My Ultimate Guide to Vegan Food in East London

East London has no shortage of places to eat vegan food, and the range has grown well beyond the token falafel wrap. These are tried-and-tested favourites, from sit-down cafés to market stalls worth queuing for. Some places are missing simply because they didn’t quite earn a recommendation, or because they’re still on the list to visit. ## Lele’s, Hackney A bright, welcoming café that switched from vegetarian to fully vegan. It works equally well for a quick stop or a leisurely brunch. The owner, Valentina, set it up with the aim of giving locals somewhere to come together, and that warmth comes through in the atmosphere. ## Temple of Seitan, Hackney The Hackney hotspot, with queues out the door most weekends. The seitan comes breaded in a ‘chicken’ style, and the burger is the standout — ask for BBQ sauce instead of the ranch. There’s no seating inside, so pick a dry, mild day if you want to sit outside. ## Black Cat Cafe, Hackney In my view, the best vegan food in London. The cooking strikes a good balance between indulgent and genuinely vegetable-heavy, the portions are generous and the atmosphere is friendly. Highlights include the seitan roast, the fluffy cinnamon buns, and the vegan lasagne with slaw. It’s also a nice spot to get some work done, though laptops aren’t encouraged at lunchtime when it gets busy. ## Love Shack, Bethnal Green Tucked away behind wooden walls, Love Shack is well worth seeking out, particularly on a sunny day. The vibe is relaxed, yoga sessions are a regular fixture, and there are hammocks to lounge in. The whole place is plastic-free, down to the metal straws. ## Dalston Superstore, Dalston Don’t let the name put you off — this gay bar serves brunch. Disco Brunch runs every Saturday and Sunday, billed as drag, breakfast cocktails and brunch specials all day. Vegan options include a full English and a breakfast quesadilla, ideal when you need perking up at the weekend. ## By Chloe, Tower Bridge A New York import that has made its way to London. The Tower Bridge site is relatively new and has a lovely view of the bridge if you sit outside. It’s far less crowded than the Covent Garden branch, which gets criticised for its fast-food approach to seating. Some dishes are on the pricier side, but the food is among the tastiest vegan options around — the mac and cheese and the pesto meatball sub are both excellent. ## Mother Works, Hackney Wick A good place to rest after a walk along the canal. The juices are excellent and the menu is fully vegan, spanning healthy options through to loaded nachos. It’s a comfortable spot to work or to settle on the couch with a book for a few hours, and when the weather is good the doors open up and it becomes even more appealing. Most of the produce is organic and the kitchen is working towards zero waste. Standouts include the homemade Nutella and banana waffles (which may have been a temporary special) and the non-BLT sandwich. ## Gallery Cafe, Bethnal Green A charity-run café with the rustic feel you might picture when you think of vegan food. The stews have been excellent, and there was a homemade cream cheese so good it prompted an attempt to recreate it at home. The burgers, on the other hand, have been underwhelming — worth glancing at what other people have ordered before committing. The atmosphere is cosy and it’s a lovely place to read. ## Market stalls in East London Market offerings change constantly, and some of the places listed above also pop up at markets from time to time. Current favourites: ### Big V, Victoria Park Market and London Fields Market Veggie and vegan burgers rarely do much for me, but Big V is a major exception. The sauce is delicious, there are actually some greens in there, and everything tastes better eaten outdoors. They trade at several markets around London, so it’s worth tracking them down. Be warned: it’s impossible to eat neatly. ### Eat Chay, Broadway Vegan Market Eat Chay puts a modern spin on traditional Vietnamese and Korean dishes. The bánh mì is the one to order: a baguette filled with lemongrass ‘chicken’ or BBQ seitan, topped with coriander, cucumber and crispy onion. Easy to eat on the go, or to share. ## Boxpark, Shoreditch The Boxpark near Brick Lane is now home to several vegan favourites that previously traded elsewhere in the city. ### The Athenian Greek street food that hits the spot after an evening of drinks. The garlicky sauces and chips wrapped in flatbread are the draw. Order the box option if you’d rather not have sauce running down your hands. ### Eat Chay The market stall mentioned above now has a permanent home at Boxpark. The food doesn’t leave you feeling greasy, and it has gone down well even with people who aren’t usually keen on vegan alternatives. ### Biff’s Jack Shack First discovered at Broadway Market, and later encountered when they took over the kitchen at The Haunt in Dalston, Biff’s has now settled at Boxpark. If you like your vegan food on the dirty side — wings, BBQ sauce, onion rings on burgers — make this your first stop. — A couple of places are still on the wish list, including Fed by Water and The Spread Eagle, so this guide will be updated as those get ticked off. Suggestions for other places to try are always welcome.