totally vegan (but you wouldn't know it) doughnuts. They're moist, and the flavour choice is to die for.
100% GF, 100% VE.
Location: stocked in various cafes around London and in Selfridges Food Hall - check the stockists section of their website to see where and which days
For 100% GF Vegan Cake: Vida Bakery
Brick Lane’s colourful cafe Vida Bakery is full to the brim of delicious gluten free and vegan treats, including delicious cookies and a wide variety of cake flavours. Definitely not one to miss!
100% GF, 100% VE
Locations: Brick Lane
